I don't have any words to describe what I think of how it shoots and handles. So I'll make up a phrase and say, "Cowboy, Oh Boy!!" At the end of my range time, I told myself that "You couldn't have made a better choice in a .45LC revolver, PT7."
No target photos, but many of you can imagine my home-made 8" splash targets on a yellow 16" X 12" yellow piece of cardboard. The target was a plain-Jane single color and I put a 1" orange bull in the center. I shot a planned 30 rounds of HSM .45 Colt 200 gr. RNFP Cowboy Action. Definitely don't have the stock amount of .45LC ammo stashed like someone we all know in Canada!
OK. FIrst target, first time shooting the revolver, first 12 shots.
Set distance at 7 yards. I place 10/12 POIs in target. Two were at the edge. But gosh, the other 8 in-target POIs gathered around the bull in a 3-3/4" group! My very first two shots were on the yellow, one about an inch to the left, and the other about at inch below. Guess I had to start somewhere, and just glad no bullets headed directly for the range berm!
Second 8" splash.
First, shot 12 rounds at 10 yards. I had 9/12 POIs again in target. Now I'm getting more than a little surprised. 8 of these POIs grouped at 2-3/4" this time, and the farthest POI from dead bull was 2-1/4". The entire group was a tad low of the 1" bull.
At the 15-yard range, I only had 3/6 POIs in target, and they grouped larger. That wasn't a surprise. I also was a little more attentive to my grip on the Birdshead, so probably didn't focus as directly on shot placement.
Recoil
The one aspect that I was a little nervous about today. But it was again more than manageable, and not really an issue at all. Shooting .45LC out of my BASS IV derringer had more of a kick. This 1873 revolver also has considerably less recoil than the Vaquero .357 Magnum I've been shooting.
Birdshead Grip
The very best...exceeded my expectations!! Unlike like the recoil "hit" I take with the Vaquero that has the plow's hand grip, my middle finger does not get walloped painfully by the rear of the trigger guard when shooting the 1873. What a fantastic relief. When I noticed that first thing today, I promptly forgot about it! So even with my large hands, this smaller, rounded Birdshead grip was great to handle. The revolver stayed very steady as I fired, and my pinky placed under the grip really helped control the aiming and recoil. I all-around enjoyed it!
Some closing comments. Yup, the range time was pure fun.
I'd like to do a repeat real soon. To those of you who have commented positively about Uberti firearms, this range trip proved to me it is a pretty quality firearm. For looks I cannot post authentic-looking cowboy pictures like RR does. But this 1873 is very sharp-looking Six Gun; I think the Duke would have been okay with it, too. 
And I have nowhere near the experience or knowledge about SA cowboy-action revolvers like NCG (and others) do on the Forum. But for a first time range visit, this revolver was easy to shoot...enjoyed the .45LC caliber more than I thought I would. Glad I "gave in" and got it even though I added another caliber to my ammo stock.So I just hope this revolver keeps on wheelin' along so nicely. I'm already looking forward to my next range visit!
Have a great rest of the weekend, Everyone.
PT7
