Opinions on a Winchester 1892 large loop carbine in.45 Colt

[halfmoonclip]

Had an 1100'sec handload that took a doe with a RNL bullet; she was Dead Right There. When you're making half inch holes with a 255 gr bullet, there's a limit to how fast it needs to go to be effective.
Those hunting loads are clearly marked and kept separate; probably don't want to shoot them thru' the Schofield.
Moon

 

[Riomouse911]

My Rossi 92 .45 Colt is the 16” version. I really like it, it’s the “most fun” lever gun in my stable.

Compared to the 1894 Winchester .44 magnum trapper I own, the Rossi action is less “herky jerky” when cycling. This is probably because the bottom of the action doesn’t move with the levers’ movement, but no matter what the reason is the 1892 is smooth .

As you’re finding out, thumbing those cigar butt sized rounds into the magazine and sending heavy slugs whanging into steel targets is a day of complete fun .

Stay safe.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Driftwood will jump in and tell me if I am wrong, but it is my understanding that .45 Colt was not a lever caliber back in the day.

Nope, no jumping here. You are correct. Lever guns were NEVER chambered for 45 Colt until sometime in the 1980s. Probably because of the rise in interest in lever guns that came along with the beginnings of Cowboy Action Shooting. As I said earlier, I have only owned one 45 Colt lever gun, a Rossi replica of the 1892 Winchester. I won it in a raffle at a large CAS match. I didn't expect to win the raffle and when I did I had no intention of keeping and shooting the rifle. I am strictly a 44-40, 38-40, 32-20 guy when it comes to lever guns, the old WCF cartridges. I don't think I ever even shot the Rossi, I sold it right away and used the money as a down payment on my 44-40 Uberti Henry. I did work the action a bit, and it was a bit gritty. Then again, I am used to rifles over 100 years old that have had plenty of time to be broken in through use.

Regarding the large loops, yes, John Wayne had a large loop '92 in Stagecoach. Been a long time since I've seen it, I don't remember if he twirled it or not. He most definitely twirled one on horseback in True Grit with his gunfight with Ned Pepper (Robert Duvall) and his gang.

Yes, the big loop is useless in CAS, it slows the shooter down. I suppose it is good for winter hunting with gloves on, but useless in competition. As I said before, it is a gimmick, mimicking the movies.

One caution: A friend bought a large loop Winchester a number of years ago. I don't recall if it was a real Model 1892 or a replica. As he was leaving the store he tried to twirl it. The muzzle caught in his arm pit and he dropped the rifle on the floor of the shop. Good thing it was unloaded. Be very careful if you try to twirl it, and make sure it is UNLOADED.

 

[Seedy Character]

I have looked at the big loops, many times. Of the 7 levers I have, none are big loop or Win.

I have a 92. It is a Browning and a .44Mag, straight feed; not angle. I used it for CAS, and hogs. Grandson deer hunts with it. First lever gun in ever bought, in 1980 and I will not ever sell it.

My .45C lever is a Henry Big Boy. Used for CAS. Nothing heavier than Cowboy loads through it. If I need heavier, I carry the .44Mag. F-i-L gave me they Henry and I will never sell it.

Congrats on your find. Hope it brings you tons of enjoyment.

One day I will own a Winchester. I might own a big loop. Being a kid of the '60s, Rifleman (and all of the westerns) were a huge part of my childhood.

We had a "Rifleman" stage at a CAS. It was fun.

 

[Cowhide Cliff]

The large loop is a no deal for me. I have no idea what good that large loop would be in any application beyond some dumb movie stunt or something. They are horrible for fast cycling follow up shots, and I can see that thing hanging up on everything it gets near.

 

[Officers'Wife]

I have been looking for a lever gun in .45 Colt, for a while. I have considered a Cimarron 1873 or 1892. I would have, had to order one and wait a while. They are out of stock everywhere. I have looked a the Rossi. They are not my cup of tea. The just don’t have the feel of quality.
The other day, the gun shop I buy from called me, and said they have just received a Winchester model 1892, large loop carbine, in .45 Colt, and wanted to know, if I was interested and wanted to look at it, before it went on the shelf. I went and looked at it, that evening. It was very well made. Deep black, well polished blue, action was very tight, lever didn’t rattle, wood is kinda on the dull side, but was fitted very tight to the metal, a little proud. It was just a nice looking quality rifle. It came home with me. It shoots well. Seems like it will be a nice lever gun, in .45 Colt, to go with my .45 Colt revolvers. I was not crazy about the large loop lever, to begin with, but after shooting it, I like it. It’s much easier to cycle, hand is not cramped in tight, or have to use 3 fingers. I think it would be nice on some of my other lever guns. What experience do any have with Winchester 1892s, that would be worth passing on? I would like to hear both good and bad, anything to watch out for, any good advice on load, etc.

My 92 has been passed down 4 generations to me, Despite it's age the action is still tight and very accurate. It's not made for "speed" shooting or high velocity rounds, just an honest working rifle that can be depended on.

 

[bannockburn]

Found this Rossi M92 in .45 Colt about 10 or 11 years ago at a gun show. It was used but like new in the box. I don't know if the prior owner did anything to the action but it sure was slick when I tried it out! It was the first Rossi that I can recall seeing in a very long time so I snapped it up right away lest someone else come around and buy it out from under me! Liked the 16" barrel and didn't mind the large loop lever after I got use to it.

 

[J-Bar]

It's OK to buy a gun because you think it looks cool.

Been there, done that.

Enjoy.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Really like the lightness of the Rossi, and the handiness of the 16" barrel. The ejector kicks the empties halfway into next week, which can make tracking down the empties a problem.
Accuracy is good enough to entertain me, clanging a tie plate hanging at 85 yards most of the time.
Will still keep looking for a Japanese Winchester 92, but doubt I'll take it if it has a long barrel.
Moon