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The 1873 rifle I just picked up appears to be all correct and not messed with. I gave it an oil bath with the minimal amount of disassembly and no abrasion except a bore brush.
It could be my memory but it seemed that when the dust cover was closed there wasn’t any movement. After I put it back on when it is pushed closed I can move the forward end a little bit side to side, maybe amounting to a thin 1/8 inch. Is this normal? It doesn’t have any play up and down or any other direction.
Thanks for any info. Jeff
Jeff,
I wiggle the dust cover side to side to judge the amount of use the gun has had. I assume when you removed and cleaned the dust cover you removed a build up grim in the rail slot making it loose.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
That has to be it I guess. I didn’t notice much coming off after I soaked it in kroil and then used a toothbrush but there must have been more than I saw. I don’t think it is bad enough to worry about, it stays in place when it is closed, even with muzzle up and tapping the butt end down.
I guess this is a good time to ask one other question. I’d like to shoot the rifle. It is mechanically in great shape, great bore and tight lockup. There are no bulges or other problems. Since it is a black powder gun I don’t think the ammo I use in my other 1873, a Colt SAA would be appropriate. So, do people find that “cowboy” loads are no problem in a good condition gun or should I get black powder loads?
Jeff,
The “Cowboy” factory loads are safer than the original black power loads, as they are loaded to be safe in any firearm. The pressure & velocity are less that the original standard black powder load. I shoot them in my 1889 vintage Model 1873.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Jeff,
The dust cover has a spring under it that keeps a friction on it and it drops in a cut on the bottom of the cover to keep it closed. The spring can get worn down or broken if it gets caught in the dust cover screw hole when put back on.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Thanks Bob and Bert. I think that’s what I’ll do, for both. It doesn’t make sense to stress either of these shooters. I’m sure they are strong enough to kill paper and the occasional soda can. Just fun shooting.
Bob, thanks for that advice. I go slow when I put things back so I saw that and pushed the spring down through the screw hole when it got in there.
Jeff
This what I shoot in my guns. I bought a bunch of it years ago or I reload the empty brass.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Jeff and others. Before shooting ANY load in ANY old 1873 Winchester, it pays to check Toggle Links for cracks at hinge,
and to make sure that somebody has not had it apart and has lost the Firing Pin Retractor, I have seen both. There is nothing
to keep the Firing Pin in the gun with the Retractor missing. Have Fun. Eric
I shot some cowboy loads through my chronograph some years ago. I forget the exact speed but is was about half of what you would expect from a pistol load. Like they said, have the gun checked out and if all is well go for it. You also need to remember that even the factory loads are lighter because Winchester knows someone will be shooting these in a old SAA or Winchester. Be safe.
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