Taylor’s & Company has made a bold and welcome move with the release of the TC73—a faithful replica of the iconic 1873 Winchester lever-action rifle, now chambered in 9mm. At first glance, this rifle appears to be a traditional cowboy-era firearm, and it is. But under the hood, it brings modern utility, thoughtful upgrades, and remarkable craftsmanship—all while remaining 100% American-made.
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I had the opportunity to shoot one of the very first production models of the TC73 and found it to be both historically authentic and functionally impressive. If you’re looking for a lever gun that blends classic appeal with modern sensibility, the TC73 deserves a serious look.
Check out the GunsAmerica video of the TC73 below:
Historically, lever guns were often chambered in revolver calibers—.44-40 and .38-40 were popular choices—allowing a frontiersman to carry one type of cartridge for both rifle and sidearm. Taylor’s & Company has revived that concept for the modern era by chambering the TC73 in 9mm, the most widely used handgun cartridge in the United States today. This makes logistical sense for today’s shooters, particularly those who already stockpile 9mm for carry pistols, home defense, or training.
The rifle holds 10 rounds in a tubular magazine and feeds through a traditional side-loading gate. Despite 9mm being a rimless cartridge, feeding was smooth and consistent during testing. More on that below.
Taylor’s is known for their attention to detail, and the TC73 is no exception. Unlike many modern firearms, the TC73 contains no MIM (metal injection molded) parts. Every component is machined from premium steel, and Taylor’s in-house gunsmiths tune the final assembly. The result is an action that is incredibly smooth—what they call “Taylor Tuned”—and a crisp trigger that measured around three pounds on my sample.
The receiver features genuine case color hardening, not a simulated finish. The barrel is deep-blued, and both the forearm and buttstock are American walnut with a rich, attractive grain that rivals much more expensive rifles. Fit and finish throughout the rifle are excellent.
In a nod to modern shooting preferences, the TC73 features a threaded barrel (5/8×24) concealed by a knurled thread protector. Taylor’s also offers a smooth thread cap for those who prefer a more traditional aesthetic, and this version is required for cowboy action shooting competition approval.
Suppressing this rifle makes practical sense. With an 18-inch barrel, the rifle burns most of the powder before the bullet exits the muzzle, resulting in a report that is already surprisingly mild. A small suppressor could make this one of the quietest manually-operated rifles available, especially when paired with subsonic 9mm ammunition.
The sighting system is well-executed. The rifle features a traditional white bead front sight and a semi-buckhorn rear sight adjustable for both windage and elevation. Both front and rear sights can be drifted as needed.
Controls are true to the original 1873 design, including a dust cover over the ejection port and a lever lock at the base of the receiver. These features aren’t just cosmetic—they’re functional and contribute to the rifle’s heritage appeal.
The big question with any tubular magazine firing rimless ammunition is safety and reliability. Taylor’s has addressed this head-on. The owner’s manual warns against only one specific load—a loading—which features a sharp, pointed tip. Otherwise, traditional FMJ, JHP, flat-point, and even handloads all ran without issue in my testing.
I ran a variety of “candy cane” loads—mixing different projectile weights and profiles—to see if the rifle would stumble. It didn’t. Everything from 115gr FMJ to 147gr flat nose to defensive hollow points cycled smoothly and fired without issue.
Using a Garmin Zero chronograph, I tested the velocity of Nosler ASP 9mm defensive ammunition through both the TC73’s 18-inch barrel and Taylor’s matching 1873 Single Action revolver with a 5.5-inch barrel. The results were telling:
- Revolver (5.5″): Avg. ~1165 fps
- Rifle (18″): Avg. ~1360 fps
That’s a ~200 fps bump in velocity—enough to enhance terminal performance while remaining extremely manageable in terms of recoil. Even with hotter +P loads, the rifle remained smooth and pleasant to shoot.
One of the more underrated features of the TC73 is its compliance. As a manually operated rifle with no detachable magazine and no “modern sporting rifle” features, this gun is legal in all 50 states—including jurisdictions that severely restrict semi-automatic firearms. That makes it an appealing option for shooters in restrictive states who still want a capable, effective, and attractive rifle for home defense, ranch work, or range use.
Despite its antique looks, this rifle is not a safe queen. It’s highly shootable, extremely practical, and likely to turn heads at any range. It’s also an excellent choice for newer shooters who may be recoil-sensitive or want to simplify logistics by sticking to one caliber.
Although the focus of my review is the rifle, it’s worth mentioning the companion revolver Taylor’s offers—a 9mm-chambered 1873 Single Action Army clone. Taylors & Co offer several variations and barrel lengths of the TC-9 revolver. The one featured in my video sports a 5.5-inch barrel, traditional four-click action, and black checkered Navy grips. Like the rifle, it’s beautifully finished, accurate, and surprisingly affordable.
It’s also a true single-action, meaning there’s no transfer bar or modern safety system. Carrying five rounds instead of six remains the smart and traditional choice.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Caliber | 9mm Luger |
| Action | Lever-action |
| Capacity | 10 rounds (tubular magazine) |
| Barrel Length | 18 inches |
| Overall Length | 37.5 inches |
| Weight | Approx. 8.05 lbs |
| Barrel Finish | Blued steel |
| Receiver Finish | Case color hardened |
| Stock/Forearm | American walnut |
| Threaded Barrel | Yes, 5/8×24 with knurled and smooth protectors available |
| Sights | Front: Tall white bead; Rear: Semi-buckhorn, drift-adjustable for windage & elevation |
| Trigger Pull | Approx. 3 lbs (Taylor Tuned) |
| Safety | No manual safety; traditional half-cock notch |
| Made In | United States |
| MSRP | ~$1,999 |
The TC73 by Taylor’s & Company is more than just a novelty or a throwback piece. It’s a highly functional, well-built, American-made rifle that brings the timeless design of the 1873 Winchester into the modern era. By chambering it in 9mm and adding thoughtful features like a threaded barrel and tuned action, Taylor’s has created something that’s both historically respectful and thoroughly modern.
At an MSRP $1,999, it’s not an entry-level lever gun—but it’s priced fairly for what you’re getting. In a world of polymer pistols and cookie-cutter ARs, the TC73 is a breath of fresh air: simple, reliable, accurate, and undeniably fun to shoot.
Whether you’re a cowboy action shooter, a suppressor enthusiast, or just someone who appreciates quality and heritage, the TC73 stands out as one of the most unique and versatile rifles released in recent memory.
Lear more about the Taylor & Co TC73 by visiting Taylor & Co website
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