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Hey guys, I’m looking for some basic info and advice about buying and possibly restoring an 1876 Winchester to shooting condition. I have owned a couple modern lever actions, including an 1866 reproduction, but this will be my first original, antique gun. I will probably be looking for a rifle that is not in great shape, both due to cost, and because I would not want to put much use on a really nice original.rnWhich websites and forums should I be stalking to find a fixer-upper rifle?rnHow is the availability of parts, especially the internal parts? Is anyone machining new parts, or will I have to source original parts?rnWhat else should I know before I head down this rabbit hole?rnThanks!
There are more parts for the 73 than the 76 since more 73’s were made. Ebay has at least one 73 being parted out per week where as the 76 is maybe one in a couple months. You can buy new barrels, mag tube and wood for them. Buy one that has good working receiver to start with. A missing dust cover is not a deal breaker since you don’t need it unless your going for looks. At times someone will make a run of dust covers as well as screws.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
CWC said
What else should I know before I head down this rabbit hole?
That you’d save yourself time, money, & exasperation, by buying a beat-up, but largely intact, ’73. Maybe one with a brl cut short, or busted stock, or butchered in some other way, but still in shootable cond. There’s a reason some dealers buy such guns as I’m describing & break them up for parts–because the individual parts are worth quite a bit more than the beater gun. Do you want to be the one buying parts that way & attempting to put them back together to build a functional gun?
I’d suggest finding a gun that you can shoot without repairing. A lower condition, original gun that can be used will most likely be better for you in the long run. Replacement parts can be expensive, difficult to find, and may not work when you get them. An original shooter grade gun will probably hold its value better than a fixer.
A model 1892 is a stronger gun for a shooter than a 73 or 76. Might consider it over the earlier models
Online
I would buy a Winchester 1894 that is all there and in 20% condition. More on the affordable side, you can shoot it, and you don’t have to mine for parts that may not fit.
They part out 1873s because the sum of the value of parts is more than the value of the complete gun. You can buy a working complete gun with no finish cheaper than going down the rabbit hole of the fixer upper. If the gun is original it is collectible and will hold it’s value. When you get tired of it sell and get your money back. T/R
sb said
I’d suggest finding a gun that you can shoot without repairing. A lower condition, original gun that can be used will most likely be better for you in the long run. Replacement parts can be expensive, difficult to find, and may not work when you get them. An original shooter grade gun will probably hold its value better than a fixer.A model 1892 is a stronger gun for a shooter than a 73 or 76. Might consider it over the earlier models
This reflects my thoughts.
I don’t see an upside to buying a, fixer-upper. It’s not like parts are cheap for any of these old Winchesters. Buy a low finish but functional rifle. Some minor flaws like extra tap holes etc. don’t impact the function yet do impact the price favorably. Some of us here are very fussy collectors and can’t live with things like reblues, sanded stocks, recoil pads, etc. If such alterations don’t bother you…. you’re a lucky man 
November 7, 2015
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If you’re looking for a rabbit hole an 1876 restoration would likely fit the bill. If you’re looking for a fun shooter an 1873 would make more sense as the cartridges are generally easier and cheaper to load. Sometimes you can even find factory ammo. Mrcvs makes a good argument for the 1894 and the same can be said, to a lesser extent, for the 1892. Money spent on restoration is tough to recover unless your intentions are less than honorable. If you want a fun shooter the 1873, 1892, 1994 and any of a dozen or more rimfires will let you spend your money on ammo instead of restoration parts and labor. Don’t get me wrong, the 1876 is an awesome rifle in some very interesting cartridges but restoring one and then doing what it takes to shoot it can be bit of a challenge for someone new to this affliction. Do you have a particular 1876 cartridge in mind?
Mike
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