My favorite centerfire lever action: The Model 1892

A little history on this design first. Back in the early 1890s, Winchester asked John Browning if he could design an improved pistol-caliber lever action that could replace the lumbering old Model 1873. Silly question. Browning responded that if he couldn't have a prototype ready in under a month, Winchester could have it for free.

Browning went right to work, and basically scaled down the superb Model 1886 Winchester (his design also). The Model 1886 was known as having an extremely smooth action, but it was big and designed for such heavy hitters as the .45-70.

In only 2 weeks, Browning had a functioning prototype of what was to become the Model 1892 Winchester. Initial calibers were the .32-20, .38-40 and .44-40. These were later followed by the .25-20, and even later, the .218 Bee.

The one millionth rifle was presented to Secretary of War Patrick Hurley on December 13, 1932. Admiral Robert E. Peary carried one on his North Pole trips. Who hasn't seen John Wayne win the West on the silver screen with a '92 equipped with a large loop lever? I understand that the Duke owned several.

Winchester phased out the '92 in 1941, but that only paved the way for clones in more modern calibers to appear, and these are still being made prolifically today. Improved metallurgy has made calibers such as the .44 Magnum possible in this small action. Winchester has re-introduced various iterations of the '92, and these are being made in Japan. A friend of mine was excited to tell me that he'll soon be the proud owner of a takedown Winchester Trapper model in .357 magnum. I understand that the modern Winchesters have tang safeties, a deviation from Browning's original pattern. These aren't cheap, but Miroku has made good stuff for Winchester. Forget that safety, though. The half-cock was good enough for Browning, and it's good enough for me.

I have a Browning '92 in .44 Magnum/.44 Special. Let me tell you that it kicks like a mule. My shoulder still hurts from firing it a year ago. It's a true copy of the original Winchester, albeit with a stupid gold-plated trigger. My sense of esthetics, such as it is, was offended by that. I also have a Rossi "Puma" in .357 Magnum, which I consider the ideal caliber for this little 20-inch-barreled carbine. I found it grossly annoying, however, that Rossi has, in recent years, chosen to tack on a ridiculous "safety thingy" on top of the breechbolt, and the wood they've been using recently is really sad - it looks like dark-stained 2x4 pine wood. The example I have even has a factory repair to the fore-stock, and I bought it new! It's a fun gun, though - 10 shots quick, accurate, light and handy.

Well, at the Phoenix gun show this weekend I got all of my annoyances with Rossi settled, and bought a cherry '92 saddle ring carbine from none other than a grand-nephew of the late great Gene Autry. This Rossi was made pre-"Puma," I'm guessing in the late '70s to early '80s, being as how it was imported by Interarms and from the serial number. It does NOT have the PC safety, and the wood is gorgeous. It's in .357/.38 special - my choice for this gun. A plus is that the cost was quite reasonable.

The recoil is comfortably manageable. It uses modern commonly available cartridges. It holds 10 rounds in the magazine. Power rivals the .30/30 cartridge (which, like the .44 Magnum, kicks like crazy in a '94 Winchester lever action). The '92 has a really smooth action - a dab of lithium grease on the locking lugs is an instant action job. It can serve for small and medium game out to 200 yards if necessary, and can make an acceptable home defense weapon. Now I'm a happy camper, owning a '92 that looks good, mimics ol' John Moses' original design, and didn't cost me an arm and a leg to enjoy.

The Model 1892 is indeed my favorite center-fire lever action; it's "just right" in .357 Magnum chambering.

How about you?

John

Thank you for an enjoyable read.

I am really loving my Rossi Model 92 in .357. Got it about two months ago, have run a few hundred rounds through it, it has smoothed up nicely and is very accurate.






I also have a Marlin 1894 in .357, the Model 92 is much smoother, with similar accuracy, at least out to 50 yards. Haven't tried the Model 92 at 100 yards yet, the Marlin will shoot about 3" at 100 yards.

I've got a Winchester 1886 in 45/70 on layaway, (new one, made by Miroku), looking forward to getting and shooting it. Then, a Uberti 1873 and my Winchester "Jones" will be complete....

I have a 357 puma too. I havent worked with a lot yet, but it shows promise. Years ago I had a winchester 92 converted to 357. Another time I had a winchester 73 converted to 38 special. I think the 92 clones in 357 are a great idea. I like the caliber to shoot better than my browning 92 in .44 mag. Here are the twins.

I agree. I have a 92 made in 1927 in .32 WCF (or, as it currently known, the good ol' .32-20). I bought it about 10 years ago for a very good price (for the seller!) of $1400. The original barrel has a like-new bore and it is literally a point-and-shoot rifle. This rifle will stay with me forever and then my Arkansas son-in-law will probably get it, a reward for being so good to my daughter and just being an all-around cool guy in general.

I have two Winchester M1892, both in .38 WCF, aka the 38-40. My love affair started as a young boy when my grandfather let me shoot his '92. I believe it is a 1908 variation with a stag or bone blade front sight. My second '92 is a 1926 model with a half tube. Both are full octagon barrels. What great shooters!

The .357 Magnum M92 is a surprising carbine. To us, it is as close to recoil free as we've found, accurate, handy, powerful enough, and as lightweight as a steel & wood long gun can be.

Here is a 20" Rossi made EMF brand tuned a bit by Steve's Gunz out of Port Arthur, TX. With a friend.

I bought a stainless Rossi M92 .44 mag carbine earler this year.

This rifle being my first experiences with the M1892 action..the Rossi M92 also..and my third .44 mag carbine.

Bought specificly for a feral hog gun/truck gun. Has served me very well thus far.

have had less opportunity to hunt hogs this summer with the intense heat and all(hogs ain't roaming much during the heat of the day...but I've shot a couple pigs the last couple months.

The 240gr .44 mag softpoint is a pig slayer..and the Rossi gets them there.

I bought an 1892 Winchester in 44 mag this spring, and just took it to the range this past week. I really like it, but was surprised a the punch that little gal has! I sold my Marlin 1895 cow boy, and replaced it with the Winchester, and it is easier to handle than the 26 inch barreled Marlin, a lot lighter, and it certainly kicks less than that 45-70-but I got love bites on my shoulder/chest from that 44mag! Now, after reading this, I guess I'll be looking for a 357 mag as well-maybe with a 16 inch barrel(?) Flapjack.

I own a Winchester 1892 in .44 WCF made in 1894. I really like that rifle. I have also fired a Marlin Model 1888. The Marlin 1888 is a fairly rare rifle because they only made it for one year before they started the 1889 in side eject. The 1888 is top eject. I believe Winchester wanted the 1892 because the Marlins were so vastly superior to the Winchester 1873.

Great thread. I too have an abiding appreciation for the '92. My 1st was a Browning in 44 Mag. It does kick but with Hornady's Leverevolution soft pointy tip ammo, it's a new rifle with ballistics that would make old John Moses turn in his socks. It's a very flat shooter and with 250 yard usable range. The Leverevolution ammo did the same thing in my '94 30-30.

When I had a chance to buy one of the 1st issues with engraving and saddle ring very reasonably priced, I bought it too but it remains unfired.

My next was a 44-40 14" trapper model that's extremely fun to shoot and handle. It was a Turnbull restoration so it looks new except for the bore but that's what made it affordable; the collector value was gone.

Then last year an 85% original finish 25-20 1929 carbine with gleaming bore walked into the gunshow with owner attached. $1500 later it and 2 boxes of ammo went home with me. That's when I became hooked on small bore '92s. My 1st shot was a dead ctr X ring bullseye and it'll do it everytime.

My 5th and last was bought brand new; a Miroku Winchester from GunsAmerica this year; one of 500 short rifles in 32-20 with 20" octagon barrel and crescent butt. I knew what a great job Miruko has done on my Browning '92s and Model 71 so I didn't hesitate. I was not dissappointed. A new Lyman tang peep sight now sits where the safety button used to reside. It still has the funky rebound hammer but shoots like a dream!

If another comes along, it may have a new home as well.

Looking for a pre 64 model 94 now actually.

This 92 .44 wcf was stolen out of my house along with other guns in 2002 in lancaster california. It was a wall hanger that came off a indian reservation in the dakotas. Serial #269815

My last 92 was a OBFMCB in 25-20 and was one of funnest guns I have ever owned...wish I still had it.

29aholic said:

My last 92 was a OBFMCB in 25-20 and was one of funnest guns I have ever owned...wish I still had it.

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I only have one 92 and it is a round barrel rifle with no finish except in a few areas, but no rust or pitting. The great thing about it is the pristine bore. Also chambered in 25-20 and that is a fun cartridge. A little noise and a gentle push on the shoulder. Another reat little lever gun is the Marlin 1894 in 32 20 and 25 20. They are a little smaller in proportion and the 92 has a female athletes body, a little bulked up whiler the Marlin is a little more trim like a pretty lady in a black dress. Both are great guns and the 32-20 and 25-20 are two of the most fun calibers you can shoot. Both unfortunately are hard to find in the early guns with a good bore.

Recently acquired Amadeo Rossi 92 in 357mag. Imported by Interarms, Came into my shop last week. Original owner decided to sell it, still unfired. How many of these are out there? Any info?

I have a EMF model 1892 saddle ring carbine in .357 magnum. It's made by Rossi for EMF with a higher grade of fit and finish. Mine has a color case hardened finish and that unfortunate safety thingy.

Steve's Gunz who specializes in model 1892 rifles will remove the safety thingy for 40 bucks.

I have a Browning M92 in .44 Magnum that I like a lot. Very reliable feeding. I trust it for home defense.

My Browning 92 in .44 Magnum is used in Cowboy Action Shooting. Loaded to proper levels of course. I have several boxes of Hornady 265 grain JSPs and intend to load them in it to use on feral hogs.

A slick rifle but they do jam up at the speeds that CAS shooters use them so they are not popular with the top shooters.

I am not a "top shooter" so I don't care, I use mine.

IceCreamMan said:

Recently acquired Amadeo Rossi 92 in 357mag. Imported by Interarms, Came into my shop last week. Original owner decided to sell it, still unfired. How many of these are out there? Any info?

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My Interarms Rossi '92 has serial number K0470XX, and the best info I can get from those that know these rifles pretty well is that it was manufactured in the late '70s or early '80s. Factory records from that era are non-existant, or apparently so. Taurus bought out Rossi in 1998, and their customer service department can provide more accurate dates of manufacture for the newer ones with the safety thingy. If anyone knows of an accurate date of manufacture chart for the Interarms '92s, I'd sure like to see it.

John