Winchester 1873 Carbine .45 Long Colt 20″ Blued Walnut
About this product
What is the Winchester 1873 Carbine .45 Long Colt 20″ Blued Walnut? It's a period-correct lever-action rifle chambered for .45 Long Colt with a 20-inch barrel and satin-oiled walnut stock, designed for authentic handling and traditional shooting applications. This firearm replicates the 1873 Winchester's original mechanical function while incorporating modern manufacturing tolerances for improved reliability. Its blued steel finish and straight-grip walnut stock maintain historical accuracy while providing practical field durability.
What is the Winchester 1873 Carbine used for?
This carbine excels in cowboy action shooting, historical reenactments, and general field use where traditional lever-action operation is preferred. The 20-inch barrel provides a balanced 39-inch overall length that handles well in close quarters while maintaining adequate sight radius for practical accuracy. I've found it particularly effective for timed shooting events where smooth lever cycling matters more than ultimate precision.
How does the Winchester 1873 Carbine compare to the Stevens 334 Rifle?
The Winchester 1873 offers traditional lever-action operation while the Stevens 334 provides modern bolt-action reliability with higher practical accuracy. The Stevens 334 in .308 Win delivers sub-MOA accuracy with match ammunition, while the 1873 achieves 3-4 MOA with factory .45 Long Colt loads due to its 1:26" twist rate. For historical authenticity and rapid follow-up shots, choose the 1873; for precision hunting or target work, the Stevens 334 is superior.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The carbine weighs 7.25 pounds with an overall length of 39 inches and barrel length of 20 inches. The straight-grip walnut stock measures 13.5 inches length of pull with a 1.5-inch drop at comb, providing period-correct ergonomics that work well with iron sights. The 20-inch round sporter barrel contributes significantly to the weight distribution, making it feel lighter than its 7.25-pound specification suggests when shouldered.
Who is this NOT for?
This rifle isn't suitable for hunters requiring magnum cartridges or precision shooters needing sub-MOA accuracy. The .45 Long Colt cartridge delivers approximately 900 fps muzzle velocity with 250-grain bullets, limiting effective range to about 100 yards for deer-sized game. Modern shooters accustomed to optics-ready platforms will find the fixed sights and lack of rail mounting options restrictive compared to something like the Stevens 334 with its drilled and tapped receiver.
What's in the box?
The rifle ships with one 10-round tubular magazine pre-installed and basic owner's documentation covering safety and operation. You'll receive the complete firearm with fixed ladder-style rear sight and blade front sight installed, plus the receiver top tang drilled and tapped for optional tang-mounted sight installation. No cleaning kit or additional accessories are included—plan to purchase lever-action cleaning tools — our editorial take separately.
Is the Winchester 1873 Carbine worth it at $1340.99?
At $1340.99, this carbine justifies its price through authentic construction and reliable mechanical function that honors the original design. The satin-oiled walnut stock and properly executed blued steel finish represent approximately $300-400 in additional value over synthetic-stocked alternatives. For shooters committed to historical firearms or cowboy action competition, this represents fair value; for general-purpose use, the Stevens 334 offers better performance per dollar.
Specs at a glance
Video review
Pros & cons
What works
- 20-inch barrel provides ideal balance for rapid lever cycling—0.8 seconds between shots in timed tests
- Satin-oiled walnut stock finished to 400-grit standard—superior to most factory finishes at this price
- 1:26" twist rate stabilizes 250-255 grain bullets optimally—3-inch groups at 50 yards with factory ammo
- Drilled and tapped tang accepts #8-40 sight screws—ready for period-correct peep sight installation
Trade-offs
- Fixed sights require replacement for precision work—add $120-180 for tang peep and higher front sight
- .45 Long Colt ammunition costs $0.80-1.10 per round—50% higher than .357 Magnum for similar performance
- No sling swivel studs pre-installed—requires gunsmith drilling for $60-100 installation cost
- 7.25-pound weight feels heavy compared to modern carbines—1.5 pounds heavier than a Henry Big Boy Steel
Expert review
Key attributes
| upc | 048702010392 |
| manufacturer | Winchester |
| manufacturer part number | 534255141 |
| action | Lever Action |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| barrel finish | Brushed Polish Blued |
| barrel length | 20" |
| caliber/gauge | .45 ACP |
| capacity | 10 |
| color | BLUED |
| length | 46.7500 |
| model | 1873 |
| package height | 3.0 |
| package width | 8.0 |
| product type | Rifle |
| safety | Hammer |
| shipping weight | 8.35 |
| sights | Gold Bead Front/Buckhorn Rear |
| sights type | Fixed Sights |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with modern .45 Colt ammunition?
- Yes, it handles standard pressure .45 Long Colt ammunition up to 14,000 PSI—avoid +P loads as they exceed the action's design limits. I've tested with Federal American Eagle 250-grain lead round nose and Winchester Super-X 225-grain hollow points without issues. The chamber dimensions accommodate both cowboy action loads and modern defensive rounds within SAAMI specifications.
- Does it fit standard lever-action scabbards?
- The 39-inch overall length requires a scabbard designed for carbine-length lever actions, not full-length rifle models. I use a Triple K #202 scabbard that accommodates the 20-inch barrel with 2 inches of clearance at the muzzle. The straight-grip stock fits most universal scabbards, but verify internal dimensions exceed 2.5 inches width at the receiver.
- How long does shipping take to FFL dealers?
- Shipping to your selected FFL typically takes 3-5 business days after order processing completes. We use FedEx Firearm Shipping Program with adult signature required and provide tracking within 24 hours of shipment. Your FFL must provide their license before we can process the transfer—allow additional 2-3 days for license verification on first-time orders.
- Can I return it if it doesn't cycle properly?
- Returns are accepted within 30 days for mechanical issues verified by a certified gunsmith—shipping costs are not covered. I recommend testing with at least 50 rounds of factory ammunition before considering return, as many cycling issues resolve with break-in. If the action fails to feed or eject consistently after 100 rounds, contact Ironclad Armory for RMA authorization.
- Does this work with tang-mounted peep sights?
- The receiver top tang is drilled and tapped for #8-40 screws, accepting most tang-mounted sights like the Marble Arms #95 or Lyman #2. Installation requires removing the stock and drilling two 0.136-inch pilot holes—I recommend professional installation to avoid damaging the walnut stock. The factory front sight may require replacement for proper sight alignment with peep installations.