Winchester 1892 357 Mag Conversion

[KevH]

Anyone know where to find an old Winchester 1892 converted to 357 Magnum?

Do any gunsmiths still provide this service?

I'm not interested in the modern "Winchester" 1892 copies or the Rossi ones.

[John Taylor]

I did one once, never again. Check with http://www.stevesgunz.com/

[ironhead7544]

I would take Mr. Taylor's word on this.

The Rossi rifles may need a little work but for the price they are worth it.

[rintinglen]

There are a few out there, but Remember Captain Ahab? Be prepared to spend a lot of time hunting for one.
I doubt that you'll find a Smith willing to convert one these days, what with liability laws being what they are. Even if you do find smith, you'll have to scrounge up an old 25-20 or 32-20 to sacrifice, er modify. Then expect to pay about the cost of a new Rossi to have your 1300 dollar gun turned into a 1000 dollar shooter (if that). I generally am kindly disposed towards people who want to modify their firearms to suit their fancies, but this is one where I just can't see my way clear. Especially since there are several Companies who'll sell you a decent .357 clone for a lot less money than your conversion will cost.
Now, if you really, really want one, and only a Winchester will do, I can only recommend that you scour the gun shows in your neck of the woods and watch the gun auction sites. One will turn up...some day.

[bob208]

i had one in my hands 40 years ago. i would not have another. there is a lot more to it then just changing the barrel. trying to get it timed to feed could drive you to drink.

[gmsharps]

If you can find one consider the Browning B92 in 357. A rifle made to the task.

gmsharps

[Artful]

I like my Rossi in 357 - here's a discussion on Browning
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?167729-Browning-B92
as I remember only made the 357's from 82-87 so 5 year production run.
Good luck in you search... I always thought it would be cool to have a 357 Max made up
but cooler heads talked me out of it.

[JJ Mc FRAG]

I would take Mr. Taylor's word on this.

The Rossi rifles may need a little work but for the price they are worth it.

I heartily agree. Please folks, don't be messin up an original M92 unless it's got
a totally shot out tube on 'er.

I built up a couple of Rossi "Baby Carbines" using Ranch Hands as the base to
start from. Boy, these are fun little buggers to shoot & hunt with as they are
so dang handy.
72819

The top one is .357 & below it is my latest work in progress, a .45 Colt unit.
:drinks:

[Mk42gunner]

I know there were some converted; but for all the gun shows, gun shops and pawn shops I have been in during the last thirty five to forty years, I have never seen one.

Good luck with your search, but I think rintinglen gave the best advise.

Robert

[JJ Mc FRAG]

JJMcFrag,
You may know, but for some that don't, the original Winchester baby carbines had a fore-stock 1/2 that length. The barrel band on the fore-arm would be approximately in the center of the short barrel.

Correct sir,
Good point for historical reference.:)

[Four Fingers of Death]

What about a reline on a shot out one to 38Special? That would be an easier conversion and with +P brass would give you a whole helping heaping of performance using good cast boolits.

Personally, I would just get a Rossi. I have 5-6 1892s and 2 rossis (a 357 and a 44Mag). The Rossis are pretty bombproof/foolproof and would work out awhole heap cheaper. The rifle in my Avitar is my 92 Rossi 357. Pretty much the cheapest rifle I have ever bought and pretty much the best rifle I have ever bought ($230 it cost me, I'm only counting 'real' rifles and not counting clunkers and bubba'd milsurps).

Save yourself a lotttttttttt of grief, buy a Rossi, or if you are cashed up a Browning (I had one of these beautiful rifles, but it was a real picky feeder about bullet shape and I won't tolerate a rifle that won't feed slick. Both Rossis are as slick as frog snot, but the 44 has the odd, but very mild hiccup with 44 Specials.

[helice]

I picked one up 12 years ago and have had no real trouble with it. Its an Octagonal 24" with the crescent plate. The original owner boogered up the mag tube and then he epoxied the tube to the barrel so it has some issues. The action is smooth like an old Krag. The Browning B-92s are really smooth but one pays dearly for that smoothness.

[Four Fingers of Death]

Four Fingers,
Were the 1892 Winchesters pretty popular over there, er down under?
What rifles or handguns popular in the Australian 1870's to 1900?

Mind you, I am no expert on Colonial History, but it seems to me that prior to the 1870s, British arms were the most encountered. When the Winchester lever rifles cam out, they were eagerly accepted. I have never come across a Henry or 1866, but have seen several 1873s (I owned one, but passed it onto onto a collector) and lots of 1892s.

Nearly all of the ones I have seen here were the half mag version with round barrel, carbine butt and saddle ring. A few are in full mag version and these are the most sought after ones here (By shooters, I can't speak for collectors). It seem to be the opposite in the states, the half mag ones were rare and now are sought after.

Looking at what turns up on the shelves of the gun shops, the 32/20 was the most popular, followed by the 44/40. I have only come across one in 38/40, never seen it, just been told a guy in ther next State competes with one in cowboy action.

32/20 brass was hard to get here in the past (reverse situation now, 32/20 brass is pretty common, but 310 Cadet bras is a bit patchy) and a lot were bush gun-smithed (usually by farmers on rainy days, haha) so that they could shoot the 310 Cadet round. I have encountered a few on farms, still being used, but as a single shot.

It strikes me as strange, but old 92s are often encountered here (dad-blasted gun shops are finally starting to wake up to the fact that they are mega valuable in the States ) but pre 64 94s are rare. I have only ever seen one and I bought it (I have seen dozens of 1892s and own 4-5 at the moment.

As to handguns, cops and the populace used Colts, rich gentlemen and bush rangers used Tranters

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tranter_(revolver)

Tranters were as expensive as a box of Colts and are an exquisite double action cap and ball revolver.

The military used 577 Sniders (converted from muzzle loaders) which had a swing out Trapdoor. The next rifle was the Martini in 577 and later on 450/577. These were also popular with citizens, as is usually the case with military firearms.

[015255]

Our 1892 saddle-rifle with 16-inch round barrel had started life in 1915 as a 32WCF.
It was converted to .357 by a family member back in the early1960s (when they were simply tools and not yet considered "collectables") so that revolver carry rounds would match the carbine.
I had taken it to the Cody, Wyoming museum folks a dozen years ago for their opinions.
After examination they concluded that, although modified, it is considered a "collectable" in its own right as an example of an earlier valid modification.
Either way, it will remain in the family and - at this point - I have no regrets that the forefather modified it to meet the family's needs back when.
Best regards: Richard

SIDEBAR QUESTION: Anyone know of a resource for a good-quality well-designed trigger/lever guard for lever-actions?
With four grandsons I can't leave it out over the fire place anymore... sigh.
122062 122063 122064

[spencerhut]

My wife found this for me. It's an original 1892 takedown that was converted to .357 Magnum at some point in it's life. The gun did not work properly when I got it. I analyzed the issues it was having and made a few adjustments and now it works 100% with everything from .38 Short Colt to .357 Magnum. One of my very favorite guns and I did not butcher it, some other poor slob did back in the day.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8629/16476145278_2f1d91ac07_o.jpg
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8614/16456411357_5b4deca297_o.jpg

[27judge]

Bain & Davis did my 92 way back in 1965 it is still a fun shooter. Tks ken

[gwpercle]

Marlin has come out with a new improved model 94 in 44spcl/44 mag. The writer of the article (in the April 2015 Guns and Ammo) gives it high marks for fit , finish , accuracy and crisp 3 pound trigger pull.
Word is the next chambering to be produced is 38 spcl/ 357 mag. If in fact this is true, I would get one in a New York minute...lots cheaper than model 92 conversion.
Gary

[John Taylor]

The Marlin would most likely have less feed issues.

[Artful]

Best regards: Richard

SIDEBAR QUESTION: Anyone know of a resource for a good-quality well-designed trigger/lever guard for lever-actions?
With four grandsons I can't leave it out over the fire place anymore... sigh.
122062 122063 122064

Are you looking for some thing to cover the trigger and lever like a "Life Jacket"
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71TZ7OVHMiL._SL1500_.jpg

or just to lock the lever so it can't be operated to load the chamber?
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b66/zespectre/LeverLock.jpg

[robertbank]

spencerhut (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/member.php?9665-spencerhut) Nice to see an old girl put to use by somebody who cares. Buy your wife some flowers.

Take Care

Bob

[robertbank]

I heartily agree. Please folks, don't be messin up an original M92 unless it's got
a totally shot out tube on 'er.

I built up a couple of Rossi "Baby Carbines" using Ranch Hands as the base to
start from. Boy, these are fun little buggers to shoot & hunt with as they are
so dang handy.
72819

The top one is .357 & below it is my latest work in progress, a .45 Colt unit.
:drinks:

Very nice. Another project I have to get to, once I get my powder coating set up done like I want.

Take Care

Bob

[spencerhut]

spencerhut (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/member.php?9665-spencerhut)Nice to see an old girl put to use by somebody who cares. Buy your wife some flowers.

Take Care

Bob


In fact I did indeed buy her some flowers on Saturday.

I figured as long as I'm not the guy doing the modifying it absolves me of all sin. Taking a special order 1892 Takedown and converting it like this is a real shame. Oh well, I have fun with it now.

[DGNY]

My cousin inherited an 1892 converted to 357 Magnum, complete with early tang sight.. His dad had it done in the 60s and it is a fine piece of work and shoots accurately. Of course, quite "incorrect" today to do such a thing.

The conversion was done by some guy named P.O. Ackley. [right, one and the same]

Regards,

Dyson

[northmn]

I ahve the Rossi and would not consider converting an original. As for the Rossi, I just took one apart and see no issues with the little rifle except that it has a coil spring where the Winchester has a flat spring, which is an improvement. Also the Rossi is built around the 357 and 44 magnums, the 92 was not. While the 92 did have special loads for it for a short time, they were not up to todays pressures and loads. teh ehaviest they had was in 44-40 and about 1700 fps with the 200 grain bullet. Not much of a load for a 44 mag. Then there is the Rossi in 454 Casul. Some 92's were converted and they seem to have held up, but the Rossi si still built for that level of cartridge. A 357 would stress an action more than a standard 44-40.

DP

[Geezer in NH]

In the early 80's I had a 92 32-20 converted to 357 mag by Snap's gun shop. It came back as asked 6 months later. I wanted my 38sp 150 SWC cast to feed also the 357 mag.

He did a great job the 38's fed and shot great, however the 357's were a 1 shot deal as the bases expanded very badly on the feed ramp.

I shot many snow shoe hares with it and 2 small deer both does and did not like the results on the deer. 10 years later I sold it. I do not miss the gun at all.

Buy a new gun chambered for 357 and save many dollars

[EDK]

I had a badly abused 1892 reworked to 357 magnum back in the 1960s by NU-LINE GUNS in St Louis MO. Nice gun, but I acquired an 1894c...and an interest in 44 magnum 1894s...in the 70s and never looked back.

UNLESS there is some family history associated with the 1892 AND it has already been converted, leave it be. Buy an 1892 clone or hope for MARLINS to become available again. I love my 24 inch 357 and 44 Cowboy Rifles.

[Pb2au]

I suggest like some of the others here to look for a Rossi. Easy on the wallet, fun to shoot. With a very small amount of effort, they are great shooters.
Right now they can be had new for around 500$ new.
The only rock I will throw is that the finish on the wood is pretty cheap. I refinished mine over a long weekend and am much happier for it.
Keep it simple.

[Four Fingers of Death]

The Rossi is hard to beat.

[northmn]

357 levers don't seem to set on the shelf for long. You would think that would say something to someone.


DP

[EDK]

357 levers don't seem to set on the shelf for long. You would think that would say something to someone. DP

It says John Taffin was right. "A 357 levergun is the third most useful firearm you'll own...first two are a 22 LR rifle and pistol." The way prices and availability are for 22 ammo, it might be first now.

[shdwlkr]

If you really want a mdl 92 in .357mag why not look at the new Miroku japchesters cost is about what it would take to make an original mdl 92 into a .357mag.
I have a fair idea of cost as I have been in the process with my smith of making a mdl 92 action into a .256 win mag and cost wise it is very expensive think in the area of $2000. as I had to get the action then the barrel, then the feed tube then the reamer and smith time. It has been a really frustrating project. Will have to have a custom bullet mold made for it also so it works the way I want and the mold may cost around another $1200, remember I said custom mold.
You can do anything if you want to spend the money, time and aggravation to get it done

[Artful]

Why so much for the .25 mold? And for what it's worth I tried cast in my 256 win mag TC Contender barrel and never got lucky with anything approaching a fast load.

[shdwlkr]

Artful
the price is because it will be a custom mold due to issues with the conversion so I get to pay all the costs of creating the mold, first is the $1000 to create the CNC program to make the mold, then the cost of the mold itself which is $200.
When you go down a road less traveled it can get expensive. the mold maker my wave the setup cost if he can market it as one of his new molds, we will see when I get to that point in the road.

[historicfirearms]

In the early 80's I had a 92 32-20 converted to 357 mag by Snap's gun shop. It came back as asked 6 months later. I wanted my 38sp 150 SWC cast to feed also the 357 mag.

He did a great job the 38's fed and shot great, however the 357's were a 1 shot deal as the bases expanded very badly on the feed ramp.

I shot many snow shoe hares with it and 2 small deer both does and did not like the results on the deer. 10 years later I sold it. I do not miss the gun at all.

Buy a new gun chambered for 357 and save many dollars

I also have an original 92 that was converted by Snaps in the 1960s. Mine has "38 special" marked on the barrel but it also will accept 357 magnum rounds. Mine feeds 38s like greased lightning. The 357s feed good enough for me to feel comfortable with it hunting, but they are a bit hitchy, sometimes taking a slight wiggle with the lever to feed. Snaps also refinished mine and did a nice job. It's also got two extra holes on the left side of the receiver. The original barrel was rebored and re rifled and is very nicely done. This gun probably has no collector value but I like it more than the Rossi's that I have owned. It's 100% American made and has the nostalgic history associated with it. Even the conversion was done about 50 years ago, older than any Rossi. So that is kind of cool to me too. Sort of like the 60s hot rod scene. Times were different then...