Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Cowboy Action Shooting Shooting the 38-40 WCF

I think that you are correct. Years ago I had a Navy Arms 1873 .44-40 carbine that, although new, needed work to get the elevator mouth shaped correctly to get let cartridges feed into it properly. It had other problems as well.
After working Winchester cartridges through the action a number of times they were beat all to hell. As I recall the brass was quite thin.
I presently own a Miroku 1873 short rifle in .44-40 and bought a supply of .44-40 Starline brass to reload. While still thin compared to .45 Colt brass, it does seem a bit thicker.

I have an old Colt revolver in 38 WCF. Pretty cool old round.

Had a 1903 M92 in 38 WCF for many years. 24" round barrel, full magazine tube. Mint condition and accurate.

Killed one deer with it, not much impressed with the performance, but got it done. 180gr WW soft points.

Got lucky 15 years ago and picked up two boxes at an old feller's shop, for $29 each. Last box I got about ten years ago, were $39.

Bought a new Taylor/Uberti Smoke Wagon SAA clone some years back, in 38 WCF. Once thought about getting into Cowboy shooting, never got around to it. That pistol is a jewel. Great trigger and pretty accurate. Still have that, sent the M92 off to auction several years ago, for a pretty damn fine return. Fetched $2,400 at auction, which shocked the hell out of me. Auction house owner said it was the nicest M92 he'd ever seen and they do vintage arms often.

Started gathering some vintage rifles over 50 years ago, both for the enjoyment and as future retirement income. Miss some of them, but that was the plan.

Wonderful photograph Ethan.

These are excellent bullets for the .38-40
https://www.gtbullets.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4&products_id=9

https://www.gtbullets.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4&products_id=78

I used to have a ton of 38WCF brass and loaded bullets I shot from an old lever. It is my favorite small game cartridge. it is accurate and consistent.