Who's making New Reproduction 1892 Winchesters?

[Blackpowder Burn]

Dispatch,

I just noticed that Winchester has a limited edition Model 92 takedown version available for 2009.  It is sold through Davidsons Gallery of Guns and they have a fair number in stock.  Of course, it's a deluxe version and is not cheap!

To answer your earlier question - I haven't found the Marbles to be fragile.  I have them on 4 rifles and have never had a problem.  They are windage and elevation adjustable.  People that have never used them tend to think they are more difficult to use, probably just because they are different from what they are used to.  However, I find them much faster to use than the semi-buckhorn type.  Your eye naturally centers itself in the rear sight, and you just put the front bead on the target. 

That being said, it's just a matter of doing what YOU like.

[Dispatch]

I appreciate the heads up. Although, most here are not giving the 92 very good reviews, that makes me a little hesitant.  I do like the 'take-down' option though, regardless. I wish they had the 73 in a deluxe take-down model available.   

[Stillwater]

Due to my wifes illness, my Cimarron 1873 Deluxe Sporting Rifle, 24" barrel, in .38-40 hasn't been to the range yet. Neither has the Cimarron 1873 Deluxe Sporting Rifle, 24" barrel, in .44-40, which I purchased right after I bought the .38-40.

A Cimarron 1873 Deluxe Sporting rifle in .32-20, with a 24 inch barrel, is next on my agenda. I don't know if I will purchase an 1873 in 45 Colt, or not. I'm still thinking about that caliber, in the 1873. I have two Marlin lever gun rifles in 45 Colt, one with a 20 inch barrel and one with a 24 inch barrel.

After the Cimarron 1873 in 32-20 arrives, in house, I am going to splurge and get a Cimmaron 1876 with the 28" barrel, in .45-75 caliber. I don't need it, I just want it...

I have two Marlin 1895's in house. One is the 1895 CB with the 26" octagonal barrel with ballard rifling. And the other 1895 Marlin has a 26" half octagon, half round barrel on it. This barrel is a factory option, from a few years ago. These rifles will probably do most of the Long range lever gun shooting I ever do. The 1876 is going to be my extra fun gun shooter.

The Cimarron/Uberti rifles are zeroed, just like all other lever rifles are zeroed. The rear sight is tapped from one side, or another, to adjust for windage. I make a reference mark on the barrel with a soft lead pencil, and then I gently tap the rear sight in the direction I want the bullet group to go. Caution though, a little sight movement, can move the bullet group a long way.

If I still need to move the rear sight, one way or the other, I make a new pencil mark for reference. When you are done zeroing your rifle, the soft lead pencil mark rubs off, without leaving a permanent mark on the barrel. I use a brass drift punch, and a small ball peen hammer, to make the sight move.

Used carefully, the brass drift punch will not mark your rifle.

After saying the above, I have several other lever guns, with Marbles windage base, tang sights on them. This way I have two sets of sights, on each rifle, one backing the other up in case of a problem. My Cimarron's will also wear tang sights, before they go to the range the first time.

However, I have shot several other 1873 rifles, made by Uberti, wearing other brand names. Most of these have been in the 24 inch barrel configuration. Which is the length, I like very much.

I have shot factory ammunition, and my cast bullet reloads, in these 1873 reproduction firearms. I have found, just like many others I would surmise, that the Uberti manufactured rifles, are great firearms. The factory ammunition I shot, and my reloads, were as close to original black powder velocities, with original style and weight bullets, as I could make them.

Is there a con side, in all of this? There might be. While I like the two 1873 Cimmaron reproduction rifles I purchased, I would like to make the action as smooth as I can. I think that is an area that should be addressed on all lever guns.

I won't short stroke any lever gun, I don't like the gammer aspect of that. Let others do, as they wish, I will stay as close to the originals, as I possibly can.

I have shot other makes of 1873 reproduction rifles, not Cimarron's or Uberti's, which were far more stiff, and rough feeling that my new Cimmaron's are.

I purchased the Cimarron's on purpose. I like the way Cimarron has lead the way in making their rifles look as much like the originals, as possible...

Urban legend has told me that Cimarron puts more money into their rifles, which makes them cost a little more. That may be Urban Legend, however, every Cimarron I have handled, did seem to be a little smoother, than the other brands, even when some of those rifles were made by Uberti also.

When old Storm and strife gets back on her feet, and when I can leave the house as much as I want to, those rifles are going to go to the range.

[Deadeye Don]

Armi sport makes a fine 1892 rifle.  I use mine for matches now and if I do my part the rifle is dead on right out of the box.  I wouldnt know a "defarbing" if it smacked me in the head.   You cant baby a 92 when you lever it.  The main issue is stove pipes if you dont lever the gun firmly.   Mine is in 44-40, the only caliber I would get a 92 in.

[Blackpowder Burn]

Stillwater,

I'm jealous of your battery of '73's.  That's just what I want to do.

I, too have a Cimarron Deluxe Model '73 with 24-inch barrel in 44-40.  I also have a Marlin 1894 CB in 45LC with a 24-inch barrel, a USFA Lightning in 44-40, and an original '92 Winchester in 44-40.  All are reliable and fun shooters, but my favorite is without a doubt the Model 73.  I do take all of my rifles and pistols to a local gunsmith and get the actions smoothed and a Marbles tang sight installed, but no other work is done on them.  I also shoot BP loads as close to original specs as possible.

The Model 73 with an action job is unbelievably smooth - a true joy to shoot and you just can't make it malfunction if your ammo is in spec for length.

[Stillwater]

Stillwater,

I'm jealous of your battery of '73's.  That's just what I want to do.

I, too have a Cimarron Deluxe Model '73 with 24-inch barrel in 44-40.  I also have a Marlin 1894 CB in 45LC with a 24-inch barrel, a USFA Lightning in 44-40, and an original '92 Winchester in 44-40.  All are reliable and fun shooters, but my favorite is without a doubt the Model 73.  I do take all of my rifles and pistols to a local gunsmith and get the actions smoothed and a Marbles tang sight installed, but no other work is done on them.  I also shoot BP loads as close to original specs as possible.

The Model 73 with an action job is unbelievably smooth - a true joy to shoot and you just can't make it malfunction if your ammo is in spec for length.

I'm going to be leaving southern California as soon as it becomes humanly possible. I will end up in either northeastern Washington State, where I grew up. Or, northern Idaho, in either Sandpoint or Bonners ferry. I may possibly end up in Montana, the State where I was born. If I end up on Montana, I hope it is Stevensville or Thompson Falls. And, living in those areas is why the .32-20

There is a plethora of small game, in each of those three areas. The .32-20 will fit right in. There are, as friends have told me, a lot of grouse and other game to hunt.

I became enamored with the 73 in .32-20, after shooting a friends rifle. The rifle had an action job, which it responded very well to. I have a problem with my right arm, which means I have to slick up the action on any lever gun, that I buy and shoot.

The .38-40 and the .44-40 will probably see a lot of black powder loads. The .32-20 might not, because it will probably be shot more, in a hunting situation, than the two others.

I know that western Montana is the grizzly bears hangout these days. I also know a small caliber rifle isn't going to impress Griz all that much. If Ole Grizz decides to dine on me, I'll guarantee anybody here, I'll leave such a slick trail behind me, Ole Grizz won't be able to catch me.

I've labored long and hard to get the rifles that I want. My wife has been incredibly supportative. I have some other rifles I may use as trading stock to acquire what else I want. I have an unfired White Feather M1A, that will probably be easy to sell.

How well do you like your USFA Lightening? I was able to fondle one of those yesterday. It was a nice feeling rifle.

Bill

[Blackpowder Burn]

Stillwater,

I certainly understand your need to leave the People's Republic of California.  I think Idaho and Montana would be great places to live, and wouldn't mind Montana, myself.  However, I'll stay in Texas.  There are quite a few people here now stirring the pot of secession (about 40% statewide support by one poll), and it's rather fun watching that pot boil.

I like the Lightning a lot.  I've had a lot of people tell me they are unreliable, even those made by USFA.  My experience has been that the rifle is fine - it's the operator that is more of a problem.  The pumping operation by the off hand is so much different that stroking a lever with the strong hand that it takes some getting used to.  Once you get the muscle memory, the rifle functions just fine.  And I do find if quicker to reacquire the target than with a lever gun - less sight movement.  Of course, I'm so slow that I never win matches - just have a lot of fun and make smoke. 

If you have any intentions of buying a USFA Lightning, you'd better grab the one you just looked at.  I spoke to Gary Granger at USFA and was told they only made about 400 of them total before dropping production.  My only regret is that mine is the carbine version instead of the rifle.  I have a fondness for the longer barrels.

[Stillwater]

Stillwater,

I certainly understand your need to leave the People's Republic of California.  I think Idaho and Montana would be great places to live, and wouldn't mind Montana, myself.  However, I'll stay in Texas.  There are quite a few people here now stirring the pot of secession (about 40% statewide support by one poll), and it's rather fun watching that pot boil.

I like the Lightning a lot.  I've had a lot of people tell me they are unreliable, even those made by USFA.  My experience has been that the rifle is fine - it's the operator that is more of a problem.  The pumping operation by the off hand is so much different that stroking a lever with the strong hand that it takes some getting used to.  Once you get the muscle memory, the rifle functions just fine.  And I do find if quicker to reacquire the target than with a lever gun - less sight movement.  Of course, I'm so slow that I never win matches - just have a lot of fun and make smoke. 

If you have any intentions of buying a USFA Lightning, you'd better grab the one you just looked at.  I spoke to Gary Granger at USFA and was told they only made about 400 of them total before dropping production.  My only regret is that mine is the carbine version instead of the rifle.  I have a fondness for the longer barrels.

My wife is from Texas, San Antonio...

Bill

[Blackpowder Burn]

Then that means your a naturalized citizen of the Republic of Texas - come on home!

[Stillwater]

Then that means your a naturalized citizen of the Republic of Texas - come on home!

My wife and I are retired. I offered to move her back to Texas. She wouldn't have anything to do with that...

On several trips, I showed her where I was born in Montana, and where I lived in Washington State. She says she wants to live where here are mountains, green trees, green grass, and some rainfall. That is Western Montana through to eastern Washington.

Even though it is hot and dry, I wouldn't mind living in Kerrville, TX. Kerrville is a pretty city, and it's in the hill country.

Bill

[Blackpowder Burn]

I wish I could live in the Texas Hill Country when I retire.  I probably won't have enough money left when Obama gets through with us, though.

That being said, if I really had some money, I'd be a hermit somewhere in the Rockies.  That is definitely the most beautiful country anywhere.

[Stillwater]

I wish I could live in the Texas Hill Country when I retire.  I probably won't have enough money left when Obama gets through with us, though.

That being said, if I really had some money, I'd be a hermit somewhere in the Rockies.  That is definitely the most beautiful country anywhere.

If I wasn't so darned old, 72, 73 soon, they, the powers that be, would have to blast me out of the Rockies. I was born in Columbus, Montana, just short hop, skip, and a jump, from the eastern slope of Rockies. 

[Professor Honeyfuggler]

Chiappa make a reproduction '92.  I handled one a few months ago and I have to admit it was the slickest '92 I've ever felt, and it was right out of the box.  And I have an original '92 with a 100 years of wearing in!  I can't speak to quality, but it was sure a pretty rifle.

That pretty much sums up my experience with a new '92 Puma by Chiappa I bought this summer and have been using at SASS shoots. I was surprised how slick it was out of the box, and after 200 rounds of shooting it was even better. I don't even feel any rush to have my gunsmith slick it further at this point, though I will get around to it at some point, when I have him lighten the springs a little. I'm just having too much fun shooting it right now to let it out of my hands for the time it would take. And anyway, it already shoots much better than I do. 

It did take me some experimenting to find the right loads for it. Trying to analyze why some brands were more accurate and more trouble-free in the action I discovered that a lot of factory loads are substantially shorter than optimum. Not the cases, the finished cartridge length. Then an "old hand" at one of the shoots turned me onto some "lever action rifle" loads that used a flat nosed conical bullet, and had the bullet seated a skosh higher in the brass (still within max specified length, but seated higher than factory loads) and they worked like a charm. Been loading like that myself ever since.

And as somebody mentioned earlier, you do need to work the action firmly, with authority. When I first got the gun I was jamming it all the time. When I took it to the gunsmith he asked me to show him how I worked the gun, which I jammed for him. He then reloaded the gun and racked 10 round through before the first one hit the deck. Handed it back to me and said "That's how to work the action, like you mean it. You were babying it. That'll choke it every time." So I don't do that any more.