Henry Rifle Forums

Earlier today I posted an intro thread http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=4745 to my new revolver, a Uberti 1873 Birdshead 3.5" .45 LC. I was so looking forward to shooting it for the first time that I didn't even wait for the weekend, but went to the range mid-morning today. Had a great range time...very much enjoyed this revolver.

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

Great report, PT7. It sounds like you found something special. Fantastic!

PT, I'm so very happy for you. I figured you'd love it, but the only way to ever know for sure is in the shooting. Yes, as you've discovered, there is something very appealing and unique about the 45 Colt in a single action revolver. A 357 has a much different feel to it. Very different cartridges. You better do like RR and start stocking up on 45 Colt ammo. You're going to need it.

Thanks, NCG.

Seriously,I don't think I could match even these boxes at the current cost of .45LC ammo!! I'm retired and on a fixed income. But at the moment, I do have 82 - .45LC bullets. Whoa, one box at a time will be my ammo modus operandi!
I'm not 100% sure, but I think this might be just a portion of RR's stash. I saved his pic because I thought it was cool.

North Country Gal wrote:PT, I'm so very happy for you. I figured you'd love it...
You better do like RR and start stocking up on 45 Colt ammo. You're going to need it.

Hey I recognize the revolver....

PT7, so glad you enjoyed your new cowboy gun and welcome to the 45 Colt club. You have much more selection of ammo to choose from in the US. Try some Black Hills if you get a chance.

Thanks, RR. I didn't know about the "45 Colt club," but glad to be a member. Are there any perks?
And I'm very pleased with the 1873 Cattleman revolver that got me into the club!

I've used quite a lot of BHA in calibers other than .45LC, and it is very good ammo. Will definitely look for some of that brand. Appreciate the suggestion.
PT7

RanchRoper wrote:Hey I recognize the revolver....

PT7, so glad you enjoyed your new cowboy gun and welcome to the 45 Colt club. You have much more selection of ammo to choose from in the US. Try some Black Hills if you get a chance.

The perks are great BIG holes in targets that will make your day every time.

RanchRoper wrote:The perks are great BIG holes in targets that will make your day every time.

I'll second that. Those big 45 cal holes are so addicting. Was at the range, the other day, shooting the 17 HMR and although I shot well, those tiny little pinholes were ... kind of ... depressing. Made me want to grab a 45 and blast those targets, properly.

I did notice those "perks" of the BIG target holes. Of course, I shot short distances; seems to be a revolver that is not designed to really reach out in yardage. So my distances went from 7, 10, 12, up to 15 yards. Usually with my Mark IV (.22LR) or even with .357 Magnums, I'm often reaching into my range bag for my range finder....use it as binocs to view the target POIs. I never even thought about them, plus I easily watched the bullet holes "appear" after each shot. Kind of a refreshing view for these elder eyes!

Another fun plus to my range time!

North Country Gal wrote:

RanchRoper wrote:The perks are great BIG holes in targets that will make your day every time.

I'll second that. Those big 45 cal holes are so addicting. Was at the range, the other day, shooting the 17 HMR and although I shot well, those tiny little pinholes were ... kind of ... depressing. Made me want to grab a 45 and blast those targets, properly.

Bring that pistol to Colorado and your empty brass we can go shootin and I can load you up some 45 colt. Probably have a box full in the basement already ready to go.

Sounds like you had a great time! Rainy here today but I'll try to get to the range tomorrow to shoot some steel targets. I'm thinking about taking out my Ruger GP 100 .357 and the S&W 31 in .32 S&W long. Too muddy to slosh out on the rifle range to shoot at paper.
Jake

It really is a very cool pistol. I hope your fit & finish are as nice as I found on mine. For old west replicas, Uberti does it right.

Thanks, RR. Your comment gives me the chance to say a few things about the fit & finish.

I really like how this Cowboy Six Gun looks. Before I even bought my first firearm, this is the style revolver I had always wanted. It has more than met my expectations!

The CCH finish and all metal parts are very, very nice, and the fit is excellent. I never thought I would have a revolver with a CCH finish; rather always have enjoyed the looks of blued steel in a revolver. But with this 1873 Cattleman I have absolutely zero complaints as I hold it in my hand, looking at it from all angles. And I'm a danged-demanding detail person on top of it!

Here is an observation; please don't take this as a complaint, because I consider this gun to be a definite keeper. I very much like the checkered grips versus smooth wood, and that's a large reason I special-ordered it. I knew checkering would help keep the revolver from too easily slipping in my hand against recoil. But one thing for sure. Henry has much better checkering than is on this revolver. Maybe Henry has spoiled me with their nicely deep and exact checkering. Well, I was a little surprised, but I think that the building of a replica firearm is Uberti's forte. They may not work as hard toward what I call "old-world wood art." I'm not sure if that is a distinction in the manufacture of a firearm -- metal frame and barrel components vs. wood furniture. It is in my thinking however, right or wrong.

OK, my take on what I have. I love the darker wood color just fine on my revolver, and it looks great against the CCH gun finish....highly complementary. The checkering does a great job in holding the revolver steady; very little slippage. Of course, any Forum Folk who have read some of my posts know I'm a wood nut! So it always is best for my eyes when I get top-notch wood. That's okay though in this case of my Uberti. I'm keeping the revolver exactly as is, and will immensely enjoy it. :*)

RanchRoper wrote:It really is a very cool pistol. I hope your fit & finish are as nice as I found on mine. For old west replicas, Uberti does it right.