Rifle Magazine – July-August 2019

Other options include a competi-

tion version with a short-stroked

action, and special orders can be

placed for highly figured walnut,

period-style engraving, special fin-

ishes, etc. With a long list of cal-

iber options and configurations,

proven quality and accuracy, in

spite of competition the Uberti

Model 1873 remains widely pop-

ula r.

A Cimarron Firearms Model

1873 Short Rifle .45 Colt was se-

lected for this review. It features a

rifle-style forearm and hardware,

a steel crescent buttplate and

straight lever, 20-inch octagonal

barrel and a case colored receiver,

hammer and lever. I am fond of

the more traditional Uberti Sport-

ing Rifles with 24.25-inch barrels;

however, the Short Rifle is equally

handsome, accurate and is nota-

bly handier and lighter, which is

appreciated when used in the field.

In Model 1873 tradition, the

Uberti action features a toggle

link design that includes a brass

“carrier block” that picks up (and

more or less cradles) a cartridge

from the magazine tube and lifts

it up for direct alignment with the

chamber. Upon closing the action,

the cartridge is pushed directly

into the chamber. The system

works positively and smoothly,

with the sample rifle feeding and

functioning flawlessly through-

out many shooting sessions. This

system works so well that the

rifle could be held upside down

and cycled with 100 percent pos-

itive feeding.

While the 1873 is designed to

feed .45 Colt ammunition with tra-

ditional roundnose/flatpoint bullet

profiles, it also fed (with only an

occasional slight catch) the Rim

Rock 225-grain DEWC bullet. This

is mentioned because Winchester

Model 1873s were popular among

period showmen and women who

made their living as exhibition

shooters. They often fired guns

from rather awkward positions,

including upside down and side-

ways, and the carrier block served

to facilitate reliable feeding. A va-

riety of ammunition was often

July-August 2019 http://www.riflemagazine.com 13

A brass carrier lifts and aligns cartridges with the chamber for direct feeding as the
breech is closed.