1873 357 rifle, 18" octagon or 1/2 octagon?

[Tye Riverman, SASS #41433]

Hello the Wire,

 

Thinking about gettting a new rifle.  For the folks that have tried both, which do you prefer?  I am currently shooting one with octagonal barrel and wondering if the lighter front end is any better?  I already have a preferred gunsmith and set up, just wondering what you think about the barrel configuration.  

 

Thanks,

Tye 

[Cotton Eye Joe]

I've had Cimarron's Texas Brush Popper in 357mag for almost 10 years (first lever gun I ever bought). It's got that half-half barrel config, and I gotta say, it's still not a super light gun. A 20" Chiappa 1892 is definitely lighter. I think a 24" Marlin 1894 is pretty comparable in weight to the Brush Popper. 

 

So if you're looking for a air-light rifle, you may be a little disappointed. Just my two cents, of course. Probably need to work on my upper body, admittedly lol.

[Tye Riverman, SASS #41433]

14 minutes ago, Cotton Eye Joe said:

I've had Cimarron's Texas Brush Popper in 357mag for almost 10 years (first lever gun I ever bought). It's got that half-half barrel config, and I gotta say, it's still not a super light gun. A 20" Chiappa 1892 is definitely lighter. I think a 24" Marlin 1894 is pretty comparable in weight to the Brush Popper. 

 

So if you're looking for a air-light rifle, you may be a little disappointed. Just my two cents, of course. Probably need to work on my upper body, admittedly lol.

Thanks, I started with Marlins with 24" barrels and still have them, but switched to the 1873 15 or 20 years ago and never looked back.

[Choctaw Jack]

I shoot two '73s, a 18.5 inch and a 20 inch, both with octagonal barrels.

I recently acquired  a '66 with the round 19.5 inch carbine barrel.

Even with the heavier brass receiver it "feels" much lighter than the octagonal barreled '73s.

I haven't weighed them yet,  so I'm just going by feel.

Of course, YMMV.

Choctaw

[Bingo Montana]

You are more than welcome to give one of my 18" 1/2 octagon 73's a try at the next match we shoot together.  For me and my style of shooting, I do like how the 18" octagonal barrel 73 feels and handles.  

[I. M. Crossdraw, SASS# 8321]

Although the full octagon does weigh a few ounces heavier, the weight is unperceivable when the timer goes off, IMO.

[Muggins]

We have both and have weighed both. The half round rifle still has the correct crescent rifle buttstock while the full octagon barrel has a carbine buttstock. The half round rifle (7 pounds 11.4 oz) is 1.3 ounces less than the full octagon barrel short rifle (7 pounds 12.7 ounces). Our 19” carbine weighed 7 pounds 2.1 ounces.  I can’t tell a difference by simply holding either rifle. I also can’t tell a difference swinging either rifle between targets when a timer goes off. The true carbine does feel lighter (obviously)

 

I don’t know what the weight difference is between a rifle and a carbine buttstock so results might vary slightly.

[SouthwestShooter]

3 hours ago, Cotton Eye Joe said:

I've had Cimarron's Texas Brush Popper in 357mag for almost 10 years (first lever gun I ever bought). It's got that half-half barrel config, and I gotta say, it's still not a super light gun. A 20" Chiappa 1892 is definitely lighter. I think a 24" Marlin 1894 is pretty comparable in weight to the Brush Popper. 

 

So if you're looking for a air-light rifle, you may be a little disappointed. Just my two cents, of course. Probably need to work on my upper body, admittedly lol.

Want a light gun, try a 19 inch round barrel.

[Wild Eagle]

I doubt that you would be able to tell the difference between the two.  I shoot a 18-1/2" half round and a friend has a 20" full octagon, and I really can't tell the difference when shooting them side by side.  buy whichever one looks the best to you and be done with it.  Don't over think it.

[Rooster Ron Wayne]

Try a 92  !

Light and fast .

Just Sayin. 

Rooster 

[Griff]

I bought a '73 Comanchero from Taylor's about 12 years ago, 18-½" half rnd/oct and feel it handles as well as any carbine, except my mdl 94s with the 16" bbl.  the "rifle" buttstock , with the sight extra mass just in front of the receiver provides a slightly increased steadiness lacking in a true carbine, without the nose heaviness of a full octagon bbl. of any length.  But, as with most things, it's a matter or personal choice, and one would be well behooved to "try before you buy."

[MBFields]

My octagon seem to a bit more steady on target because of slightly heavier.

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

I'd go with either full round or full stop sign.   For purely reasons of looks.   I think the half and half looks goofy, but they full length one way or the other is just fine.   If push comes to shove, I'd take the octagon.  Round is okay, if that's what's available.  Half and half, I'd keep looking.

[Rye Miles #13621]

I have both, a Taylor’s Commanchero with a half round half octagon barrel and a Cimarron with an octagon barrel. I love em both. The Commanchero is a little smoother but that’s the action. 

[Pb Mark]

Simple answer since in a 73, they feel enough similar.  Buy what you think is prettier.  If you have a selection of both barrel types, shop for the nicest looking wood.

Just don't take a spouse with you when doing this shopping or she will be the one deciding...

[Abe E.S. Corpus SASS #87667]

I bought a 20” octagonal’73 because it was available.  Later I determined that I preferred the balance of the “half round”.  It’s subjective.

[Tye Riverman, SASS #41433]

 Thanks for the replies.  It seems the biggest difference is cosmetics rather than performance.  Some can feel the weight difference, but once the buzzer goes off I doubt I would.  Thanks again.

Tye

[watab kid]

i like the full octagon myself - but in 357 i shoot a 94 marlin , its my only rifle in that caliber so far , if i progress into this caliber ill get another as a backup or sub as main and use the marlin as backup , i will buy full octagon 

[July Smith]

I own and shoot both a 18" 1/2 oct and a 20" full octagon.  I like both rifles and they are close enough that I would say they shoot about the same.  I personally prefer the 20" mainly because 10rds is easier to load.  Don't get me wrong the 18" one holds 10 rounds just fine, but the 20" is easier to load. 

 

 

[Three Foot Johnson]

I've always liked the look of a half & half barrel.

[Griff]

10 hours ago, Three Foot Johnson said:

I've always liked the look of a half & half barrel.

Aye, me too!

In addition to the one above, versions like the Taylor's Comanchero and a '63 mdl 94 Winchester with the 1894-1994 ½rnd/oct bbl on it have me sorta wishing I had more...  That's not to say that I don't like other versions of the same models, full octagon, full round, rifles, carbines, etc... but Short Rifle versions are simply the best... IMO!