Built with action matches in mind, this M73 Competition Carbine is chambered in .357 Magnum with a 20-inch barrel and ten rounds in the tube. Black finish and a walnut stock give it a businesslike look that suits the line at a cowboy shoot.

Cowboy action rules favor rifles that handle revolver cartridges, and the .357 and .38 Special fit that bill. Load light .38 Specials for speed and low recoil in the stages, then run magnum rounds when you take it out to the ranch. The 1873 action is slim and quick, and its short lever throw helps a good shooter run fast.

Beyond matches, the carbine makes a handy rifle for coyotes and hogs at moderate range. Where state law permits, a .357 rifle can take deer at close distance with proper loads.

Keep the action clean and oiled, wipe the black finish after wet days, and store it dry. A little care goes a long way with a lever gun that sees real use in the truck and the barn. The walnut will appreciate a light coat of stock oil now and then. The carbine ships to your FFL dealer, where the background check is completed before you take it home.