Any 44 mag 1873 users out there?

[Willie Miss 45]

 Those of you that know me know that I settled on a pair of Ruger super Blackhawks as my match revolvers. I discovered that they sell the 73 in 44 magnum and I’m wondering if any of you use them? And if so, can they be short stroked?

Edited June 28 by Willie Miss 45
Typos

[Sedalia Dave]

1 hour ago, Willie Miss 45 said:

 Those of you that know me know that I settled on a pair of Ruger super Blackhawks as my match revolvers. I discovered that they sell the 73 in 44 magnum and I’m wondering if any of you use them? And if so, can they be short stroked?

 

Any toggle link rifle (1860, 1866, 1873) can be short stroked. Caliber doesn't matter.

[Willie Miss 45]

29 minutes ago, Sedalia Dave said:

 

Any toggle link rifle (1860, 1866, 1873) can be short stroked. Caliber doesn't matter.

That makes me wonder why my Miruko 73 45 colt can’t be done

Edited June 29 by Willie Miss 45

[El Sobrante Kid]

1 minute ago, Willie Miss 45 said:

That makes me wonder why my Miruko 73 45 colt can’t be done

 

Because it is done by the factory, as in, it has already been done.

[Willie Miss 45]

It definitely is nowhere near the Taylor I have. Maybe it needs sent back I don’t know, but I can tell you. It’s definitely does not act like a short stroked rifle

[El Sobrante Kid]

While your Miroku may or may not be similar to you Taylor, the Miroku rifles are short stroked at the factory when they are built. If you compare your Miroku to any other Miroku, I think you will find that they are all the same. If that is not enough short stroke for your liking, I  think you are stuck, I don't think that anyone that is working on them to shorten the stroke at this time.

[Willie Miss 45]

This makes me rethink selling this gun… I’ll bet there’s just something wrong with it. I guess that would be worth checking before I part with it. Seems to me when I first got it I really liked it. Then it set for a while because I got my Taylor and was shooting it. When I circled back to the Miruko it was kind of clunky in comparison to the tailor. I just figured that was a natural difference between the two.

[Sedalia Dave]

42 minutes ago, Willie Miss 45 said:

That makes me wonder why my Miruko 73 45 colt can’t be done

 

It's the lack of aftermarket parts. The internals are just different enough that the links used in Uberti rifles don't fit.

 

As others have stated the Miroku 73 rifle is short stroked from the factory. 

[Willie Miss 45]

 

39 minutes ago, Sedalia Dave said:

 

It's the lack of aftermarket parts. The internals are just different enough that the links used in Uberti rifles don't fit.

 

As others have stated the Miroku 73 rifle is short stroked from the factory. 

They are dang close. The Taylor 357 is on top. The Miroku 45 is on the bottom. 
The Miroku is definitely not as smooth and seems a might stiffer. It only has 3 or 4 hundred rounds through it I bet. The Taylor probably has a thousand or so

[Tyrel Cody]

The Miroku 73’s come from the factory with about the same short stroke as a 3rd Gen kit from C&I or PGW. I bet your Taylor’s Uberti has a 5th Gen kit it in it which is the shortest stroke legal.

 

I don’t know if Cowboy Carty is still doing them but at one time he’d cut and weld a Miroku and short stroke them the same as a Uberti with a 5th gen; I have a 44-40 he did.

 

 

[Willie Miss 45]

15 minutes ago, Tyrel Cody said:

The Miroku 73’s come from the factory with about the same short stroke as a 3rd Gen kit from C&I or PGW. I bet your Taylor’s Uberti has a 5th Gen kit it in it which is the shortest stroke legal.

 

I don’t know if Cowboy Carty is still doing them but at one time he’d cut and weld a Miroku and short stroke them the same as a Uberti with a 5th gen; I have a 44-40 he did.

 

 

How do I get in touch with him?

[Tall John]

[Sheriff Dill]

I second Cowboy Carty. You can also try Shotgun Boogie. When I had a Miroku 73 competition model I ran into issues with something on the inside. Carty and Boogie were the only ones I found and talked to that would work on it. Most wouldn’t touch it because of the aftermarket parts issues. I was lucky enough to find an older ss kit from PGW for it and it ran great the rest of its life in my possession.  I’ve since switched to a 24” Uberti 73’ for myself and a 20” for our son. 

[Nimble Fingers SASS# 25439]

I am still interested in hearing if anyone has a 73 in .44 mag?  My Winchesters are a mix between original and Miroku, except for the Navy Arms Henry.  More than smooth enough for me, besides “Linc McAdams” (Jimmy Stewart) didn’t have his short stroked and he won a “One of One Thousand” 1873 with his!🤠

Seriously I really want what the originator of this posts asked, anyone have a 1873 in .44 mag?  

[Willie Miss 45]

1 hour ago, Nimble Fingers SASS# 25439 said:

I am still interested in hearing if anyone has a 73 in .44 mag?  My Winchesters are a mix between original and Miroku, except for the Navy Arms Henry.  More than smooth enough for me, besides “Linc McAdams” (Jimmy Stewart) didn’t have his short stroked and he won a “One of One Thousand” 1873 with his!🤠

Seriously I really want what the originator of this posts asked, anyone have a 1873 in .44 mag?  

Please. I’m thinking of buying one and don’t want to regret it. 

[Abilene, SASS # 27489]

I've heard from folks that have had them in the past.  None had any problems. They are as good as any other '73.  Whether you load light 44 mag or 44 Spcl for CAS it should be fine, and all the aftermarket go-fast parts fit if you are so inclined.

[Tall John]

if you are wanting a lever 44 magnum for shooting full power 44 magnum rounds, you’ll want to go with a Marlin 1894.  everything I’ve heard/read is that the toggle link lever actions will not hold up to the heavy recoil of the full power 44magnum.

 

Friends that have the new Ruger made 1894’s in 44m love them.

 

[Willie Miss 45]

2 minutes ago, Tall John said:

if you are wanting a lever 44 magnum for shooting full power 44 magnum rounds, you’ll want to go with a Marlin 1894.  everything I’ve heard/read is that the toggle link lever actions will not hold up to the heavy recoil of the full power 44magnum.

 

Friends that have the new Ruger made 1894’s in 44m love them.

 

No, I have a Henry steel boy for that. I just want to pair it with my super Blackhawks for cowboy action.

[Tall John]

The very first post on the SASS wire FAQ page is a list of the reputable Cowboy gun smiths.  I’d start calling folks like Cowboy Carty,  Shotgun Boogie, Ken Griner, Cody Conagher, Fast Eddie, Johnny Meadows, to see what they have and their opinions and options on rifles, custom options and costs for an 1873 44spl/mag.

 

Most guys I’ve seen shooting 44 special are using a Marlin 1894.  Slater’s House of Guns outside of Knoxville TN seems to be the current “Go-To” for Marlins.  While Widder is the GOAT and often will chime in!

[Willie Miss 45]

3 hours ago, Tall John said:

The very first post on the SASS wire FAQ page is a list of the reputable Cowboy gun smiths.  I’d start calling folks like Cowboy Carty,  Shotgun Boogie, Ken Griner, Cody Conagher, Fast Eddie, Johnny Meadows, to see what they have and their opinions and options on rifles, custom options and costs for an 1873 44spl/mag.

 

Most guys I’ve seen shooting 44 special are using a Marlin 1894.  Slater’s House of Guns outside of Knoxville TN seems to be the current “Go-To” for Marlins.  While Widder is the GOAT and often will chime in!

Not there yet… I was trying to get some feedback from shooters first. No point wasting somebody’s time on something I’m not sure I want.. 

[Willie Miss 45]

Thank you for the replies.
I discovered most of my issue with the Miroku was the hammer spring. I googled it and found out the adjustment screw was turned all the way in.  I backed it out 1 turn and the difference is night and day. It’s probably a keeper now. Probably will get rid of the crescent but plate. And possibly find a way to lighten the lever lock spring. 

Edited June 30 by Willie Miss 45
Typos

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

Sure.



From top to bottom, an Uberti, an original Great Western, and an Interarms Virginia Dragoon.

Notice how Uberti and Interarms both enlarged and beefed up the frame to fit the .44 Magnum, but how Great Wester somehow stuffed it into a standard sized 73 frame.   I've read that Interarms also made a fixed sight model, but I've only ever seen the adjustable sight version.

Oh, wait, you mean the 73 Winchester rifle, not the 73 Colt pistol.   

 

Edited June 30 by H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619

[Tall John]

1 hour ago, Willie Miss 45 said:

Thank you for the replies.
I discovered most of my issue with the Miroku was the hammer spring. I googled it and found out the adjustment screw was turned all the way in.  I backed it out 1 turn and the difference is night and day. It’s probably a keeper now. Probably will get rid of the crescent but plate. And possibly find a way to lighten the lever lock spring. 

 

Glad to hear that you found the problem/feature of your Mirakou.  Be sure to test fire with different ammo if you purchase your ammo OR with different reloads especially if you use different brands of primers as some are harder than others and ftfs can occur as you lighten the tension.

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

Willie Miss 45

 

Allow me to suggest you contact Shotgun Boogie for his Miroku 1873 tuning kit.  You will be amazed and it is well worth the dinero.

[Rooster Ron Wayne]

Im a 44 Man myself. 

I almost bought the 44 73 awile ago .

But come to find out that the 73 dont hold up to the 44 magnum very well .

Uberti changed them all back to the 44 special cartridge. 

I have three 73's in 44 special. 

And two 66's In 44 special. 

I really like the 44 special rifles a lot .

Rooster 

 

[SGT. ELI 35882 GUNFIGHTER]

I believe the only 44 mag 73 Uberti is a carbine with the a straight rubber pad buttstock. I have shot a 44 special 73 rifle for years. Still a favorite. It was a 24" gun originally, I cut it to 18" and it has a Boogie Hammer, trigger, loading gate, lifter/lever springs, firing pin, a Cowboys and Indians 4th Gen kit, and stainless mag tube. I added coil spring extractor and clean out cut the bolt.

[Willie Miss 45]

11 hours ago, Rooster Ron Wayne said:

Im a 44 Man myself. 

I almost bought the 44 73 awile ago .

But come to find out that the 73 dont hold up to the 44 magnum very well .

Uberti changed them all back to the 44 special cartridge. 

I have three 73's in 44 special. 

And two 66's In 44 special. 

I really like the 44 special rifles a lot .

Rooster 

 

Thank you. It’s nice to chat with a fellow 44 man.

This 44 would be strictly sass loads. I have a Henry Steel Boy if I wanna go hot. 
I worked up a couple loads for my Super Blackhawks that have negligible recoil but shoot well. 4.2 gr of Trail Boss and 180 rnfp and 3.1 grains of Trail Boss with a 240 gr semi wad cutter. I use magnum cases and large pistol primers. What’s your fav?

[DukeSoprano]

What press do you all load Trail boss on? I have 2 Dillon 650s, one for large primers and one for small. I have been reloading for many years and have never had any issues with the 9 different calibers I load.

I compete with either 2 real Colt SAAs in 44 special or 2 Ruger New Vaqueros in 44 Special. I recently noticed what sounded like light loads.

My load is 4.2 grains of Trail Boss with a 200 gr RNFP.

I started to weigh a lot more powder drops than usual and finally found one that weighed 3 grains.

I polished my powder hopper base, switched to a large powder bar, installed an aquarium pump to the hopper, polished the powder die, everything I could think of.

I had a bunch of powder drop alarms included in one of the 650s I bought used so I installed it, sure enough, maybe 1 out of 50 or 80 are 1 grain short.

 

Any advice?

Thanks, Duke

[Willie Miss 45]

1 hour ago, DukeSoprano said:

What press do you all load Trail boss on? I have 2 Dillon 650s, one for large primers and one for small. I have been reloading for many years and have never had any issues with the 9 different calibers I load.

I compete with either 2 real Colt SAAs in 44 special or 2 Ruger New Vaqueros in 44 Special. I recently noticed what sounded like light loads.

My load is 4.2 grains of Trail Boss with a 200 gr RNFP.

I started to weigh a lot more powder drops than usual and finally found one that weighed 3 grains.

I polished my powder hopper base, switched to a large powder bar, installed an aquarium pump to the hopper, polished the powder die, everything I could think of.

I had a bunch of powder drop alarms included in one of the 650s I bought used so I installed it, sure enough, maybe 1 out of 50 or 80 are 1 grain short.

 

Any advice?

Thanks, Duke

For me, I just want a strong enough bang that my cylinder doesn’t lock up. If I load below 3.9 of trail boss with the 180 grainers that’s what happens. So I settled on 4.2 so if it was a little light or a little heavy it wouldn’t matter. For the 240s I went as low as 2.8 then settled on 3.1 for the same reason. 
there is always going to be fluctuations in what I get out of powder drop so I just buffer accordingly. I don’t worry about loading for accuracy… just reliability. At the distances I shoot that works out well. 

[Jackaroo, # 29989]

On 6/30/2026 at 2:08 AM, Nimble Fingers SASS# 25439 said:

I am still interested in hearing if anyone has a 73 in .44 mag?  My Winchesters are a mix between original and Miroku, except for the Navy Arms Henry.  More than smooth enough for me, besides “Linc McAdams” (Jimmy Stewart) didn’t have his short stroked and he won a “One of One Thousand” 1873 with his!🤠

Seriously I really want what the originator of this posts asked, anyone have a 1873 in .44 mag?  

I started out using 44 mag, cause that was the marlin rifle i first purchased from a mate cheap.

I soon learned the magnum cartridge was really unsuitable for CAS, highly inaccurate, and changed to 44 special, a really great round.

I still shoot 44 special for wild bunch .

[Willie Miss 45]

Just now, Jackaroo, # 29989 said:

I started out using 44 mag, cause that was the marlin rifle i first purchased from a mate cheap.

I soon learned the magnum cartridge was really unsuitable for CAS, highly inaccurate, and changed to 44 special, a really great round.

I still shoot 44 special for wild bunch .

I cut down 25 44 mag cases today am gonna load them up with four grains of trail Boss under a 240 grain semi wide cutter and some under a 180 round those flat point. Hopefully they work well. I really like shooting the super Blackhawks. 

[Doc Moses]

On 6/29/2026 at 11:08 AM, Nimble Fingers SASS# 25439 said:

I am still interested in hearing if anyone has a 73 in .44 mag?  My Winchesters are a mix between original and Miroku, except for the Navy Arms Henry.  More than smooth enough for me, besides “Linc McAdams” (Jimmy Stewart) didn’t have his short stroked and he won a “One of One Thousand” 1873 with his!🤠

Seriously I really want what the originator of this posts asked, anyone have a 1873 in .44 mag?  

I have a Cimmaron 18" 73 in 44 mag, stock. No issues in CASS.  My first 73 is in 357 and I still shoot it about half the time to save on LPP and over all cost. The 357 has a 3rd Gen ss. Of course both are Ubertis. I prefer the 44, it just handles so nice and I love having the same ammo for pistol and rifle.  (I use 44 mag old vaqueros.)  If I had found the 44 first I probably would not have the 357.  My 44 shoots round nose flat tip 180s, 200s, and during Covid all I could get was semi wad cutter 240s.  All functioned perfectly at CASS velocities. Since it is an Uberti I can always get it ss if I ever get fast enough for it to make a difference.  I haven't fired much factory ammo through it but it is rated at 44 mag so it should handle a reasonable amount of factory stuff.  My only question mark is cases.  I have only used 44 mag cases.  I am confident that it would also run with 44 special cases but not sure about 44 colt cases.  I hope this helps answer your posted question.  Not a 'smart' CASS rifle as it cost more to load for it than for a 357/38, but it is definitely fun, especially if you are a 44 guy!  I love it!  If you are ever at Oakwood or the Texas Troublemakers let me know and I will be sure and bring it, you can shoot a stage!

 

PS the 18" holds 10 with my loadings

Edited July 3 by Doc Moses

[Willie Miss 45]

52 minutes ago, Doc Moses said:

I have a Cimmaron 18" 73 in 44 mag, stock. No issues in CASS.  My first 73 is in 357 and I still shoot it about half the time to save on LPP and over all cost. The 357 has a 3rd Gen ss. Of course both are Ubertis. I prefer the 44, it just handles so nice and I love having the same ammo for pistol and rifle.  (I use 44 mag old vaqueros.)  If I had found the 44 first I probably would not have the 357.  My 44 shoots round nose flat tip 180s, 200s, and during Covid all I could get was semi wad cutter 240s.  All functioned perfectly at CASS velocities. Since it is an Uberti I can always get it ss if I ever get fast enough for it to make a difference.  I haven't fired much factory ammo through it but it is rated at 44 mag so it should handle a reasonable amount of factory stuff.  My only question mark is cases.  I have only used 44 mag cases.  I am confident that it would also run with 44 special cases but not sure about 44 colt cases.  I hope this helps answer your posted question.  Not a 'smart' CASS rifle as it cost more to load for it than for a 357/38, but it is definitely fun, especially if you are a 44 guy!  I love it!  If you are ever at Oakwood or the Texas Troublemakers let me know and I will be sure and bring it, you can shoot a stage!

 

PS the 18" holds 10 with my loadings

That’s a great answer. Thanks for sharing. 
I’ve always loved the 44 cartridge. When I got into Sass, I was moving away from cowboy fast draw and already had a 45. So it made sense to me to buy a second one and a lever gun in the same caliber. Then I transitioned to 38 for a little while and then found my way to the super Blackhawks. I love them and I don’t see me turning back. I to see value in having a 44 rifle so I only have to carry one caliber ammo. I need to find one first and then decide how I’m gonna pay for it lol. Most likely part with with the 45 Vaquero’s… Not sure though.

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

13 hours ago, Jackaroo, # 29989 said:

 

I soon learned the magnum cartridge was really unsuitable for CAS, highly inaccurate, and changed to 44 special, a really great round.

 

I have found the opposite to be true.

My first SASS rifle was a pre safety Rossi 92 in .44 Magnum.  I still use it every once in a while.

Anyway, I figured I'd use it with .44 Specials.   Well, Specials have a very real tendency to stovepipe in a most irritating way.   So, I switched to Magnums.  Stovepipes went away, and it has run flawlessly ever since I switched.  I started out with a minimal load of Trailboss behind a 200 grain, .430" bullet.  Still use that bullet, still use Trailboss, but since it's *44 Magnum!* I upped to just shy of the max load with that powder.  It is still no where near factory ammo power or recoil.  Shoots very well, even at rather long ranges.  

I guess your success or failure with the round will depend on the guns used, and probably the load as well.

[Doc Moses]

2 hours ago, Willie Miss 45 said:

That’s a great answer. Thanks for sharing. 
I’ve always loved the 44 cartridge. When I got into Sass, I was moving away from cowboy fast draw and already had a 45. So it made sense to me to buy a second one and a lever gun in the same caliber. Then I transitioned to 38 for a little while and then found my way to the super Blackhawks. I love them and I don’t see me turning back. I to see value in having a 44 rifle so I only have to carry one caliber ammo. I need to find one first and then decide how I’m gonna pay for it lol. Most likely part with with the 45 Vaquero’s… Not sure though.

On further thought, when I was using the 240 semiwadcutters I had a 92. It was before I had my 73 in 44 magnum. The 240 semiwadcutters may be to long for the 18" Cimarron 1873 to hold 10 with magnum brass.  I just don't know.  With light bullets though it is great!

Edited July 3 by Doc Moses