TESTED: Taylor’s & Company TC73 Lever-Action 9mm

The 1873-style lever-action is one rifle that begs for high-volume range sessions, and the Taylor’s & Company TC73, with its 9mm chambering, certainly lets you scratch that itch all day long

by Barb Melloni

The lever-action rifle is one of America’s most iconic platforms. If you’re anything like me, the second someone says the words “lever-action,” it conjures up images of the Old West and of the classic Western TV show The Rifleman. When Taylor’s & Company originally announced their plans to release this timeless platform chambered in 9mm Luger, it raised more than a few eyebrows. Sure, they’re not the first manufacturer to release such a firearm, but it seems to take on a whole new persona when the host gun for those 9mm rounds is a lever-action complete with a classy walnut stock and case-colored steel frame.

When unboxing the TC73, the first thing I noticed was Taylor & Company’s nod to the timeless 1873 design, albeit modernized to include a threaded barrel for those wishing to run it with a can. The stock and forend of this lever-action are crafted from American Walnut, contrasting nicely with the case-colored steel frame. I appreciate the lack of a high-gloss finish and texturizing on the stock, as it provides an understated confidence and harkens back to the rifles of the Wild West.

Knowing full well that there’s more to a great gun than its looks, Taylor’s & Company applied their heart and soul into the action of this rifle. Officially referred to as the Taylor Tuned Performance Action, careful attention and work were put into internal polishing, lightening the trigger pull, and more to create one of the smoothest out-of-the-box lever throws you’ll experience. If you’ve ever worked the lever on a poorly built gun before, you are undoubtedly aware of the importance of things running smoothly — especially for those using a lever-action for home defense or hunting purposes.

The TC73’s 18-inch barrel is threaded 5/8×24, making it ready to accept your favorite suppressor should you wish to keep things quiet on the homestead. Atop the barrel, you’ll find a simple set of iron sights, with a white bead sight up front and a semi-buckhorn in the rear. Moving back along the buttstock is a rubber butt pad — not completely necessary for the minimal recoil of 9mm but surely appreciated by those spending extended time on the firing line slinging lead downrange.

When most people think of lever-action rifles, cartridges like .45-70 Government, .30-30 Winchester, .357 Magnum, or .44 Magnum usually come to mind…not 9mm Luger. So, why would a manufacturer choose to chamber a historically iconic firearm like the 1873 lever-action in such a modern and widely used pistol caliber? Taylor’s & Company’s decision to offer the TC73 in 9mm isn’t just a marketing gimmick designed to take advantage of industry trends; it is a smart, practical move aimed at addressing the unique, specific needs of today’s shooters.

First, 9mm ammo is among the most affordable and widely available calibers on the market, making it cost-effective for frequent range use. Many shooters already stock it for their handguns, meaning there’s less need to juggle multiple calibers. Additionally, for those living in states that heavily regulate semi-automatic rifles, a lever-action like the TC73 provides a compliant alternative without compromising capability. This blend of qualities makes the TC73 a compelling choice for a broad spectrum of gun owners. Lever-action purists will appreciate its historical roots and build quality, while newer shooters, especially those raised on polymer-framed pistols and modern PCCs, will find it an approachable, if somewhat pricy, entry point into the world of classic firearms.

For this test, we chose the following 9mm rounds: Federal American Eagle IRT 70-grain, Fiocchi Range Dynamics 147-grain FMJ, and Winchester’s Target and Practice 147-grain FMJ. This rifle has a capacity of ten rounds and is fed via the side-loading gate on the right side of the firearm.

The entire firing process went smoothly, from loading to ejecting and everything in between. There were no malfunctions to speak of…impressive for the hot, swampy conditions at the range. Felt recoil was minimal, and coupled with being well-balanced, it would make the TC73 a great option for someone who has never fired a gun before. Being that it functioned well with both supersonic and subsonic ammunition, I can see this rifle being used not only as a general plinkster but as an option for Cowboy Action shoots — just so long as you purchase the smooth thread protector for a period-correct look.

Accuracy was more than respectable. At 50 yards, it was easy to keep five-shot groups under two inches using factory loads. I’ve shot irons ever since I was a kid, so the included semi-buckhorn/white bead combination felt familiar and easy to work. For those who don’t remember the last time they shot a gun with iron sights because they’re tied to their red dots…yeah, you may have a bit of a learning curve to overcome.

Blending tradition and practicality in a way that respects the original design while appealing to modern-day shooters can, at times, be a task few manufacturers successfully accomplish. Taylor’s & Co. has earned its reputation by preserving the legacy of the Old West while adapting to include modern features and functionalities. The TC73 embodies this reputation, allowing it to appeal to generations past, present, and future.

With an MSRP of $1999, this rifle is definitely an investment, but it is an investment in a high-quality, finely tuned firearm that will pay for itself rather quickly relative to the cost of 9mm ammo. That’s assuming you like to shoot in volume — and with the TC73, you most certainly will.

Taylor’s & Company TC73 Specifications

Caliber: 9mm
Action Type: lever
Barrel Length: 18 in.
Barrel Contour: round
Barrel Finish: blued steel
Barrel Grooves: 6 (Ballard style)
Barrel Twist & Rotation: RH. 1:10
Capacity: 10
Trigger Type & Pull: Single trigger, 3-4 lbs.
Front Sight: dovetail white bead
Rear Sight: dovetail semi-buckhorn w/ reversible notch plate
Stock/Forend Finish: walnut
Buttplate/Pad: rubber
Frame Finish: real case-colored steel
Triggerguard Finish: real case-colored steel
Weight: 8.05 lbs.
Overall Length: 37.5 in.
Taylor Tuning Option: Taylor tuned
MSRP: $1999

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Barb Melloni

Barb Melloni was born and raised in rural Indiana, where her passion for guns, hunting, and anything outdoors is rooted. If she is not afield with her coonhound Browning hunting small game or tucked away in a deer blind, you are likely to find Barb instructing a variety of courses as co-owner of Renaissance Firearms Instruction in New York with her husband Frank. While not working, you can find her with a nice cigar on a sporting clays course, relaxing with a backstrap in the smoker or enjoying a bit of long-range shooting alongside friends.