The Winchester Model 1873 Competition Carbine is a lever-action rifle chambered in .357 Magnum and .38 Special, built for sport shooters who want a historically styled rifle that actually performs at competitions. The Grade III/IV walnut stock and polished blued finish with color case hardened receiver look the part, and the 20-inch barrel gives you a manageable 39-inch overall length at 7.40 lbs. 
 

Key Specifications 

• Model: 1873 Competition Carbine HG 
• Caliber: .357 Magnum / .38 Special 
• Action: Lever Action 
• Barrel Length: 20 inches 
• Capacity: 10+1 rounds 
• Overall Length: 39 inches 
• Weight: 7.40 lbs 
• Stock Material: Grade III/IV Walnut 
• Finish Type: Polished Blued with Color Case Hardened Receiver 
• Sights: Open with Drilled & Tapped options 
   

Detailed Features 

The wooden stock provides solid grip support, and the standard trigger cycles smoothly. Open sights allow quick target acquisition, which matters in timed cowboy action stages. The barrel twist rate is 1:18.75", dialed in for both .357 Magnum and .38 Special. The steel receiver holds up to sustained range use. 
 

Usage Scenarios 

This carbine fits cowboy action shooting competitions, casual range sessions, and historical reenactments. The dual-caliber compatibility is practical: run lighter .38 Special for practice, step up to .357 Magnum when you need more on target.

The Winchester 1873 Competition Carbine in .357/.38 draws consistently positive feedback, especially from lever-action fans and cowboy action shooters who appreciate the historical connection. "The gun that won the West" legacy resonates with collectors and recreational shooters, and Winchester's current production lives up to that reputation fairly well.

The action draws the most praise: users report smooth, reliable cycling through both .357 Magnum and .38 Special without issues. Accuracy at moderate distances is generally rated well, and the open sights are considered easy to pick up quickly.

Craftsmanship feedback is positive overall, though some note that modern manufacturing shows differences from the 19th-century originals. Weight and balance get good marks for extended shooting sessions and competition use.

Price is the main point of contention. Many buyers consider it worth the cost given the quality and heritage, but others feel it sits high compared to other lever-action options on the market. Discussions about optics mounts and aftermarket accessories come up occasionally for those who want to modernize the setup beyond the stock open sights.

Recoil in .357/.38 is mild, which comes up frequently as a plus for newer shooters or anyone who wants a long day at the range without beating themselves up.