The Cimarron 1873 Short Rifle is a lever-action chambered in .357 Magnum or .38 Special, giving you the option to run either cartridge depending on what's available or what the task calls for. The steel receiver has a case-hardened finish, and the walnut stock has a brown finish that holds up well to field use while keeping that period-correct look. 
 

Key Specifications 

• Brand: Cimarron 
• Model: 1873 Short Rifle 
• Caliber: .357 Magnum / .38 Special 
• Barrel Length: 20 inches 
• Overall Length: 43.25 inches 
• Weight: 8.20 lbs (131.2 ounces) 
• Capacity: 10+1 rounds 
• Action Type: Lever Action 
• Receiver Material: Steel with Case Hardened Finish 
• Stock Material: Walnut with Brown Finish 
• Twist Rate: 1:18" 
   

Detailed Features 

 
The 20-inch octagonal barrel is blued and pairs with fixed front sights and adjustable rear sights. The lever action cycles quickly, which matters whether you're running follow-up shots on the range or working through a hunt. At 8.20 lbs it's on the heavier side for a carbine-length rifle, though the weight does help absorb recoil from .357 Magnum loads. 
 
The 10+1 capacity puts it in line with other Winchester 1873 reproductions of this barrel length. Construction is all steel — no alloy shortcuts on the receiver.

Owners of the Cimarron 1873 Short Rifle in .357/.38 tend to appreciate the walnut stock and case-hardened finish, which hold up well and look the part. The lever action gets consistent praise for smoothness, and the ability to shoot both .357 Magnum and .38 Special is a practical plus that most people actually use rather than just mention.

The weight comes up regularly — at over 8 lbs it's not a featherweight, and some shooters find it tiring over a long day in the field. Price is the other recurring topic; most buyers feel the quality justifies it, though a few wish the entry point were lower.

Accuracy feedback at typical hunting and target distances is generally positive. For cowboy action shooters and collectors drawn to the 1873 pattern, the case-hardened finish and period-correct profile are a genuine draw rather than just cosmetic filler.