Obsolete Arms and Ammo
By Bob Shell
Apache Junction, AZ –-(Ammoland.com)- Browning has been around for many years and they license and make Winchester rifles including the model 92.
The Winchester Model 92 Rifle was originally offered in the 25-20 and 32-20.
The receiver is compact allowing for portability. It replaced the model 73 rifle and among the good features it is more compact and stronger then the older model. The Winchester Model 92 Short Rifle was one of the many rifles that John Browning designed in his lifetime. It is a scaled down model 86.
They currently offer this in 357 mag, 44 mag, and 45 Colt which is the one I have. My sample is in the 45 Colt chambering and with modern loads can be used for deer, pigs, and black bear. Mountain lions have met their match with this rifle.
Where legal a handgun in the same ammo caliber can be carried, a feature that is useful in isolated areas. If you have a strong revolver such as a Ruger then good hunting ammo can be carried in either.
The 45 Colt Ammunition ( https://goo.gl/APLCBH ) has been around since 1873 and was the most popular revolver round in the old west. There are many different loads available and ammo is available. Reloading components are plentiful so having a 45 Colt rifle is something worth owning.
Personally, I would like to see the 25-20 and 32-20 offered but I guess the demand isn’t there. Too bad. Also due to the perfect size of the action, the 38-40 and the 44-40 would be nice additions as there are handguns available for those offerings. Unfortunately, there isn’t enough demand to offer these chamberings.
Shooting this rifle is a pleasure. It is well balanced and the trigger is fine for this gun. Other people who shot it also were favorably impressed.
The ejection is very frisky kicking the empties some yards. When I first received it, the action was pretty smooth indicating some hand finishing. After some shooting it got even better. Since it has a higher price tag then some others you would expect that. The bluing and wood are well done, another feature expected on a gun at this price point, suggested MSRP $1069.00.
One way to test a gun is to let a verity of people shoots it including women and youngsters. Due to its size and weight almost anyone can handle it. That way several opinions are given and it doesn’t matter what level experience they possess. The important thing is how do they like it and would they buy it if they were looking for such a gun. Comments were favorable in regards to balance and trigger pull. Like the other political correct lever actions it has a safety located in back of the hammer. It is easy to use though not needed.
The only negative comment I heard was the price. It is higher than a couple of it competitors. Some of that extra cost can be attributed to the extra finishing and polishing which may not be visible. If you don’t mind the tariff then you will be happy with this gun as it does have good quality. Due to its good handling characteristics it should find favor with the cowboy action shooting matches.
Loads
As always, various loads will be tried and since it is primarily a hunting rifle and may be used in cowboy competition, those loads were tested as well. In addition it is able to take modern loads which will make it useful for game such as deer and black bear.
I have some 80 grain button bullets which I put 3 into a 45 Colt case. At close range they didn’t come apart much but at 35 yards they were hitting about 4 feet from each other. That would be a decent home defense load.
The rifle will handle a 300 grain bullet at 1500 FPS which would make it a decent close range hammer.
Accuracy with the open sights is good depending on how good your eyesight is. At 50 yards I can shoot a 3-4” group but my eyes are not as young as they were. A younger shooter with good eyes can expect to shoot a 2” group at that range and perhaps a little better. The sights are easy to pick up and shooting at 50 to 100 yards if you can shoot.
It would be possible to mount a scope though it would take some work however, it would ruin the balance. In my view a scope would not be a desirable addition.
Some loads were chronographed giving us an idea as to its potential. As can be seen some are powerful enough for deer sized game at woods ranges. I use some Ranier bullets but I have to put a cannelure in them to keep them in place. I tried crimping the case into the bullet but that does not always work. Since they are soft, be careful not to put the cannelure in too deep as that will weaken the bullet. A too deep cannelure can also destroy accuracy. Properly cannelured bullets usually give good accuracy.
Cast bullets work well and some of the heavier ones are good hunting bullets such as the LBT types. They have gas checks and are cast hard for heavy duty use. Cast bullets can be used in virtually all of your shooting. A quality cast bullet with the proper lube will be as accurate as any jacketed projectile. In addition, they cost less and you can mold them if you are so inclined. Those folks who turn up their nose at cast slugs are missing out on a lot of enjoyable shooting.
The Barnes all copper bullets are light but penetrate well plus reduce recoil some. Since Barnes bullets are all copper they will be more friendly to the environment and in California they are required for hunting. The only downside is they cost more than conventional cup and core bullets. The Colt round responds well to light loads but I would use a flake powder to take up space as it is a large case.
For real light loads Trail Boss is a good choice. The shorter 45 Schofield case can be used but it might not feed through the magazine tube due to its shorter length. Hornady makes 200 and 225-grain FTX bullets, which will give you some more range. The tip may also aid in expanding on a deer sized animal. Due to the plastic type tips, they should be safe in the model 92 magazine. With this gun you have a lot of viable options as to what you can do with it. If you don’t mind the mess black powder also does well as that was the original powder used in the 45 Colt round. With the vast selection of components, the reloader has never had it so good.
LOAD BULLET VELOCITY COMMENT
- Double Tap 160 grain Barnes TAC XP 1280 consistent
- Double Tap 185 grain Bonded Defense 1279 ok
- Barnes 200 grain XPB 1210 nice
- 24 grains of 2400 225 grain XPB 1683 hunting load
- Double Tap 230 grain Controlled EXP 1123 accurate
- Double Tap 255 grain hard cast 1057 deer
- 12 grains Herco 275 grain cast 1126 accurate
- 22 grains of 296 300 grain Ranier 1315 ok
Factory ammo is available thought not inexpensive. For this test I used some Double Tap ammo and as usual it performed well. They have an extensive line of ammo and for info you can go to https://www.doubletapammo.net/index.php?route=product/category&path=125
I used some Barnes ammo and bullets and while expensive it is an excellent choice for hunting. For info you can go to https://www.barnesbullets.com/
In spite of the popularity of the black guns, a few manufacturers offer guns in various calibers and models that duplicate the old designs but are affordable for the average shooter. Cowboy action shooting is a popular pastime and is getting more popular. Another upside of these guns is they are not as regulated in some states that have draconian gun laws. Most have good quality and are well worth owning. The Browning is a high quality gun and if the price doesn’t bother you it is a thumbs up as far as I am concerned. Taken care of it will last many years giving generations something to enjoy.
- Item Number 534162141
- UPC 048702003844
- Caliber 45 Colt
- Barrel Length 20″
- Nominal Overall Length 37 1/2″
- Nominal Length of Pull 12 3/4″
- Nominal Drop at Comb 1 1/8″
- Nominal Drop at Heel 1 3/4″
- Weight 6 lbs 0 oz
- Magazine Capacity 10
- Site Radius 16″
- Rate of Twist 1 in 26″
- Barrel Finish : Brushed Polish
- Stock Finish : Satin
- Wood Grade : Grade I
- Receiver Finish : Brushed Polish
- Chamber Finish : Polished
- Front Sight : Brass Bead
- Rear Sight : Semi-Buckhorn
- Barrel Material : Steel
- Barrel Contour : Sporter
- Stock Material : Black Walnut
- Recoil Pad : Crescent Metal
- Checkering : None
- Forend Cap : Polished Metal
- Receiver Material : Steel
- Trigger Finish : Brushed Polish
- Trigger Guard Finish : Brushed Polish
- Magazine Type : Full-Length Tube
- Trigger Material : Steel
- Trigger Guard Material : Steel
- MSRP : $1,069.99
About Bob Shell
A Custom Reloader of Obsolete and Antique Ammo, Bob Shell, writes about the subject of Guns, Ammo, Shooting and Related Subjects. Visit: www.bobshellsblog.blogspot.com
See what hickok45 had to say on the same gun:
The Miroku Winchester’s are excellent firearms with quality workmanship inside and out. I have two 45 colts and one deluxe 45-70 and I will take the comparison test with any other manufacturer. I also have a pre64 94 30-30 and the quality and workmanship are the same. The dissing of the Miroku manufacturing is just internet babble. These are top quality firearms in every way. I looked at the other USA manufacturers and frankly they don’t compare. South America, forget it. I am not a huge tang safety fan, but that is really a non-issue. I reload my own ammo… Read more »
The Miroku Winchester’s are excellent firearms with quality workmanship inside and out. I have two 45 colts and one deluxe 45-70 and I will take the comparison test with any other manufacturer. I also have a pre64 94 30-30 and the quality and workmanship are the same. The dissing of the Miroku manufacturing is just internet babble. These are top quality firearms in every way. I looked at the other USA manufacturers and frankly they don’t compare. South America, forget it. I am not a huge tang safety fan, but that is really a non-issue. I reload my own ammo… Read more »
Question. I have a 45 1892 long Colt 20inch octigone barrel made by Winchester in Japan. I have yet to shoot it and the gun has not been fired. I purchased it in a pawn shop for 500. It is labeled 1out of 500. I can’t find any source to tell me if there were there only 500 made all together that Year or was it a special run. The serial is just a 300 number.
I own 2 Miroku Winchest 1892s – They are the finest built rifles I have seen, bar none, in their price range. Beat the pants off US built Winchesters. Fit, finish, function. All excellent. Marlins are junk in comparison, especially the newer Remlins. I have a horror story on a .45 94 Cowboy last summer that made me swear at, and off, the brand. Can’t speak to Rossi, no experience there. Indeed, you better have a good warranty if you are buying Marlin! Don’t knock Miroku, especially if you’ve never handled or owned one. I can shoot mine all day… Read more »
-No, the rifle is not worth it. One reason, No warranty- even Marlin has a 5-year one, Rossi has a year at least, Henry- lifetime pride…Winchesters average for all their models easily over 1K for what? – Walking the price chain: Rossi, Marlin, Henry, Winchester/Taylor, Cimarron….the only one with no warrant is the “W”. What a shame…this is vanity at its worst- like a Harley….the costs doesn’t justify it (and Harleys need repair often, I know). Buy smart, invest right. You’ll get the round downrange. If you buy it for 1K, then you must be looking to resell it for… Read more »
uradik
Probably they shouldn’t allow philosophers to write about guns, but here goes. I love the long guns and have a couple of them, but I shoot my 16 in. Brazil-made Rossi Win. ’92 in .357. I paid a bit more than $400.00 for this rifle used but in like-new condition. It has a nice action and a very nice trigger–perhaps the best of any factory gun I have ever bought. My point is that one does not need to buy a Japanese Winchester at double the price. Now, since I am older, I required to put a peep sight on… Read more »
Ditto does make some good points. I can add that the Japanese have been manufacturing some real quality items such as the cameras and other optical items. I think their firearms industry has been stifled by the virulent anti gun political situation there. I haven’t owned a Miroku built arm, but in the past (1907 in this case) the Tokyo arsenal built some fine quality Mauser design rifles under license. I have one that was made for the Siamese Army. Mine has been converted to 45-70 and is an excellent performer. I think the Browning 1892 in .45 Colt is… Read more »
I am on the fence about the Miroku Winchesters. On one hand, I’m glad someone continues to make these wonderful rifles. They appear to be beautifully made, which is also a big plus.
Negatives: 1. The unnecessary tang safety. 2. The price. 3. As for the price, why build an iconic American brand in Japan if you are going to charge so much for it? You can’t tell me that the same quality could not be achieved here in the U.S. for the same cost, or less.