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Winchester Guns 534200137 Model 1873 Short Rifle 38 Special, 357 Mag 10+1 Cap 20" Brushed Polish Blued Rec/Barrel Satin Oiled Walnut Fixed Straight Grip Stock Right Hand (Full Size)
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SKU: 534200137-048702003226
Overview
Built for lever-action shooters who appreciate classic styling and practical handling, this rifle is chambered for .38 Special and offers 10+1 capacity in a traditional short rifle format. The straight-grip walnut stock with satin oil finish, blued metal finish, and gold bead front sight with semi-buckhorn rear give it a period-correct look suited to range use and Cowboy Action competition. A steel loading gate helps support smoother loading, and the rear tang is drilled and tapped for an optional tang-mounted rear sight if a more precise sight picture is desired. With its 20-inch barrel and right-hand configuration, it fits shooters looking for a full-size lever gun with classic lines and straightforward function.
Why Hunters Choose the Winchester
Lever Action
Chambered in .38 Special, matching
10+1 Capacity
Supports extended shooting before reloading
20-inch Barrel
39-inch overall length suit a
Straight-grip Walnut
Satin oil finish offers a
Steel Loading
Gate is designed for smoother
Key Features
- Lever-action rifle chambered in 38 Special, with 10+1 capacity.
- 20-inch barrel and 39-inch overall length in a full-size configuration.
- Straight-grip walnut stock with satin oil finish.
- Steel loading gate supports smoother loading.
- Rear tang is drilled and tapped for an optional tang-mounted rear sight.
- Gold bead front sight with semi-buckhorn rear sight.
Best Used For
- Cowboy Action Shooters wanting a lever rifle chambered for the same ammunition as their revolvers
- Right-handed hunters or enthusiasts who prefer a straight-grip, full-size classic rifle layout
- Shooters seeking a 20-inch lever-action rifle with bead front and semi-buckhorn rear sights
- Owners who want an optional tang-mounted rear sight for a more precise sight picture
- Collectors or traditionalists drawn to walnut furniture and a polished blued finish
Specifications
| Action | Lever |
|---|---|
| Barrel Description | Stainless Steel |
| Barrel Length | 20" |
| Barrel Length Range | 20" to 20.99" |
| Caliber | 38 Special |
| Capacity | 10+1 |
| Hand | Right Hand |
| Metal Finish | Blued |
| Metal Finish Group | Blued/Black |
| Muzzle | Crowned |
| Overall Length | 39 in |
| Receiver Material | Stainless Steel |
| Safety | Hammer |
| Sights | Bead Front/Semi-Buckhorn Rear |
| Stock Description | Straight Grip |
| Stock Finish Group | Brown |
| Trigger | Standard |
| Twist | 1:18.75" |
| Weight | 118.4 oz |
| Weight Range | 7 lbs to 7.99 lbs |
Pros
- Lever action chambered in .38 Special, matching revolver ammunition for Cowboy Action use.
- 10+1 capacity supports extended shooting before reloading.
- 20-inch barrel and 39-inch overall length suit a traditional short rifle profile.
- Straight-grip walnut stock with satin oil finish offers a classic, finished appearance.
- Steel loading gate is designed for smoother loading.
- Rear tang is drilled and tapped for an optional tang-mounted rear sight.
Considerations & Trade-offs
- Chambering in .38 Special is well suited to shooters who want to use the same ammunition as their revolver, but it does limit the rifle to that cartridge family rather than a broader hunting setup.
- The 10+1 capacity is practical for range use and cowboy-action style shooting, though it is more than many hunters will need in the field.
- The 20" barrel and 39" overall length give it a traditional short-rifle profile, but that also means it is less compact than a carbine-style lever gun.
- The semi-buckhorn rear sight and gold bead front sight are functional, while the drilled-and-tapped tang allows an optional sight upgrade if a different sight picture is preferred.
Suggested Comparisons
- Lever-action rifles
- Cowboy Action Shooting rifles
- Short-barrel sporting rifles
- Revolvers chambered in .38 Special or .357 Magnum
Suggested Accessories
- Leather sling
- Cartridge belt
- Cleaning kit
- Tang-mounted rear sight
Frequently Asked Questions
What cartridges can this Model 1873 Short Rifle chamber?
The listed caliber is .38 Special. The product title also includes .357 Mag, but the structured specifications provided here list .38 Special only.
How many rounds does it hold?
It has a 10+1 capacity.
What type of action does it use?
It uses a lever action.
What sights come on the rifle?
The specifications list a bead front sight and a semi-buckhorn rear sight. The description also notes the rear tang is drilled and tapped for an optional tang-mounted rear sight.
What stock and finish details are provided?
The rifle is described with a straight grip stock and a satin oil walnut finish. The metal finish is listed as blued.