Looking to buy an 1892 replica, trouble deciding

[Roland]

Hello! I'm currently trying to find all the info I can find on two types of 1892 replicas.

The Armi-Sport / Chiappas, seen here:
http://www.armisport.com/eng/dettaglioA.asp?idSottoFamiglia=54

And the Puma 92 models, don't have a link to that however. I'm wondering which of these gun is better to put it plainly. I'm from europe and the Armi Sport costs twice as much as the Puma, but it has a take down function and on the pictures I've seen it looks like it's got more quality put into it, some beatiful pictures here (I don't understand a word of italian but I sure can click on those pretty pictures).

On the other side I've heard good things about the Pumas as well and the price is quite the incentive, 560 euros (Oh yeah, I'm from Finland!) for a puma versus 1200 euros for an Armi Sport take down. The Puma also has the advantage when it comes to the calibers here, I want to shoot hot loads through this and the .44mag seems like the ideal cartridge, the Armi Sport only comes in .45LC, which ofcourse can be loaded pretty hot, but I understand that the .44mag is better suited to such pressures, and more common, and cheaper.

Accuracy is also important to me, here I do not know which of the two performs better, but I am looking for a 20 or 24 inch version that I will then put a marble tang sight on. I plan to use this rifle not for CAS but for shooting plates and hunting.

Thanks in advance for any and all feedback.

[44caliberkid]

First I would suggest you read all the opinions from this thread on '92's.

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,26792.0.html

Secondly, I have a Puma 92 in 44-40 that has been tuned by a gunsmith and is smooth as glass and very accurate.  I couldn't imagine needing anything else in a 92, except maybe if it was original Winchester.   You could probably find a real Winchester (or Browning 92) for the price of the Armi.
   Pumas are very accurate as they come, but the action might be a little rough.  Usually working the action repeatedly will smooth them up some, but they really shine when smoothed out by a 'smith who knows what he's doing.   I can't imagine that the Armi is worth the extra money, nearly 50% more.  Several American stock makers produce beautiful walnut replacement stocks for Puma's that give them the look of an original,( and get rid of that Brazilian, stained hardwood) and you'd still be spending less than what the Armi costs.

[Old Doc]

As stated in another thread, I had the opportunity over the weekend to visit with the folks from Taylor's at a gunshow. While there, I checked out their version of the '92 made by Chiappa. It had nice walnut and a very nice looking case colored receiver. It definitely outclasses the Puma but then again, it's a lot more money. Take your pick.

[Roland]

Yes well it's a difficult decision indeed, the attraction of the .44mag over .45LC plus the price, versus the nicer finish/wood and take-down ability. I am considering a blued receiver as a possibility as well, the Puma I noticed on rossiusa.com comes in that and looks very nice, probably more resilient than case coloring too.

It strikes me that the Chiappa 92 is about as costly as a Cimarron 1873 in .357mag, another gun I am interested in for shooting and hunting small game and birds with BP. I've come to the conclusion I'll want both, and I am leaning towards getting the 92 first as it seems like the more practical choice and also easier on the wallet if I go for the cheaper Puma.

I think it was back in 2006-2007 I first planned to buy a lever rifle but I got sidetracked with some costly AR-15s and also a very beatiful 1974 Winchester 9422 I found in Sweden.

[Roland]

Well it's looking like the Rossi is gonna win here. However now I am not sure if I should go with a 20" carbine or the 24" rifle. I really like the look of the carbine, but is it less accurate than the rifle due to the barrel bands, or am I imagening things here?

[44caliberkid]

Mine is a carbine and it's as accurate as I am capable of shooting.  In 44 Mag it might even be a little better.

[Roland]

Can the front sight be replaced on the carbine? I was planning to add marble tang sight (I don't really do well with buckhorns and regular open sights) and one of their front sights to the gun regardless. I know it can easily be added to a rifle, like here:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v726/Coloradoglocker/100_3649.jpg

Not sure if the carbines front sight can be changed as easily.

[Camille Eonich]

Before you buy one please go to a match and see if you can find one to shoot and check out the competition in rifles as well.  If cost is what is making you choose the '92 check out the Marlins.  You can get a much more trouble free gun with less work on a Marlin than you can a '92.  There are exceptions but by and large the '92, even when tuned by the best, are fairly unreliable and very OAL sensitive.

People tried to warn me before I bought mine and I wouldn't listen.  Even after shipping it back to a very popular '92 smith several times it had problems.

[Roland]

I suppose for some people that would work, who are not as specific as I am. I don't want a marlin, they don't have any appeal for me, side eject and solid top are negatives in my way of looking at it.

It's part of the whole point of having a lever for me that it be a winchester action atleast (since something made by winchester is impossible to find, especially in Finland, nevermind the proper caliber), so buying a marlin would defeat the purpose itself.

My plans are eventually owning a '73, a '92 and possibly a '94.

[Camille Eonich]

What about starting with a '66?     Yes they are more expensive than the '92 but they are also more reliable and they aren't as expensive as a '73.  The toggle links are just so simple and shoot so sweet.

If you just want a '92 to have a '92 the '66 won't satisfy that.  I really loved the way that my '92 felt in my hands, the way that it pointed and the way that it swung up to my shoulder.  The action on them are really strong as well and they look great!

[Roland]

Well yeah a '92 for the sake of having a '92 does say it pretty well I'd say, a .44mag will also have practical use for hunting. I haven't found anyone selling '66s here in Finland but I am not keen on the brass frame look. I like blued and color cased guns. The '73 with a color case receiver is in my opinion the most beatiful rifle design so far developed.

[Sacramento Johnson]

Howdy pard!
For hunting and using hot loads, stick with the '92.  (No  44 mag available in any toggle link rifle and for good reason.)
As for puma vs armi-sport/chiappa; well, I can't comment on the armi-sport, but I have had a number of brazilian made '92's over the years and I'd say their most recent attempts are pretty darn good compared to what they used to put out! Have a 45colt one and yes, it's a bit stiff in the action compared to some toggle links I've used, but its smoothing up nicely with use, and is a tack driver.  I'd say go for it.
As for carbine versus short rifle vs full length rifle, for hunting, you might want to look at the short rifle or full length rifle (unless you travel alot on horseback!)  Having had all configurations, the longer stock on the rifles fits me better, and the heavier barrel doesn't bounce as much for follow up shots. For those reasons, I'm a little more accurate with the rifle configurations.
As for 44mag, vs 45colt; when it comes to commercially available ammo, it's easier here in the US to get commercial hunting 44 mag in various configurations.  But if you hand load, it becomes a whole different story, and the power can be upped on 45 colt to 44mag level (with lower pressures from what I've read, and one can use heavier bullets!). 
By the way, please add to your list of rifles to get the 1886 Winchester or a clone thereof; truely a piece of history and it'll take you into the power realm of the 45-70!

[Camille Eonich]

You will get a little better, smoother loading if you use a tapered or necked down cartridge so you may want to consider 44-40.  The '92, when chambering, lifts the round to be loaded at an angle.  Straight walled cartridges can add an extra element of difficulty there.

Just something to think about.

[Camille Eonich]

Oh and the Hartfords are a great looking '92.  Can you get those there?

http://www.iar-arms.com/1892-winchester-rifle.htm

[Professor Honeyfuggler]

Just to make things a little more confusing, this year Puma rifles are made by Chiappa, in Italy. Legacy Sports (owner of the Puma brand) announced the change as "an upgrade for 2009."

I have a '92 action Chiappa Puma in .357 I use for CAS, and it's a very nice gun. In a sense I got lucky, because on a dealer's recommendation I started with a much cheaper Rossi '92 carbine, made in Brazil, which worked OK but it only loaded 8 shots, and CAS almost always uses 10 shots per stage... sometimes 10 +1. The dealer accepted responsibility for the mistake, since it was their recommendation, and took the gun back. I stepped up to the Puma, and the difference in the action, stock, finish, and everything else was well worth the extra money. Out of the box it was a much smoother, easier action than the Rossi was, and within 200 rounds it was nicely shot in and scoring me clean stages on the weekends.

To understand why this gun is not available in .44 Magnum, you simply have to look at the market for the product, which is Cowboy Action shooters, and they don't shoot .44 Magnum.

'92 actions in general are sensitive to bullet shape and overall cartridge length. Round nose flat point (RNFP) is generally recommended, to avoid chain fire in the tubular magazine, but I've found Conical Flat Points chamber more reliably for me.

[GunClick Rick]

Got mine from EMF,Hartford92 all color cased on the metal.I have not shot it enough to break it in,but i love it and EMF is an outstanding company..

[Johnny McCrae]

I also bought my 1892 Hartford Carbine (.44-40) from EMF. As Rick said EMF is a great company. I had my gunsmith smooth out the action and it is a very reliable reliable rifle. The reason I bought it was it's reasonable price and also to learn how to reload .44-40 WCF cartridges. Some day I may get an 1873.

[Ike N. Fixit]

I just recieved my 92 rossi in 357/38 special and love it.
It's the FIRST out of the box rifle I have EVER gotten that shoots EXACTLY where you aim it.
I know it's new and somewhat rough action but that will improve i'm sure

Ike N Fixit
#85760

[GunClick Rick]

What loads are good for deer and or bear.Season is comin up,i plan on useing my 92 for huntin this years,i hope..Don't reload so it will have to be factory loads,What say yeee...

Hurry i gotta go soon//

[J.D. Goodguy]

  Check out ammoengine.com and check on 45 ammo.  You will find several very good loads for hunting that should work in a 92.  Heavier bullets and more powder.  Cabela's is one place on the list with the ammo in stock.  Good luck hunting.  JD