Toten the Model 92 Winchester clone in 357 magnum

[Dee]

5 or 6 years ago, I ordered from Navy Arms a Model 92 Winchester clone made by Rossi, with walnut stocks, 24" octagon barrel, and chambered in 357 magnum.
When I got the rifle I noticed a cheesy finish on the stock but that it was indeed walnut. When working the action slow, it dropped expended cartridges, but seemed to have potential. I called Navy Arms and told them to send me an extractor and ejector for replacement. They offered to fix it for me, but I advised them I was a gunsmith and worked faster most likely than theirs. They sent me two of each.
I hand fitted the ejector, and did not end up replacing the extractor.
I washed off the finish with lacquer thinner, and re sanded it, noting the wood to metal fit was pretty good. At this point I started applying hand rubbed coats of true oil (Birchwood Casy) and in between drying times I drilled and tapped the receiver for a Lyman aperture sight just like the one on my Model 94 Winchester that was bought new in 1958. I also replaced the front sight with a post (white stripe up center) also just like the one on my Model 94.
When I finished the project I found that the rifle had an identical finish on it like my old Model 94 looked when it was new, AND great looking walnut to boot.
This rifle has had several hundred rounds of 38 special light loads thru it and quite a few full house reloads of 158 grain jacketed 357 mags. It is my go to gun just about any time I leave the house and has taken everything from squirrels, to coyotes, to hogs, and in the future deer.
It is more accurate up close on paper than my 3030, but I am good to go at about 270 yards with the 3030, and the 357 ain't up to near that. Both rifles are zeroed to sight the same, and it's only a matter of noting the range of each, which makes for very little transition when switching rifles.
Many will argue that having to slick and or tune a new rifle ain't worth it, but I don't buy the logic. I have slicked and tuned many a new 1911 in 45acp for others and they were happy to pay for my work.
Has anyone else had one of these fine rifles? Mine will never be sold while I'm alive and aware. It's a shame it isn't a real Winchester.

[Oldtimer]

Dee, I also have a 92 that is my favorite woods loafing rifle.  I bought it at a gunshow and it had a finish that looked about as good as if someone smeared tar on the rifle.  Like you, I did a lot of work to get the thing right.  My stock was some sort of South American wood, very fragrant and a sickly yellow-ochre color.  I put a walnut stain and hand-rubbed tung oil on it, and it is downright handsome now. The butt plate was oversized all around.  It was a matter of file work to get it right, and I liked the looks of the bright metal, so I kept it that way.  The springs in the action were way too strong, and it looked like I had replaced the extractor with a pit bull.  Lighter springs took care of all that.  If I had the chance to buy another one in that condition, I would jump right on it.  I have peep sights on most of my other lever actions, but if I pull out the elevator, the sights are regulated for a hot load of 2400, and the third notch on the elevator puts my BP loads right on target, so I will leave it on this rifle. 

[Mikey]

Dee:  I was just on the range with a fella who had a 92 clone in 44-40 and I really appreciated the slick action and easy handling qualities of that little lever action.  Neither he or I could get it to shoot however.  He was using Winchester white Box ammo and we could simply not get this rifle to group at 50m.  I really wish we could have but it was just not in the cards. 

I really like my 94s and 94AEs.  I have two 30-30s and three 444s.  Each is a really handy, slick woods rifle but I would really like one of the Cimarron 1892 repros and would be willing to go for anything from 357 to 44 mag, including the 38-40 and the 44-40.  Would you have any idea how these other repro rifles shoot??  Thanks.  Mikey.

[Dee]

No Mikey I don't have any experience with those rifles. I did however back in the late 80s purchase a Model 94 Winchester trapper in 44 magnum, and the thing key holed at 25 yards with about anything you put in it. I eventually took it back to the gun dealer and replaced it with something (don't remember what). She gave me a full refund, and stated that she had gotten a number of complaints on that particular series.
Back in the early 70s before the so called assault rifle craze struck Law Enforcement, I carried my Model 94 Winchester 3030, and never thought I was under-gunned. I was a Police instructor and back then we taught marksmanship over firepower.
I was a tracker and on several occasions a sheriff called me out to go after someone in the river bottoms of the Red River, or the woods. I have news photos taken by local papers of me carrying that Model 94 and wearing a good ole Model 19 Smith.
Many a Model 92 Winchester in 25-20 was converted to 357 back in those days for some police officer, and I also had one I foolishly sold. When common sense was the rule, the officer knew that a rifle and pistol of the same caliber made for a very handy combination. I still have an M4 but it gets very little use, and I prefer the larger caliber pistol rounds and the ole 3030. Gun writers have tried to kill this caliber and can't.

[dpe.ahoy]

Dee, I have 3 of the Rossi 92's. 357 with the Oct. barrel, 44 mag, and a 454.  Have used the 44 the most as I have owned it the longest, the 454 is the smoothest action and runs 45 colts fine.  The 357 is the newest and needs the most attention to smooth things up.  Since I'm one of those people who can measure some thing 3 times and still cut it wrong, I prefer to let others do it.  I do like the 92's better than the 94's and the marlins, though the 1894C marlin I have is another favorite.  Have that set up with a scout mount setup that works pretty good.  Then the 336 in 35 Rem, the 444P and the 30-30 marlin made in "52" (like me) and the 94 AE 30-30 and 45 Trapper, I also have, the 38-55 CB is another "good un".  Can ya tell I like my levers?   DP

[Dee]

Me too dpe. I have carried about every thing there is in L.E. and fired lots of rounds thru them. After 20 years and getting out, I have gradually made full circle back to where I started. Leveractions!
When the ARs, and Mini 14s were the rage, an old timer asked me why I was trying them all. I answered: Firepower! His reply has haunted me for many a year before getting older and more settled to the fact. He said: If you hit him with the first shot, what are you going to do with the other 29?
Marksmanship vs Firepower. No comparison.

[teddy12b]

I bought a Puma (Rossi) 44mag with a 20" barrel about a year ago.  I didn't know what I was getting into at the time, but it is by far one of my favorite guns.  It's just so light and handy and it hits right where I aim.  I'm a believer in marksmanship over firepower, but my little puma holds 10 rounds and that's plenty of firepower.  I am really looking forward to being able to hunt with my puma this year!

[Dee]

That's something I learned after thousands of dollars, thousands of rounds, and 59 years of living. My 92 holds 13 357 magnums, and I carry it constantly. Last fall I dropped a coyote at 160 yards and he went down like right then. My wife and another couple couldn't believe anything could fall that fast. I hit him right where I was aiming in the shoulder.

[teddy12b]

Nice shot!

[dpe.ahoy]

Dee, if yours holds 13 rounds, you must have one of the 24" Oct. barrels as well?  Wasn't sure I liked the long one but since I shoot alot of BP muzzle loaders I am used to having the weight "hang" out there.  It does settle ya down for a long shot better than a shorty like my Trapper 45 colt.  DP

[Lloyd Smale]

alot of people underestimate the effectiveness of a 357 out of a rifle. In my opinon shooting a 357 in a rifle puts it in a another league as to killing power.

[Oldtimer]

Mikey, about that .44-40.  You might want to slug the barrel and see if it is .429 or .427.  Some of the factory loads use a bullet as small as .425, and accuracy out of a .429 bore would not be too good.  I use cast bullets in mine and they are sized to .427.  Backed by 35 grains of black powder, they slug up really nicely and give me all the hunting accuracy I could ask for.  I get around 3 inches at fifty yards.  My daughter's .44 Magnum Trapper won't do any better.

[ftlupton]

I have always thought my 336 30-30 with 130 grainers and H335 would serve me very well for self defense. I'm not LEO but well trained at Ft. Bragg so think I can hold my own. Thanks for your thoughts, and my respects.(my Security Six .357 suits me just fine too).

[Dee]

Dee, if yours holds 13 rounds, you must have one of the 24" Oct. barrels as well?  Wasn't sure I liked the long one but since I shoot alot of BP muzzle loaders I am used to having the weight "hang" out there.  It does settle ya down for a long shot better than a shorty like my Trapper 45 colt.  DP

That's exactly what it is. I a big guy, and the rifles just seem to feel better for me. And yes, the weight does make for a steadier hold.