Chiappa '92 - thoughts?

Jake C · May 07, 2015, 11:32:55 PM

Howdy all!

To start, I saw where Mr. Hicks had posted a thread similar to this one. But, it's been a bit since that's been updated, so I thought I'd look for new opinions. I'm getting a new job soon, and might be making enough to grab myself a new gun before all my funds go towards my wedding. I'm looking at a sporting rifle version of either Chiappa's '92 clone, or an Uberti '66 (a few other guns are being debated too, but the lever guns are at the top of my want list.) There's plenty written about how excellent the 66 is, but there isn't as much about the '92 Chiappa. Anyone have any experience with one?

Thanks for your time!

Long Johns Wolf · May 08, 2015, 01:59:20 AM

I have this Chiappa/Armi Sport short rifle .44 cal. with a 20" octagon barrel for a couple of years now.
Very handy and accurate little rifle. Her action is strong enough for hot cartridges.
The 66 is better suited for CAS, however.
Long Johns Wolf

Cliff Fendley · May 08, 2015, 06:11:05 AM

My wife shoots a Chiappa 92 in 44-40 and likes it. I prefer the toggle link Uberti's myself.

Jake C · May 08, 2015, 11:35:33 AM

Thanks for the answers! I'd like to compete in CAS, however, there're no clubs near me, and any firearms I get will have to pull double duty for home defense and any other situation, hence why I'm looking at the '92. So the '92 being acceptable but not great for competition is not a deal breaker.

Blair · May 08, 2015, 01:20:40 PM

Trum4n1208,

For me, the choice of which model type firearm I look for, is based on the time period I wish to represent between the years of 1865 and 1899.
A historical representation is not what everyone is looking for in this sport. I am just saying that it is an interest of mine.
My best,
Blair

Cliff Fendley · May 08, 2015, 08:12:32 PM

My wife liked the 92 carbine for it's light weight. We chose the Chiappa from Cimarron because it is more authentic and better finished than the Rossi. I hate the safety and few other cheap features that are on the Rossi.

mehavey · May 08, 2015, 08:27:53 PM

See my Chiappa`92/357Mag experience here: [positive]
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5089628&postcount=10
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5093760&postcount=11

Jake C · May 09, 2015, 09:52:43 AM

Quote from: Blair on May 08, 2015, 01:20:40 PM
Trum4n1208,

For me, the choice of which model type firearm I look for, is based on the time period I wish to represent between the years of 1865 and 1899.
A historical representation is not what everyone is looking for in this sport. I am just saying that it is an interest of mine.
My best,
Blair

I'm with you 100%, I'd prefer to be as historically accurate as possible. But again, competition is something that is definitely a "further on down the road" thing for me.

Thank you all for the response. Seems the '92 is very well thought of!

Jake C · May 22, 2015, 11:29:43 AM

How are the Uberti '73s? I know the action isn't as strong as the '92, but surely it would do okay as a working rifle, right?

Thomas (Tom) Horn aka James Hicks · May 22, 2015, 08:57:51 PM

Different strokes for different folks... '92 versus the '73 or '66. Ifn it is a rifle you want for competition, then go with the '66 or a '73. You will not see the '92 in the winner's circle very often. It is not because the '92 cannot be short stroked... it is the feeding system from the carrier... Angle versus Straight in. The '92 is an ALL AROUND GREAT Rifle and whether it is a Rossi or a Chiappa the actions can be made very slick if one knows what he is doing. But compared to a '66 or '73 that has all the bells and whistles, it is hard for the '92 to compete. The '92 and the '83 Burgess are not the rifles to choose ifn you want to be a strong competitor. But if you want a rifle that can shoot very hot loads for hunting and to play "cowboy also" the '92 is a great rifle. The '92 when the action has been made race ready is really a fun rifle to shoot. I see a lot of folks who shoot '92's at competition and the rifle sounds like an army tank when they lever it... makes me wonder the WHY... but as stated different strokes for different folks. The '92 (even those made race ready) when levered fast just does not work as well as the '66 and the '73. Again it the feeding system... ANGLE versus STRAIGHT IN... (and the '66 and the '73 are easier to work on). The '92 was made by JMB and the design came from his '84 patent which Winchester used in its '86 Winchesters in 45-70 and other calibers. When the '92 was marketed to replace the aging '73 sales proved that the '73 was still very popular and would be so up to 1930. The "86 Winchester with the '92 and the '94 Winchester which was made for smokeless powder all have basically the same action design and these are VERY STRONG actions compared to the Toggle Link Rifles....

So, only the buyer can make his or her decision on which one to buy... depends on what the buyer wants to do with said rifle. my opine. Tom Horn

cpt dan blodgett · May 25, 2015, 05:00:04 PM

You obviously have read all the pros and cons 66/73 vs 92. If you want the 92 jump on in, will it run fast enough to win EOT or WR? No one has done that with a 92 for quite a while. The 92 is a perfectly functional rifle, stronger and lighter than the 73. Buy it and never look back. If you decide to go with a 73 later you probably won't loose a whole lot on the trade. You probably will want it slicked.