Winchester, Uberti, Taylor Model 73?

[joachim slim]

I am going to buy a lever gun in 45 colt. I dont care about fast, short stroke or any other bells and whistles. All I want is smoothand dependability. So, between the ones I mentioned and also the Henry which gun will be the most dependable for every day shooting for 500rds, 1,000rds, 2,500rds....etc.

[Slow Poke]

I would go with the uberti,  they are easy to smooth out and easier to find parts for. Just my 2 cents

[joachim slim]

7 minutes ago, Slow Poke said:

I would go with the uberti,  they are easy to smooth out and easier to find parts for. Just my 2 cents

Im not looking to do any work to what I buy. I want dependability and longevity.

[1st Sgt BearClaw Toklat]

The Winchester's, in my opinion, are better quality right out of the box.  The wood is American walnut and the "right" color.  I hate the reddish tint on the Italian guns.  I have several Winchesters that serve as my main match guns, depending on which category I'm shooting.   

[Michigan Slim]

Winchester. Ready to run right out of the gate. 

[Irish Pat]

Winchester 

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

My out of the box Uberties all run well just fine with no modifications.   I don't have one of the Japanese Winchesters, so I can't comment.

I thought the Taylors WERE Uberties, just tuned a bit by them before selling.   Can anyone clarify?

[Slow Poke]

11 hours ago, joachim slim said:

Im not looking to do any work to what I buy. I want dependability and longevity.

By "finding parts" I mean that if a spring, firing pin, or other part breaks they seem easier to get parts for. 

[Boggus Deal #64218]

44 minutes ago, H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 said:

My out of the box Uberties all run well just fine with no modifications.   I don't have one of the Japanese Winchesters, so I can't comment.

I thought the Taylors WERE Uberties, just tuned a bit by them before selling.   Can anyone clarify?

Taylor’s, Cimarron, Stoeger, EMF and Beretta are/were just importers of Uberti. Some models are specific to that importer. Taylor’s does offer a few “tuned” models. 

[Rye Miles #13621]

29 minutes ago, Slow Poke said:

By "finding parts" I mean that if a spring, firing pin, or other part breaks they seem easier to get parts for. 

This ^^^^^^^^^^ 
Things could break on either gun and the Ubert’s are easier to find parts for.

[July Smith]

The Miroku/Winchesters 1873s are probably the closest thing to an out of the box ready to go rifle for SASS.  If you keep it stock and don't modify it I don't see why any repairs would not be covered under the factory warranty should a part break. 

 

My second choice would be a Uberti 1873 with at least a "light" action job.  Most of these guns are sprung pretty tight and have a few burs from the factory that if shot a lot in SASS will break prematurely.  

[Sedalia Dave]

From the factory, the Uberti 73's are all over sprung. This is going to shorten their longevity. Taylors and Cimarons are just rebranded Uberti's so I would suspect the same from them.

 

Not sure if the Winchester/Miroku 73's come from the factory over sprung or not. However to the best of my knowledge, there are no spare parts available for these.

 

The Henry is an 1860 not 1873 but I would bet that this would last the longest straight out of the box. They also come with a lifetime warranty so if it breaks they'll fix it. The down side is the 1860 is heavier than a 73.

[Rooster Ron Wayne]

Any Uberti gun has much much more aftermarket parts available for them .

Im 100% Happy with my Uberti Winchester clones. 

The Miroku- Winchester ,  Winchester clone cost a lot more money with a lot less aftermarket support. 

Just Sayin. 

Rooster 

[Rooster Ron Wayne]

All them New 73's are so damnd expensive  😩

Im stuck using my Old Original Winchester 73  3rd  Model  in  44WCF 😳

Just Sayin. 

Rooster 

 

Edited December 3, 2025 by Rooster Ron Wayne

[El Sobrante Kid]

6 hours ago, Rye Miles #13621 said:

This ^^^^^^^^^^ 
Things could break on either gun and the Ubert’s are easier to find parts for.

 

A "better" way to say this is that factory spare parts for the Miroku Winchesters have been reported as not available. If something breaks you will have to send the gun back for repairs.

[Savvy Jack]

19 hours ago, joachim slim said:

I am going to buy a lever gun in 45 colt. I dont care about fast, short stroke or any other bells and whistles. All I want is smoothand dependability. So, between the ones I mentioned and also the Henry which gun will be the most dependable for every day shooting for 500rds, 1,000rds, 2,500rds....etc.

 

Uberti sells parts, most if not all others do not.

My Uberti 73' was imported by Cabelas way back in the day...still going strong. It is not abused, but as most know, it has been put through the ringer....
Got a few more kills with it this past week.
 

[Griff]

As others have said, the Taylor, Cimmaron, Dixie, et all are simply Ubertis branded with the importer's name.  However, there is a "Taylor 73", as opposed to an 1873, that  is supposedly US made by Taylors, but only in 9mm.  It's threaded for a suppressor, but I haven't seen one, nor read any 1st hand reviews.

 

The Italian versions are just ok out of the box.  But generally need some lighter springs for the lever, carrier & trigger block safety.  A little judicious deburring and grease in the right places will also aid smoothness and longevity.  My 1986 production has only received that mild treatment.  It has, over it's life broken exactly 2 parts, an extractor at around 10 years, and a mainspring at 30 plus.  I ran stock springs in it until around 2005, when visiting out of state I was lent a slicked up rifle.  When I bought my second one in 2014, it got the mild tune-up & aftermarket springs right away.    Between these two and my Uberti 1860 Henry, they've seen well over 200K rounds.  BTW, mine are all 45 Colt.  

 

Aftermarket support for the Miroku is almost non-existent except for authorized repair & warranty facilities.  So, your gun is likely going off to see the wizard while you wait.

 

I hate myself for saying this... but if you're just looking for a workmanlike product that sees good factory support, your best bet is the tomato stake equivalent of a rifle... the Henry.  It will be neither handy, nor speedy.  They weigh upwards of a tank.  But, they work.  They're uglier than sin, and like mopeds & fat girls, no one wants to be seen riding one.  But, if you're able to stomach the kool-aid, go ahead.   Don't consider this a recommendation, more like a eulogy.  As any style points you thought you might possess," just died!

Edited December 3, 2025 by Griff

[Abe E.S. Corpus SASS #87667]

I have a Uberti and a Winchester.  Out of the box the Winchester was a little smoother and less oversprung.  The stroke is a little shorter (I read but cannot confirm that this makes the Winchester unapproved for NCOWS).

 

The Winchester has a single (heavy) spring for the lever safety and trigger return.  I replaced it with an aftermarket part.

[Thunder Creek Kid]

I have got several parts for my Winchesters all from Browning. 
screws and springs. 

[Tex Jones, SASS 2263]

12 minutes ago, Thunder Creek Kid said:

I have got several parts for my Winchesters all from Browning. 
screws and springs. 

What is the contact information for them?

[Sedalia Dave]

4 hours ago, Abe E.S. Corpus SASS #87667 said:

I have a Uberti and a Winchester.  Out of the box the Winchester was a little smoother and less oversprung.  The stroke is a little shorter (I read but cannot confirm that this makes the Winchester unapproved for NCOWS).

 

The Winchester has a single (heavy) spring for the lever safety and trigger return.  I replaced it with an aftermarket part.

You are correct, the Miroku/Winchester is not NCOWS legal. 

[watab kid]

ill not disagree with any of the above as you presented yourself up front , there are some preferences to be considered if you are someone that is going to get faster and nbe more competitive , however as you presented yourself as ME the guy wanting to shoot with as little problems possible and attaining maximum fun out of this experience ill add that i started with an uberti winchester 1894 in 45colt  that served me well till i found my uberti 1866 in 45colt that made me happy , 

 

i think ill shoot my 1860 uberti-henryin 45colt  a bit in the next few years because ive got a pair of 1858 conversions in 45colt , bottom linre is im having fun , 

 

but the uberti/pietta replicas are made to beat up in our game - you cant go wrong with either 

[Thunder Creek Kid]

On 12/4/2025 at 12:32 PM, Tex Jones, SASS 2263 said:

What is the contact information for them?

3005 Arnold-Tenbrook Road
Arnold, Missouri 63010-4728
800-322-4626

[Shooting Bull]

On 12/2/2025 at 8:06 PM, joachim slim said:

 I dont care about fast, short stroke or any other bells and whistles. All I want is smoothand dependability. 

I’m going to take your words to heart and recommend something I NEVER thought I’d recommend. Get yourself a Henry Big Boy. They’re fantastic rifles right out of the box made by a fantastic company right here in the USA. That being said, you’ll never EVER win a match with one. The design simply isn’t capable of being run fast. Smooth and reliable from now till Hell freezes over, but not fast. 

[watab kid]

35 minutes ago, Shooting Bull said:

I’m going to take your words to heart and recommend something I NEVER thought I’d recommend. Get yourself a Henry Big Boy. They’re fantastic rifles right out of the box made by a fantastic company right here in the USA. That being said, you’ll never EVER win a match with one. The design simply isn’t capable of being run fast. Smooth and reliable from now till Hell freezes over, but not fast. 

i would agree with that even tho my experience with henry is strictly 22cal , 

[Nickle]

You guys talking about how good the 1860 Henry is. Are you talking about American made 1860 or uberti 1860?

Internally aren't the uberti 1860s better quality than the highly finished on the outside American gun?

[Cotton Eye Joe]

Late to this one, but maybe look at Cimarron's "Texas Brush Popper" model 1873. It's a Uberti rifle that's already smoothed out for competition. However, they don't short stroke the lever, so you get to actually feel like you're firing an old Winchester. 

 

I don't think they make them with straight stocks anymore, but they come in 357 and 45colt. 

 

 

[Griff]

On 12/5/2025 at 2:19 AM, watab kid said:

with an uberti winchester 1894 in 45colt 

Hmmm... did you maybe mean a USRA Winchester  94AE?   🤭 The only 1894 pattern rifle (i.e. "top eject"), that USRA produced was the 1894-1994 Centennial, and only in .30-30... but it also had the dreaded cross-bolt safety fiasco.   AFAIK, the Uberti 1894 has only been available in .30-30 & .38-55.

On 12/5/2025 at 6:56 PM, Shooting Bull said:

I’m going to take your words to heart and recommend something I NEVER thought I’d recommend. Get yourself a Henry Big Boy. They’re fantastic rifles right out of the box made by a fantastic company right here in the USA. That being said, you’ll never EVER win a match with one. The design simply isn’t capable of being run fast. Smooth and reliable from now till Hell freezes over, but not fast. 

Isn't that what I said?   Albeit a little nicer!  😁

[watab kid]

3 hours ago, Griff said:

Hmmm... did you maybe mean a USRA Winchester  94AE?   🤭 The only 1894 pattern rifle (i.e. "top eject"), that USRA produced was the 1894-1994 Centennial, and only in .30-30... but it also had the dreaded cross-bolt safety fiasco.   AFAIK, the Uberti 1894 has only been available in .30-30 & .38-55.

Isn't that what I said?   Albeit a little nicer!  😁

i was referring to my uberti copy but i could well be using wrong nomenclature as i was going by memory anot looking at the rifle i didnt want to dig out 

[Rooster Ron Wayne]

Cimarron,  Taylors,  EMF , Stoeger. 

They all are just Uberti rifles with plain or fancy features. 

I personally like Cimarron Uberti rifles. 

I can't stand the Miroku Winchester clone rifles .

They might be well built guns but the ugly tang safety and the rebounding hammer just dont work for me .

I will stick with my Cimarron Uberti and be happy. 

On the other note .

I for the most part run them all stock or I might lighten the springs a little myself. 

But no short stroke anything for me .

Your milage my vary .

Rooster 

[Cotton Eye Joe]

23 minutes ago, Rooster Ron Wayne said:

Cimarron,  Taylors,  EMF , Stoeger. 

They all are just Uberti rifles with plain or fancy features. 

I personally like Cimarron Uberti rifles. 

I can't stand the Miroku Winchester clone rifles .

They might be well built guns but the ugly tang safety and the rebounding hammer just dont work for me .

I will stick with my Cimarron Uberti and be happy. 

On the other note .

I for the most part run them all stock or I might lighten the springs a little myself. 

But no short stroke anything for me .

Your milage my vary .

Rooster 

You might be happy to hear that they dropped the tang safety on 1873s sometime in the last few years. I think on the 1866 as well. Still on the 1894s, though.

 

It appears the rebounding hammer stayed though.

 

 

[Griff]

I don't believe the Miroku produced copies of the 1866 & 1873 ever had a tang safety.   All the others do except the 1885.

[Elkhorn Ernie]

39 minutes ago, Griff said:

I don't believe the Miroku produced copies of the 1866 & 1873 ever had a tang safety.   All the others do except the 1885.

I have one of the first 1873's that came into our shop and it does not have a tang safety. It does have an internal bolt safety that is part of the firing pin extension.  

[Tall John]

Either rifle will do what you want and do it very well.  I have two Uberti’s, one Miakou and a Rem-Marlin.  I like them in that order.  Go to a gun show where  you can most likely handle them all in an afternoon.  Buy what feels good and best fits your budget.

 

 

Edited December 7, 2025 by Tall John