Trading time.. '73 for '73...

[Buck Elliott]

A week or so ago, I completed a deal for a NIB Uberti '73 short rifle, in .45 Colt.. Always kinda liked the look and feel of that version.. This one has the semi pistol grip, which is easier on my aging wrist than the straight grip of my former '73..

The little rifle is impeccable. Wood to metal fit is as good as I've seen, and the wood is plain, but pleasing.. Metal polishing is first-rate, with deep, even bluing, and muted color case hardening..

Action is smooth, but a little stiff still, as I have not yet delved into the inner workings.. I want to shoot it a bit , first. Trigger is crisp, but a little heavy, at approx 6-lb...

Stock and foreend are checkered, with nice, sharp, long-aspect diamonds, and not a single over run..

Now, if our sub-zero, blizzardy winter will back off, maybe I can get out to put a few rounds through it soon..

[JayF in AZ]

Any pictures?

[Blaine]

Got Pics? Are the Replicas stronger than the originals?

[Mescalero]

Sweet.

[Buck Elliott]

Blaine, it has been my experience that the replicas are noticably "stronger" than the originals.. Even the originals are a bit stronger than they've been given credit for..

My previous Uberti '73 digested thousands of relatively heavy .45 Colt loads.. The same ones I run through my Uberti Single Actions.. The loads are not up into the upper "Ruger-only" category, but were tailored to my guns, using H-4198 powder..

I'll have to figure out how to post some pics.. My photobucket account went under, some time ago..

[JerryB]

Glad to hear it Buck, that should make a easy carrying quick handleing little gun.

[Buck Elliott]

The shorter barrel definitely changes the balance and the handling dynamics.. It's a lot quicker, but doesn't have the "hang" of the 24" version. It's fast and positive though..

Magazine holds 10 rounds, and it cycles A-Zoom snap caps and dummy cartridges without a hitch..

[Griff]

Congrats Buck. That's one of my favorite configurations also. I've been looking at the "Texas Brush Popper", very much like the Short Rifle, except with a ½ Octagon/½ Round, 18-½" barrel vs the 20".


It comes in both PG w/checkering and plain straight stock.

[Buck Elliott]

Griff, I've handled the shorter "Brush Popper" models too, but they seem a bit abbreviated to me, especially in the half-round configuration.. The swing doesn't seem as smooth, in my mind.. It may be completely subjective, on my part too..

Giving up an inch and a half of barrel also means at least one less cartridge in th magazine.. My new short rifle will be my primary woods-walking gun, and roaming wolf packs are becoming increasingly bothersome in our mountains, despite lack of public reporting..

I just made the happy discovery that the magazine holds an even Dozen rounds, which makes me feel a little better...

Can't wait to get it out and burn a few rounds..!!

[claybob86]

...

I'll have to figure out how to post some pics.. My photobucket account went under, some time ago..

If you'd like, PM the photos to me and I'll post 'em for you.

[Nath]

Good news Buck.
Open a window and shoot it .
All this 73 talk gettin me itchy!

[Griff]

Yeah, I've only handled one for a few minutes at a match... but I really liked it. After havin' my 24" mdl 1873 for nearly 30 years... that lighter heft was a welcome change!

Went shootin' yesterday, it was nice down here in No. TX... (unlike today), took the '73 to FINALLY point it at paper with both some factory and handloads. Left the range yesterday thinkin' there was something I still needed to do after shootin' a couple of my 1911s (including a new to me RIA 1911A1), both my ARs with several different loadings and patterning two shotguns.

As I was uncasing all the rifles to put them back in the safe... I unzipped one, and a box of Winchester 225 gr Silvertip HPs fell out. As it bounced off my foot... I remembered what it was!

[.45colt]

Good for You Buck. it sounds like the Uberti I had and sold before I could drop it in the Mud. Enjoy.

[Buck Elliott]

I've had a 24" rifle for the last dozen years or so, and had a succession of them, before that.. I had/have no real complaints about the longer barrel, other than at times in the thick alders and scrub evergreens in this part of the world.. The rifle I just let go is as slick and smooth as hot-buttered bear boogers, but I just had a powerful hankerin' for a short rifle.. Couldn't afford to have em both, snd eventually, the short rifle won me over. In truth, it is a much nicer gun, inside and out, than the older one was, in the beginning, and already has a much better trigger than the old one started out with..

Maybe the weather will cut me some slack this week, so I can get some shooting done.. It has already warmed up 30 degrees today, from 15 below, to 15 above 0.. Feels like August... Lol