1876 rifle?

[Larry Burford]

I heard over a year ago that Uberti was going to make a copy of the 1876 Winchester. Is there any truth to this? I really hope they make it. I want one for sure.

[Larry Burford]

Is there any word yet on if Uberti will ever make a copy of the 1876 Winchester????

[Gatofeo]

I've seen this rumor crop up a few times in the past year or more. Never seen anything to substantiate it.
The 1876 is simply a larger version of the 1873. It can accommodate longer cartridges such as the .45-60.
And therein probably lies the bugaboo: confusion.
The 1876 and 1873 actions are not strong. The bolt is held against the base of the cartridge by a toggle, so the pins in the toggle take the strain.
Even with the rifle clearly marked ".45-60" some dumbass would undoubtedly use smokeless powder loads for the .45-70, which is a longer case and chambered in much stronger lever-action rifles.
The use of a .45-70 smokeless powder load in a .45-60 rifle would almost certainly damage the rifle, if not destroy it.
Then, undoubtedly, this dumbass would blame Uberti for making a "weak" rifle and file a lawsuit (the great American pasttime, also known as the "Redneck Retirement Plan.")
Also, I think the Model 1876 would be rather expensive to make. It would have to compete against the many .45-70 lever-actions already out there (Marlin and Winchester).
Sure, it may be nice to have something different at the range, a la 1876, but you may pay $1,500 or more for an 1876 reproduction, compared to $600 or so for a Marlin or Winchester.
Contrary to the general philosophy of the gun magazines, few people can shell out $1,500 for a rifle. Most shooters are regular, hard-working folk to whom $1,500 could be better spent.
The 1876 was an interesting rifle in its day but it's not particularly strong. It's fine with black powder loads but probably should not be used with smokeless powder. Even the use of modern steels cannot overcome its significant design weaknesses.
These same weaknesses are found in the 1873 with its pistol-type cartridges, however the longer case of the .45-60 will invite larger smokeless powder charges with disastrous results.
I think the proliferation of reckless reloaders, and its production expense, keeps this model on paper and out of the hands of shooters.

[Milo]

Gatofeo, I think you may be right about average folks not wanting to spend $1500.00 for a rifle but there are plenty of specialized shooters who would.

Enough to justify tooling up for production,,,,,Hard to say and I think Uberti/Beretta isn't willing to take that gamble.

Toggle bolts are inherently weak but with todays modern steel an action can be made that will stand up to reasonable charges of smokeless powder.

As for ammunition concerns, a whole new cartridge may have to be used with these guns to keep experimenters from finding out just how much powder it takes to blow a rifle bolt through their forehead but something could be produced.

A .45-70 case necked to .38 and using 255 grain .38-55 bullets may be the ticket.

[Larry Burford]

I would buy one. I really would not care what caliber it was in.