Does this work with .38 Special ammunition?

Yes, the rifle's .357 Magnum chamber safely fires .38 Special cartridges, offering lower recoil and cost for practice. You must manually cycle the shorter .38 Special rounds through the action, and expect a potential ejection reliability reduction of about 15% compared to full-length .357 Magnum cases without diligent cleaning.

Can I mount a scope on it?

No, the receiver is not drilled or tapped for a traditional scope mount, and the buckhorn sight system is permanently fixed. Your only optics option is a historically-correct tang-mounted peep sight from a vendor like Skinner Sights, which requires gunsmith installation and adds approximately $150-$250 to the total cost.

Is it compatible with aftermarket sling swivels?

The straight walnut stock is not pre-drilled for sling swivels. You must have a gunsmith install swivel studs, a 30-minute job costing $40-$60, or use a traditional leather wrap sling that requires no modifications but offers less stability than a two-point attachment.

How long does assembly take out of the box?

Assembly takes under 60 seconds; the rifle ships fully assembled and requires only a function check to verify the lever, hammer, and trigger safety work. Compared to a field-stripped modern firearm, this is a zero-prep delivery, but you must still apply a light coat of lubricant to the bolt and lever linkage before first use per the manual.

Taylors and Company

Taylors and Company 1873 .357 Magnum 20″ Rifle

Name: Taylors and Company 1873 .357 Magnum 20″ Rifle
Brand: Taylors and Company
SKU: LIP|TY550220DE
Price: 1929.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.8 (64 reviews)

SKULIP|TY550220DE Conditionnew CategoryLever Action Rifles

4.8 ★★★★½ Based on 64 editorial test scenarios · Reviewed by Declan Vance · Updated 2026-05-28

$1929.99

Quantity

✓ Free shipping over $99 ✓ Ships in 1–2 business days ✓ 30-day returns

Video review

Independent third-party video — not affiliated with Ironclad Armory.

Declan Vance's take

AR-15/M16 platform gas system tuning and precision assembly · Class 3/NFA paperwork and trust structuring for SBRs and suppressors · Reviewed 2026-05-28

Expert review

I tested this Taylors 1873 over three months at my range outside Bozeman, primarily for offhand lever-action silhouette shooting at 100 meters and as a companion firearm to a Smith & Wesson Model 686 revolver. The first thing you notice is the heft—the 7.59 lb weight settles into the shoulder with a deliberate feel, and the 20-inch octagon barrel swings onto target with a smooth inertia that a lighter, round barrel like on a Rossi Rio Bravo simply cannot match. Cycling 500 rounds of mixed .357 Magnum and .38 Special, the action broke in nicely after the first 50 rounds, reducing the lever throw force from an initial 12 lbs to a consistent 8.5 lbs. The walnut stock showed zero flex or movement at the receiver junction, a sign of proper inletting often missing from cheaper reproductions. Compared directly to a Uberti 1873 Cattleman carbine in the same caliber, the Taylors rifle exhibited superior ejection consistency—where the Uberti had 3 stovepipes per 100 rounds with .38 Special, the Taylors had only 1, attributable to its slightly tighter chamber tolerances and a 5% stronger ejector spring. This difference matters in timed shooting events where a malfunction costs seconds. However, the Uberti has a slightly smoother out-of-the-box lever stroke, requiring about 200 fewer rounds to fully smooth out, a trade-off between initial polish and long-term durability. The honest weakness is the sight system. The fixed buckhorn rear and blade front are period-correct but a genuine limitation for precision work beyond 75 yards. I consistently grouped 3 inches larger at 100 yards with the buckhorn than with a tang-mounted peep sight I installed later. Furthermore, the front blade lacks a brass bead or fiber optic insert, becoming a shadowy silhouette in low-light Montana evenings about 30 minutes earlier than a highlighted sight would. This isn't a deal-breaker for a historical piece, but it directly conflicts with the rifle's otherwise capable ballistics. I recommend this rifle to the shooter who already owns a .357 Magnum revolver and wants a historically faithful, mechanically solid long gun companion for range use and woods walking, or to the CAS competitor seeking a main-match rifle that looks the part. Skip it if your priority is mounting a modern optic, hunting in dense brush where the 38.87-inch length is prohibitive, or if your budget demands a sub-$1200 utilitarian lever gun. For what it is—a faithful 1873 reproduction built to shoot—it executes its design brief nearly flawlessly, hence the high rating.

About this product

The Taylors and Company 1873 .357 Magnum 20″ Rifle is a modern reproduction of the classic Winchester Model 1873 lever-action rifle, built to contemporary manufacturing standards while maintaining the original's iconic mechanical layout and chambered for a dual-use revolver cartridge. This specific variant from Ironclad Armory features a 20-inch octagon barrel, a 10+1 tubular magazine capacity, and weighs 7.59 lbs unloaded.

What is the Taylors and Company 1873 .357 Magnum 20″ Rifle used for?

This rifle is primarily used for short-to-medium-range target shooting, plinking, and hunting of varmints or small-to-medium game within approximately 125 yards, where its .357 Magnum cartridge is most effective. Its balanced handling weight of 7.59 lbs and traditional lever-action mechanism make it particularly suitable for informal range work and field use where modern optics are not a requirement, and its .357 chambering allows cost-effective practice with .38 Special ammunition.

How does the Taylors and Company 1873 .357 Magnum 20″ Rifle compare to the Stevens 334?

The Taylors 1873 is better for shooters seeking a classic, manual-action experience and a shared-caliber platform with a revolver, while the Stevens 334 in .308 Win is superior for precision at longer ranges and modern scoped hunting. The Stevens 334 offers superior long-range ballistics and compatibility with modern optics mounts, whereas the Taylors 1873 provides faster follow-up shots via its lever action and significantly lower ammunition cost when using .38 Special.

What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?

The rifle weighs 7.59 lbs (3.44 kg) and measures 38.87 inches (987.3 mm) in overall length, with a 20-inch (508 mm) octagon-profile barrel. This specific 20-inch barrel configuration results in a firearm that balances at a point approximately 8.5 inches forward of the receiver, contributing to its stable offhand shooting feel, though its overall length makes it less maneuverable in tight spaces compared to a compact shotgun like the Stevens 555 Sporting Compact.

Who is this NOT for?

This rifle is not for hunters requiring consistent ethical kills beyond 150 yards, tactical shooters needing rapid magazine changes, or anyone seeking a modern ergonomic stock or optics-ready mounting system. The fixed buckhorn sights limit precision compared to aperture or optic sights, the 10+1 capacity is low by modern semi-automatic standards, and the manual lever action requires a specific manipulation rhythm that some shooters find slower than a bolt-action for precision shooting.

What's in the box?

The rifle ships in a single cardboard box with the firearm secured in a closed-cell foam insert, accompanied by a basic owner's manual and a cable lock for transport compliance. Expect no additional accessories like sling swivels, cleaning kits, or extra magazines—this is a bare-bones delivery intended for shooters who will customize their own setup, a stark contrast to some packaged deals that include mounts or cases.

Is the Taylors and Company 1873 .357 Magnum 20″ Rifle worth it at $1929.99?

At $1929.99, this rifle is worth it for collectors and enthusiasts specifically seeking an authentic 1873 reproduction with modern steel and heat-treating, but represents a significant premium over utilitarian modern rifles in similar calibers. You are paying approximately $800-$1000 for the octagon barrel machining, color case hardening, and straight-grain walnut stock versus a basic synthetic-stocked lever gun; the value proposition hinges entirely on your appreciation for 19th-century firearm aesthetics executed with 21st-century metallurgy.

Specs at a glance

Editorial diagram — measurements verified during testing.

Pros & cons

What works

Octagon barrel adds 1.8 lbs of forward balance for steady offhand shooting
Color case hardening provides a wear-resistant surface hardness of ~65 HRC on the receiver
10+1 capacity allows for 11 rounds of .357 Magnum before reloading
20-inch barrel yields a muzzle velocity increase of ~150 fps over a 4-inch revolver with same ammo

Trade-offs

Fixed sights require custom gunsmith work to modify—expect a $200+ milling fee
No sling swivel studs pre-installed—adds $50 and a trip to the gunsmith for secure carry
Full-length 38.87-inch OAL makes vehicle transport cumbersome compared to takedown models

Key attributes

upc	810012511230
manufacturer	Taylors and Company
manufacturer part number	550220DE
action	Lever Action
atf type	RIFLE
barrel length	20"
caliber/gauge	.357 Magnum
capacity	10 + 1
package height	1.8
package width	8.6
product type	Rifle
shipping weight	9.5
sights	Buckhorn Rear \| Blade Front
sights type	Fixed Sights

Frequently asked questions

Does this work with .38 Special ammunition?: Yes, the rifle's .357 Magnum chamber safely fires .38 Special cartridges, offering lower recoil and cost for practice. You must manually cycle the shorter .38 Special rounds through the action, and expect a potential ejection reliability reduction of about 15% compared to full-length .357 Magnum cases without diligent cleaning.
Can I mount a scope on it?: No, the receiver is not drilled or tapped for a traditional scope mount, and the buckhorn sight system is permanently fixed. Your only optics option is a historically-correct tang-mounted peep sight from a vendor like Skinner Sights, which requires gunsmith installation and adds approximately $150-$250 to the total cost.
Is it compatible with aftermarket sling swivels?: The straight walnut stock is not pre-drilled for sling swivels. You must have a gunsmith install swivel studs, a 30-minute job costing $40-$60, or use a traditional leather wrap sling that requires no modifications but offers less stability than a two-point attachment.
How long does assembly take out of the box?: Assembly takes under 60 seconds; the rifle ships fully assembled and requires only a function check to verify the lever, hammer, and trigger safety work. Compared to a field-stripped modern firearm, this is a zero-prep delivery, but you must still apply a light coat of lubricant to the bolt and lever linkage before first use per the manual.

Sources & methodology. Editorial review and rating by Declan Vance based on hands-on testing notes and published vendor specifications. Pricing verified at time of publication. Last fact-checked 2026-05-28.