Winchester 1892 32-20

[AKtinman]

On Thursday I stopped at the LGS to chat with the owner and swap off some stuff I no longer needed.

He happened to mention that he had a “shooter grade” Winchester 1892 in 32-20 if I was interested, but it wasn’t in the store at the time. Yup, I was interested! I told him I would return on Saturday to have a look.

I was expecting a grayed out finish gun with no bluing and worn stock. Well, it turned out to be a 24” rifle in really nice shape, great bore with no pitting. Very nice condition for a 1896 manufacture gun.

At $1400 it was priced a little less than the Browning 53 at the other shop. He also had some UltraMax ammo so I bought 2 boxes. The price of the ammo just about took my breath away, but after it is fired, I’ll have a hundred Starline cases to get me started.

And I’ll be checking Starline regularly to place an order for 32-20 brass if they offer it for sale in the next few years My Starline 32 H&R brass that I ordered on January 3rd arrived yesterday.

My first centerfire rifle was a Winchester 1892 rifle in 25-20 that my uncle gave me when I was 12 years old. He paid $50 for it, which was not an insignificant sum in the late 1950’s. That old rifle and the uncle are long gone, but the fond memories remain.

This rifle will be a range gun as I no longer hunt, and it will see only mild loads in keeping with both its age and my interest in shooting.

 

[CZU]

That's a beauty!

 

[TIMETRIPPER]

Beautiful rifle! And you got a good deal on it too. I have a similar Model 1892 but in 25-20. Not quite as nice outside and the bore is dark.
Also have a 32-20 with the half round/octagon barrel that is gray with age but a decent bore that shoots well. And a third model 1892 that I just got back from a barrel reline. It has nada original finish but good wood. The barrel was a disaster. Before the reline it wouldn't group less than 2 feet at 50 yards. Now it's down to under 3" with the same loads.

John

 

[hivel37]

Congratulations, that’s a very nice little rifle.
My Dad had a carbine in 32 WCF when I was
a kid. Hope you enjoy that one.

 

[bigmoose]

No doubt that little gem is at least a $3500 rifle. A very fine and desirable Winchester you have there. Congrats on a really smart purchase.

 

[weatherby]

Geez I'll show you what I've been up to today.

Hey someone had to load those old bullets.

As an aside make rifle rounds.
It is no fun shooting modern mortar rounds.

 

[JohnRippert]

One of my grail pairs would be a 1892 in .32-20 and a matching Colt SAA in the same caliber.

 

[AKtinman]

One of my grail pairs would be a 1892 in .32-20 and a matching Colt SAA in the same caliber.

I don't own any Colts, but I did purchase a used Freedom Arms 97 in 32 H&R a few months ago. Unfortunately the extra cylinder in 32-20 didn't come with the gun. However, that cylinder made an appearance and will be reunited with the gun.

Whew! When it rains, it pours!

 

[weatherby]

One of my grail pairs would be a 1892 in .32-20 and a matching Colt SAA in the same caliber.

Just no love for the DA......Eh

 

[AKtinman]

No doubt that little gem is at least a $3500 rifle. A very fine and desirable Winchester you have there. Congrats on a really smart purchase.

Thank you for the kind words. It helps that the LGS owner and I have a good relationship and we treat each other fairly and with respect. I've done some trades where he came out money ahead and vice versa.

I posted the price I paid as folks like to track the market. It was about the price I expected to pay, but the rifle was much nicer than I expected to receive for that price.

I've sure enjoyed shooting the 32's but it has been about 30 years since I owned a Colt Police Positive (I think it was) in 32-20 and have resisted going down the rabbit hole of adding another caliber with dies, brass, etc. Likely one of my several .32 molds will be compatible with this rifle. Range trip next week!

 

[Kguy]

Beautiful rifle. Enjoy the ownership!

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I have Police Positive Special in 32-20 (1919) & a 1902 M&P in 32WCF (1902). along with a modern 1894 CL Marlin. RCBS dies, Lyman mold for 117 gr GC.

I have WW 500 brass I bought when I bought the rifle, and a few hundred more from scrounging at gun shows. I Have used WW231, Unique, & Trail Boss powders all with good success.

If you can lay your hands on an old Lyman #45 Manual, the Accuracy and Factory Dueplication loads are spot on for everything they list.

Ivan

 

[dwh]

It’s a heck of a rabbit hole to go down. I started with a colt lighting magazine rifle,which I stupidly traded for something I can’t remember. But now I have
Winchester 1885 high wall
Savage 23c
Remington #2RB
Winchester 1892src
8 S&W hand ejectors
The 32/20 is what has gotten me in to casting as well.

Congratulations that’s a beautiful rifle.

 

[JohnRippert]

Just no love for the DA......Eh

Well, I could "make do" with that. Just think the Winchester and SAA would match up better.

 

[Wyo]

The 32-20 combo is one of my favorites. Here’s a pair - the rifle is an 1873 Winchester made in 1892. The revolver is a Colt SAA made in 1904. Both are fine shooters. They’ll do to “ride the range.”

 

[DeplorabusUnum]

Nice find. Congrats are in order. I've had my eyes open for a nice 32-20 rifle to ride with my S&W 32-20 revolver for years. It's hard to find one in good condition at an affordable price.

 

[rwsmith]

She---

She-ZAAM!

 

[reccpd101]

I own a Marlin 1894 in 32-20 and a very nice S&W hand ejector 32-20. They're a great pair of shooters but ammo is hard to come by. I reload but not for that caliber.

 

[AJ]

I picked up a Model 1892 in .32-20 about 1980 or so Someone had painted it black with spray paint on the metal and varnished the wood. Supposedly to make it look nice hanging on the wall, as the metal was rusty and the wood worn. Took it home and used paint stripper on it. Under the spray paint was patinaed bluing. The wood was good too once I rubbed it down with linseed oil. Won a $100 on it once, a guy bet me that there were not any 1892's made in .32-20, yes he paid up. Considering I had given $75.00 for it I was happy.

 

[Muley Gil]

It’s a heck of a rabbit hole to go down. I started with a colt lighting magazine rifle,which I stupidly traded for something I can’t remember. But now I have
Winchester 1885 high wall
Savage 23c

Remington #2 RB (Rolling Block)

Winchester 1892src
8 S&W hand ejectors
The 32/20 is what has gotten me in to casting as well.

Congratulations that’s a beautiful rifle.

Whimper, whimper.