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     Continuing with the “What is in your closet?” theme, today I shoot my Great Grandfather’s Winchester 38-40.  The 38-40 began production in 1874 to replace the original Winchester 1873 so famously featured in the Jimmy Stewart film “Winchester ‘73”.  A competing cartridge maker didn’t want to stamp “Winchester” on the jacket so they had to settle for 38-40.  It became the gun of choice especially in the west.  Tracing this model by serial number I found it was manufactured in 1904.  My grandfather and great-grand father hunted with it so it has a lot of sentimental value for me in addition to being an antique, it is an heirloom. 

   Lever action, the magazine holds 12, (don’t tell Nancy Pelosi) hard to find 38-40 rounds.
Here you see the round to the right of the modern 40 caliber.

     For being over a hundred years old, it shoots like a dream.  Although the longhorn site is difficult to use especially with bifocals, I take back what I said about the AR 15 being my favorite to hunt with, if I hunted.  This has superseded it.  Light, easy to maneuver, aim, load and cycle.  No kick at all, and accurate at 100, 200, and 300 yards in a standing posture.
Rest it on a branch or post in your deer stand and you won’t miss.

The Winchester 1874 38-40 positives:

-Perfectly balanced

-Magazine holds a lot of rounds

-It is accurate at 100-300 yards.

-It is easy to cycle and reload.

Negatives:

-Ammunition is hard to find.

-ammunition is expensive!