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March 31, 2009
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I need an inner magazine tube 24″ complete assembly for a 22 cal 1873.
Original or reproduction. I would buy a parts gun just for this part.
April 26, 2019
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A parts gun is unlikely to be a good source as the magazine was one of the first things to go on these guns.
Having an existing magazine repaired is another option. That’s what I did with mine. Any gunsmith who is going to take on a job like this has to be familiar with the Model ’73/.22 or have an example to follow.
Your best bet might be to find a custom-made replacement part, if you can. There are two sources that I know of.
Homestead Parts lists the inner magazine for the Model ’73/.22 as Part No. mt16 but the website says they are currently out-of-stock. The price is $275. You can leave your contact information and Homestead will contact you when (and if) they have them again. At least, that’s what their website says. I attached the link below.
Winchester Bob is the other source. They list the inner magazine for your rifle as part # W73095. The website says the part is in stock and the price is $350. I attached the link and a screenshot of the part listing.
With any luck 1873man will reply to you too. He’s very knowledgeable about the Model ’73 in .22 rimfire.
Good luck, Chuck. Let me know if this works out.
Pete Hynard
https://homesteadparts.com/shop/index.php
I have a Model 1873 in .22 short that is currently being worked on for similar feed problems. The gun smith has suggested relining the barrel. While the bore is not great, I don’t see it as ever being a tack driver. How would re-lining the barrel effect the collect-ability of this gun?
December 9, 2002
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A lot!!! IMO!!!
Instead of doing that, shoot it the way it is, if you must! They will still shoot decent enough, with a 5/10 bore. They’re not known to be really all that reliable as a .22 caliber shooter, as a well known fact, is that the magazine issues with them can be many. The main reason Winchester came out with the M-1890, .22 Caliber pump rifle.
Less than 20,000 were mfg, in over the 720,000 M-1873 Rifles, carbines, and muskets.
More of a collector than a shooter. IMO!
As a collector of them, I would classify a person, as “Nuts”, doing that! IMHO!
That’s why the ones out there, fetch a pretty penny, because some out there have been owned by “Nuts”! LOL! 
Anthony
May 2, 2009
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What condition is the gun in now? If its been refinished then it wouldn’t hurt. If it has a nice original look then don’t. 22’s are know for having poor bores because of the black powder shells and not having a small enough cleaning rod. Plus if a run of the mill gunsmith lines a barrel, its real obvious. A good gunsmith that works on old guns can do it with it being seen.
bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
I would put the gun at 40-50%. Not much finish remaining but not pitted. Some tool marks on the barrel near the receiver where someone wrenched on it. Fires and ejects fine but does not feed properly. I have not seen the gun in more than a year. I talked to the gun smith working on it who said his notes said there were some case ruptures during test firing. He said that was the basis for the recommendation to reline. I never had that problem. He said he would re-evaluate and get back to me. If relining is necessary to make it shoot-able, then I would just as soon have it refinished as well so it is pretty too.
May 2, 2009
Online
If you have it refinished by the run of the mill gunsmith then it will definitely kill its value. Usually that involves wearing out 2 buffing wheels rounding all the corners and smearing the stampings and then having a black finish on it. To have it refinished properly it would be cost prohibitive. A professional refinish is a lot of hand work not power tools. A good gunsmith would use a thick liner so it can be welded in at both ends and rechambered. The welds can be hidden better.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
