The Winchester 1873 Deluxe Sporting Rifle is a lever-action rifle chambered in .45 Colt with a 24-inch half-octagon, half-round barrel. It holds 12 rounds in a tube magazine and weighs 8 lbs. The receiver has a color case-hardened finish; the barrel is in glossy blued steel. 
 

Key Specifications: 

• Caliber: .45 Colt 
• Action: Lever Action 
• Capacity: 12 Rounds 
• Barrel Length: 24 inches 
• Weight: 8 lbs. 
• Finish: Black Walnut 
   

Features: 

 
The receiver is machined from steel with a color case-hardened finish that shows the traditional color pattern associated with the original 1873 design. The barrel is button-rifled and finished in glossy blue, with the half-octagon profile at the breech transitioning to round toward the muzzle. 
 
The stock is Grade V/VI walnut with an oil finish and a shotgun-style butt plate. The semi-buckhorn rear sight and blade front give a traditional sight picture suited to the rifle's intended use at moderate range. 
 

Usage: 

 
The 1873 Deluxe is at home in Cowboy Action Shooting competition, where its 12-round capacity and smooth lever action are practical advantages. The 24-inch barrel gives a longer sight radius for deliberate shooting. It also works for hunting medium game with appropriate .45 Colt loads. Collectors are drawn to the color case-hardening and Grade V/VI walnut, which place it above standard production models aesthetically.

Owners and collectors respond to the Winchester 1873 Deluxe with consistent appreciation for the fit and finish. The color case-hardening and Grade V/VI walnut are the most frequently praised aspects, and many owners note the wood-to-metal fit is noticeably better than lower-tier production rifles.

In practice, the lever action runs smoothly and the .45 Colt caliber is well-regarded for its flexibility across target shooting and light hunting. Recoil is light for the caliber and weight, which makes extended range sessions comfortable.

Price and availability are the main friction points. This model sits at the higher end of the production lever-action market, and some buyers debate whether the decorative upgrades justify the cost difference. Finding replacement parts can be more involved than with common modern rifles, which comes up in discussions about long-term ownership. Overall sentiment leans strongly positive among buyers who specifically wanted a higher-grade 1873 reproduction.