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October 12, 2025
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Hey everyone Happy 4th ! And have 250th! I am looking at a Winchester 1873 in 22 short and wanted to get your feedback on it.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1186593179
from what I can tell on Google they didn’t make very many of these in 22 short ? Would this gun be safe to shoot modern 22 shorts in ? What would be a good price to pay for this gun and would it be a good one for a beginner collection or should I walk away ? Thanks everyone and Happy 4th !
April 30, 2023
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There will be other more expert folks comment after me, but it’s a pretty representative example of those. My guess is it will go between 2-3k.
Description says it’s missing parts form the magazine but it looks like the follower is there. This statement might keep the bids lower. These are notorious for being a bear to get/keep working and you’d need a skilled, knowledgeable gunsmith with experience in these if you didn’t have the know-how yourself. If you’re looking for a shooter and are a beginner collector, this isn’t the usual route I would say, but if you’re looking at 1873’s or starting an extensive .22 collection, go for it. (If you can handle the follow up…)
October 12, 2025
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Jeremy P said
There will be other more expert folks comment after me, but it’s a pretty representative example of those. My guess is it will go between 2-3k.
Description says it’s missing parts form the magazine but it looks like the follower is there. This statement might keep the bids lower. These are notorious for being a bear to get/keep working and you’d need a skilled, knowledgeable gunsmith with experience in these if you didn’t have the know-how yourself. If you’re looking for a shooter and are a beginner collector, this isn’t the usual route I would say, but if you’re looking at 1873’s or starting an extensive .22 collection, go for it. (If you can handle the follow up…)
Yes i noticed it said it is missing parts how hard is it to get parts for that? I was missing a cartridge guide for my 1892 and couldn’t find one and ended up trying one from a modern Japanese version and it seems to have worked fine but I know that is not the norm.
March 31, 2009
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Parts for the inner magazine tube are the hardest parts to find.
July 22, 2018
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If you haven’t handled a 73 in that configuration you will be shocked at how heavy it is—especially if the barrel is a 26 inch. They are a desirable and unique collectible but there is a “lot of steel” left inside that barrel. For plinking a stout bipod might be necessary to avoid a potential back injury 🤠. PH
April 30, 2023
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eddixon said
Yes i noticed it said it is missing parts how hard is it to get parts for that? I was missing a cartridge guide for my 1892 and couldn’t find one and ended up trying one from a modern Japanese version and it seems to have worked fine but I know that is not the norm.
While the ad mentions you can find them all the time, keep in mind the seller is one of the bigger used parts retailers and is not offering one! 🙂 You’d be on the hunt for awhile or a skilled person would have to recreate it. This one is probably missing because it had been previously scavenged by someone else needing one!
May 2, 2009
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It looks good from what I see. The issues with them is broken extractor and the firing pin stud on the bolt face flattened from dry firing. The inner mag tube is the other big issue. I would have them send you pictures of both parts to see what its going to take to get it into working condition. 22 Short is the most prevalent 22 caliber in the 73 line comprising 87.9% were 22 long is 12% and 22 extra long at .003%
Chuck said
Parts for the inner magazine tube are the hardest parts to find.
Chuck, you said they were going to start making the mag tubes again, what is the story with that.
They are like a heavy barrel gun with the small hole in them. I could never figure out the reason for this one but I figure someone wanted bragging rights.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
October 12, 2025
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Jeremy P said
eddixon said
Yes i noticed it said it is missing parts how hard is it to get parts for that? I was missing a cartridge guide for my 1892 and couldn’t find one and ended up trying one from a modern Japanese version and it seems to have worked fine but I know that is not the norm.
While the ad mentions you can find them all the time, keep in mind the seller is one of the bigger used parts retailers and is not offering one! 🙂 You’d be on the hunt for awhile or a skilled person would have to recreate it. This one is probably missing because it had been previously scavenged by someone else needing one!
I noticed that too ! What exactly do you think they are talking about ? The spring ? Is it something that can potentially be taken from a reproduction gun and used? I have a reproduction cartridge guide in my 1892 and it works fine but I don’t exactly know what is missing on this one.
May 2, 2009
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You wouldn’t know until your see the inner mag tube to find out what is missing or broke. I doubt that its the feed spring since they rarely go bad. Usually its the spring on the end that holds the shells in the tube until its installed in the gun or they let the follower go with no shells in the tube and when the follower hits the end enough times the end breaks off and parts are sent across the floor. Here are some pictures of what it is. There are two variations that were used.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
April 30, 2023
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1873man said
I would have them send you pictures of both parts to see what its going to take to get it into working condition.
This is good advice, OP. If they want top dollar, they should be willing to do it. You can then compare to Bob’s photos! Good luck!
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