The Winchester 1873 Short Rifle in .45 Colt is a lever-action rifle that bridges history and modern sport shooting. This is a genuine Winchester Repeating Arms Model 1873—not a copy—built for hunters, collectors, and cowboy action shooters who demand authentic heritage and reliable performance. Chambered in the classic .45 Colt handgun cartridge, it pairs perfectly with period-correct revolvers and modern defensive ammunition, making it a natural choice for Cowboy Action Shooting matches and historical reenactors alike.

The rifle's 20-inch round barrel feeds from a full-length magazine tube with a 10-round capacity, letting you keep rounds downrange without constant reloads. The action is smooth and quick—a hallmark of the 1873 design—and the receiver tang is drilled and tapped for optional tang-mounted sights if you want to upgrade your sight picture beyond the standard semi-buckhorn rear and Marble Arms gold bead front. The satin oil-finished walnut stock and classic blued steel crescent buttplate deliver authentic handling and aesthetics; there's no plastic, no modern ergonomic fantasy, just the straightforward mechanics and feel of a rifle that helped settle a continent.

At 7 pounds 4 ounces and 39 inches overall, the 1873 Short Rifle carries and swings like a true saddle gun—lighter and handier than full-length models. The steel loading gate eases ammunition insertion, and the walnut furniture absorbs recoil without fuss. Whether you're loading .45 Colt or running cheaper .38 Special for practice, this rifle handles both with equal reliability. Cowboy action competitors and living-history enthusiasts will appreciate the authentic trigger, controls, and mechanical simplicity—everything works the way Winchester designed it over 150 years ago.

Key Features

• Lever-action mechanism with smooth, quick cycling
• Genuine Winchester Repeating Arms manufacture, not a replica
• 10-round full-length magazine tube
• 20-inch round barrel with 1:26 twist
• Satin oil-finished walnut straight-grip stock for authentic handling
• Blued steel crescent buttplate for solid shoulder fit
• Semi-buckhorn rear sight paired with Marble Arms gold bead front sight
• Receiver tang drilled and tapped for optional tang-mounted rear sight
• Steel loading gate for reliable ammunition feeding
• Chambered in .45 Colt—pairs with common handgun cartridges for cowboy action shooting

Specifications

Action	Lever
Caliber	.45 Colt
Magazine Capacity	10 rounds
Barrel Length	20 inches
Overall Length	39 inches
Weight	7 lbs 4 oz
Barrel Twist Rate	1:26
Stock Material	Walnut with satin oil finish
Receiver Material	Steel
Finish	Blued
Rear Sight	Semi-buckhorn
Front Sight	Marble Arms gold bead
Buttplate	Blued steel crescent

Frequently Asked Questions

What ammunition does the Winchester 1873 Short Rifle in .45 Colt use?

This rifle is chambered in .45 Colt, one of the oldest and most iconic handgun cartridges. It feeds 10 rounds from the full-length magazine tube. Many cowboy action shooters favor this cartridge because it matches period revolvers, allowing them to use the same ammunition in both rifles and handguns at matches.

Is this a genuine Winchester or a modern reproduction?

This is a genuine Winchester Repeating Arms Model 1873, not a copy or replica. It's manufactured by Winchester and built to the original 1873 design standards.

Can I mount an optic or upgrade the sights on this rifle?

The receiver tang is drilled and tapped for an optional tang-mounted rear sight if you want a more precise sight picture. The rifle ships with a semi-buckhorn rear sight and Marble Arms gold bead front sight. Always verify scope or sight mounting compatibility before purchase.

Is the Winchester 1873 Short Rifle suitable for cowboy action shooting?

Yes—the lever action is reliable and quick, the .45 Colt chambering lets you use the same rounds in your revolvers, and the authentic mechanics make it a natural fit for Cowboy Action Shooting matches and period-correct competitions.