Originally Posted by
Malamute
Depends on what you want to do with it and how much the historical aspects interest you. I got the Browning 92 because i wanted a 44 mag carbine, was not interested in another Marlin, nor a Winchester 94 in 44 mag. In the past the "92s are stronger!" thing was a factor to me, now, Im happy with a 73 in 357 cal. I wanted a 73, Id never had one long enough to shoot it much, 357 was the most practical and useful caliber for me as well as brass already being in hand. I have zero reservations about the caliber in that action.
I doubt theres any practical difference in the useful lifetime of the gun or the reliability in quality examples of either even for a fairly ambitious shooter. The guys that wear out those guns are the fringe minority of the shooting sport, like the same type that shoot modern guns and buys/loads ammo in large quantities and breaks or wears out parts (or not). If you can afford the ammo to wear one out you can afford to get it fixed, then start over... The only guns Ive ever been able to afford to shoot large quantities of ammo in are 22s, Ive not broken or worn one out yet.
If you want a modern type receiver sight, 92s are easier to do that on. I drilled and tapped my Browning 92 for a Lyman No 56 sight. The 73s dont play well with that type. Some like tang sights on them, me, not so much, I just use the barrel sight and call it good.
I probably didnt answer your question in the sense you asked it, but my criteria is probably different. Either one works well, I like older stuff in general.
If you can find a copy of the 2 volume set Firearms of the American West, by Garavaglia and Worman, read the sections on the various Winchester models from 1866 to 1894, the earlier times, places and events to me are much more interesting. Many mention various movies fueled their interest in certain guns, its the history that does it for me. In 1880 the artist Charles Russell moved to Montana as I believe a 16 year old. He fell in with an old trapper, meat hunter and general frontier character named Jake Hoover. Charlie mentioned one time they were on a trail and met several grizzlies, likely a sow with larger cubs, Charlie was quite concerned about the situation, Hoover never seemed to doubt the outcome, he dumped them all with head shots in the trail with his 73 rifle.