If you think you might shoot black powder through it, the 44/40 is a better bet, very limited blowback into the action. 38/40 is the same. 45Colt requires a heavy boolit and a healthy charge to seal off the chamber, especially using black. Don't get me wrong, the 45 Colt works with black, but it requires a little attention and you have to keep an eye on the grunge in the action.
If you aren't using black powder and like the 45Colt it would be a good hunting rifle.
If you are not interested in cowboy action, a Rossi would be a better, stronger rifle at about a half to a third of the price. Teh 1873's main advantage is that they are slicker than frogsnot, but they are weak, whereas the Rossis are pretty bomb proof.
Those Ubertis are pretty though. I have a sporting rifle in 44/40, always draws a crowd when I take it to the range, right purty!
