Very nice. I wouldn't mind paying $1,300 for something like that. Makes a lot more sense than $3,000 for some butt ugly AR. If I had any need for a saddle gun on the ranch (which I don't have - yet), that would be the gun I'd pick up. Of course, almost no one has any need for a saddle gun these days. But there's also no real need for everyone to own some military tactical weapon but that doesn't stop those guns from disappearing off the shelves as fast they can be made. I'd rather pretend I was a cowboy than a zombie killer. That's what's called having a healthier imagination.

007,
I've killed 85 and 120 lb pigs with my Marlin .357, although it was at short range, about 30 yards. The longer barrel really breathes life into the handgun round, I get an extra 500 FPS over my 4" barreled revolver, 1775 FPS as opposed to 1250. It's no .30-30 by any means but used withing it's limitations it will do the job, assuming I do my part.
The one thing I really like about mine is the fact that I can shoot it at any indoor pistol range.
GH1

Nice gun, but I am partial to lever guns. And Dave looks like as soon as the camera goes off so does the tie!

007, I have seen deer killed with a .357 and also seen an engine block inside a car disabled with one. Not a long distance gun but as I recall none of the calibers originally offered in that model were long distance shooters. I haven't looked at the ballistics charts but I'm thinking the .357 should be nearly on par with 30-30. For years I carried a .357 in my saddle bag as bear medicine. I never had ANY doubt that it would drop a grizzly if the need arose. I know of at least one killed that way.

Great idea. I have long coveted the one Marlin made a long time back- the .357 lever, sold then as a hog rifle. Shoot cheap .38's for practice, have the same round in your sidearm as well as your rifle, just a very cool rifle. I know this is specifically targeted at the SASS crowd, and it will be great for that, but for me, its just a classic, a plinker, hogger, home defender, handy rifle for camping. Shake that piggy bank.

Few rifles cause me to describe them as "cool" but this one does. The 1873 is the rebirth of a classic rifle and in a popular cartridge. As a hunter and someone who spends a decent amount of time far away from the confines of the city, having a rifle that is able to take out anything in the wild is a plus. I see the 1873 in the same light as the Model 71. Maybe Hornady will have LeverEvolution ammo in .357 Mag soon much like they have for the 45/70?

Nice gun. But FYI - Uberti has been making an 1873 rifle reproduction for a while now at about the same price point with A-grade walnut. Theirs come chambered in 45 Colt, .357 Mag and 44-40 and various barrel lengths.

But competition is always good, so I hope Winchester does well.