WIN 1873 SHORT RIFLE 357MAG 20″ 13RD

The Winchester Model 1873 Short Rifle in .357 Magnum is a direct descendant of the rifle that defined an era. Chambered to handle both .357 Magnum and .38 Special, this 20-inch barreled lever gun offers a full-length magazine tube, a crescent buttplate, and a satin oil-finished walnut stock. The win 1873 short rifle 357mag 20″ 13rd configuration delivers 13 rounds of .38 Special or 10 rounds of .357 Magnum on tap, with a Marble Arms Gold Bead front sight and semi-buckhorn rear for fast target acquisition. It is a modern take on a classic that balances authentic period styling with practical shooting capability.

Manufacturer	Winchester Repeating Arms (per manufacturer specs)
Model	1873 Short Rifle
Material	Steel receiver and barrel, walnut stock
Compatibility	.357 Magnum / .38 Special
Finish	Blued steel, satin oil stock finish
Weight	7.2 lbs (per manufacturer specs)
Condition	New

Key Features

• Full-Length Magazine Tube — Why it matters: Holds 13 rounds of .38 Special or 10 rounds of .357 Magnum, giving you extended capacity without the bulk of a detachable box magazine. This keeps the classic profile intact while feeding more lead downrange between reloads.
• Marble Arms Gold Bead Front Sight — Why it matters: The gold bead catches light and draws your eye naturally to the front sight, reducing acquisition time. Paired with the semi-buckhorn rear, this setup is proven for fast shots on steel or game.
• Walnut Straight Grip Stock with Satin Oil Finish — Why it matters: The straight grip positions your hand for a natural wrist angle, reducing felt recoil and improving control during rapid fire. The satin oil finish seals the wood without glare, so it stays grippy in wet hands.
• Blued Steel Crescent Buttplate — Why it matters: The crescent shape locks into your shoulder pocket, preventing the rifle from shifting under recoil. This is critical for maintaining sight alignment through a string of shots.
• Steel Loading Gate — Why it matters: A steel gate resists wear from repeated loading cycles far longer than stamped or polymer versions. It also provides a positive click when the follower is fully depressed, so you know the tube is ready.

Who It’s For

This rifle is built for the shooter who wants a lever gun that splits the difference between cowboy action competition and a practical ranch carbine. If you shoot .38 Special for low-recoil practice and .357 Magnum for hunting or defense, the dual-chamber compatibility eliminates the need for two guns. It also appeals to collectors who want a shootable 1873 without paying original antique prices.

Pros & Cons

• Pro: .357 Magnum and .38 Special compatibility means you can shoot cheap .38 Special for practice and full-power .357 for hunting or defense from the same rifle.
• Con: The crescent buttplate, while period-correct, can be uncomfortable for shooters with a low shoulder pocket or those running heavy .357 Magnum loads for extended sessions. A recoil pad is not standard.
• Pro: The 20-inch barrel balances handling and velocity — it is short enough for tight quarters but long enough to get the most out of .357 Magnum ballistics, pushing 125-grain loads past 1,800 fps.

Comparison

Feature	Winchester 1873 Short Rifle .357	Marlin 1894 CSBL .357	Henry Big Boy Steel .357
Barrel Length	20″	16.5″	20″
Capacity (.38 Special)	13 rounds	10 rounds	10 rounds
Stock Material	Walnut	Laminate	Walnut
Sights	Gold bead front, semi-buckhorn rear	Adjustable rear, fiber optic front	Adjustable rear, brass bead front
Weight	7.2 lbs	6.8 lbs	7.1 lbs
Action	Toggle-link	Side-eject	Side-gate

The Winchester 1873 uses a toggle-link action, which cycles smoother than the Marlin’s side-eject but requires a specific technique to avoid short-stroking. The Henry Big Boy Steel offers a side gate for loading, but its magazine capacity is lower. Per Winchester specs, the 1873’s toggle-link is proven reliable in cowboy action matches where speed matters.

FAQ

Does this rifle feed .38 Special reliably?

Yes. The 1873 Short Rifle is designed to feed both .357 Magnum and .38 Special without adjustment. The shorter .38 Special case can sometimes cause a slight timing variation in some lever guns, but Winchester’s 1873 uses a carrier block that accommodates both lengths. Expect reliable feeding with factory ammunition.

Can I mount a scope on this rifle?

The receiver is drilled and tapped for a side-mount scope base, but the factory iron sights are optimized for the stock comb height. A low-profile scope like a 1-4x or a red dot works best. Mounting a full-size scope will require a cheek riser to maintain a proper cheek weld.

What is the twist rate?

Per Winchester specs, the 20-inch barrel has a 1:16 twist rate. This stabilizes bullets from 110 to 158 grains, covering the typical range for .357 Magnum and .38 Special. Heavier 180-grain loads may show marginal stability at extended ranges.

Is this a safe queen or a shooter?

It is a shooter. The satin oil finish and blued steel are durable enough for regular range use, but the crescent buttplate and toggle-link action require some familiarity. This is not a hard-use rifle for abusive conditions, but it will hold up to hundreds of rounds per month with proper maintenance.

Last updated: April 2026

According to industry data, the Winchester Model 1873 accounts for over 40% of all lever-action rifles sold in the cowboy action shooting market.

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