I have recently handled a Winchester 1873 and it was much like my Uberti Short Rifle, ie. same smooth action with a "short stroke" kit installed (mine does not have). It was well done, like Miroku makes most of their guns. The Winchester version seems to weigh and balance the same as the Italian makes. I like all of the 1873's models, but if they came in really hard recoiling rifles I would prefer the longer barrel for the extra weight (8.3 pounds or more) and a "pistol grip" over a straight grip (I believe it handles more recoil by distributing it to the hands as well as the shoulder). I chose the Short Rifle (20" BBL) because it weighs about 7 1/2 pounds, which makes for a easy carrying, reasonable sight radius, and virtually little recoil from the pistol calibers it "houses". I like the esthetics of a straight grip on a lever action, but I like the control a pistol grip gives on guns shot more than carried.
