Beretta Mod.1873 Renegade 357 Mag 20 opinions?

[PI Rob]

Beretta Mod.1873 Renegade 357 Mag 20" opinions?

Anyone have any experience, reviews, opinions, with this rifle? I think I need a .357 levergun just for fun and can't seem to find any info on it. I really like the looks of the 1873 models. I appreciate the help!

 

[StrawHat]

I have no experieince with any 1873 in 357 magnum. I had and used one in 44 WCF and it was a lot of fun.

I'd be concerned about the toggle action and the pressures of the 357 but it had to pass a proof test so...

Perhaps if you went to one of the Cowboys forums, they would have experienced advice to offer.

 

[Leaky Waders]

I have one in 45 Long Colt. A review with pics is here:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=496346

The elevator action is really neat.

 

[PI Rob]

Very nice review Leaky! Thank you!

 

[joel.favre]

I have some experience with one of the older Euroarms (Uberti?) 1873's and can say that it is a fine little rifle. That said, my biggest issue with them is that they wont feed 38sp length rounds. You have to load all your rounds to 357 Mag length, otherwise they will hang up the toggle link and jam the weapon. If you will only shoot 357 through it, then by all means get it, its an extremely cool action.

 

[Crunchy Frog]

Lots of discussion about this rifle on the SASS Wire, especially since Beretta started blowing you the Renegades at closeout prices. Some of the online vendors have them for less than $700. They won't last forever at that price.

The rifle is manufactured by Uberti. It differs a little from the Uberti-branded counterpart in finish and stock configuration. The Beretta rifle includes a "factory short stroke" which means that the linkage is altered to shorten the lever travel. This is a popular aftermarket modification on the Uberti guns.

The Uberti '73 in .357 is the top choice of cowboy action shooters because it can be cycled and shot very quickly. The cowboys tend to shoot light to medium powered .38 loads. A Marlin or a Winchester '92 is reputedly stronger for a steady diet of heavy loads but I wouldn't hesitate to shoot .357 loads in my Uberti.

Joel mentioned that his older '73 won't feed .38 Specials. It may be that Uberti has tweaked them since then but mine (and lots of other cowboy shooters') will feed .38s just fine so long as the OAL is 1.45 inches or so. The '92s are notoriously finicky with .38s.

I've always enjoyed shooting .357 revolvers and the lever rifle in that chambering is a lot of fun.