The Cimarron 1866 Yellowboy is a lever-action rifle chambered in .44-40 Winchester, built as a modern replica of the Winchester Model 1866. It has a 24-inch barrel, a tubular magazine, and a brass-colored receiver that gives the rifle its historical nickname. The rifle uses a side loading gate for traditional lever-gun operation and is aimed at Cowboy Action shooters and collectors. 
 

Key Specifications 

• Brand: Cimarron 
• Model: 1866 Yellowboy 
• Caliber: .44-40 Winchester 
• Action: Lever Action 
• Capacity: 12 rounds 
• Barrel Length: 24 in 
• Stock Material: Walnut 
• Finish: Blue/Black 
   

Detailed Features 

• Tubular magazine feeds through a side loading gate, matching original 1866-style operation. 
• Walnut stock pairs with a Blue/Black metal finish for a period-correct look. 
• Fixed iron sights give a traditional, uncluttered sight picture. 
• The 24-inch barrel provides a long sight radius for offhand and Cowboy Action shooting. 
• Built with modern metallurgy while keeping the classic brass-frame silhouette of the original design.

Owners of the 1866 Yellowboy generally like the smoothness of the action once it is broken in, though a few report the lever needs some working before cycling feels slick. Fit and finish on the brass-look receiver gets consistent praise, and the walnut stock is often called a nice touch next to synthetic-stocked lever guns.

The rifle handles well for Cowboy Action shooting and informal plinking. The tubular magazine and side loading gate take some practice for shooters new to lever guns, but most find the process becomes second nature quickly. The 24-inch barrel adds some weight up front, which some shooters like for steadier offhand shots and others find a bit front-heavy for fast handling.

Value opinions vary. Some owners see the Yellowboy as an affordable way into historical-style shooting sports, while others wish for tighter tolerances at the price point. Aftermarket parts and gunsmithing support for period lever guns is more limited than for modern platforms, so owners who want custom tuning often work with specialists rather than off-the-shelf parts.