44SPL ammo in 44MAG Winchester 1892

[MovedWest]

My Rugers digest just about anything I load into the cylinder, but the action is pretty simple on a revolver.

I am the recent owner of a (brand new) Winchester 1892 and was wondering if firing 44SPL rounds through it would cause any problems? Does the action of the 1892 experience any feeding/ejection problems caused by the shorter 44SPL cartridge? Are there any other considerations I need to be aware of?

My main concern is that it has "44 MAGNUM ONLY" stamped on the receiver.

Thanks,
MW

 

[Tommygunn]

I have a Browning B-92 in .44 Magnum. I have run .44 SP through it without problem feeding.
BE AWARE:
1.) Accuracy may not be as good.
2.) The shorter case length will cause the bullet to "jump" longer before it engages rifling, and more attention should be paid to the chamber as the deeper part may get dirtier than with .44 Magnum.

 

[CraigC]

Try it and see.

 

[Walkalong]

I use to run .44 Spl's through my 94 with no problems. You will need to make sure the chamber is good and clean before shooting .44 Mags afterwards.

 

[C96]

It may have trouble feeding the shorter round. Depends a bit on how the feeding channel is set up.

 

[MovedWest]

Good things to think about. I like hearing that a 94 did okay with them. That's got a few more inches of barrel than the 92 and sticking one in the barrel was also a concern.

I think I'll stick with the magnum rounds in the rifle unless I'm in a pinch. Good to know it can work though.

-MW

 

[Sunray]

"...has "44 MAGNUM ONLY" stamped on the receiver..." Hi. That's not an issue. It's a liability thing. There are roughly 7 .44 calibre cartridges that aren't compatible. The .44 Special isn't one of 'em.
The .44 Special is to the .44 Mag that the .38 Special is to the .357 Mag. The Special case length is 1/8" shorter. Same case otherwise.
.44 Special ammo is a bit more expensive and not as easy to come by too.
You reloading? You can load .44 Mag cases to .44 Special velocities with no fuss. Same bullets. Eliminates the lube gunk build up in the chamber and gives you better ammo too.

 

[Al Thompson]

Issue may be exactly what C96 said. I had a M92 clone that did not like the shorter Special rounds at all. The full length magnum ammo ran fine.

 

[rcmodel]

and sticking one in the barrel was also a concern.

That should not be a concern.
Any factory loaded .44 Spl will not stick a bullet in a 24" or 26" barrel, or whatever it is.

As others noted, the only concerns you should have is:
If it will feed them or not.
And cleaning the hard carbon fouling ring out of the chamber before shooting full-bore .44 Mags again.

rc

 

[CraigC]

My Marlin 1894 even does fairly well with modern .44Colt, which is slightly shorter than .44Spl and has a smaller rim.

 

[MovedWest]

.44 Special ammo is a bit more expensive and not as easy to come by too.
You reloading? You can load .44 Mag cases to .44 Special velocities with no fuss.

Most definitely reloading. 44SPL is certainly hard to come by, and usually rather anemic in performance. My 44SPL's are a tad over SAAMI pressure, but reasonably so. My super blackhawks can take way more than that. I have 7 different loads for my 44's including 44SPL. I'd rather keep the SPL loads in SPL cases to avoid mixups.

That should not be a concern.
Any factory loaded .44 Spl will not stick a bullet in a 24" or 26" barrel, or whatever it is.

As others noted, the only concerns you should have is:
If it will feed them or not.
And cleaning the hard carbon fouling ring out of the chamber before shooting full-bore .44 Mags again.

Very good to know. Having the carbon ring is a deterrent to me using the shorter cases, especially since I usually use 44SPL first during my range sessions. Maybe I should create better habits?