When the 1873 came out it was a paradigm shift. A repeating rifle that was as reliable and capable as it was practical. However, it was still a pistol caliber carbine. For real rifle work, you had to go to something like an 1869 Sharps, a Ballard Perfection rifle, or a Remington Rolling Block. That’s what buffalo hunters used. What these long range, big game guns had in common was that they were all single shot firearms. The Winchester Model 1876 changed that forever.
Historical Guns
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Birth of the Modern Battle Rifle – The US Army Infantry Board Service Rifle Trials
Updated: April 27, 2018The Battle Rifle is commonly accepted to be an autoloading combat rifle that feeds from a detachable magazine and fires a full-sized .30-caliber round. While Battle Rifles found their stride in the years following the Second World War, they have been largely replaced by small caliber Assault Rifles nowadays. However, combat in such places as Afghanistan has shown us in recent years that the need still exists for a man-portable .30-caliber rifle that can offer precision fires out past the range of the 5.56mm cartridge.
1873 Winchester – America’s First Assault Weapon
Updated: April 4, 2018The 1873 Winchester sported a steel receiver along with proper metallurgy in its barrel that allowed the gun to handle the relatively high performance of the .44 WCF round. Various barrel lengths and contours, engraved variations, and rifle, carbine, and musket versions kept things spicy.
Cimarron’s New Limited Edition Texas Ranger Walker Looks Great
Updated: February 15, 2018Cimarron Firearms, known for their solid replicas and popular Cowboy Action guns, is producing a limited edition run of Walker replicas with a special aged finish.
Army Finds 94-Year-Old .50-Caliber M2, Never Serviced, Still Works Great
Updated: July 4, 2017Soldiers at the Anniston Army Depot in Alabama found a machine gun that’s been around for nearly a century, in perfectly working condition.
Kingston Armory Shows Rimfire M14 and M1 Garand Replicas – SHOT Show 2017
Updated: January 30, 2017Following their success with their .22-caliber M1 Garand, Kingston is launching a rimfire replica of the M14 rifle for 2017.
MilSurp: Tips for Cleaning & Using Your Mosin-Nagant Rifle
Updated: December 1, 2016For all that talk that Mosin-Nagants are ‘no-frills’ rifles of almost agricultural construction and simplicity, they have remarkably sophisticated cleaning kits. Read on to learn more about that cleaning kit that came with your rifle, as well as getting the most out of your Mosin-Nagant.
MilSurp: The Finest Mauser Rifle Ever Made … In Sweden
Updated: October 26, 2016To maintain and ensure their neutrality, Sweden in the 19th and 20th centuries developed a well-trained military force based on conscription in which all young men would be trained, and subject to call-up in emergencies. It also developed some amazing military rifles. It paid off. All sides in both World Wars avoided antagonizing the Swedes.
MilSurp: U.S. Military Remington 870 Shotguns
Updated: October 5, 2016The Remington Arms Company has been a supplier of shotguns to the United States military since before the First World War. The Model 10 and Model 31 slide-action shotguns and Model 11 autoloader were part of America’s military small arms during both World Wars. The Model 870 (M870) so familiar to shooters today has also played an important role with the United States military. Here is its story.
Cowboy Time Machine: Uberti 1873 Carbine—Better Than The Original? Full Review.
Updated: October 4, 2016Called “The gun that won the West”, the Model 1873 remains an iconic rifle of the American West some 143 years after its debut. And today you can have your own recreation of this classic rifle that you can shoot without the fear of damaging a valuable collectible.