9mm in a Model 92

[whiteoper]

Just a question for those in the know.  Can a Model 92 in 357 be converted to 9mm P.  The thought was that maybe the chamber area of the barrel could be removed, the barrel could be rethreaded and re-chambered to 9mm and .  Or is there a better way build a 9mm lever rifle???

Roscoe

[John Traveler]

I imagine almost anything mechanical is possible, but your idea of converting a .357 Magnum Winchester M1892 lever action to 9mm Parabellum is not practical for the following reasons:

1.  The M1892 action is designed to load, feed, and extract rimmed cartridges.  Specifically, the loading gate, cartridge stop, left and right cartridge guides, feed ramp, bolt face, extractor, ejector, and bolt/lever throw are designed around the intended cartridge (.32-20, .357, .44-40, .44 magnum, .45 colt).  Modifying all of these to reliably function with 9x19mm is a major task.

2.  the 9x19mm is commonly available in FMJ and HP bullet styles.  Using these rounds in a tubular magazine is just asking for trouble.

3.  I know of no responsible gunsmith that has or will tackle such a project for legal liability reasons.  The factories do not offer such a chambering because of the lack of demand and the potential liability of misuse with FMJ ammunition.

Yes, it is possible to set back the barrel and rechamber to 9mm P, but then you still have all the other functioning challenges to deal with.

Why do you want a lever action 9mmP  That seems like such an odd combination.

[Keith L]

While far from traditional I can see the appeal of readily available semi-inexpensive ammo.  I wouldn't hunt much over small game with one, but it could be fun if made to work.

[whiteoper]

As stated above 9mm is cheap, everyone and thier dog has one so brass is always left laying around, I have several thousand rounds loaded with cast wheel weights (translated very cheap).  We like to do a lot of just plinking (yes I do have a henry 22 and several other 22s).  I am not stuck on the the model 92 I have a rossi 92 in 45 colt and marlin 1894 in 38-40 both of which are very accurate and a blast to shoot.  I was reading how somebody had made a marlin 1894 to shoot 50 A.E. and thought if they could do that why not make a lever gun in 9mm.  My main quary would be fighting pop cans, steel targets and the ever elusive grey digger.

Roscoe

[StrawHat]

This link is to a thread about a Marlin that was converted to 45 ACP, rimless and etc.

Not your 9mm, but it certainly makes a 9 sound doable.  Can't imagine recoil would be much more than a capgun!

Keep us posted how it works out.

http://www.castbulletassoc.org/forum/view_topic.php?id=535&forum_id=18

The author indicates it cost less than $500 for the conversion, not too bad.

[gunnut69]

Perhaps using 38 specials would be a better answer? In any case JohnT has pretty much covered the basics. It is doable but likely not cheap.. Altering the 92 to feed 9mmP would be a pain.  I doubt the magazine detonation would be a problem as the recoil in a normal rifle would be nearly non-existent. Also the 357 would not be the best place to start the conversion from. The 357 case head is larger and most of the internals would not be usable. the 25-20 parts would provide the best jump off point. Still you will have a lot more money invested than to simply buy a High-Point or similar self-loading carbine and shoot it instead. My contact with these economical rifles seems to indicate they work very well and are a good buy.

[whiteoper]

I have considered a self loading carbine.  Most tend to have 16" barrels and here north of the boarder (Canada) we need 18.25" to be leagal rifle length. 16 inch barrels are classed as  hand guns and as such are highly regulated.  Also some brands and models such as High-point are impossible to come by.  In most cases if North Sylva or Marstar doesn't import it forget it.  There are brokers who will move firearms across the border for you but most times you end up having close to the value of the firearm wrapped up in fees.   I guess sometimes it doesn't pay to think outside the box; however, it sure is fun.!!!!

Roscoe