Sporting rifles in the 1873 line were the ones with the nicer wood and the longer barrel, and Cimarron keeps that tradition alive with this Deluxe version in .44-40 Winchester. It is finished in blue and black, which gives it a darker, businesslike look.

Plenty of lever-action fans choose the 1873 because it feels alive in the hand. The action is quick, the balance is steady, and the long barrel holds well on a target. The .44-40 is a cartridge with real history, easy on the shoulder and good for deer-sized game inside a couple hundred yards when you do your part.

For cowboy action matches, a rifle in this caliber lines up with a revolver in .44-40 or .44 Special, so you can run one kind of ammo for both. For a hunting camp, it is a fun alternative to modern bolt guns when you want something with history.

Check the rear sight and the screws every few outings, keep the magazine tube clean, and wipe down the blued steel. It ships to your FFL dealer for the background check.