Any Winchester 92 owners have this issue?

[Bridger]

John Browning must have had a callus at the base of his right thumb?

Just kidding (maybe). I am wondering if anyone out there gets that joke? I just purchased a new, Miroku made, Winchester 92 in 45 Colt. First time I have ever handled a lever action based on this (or the 1886) design.

The first time I cycled the lever I got a nasty cut at the base of my right thumb. Turns out that the right side locking lug has a rather sharp point at the lower rear corner. Whenever I crank the lever in a natural (for me) fashion, I get whacked in the thumb so I have to always be conscience of how I cycle the rifle (which kind of sucks).

Anyone else ever have this issue? I am wondering if maybe I should just take a metal file to that corner and round it off?

On a positive note, this rifle otherwise handles fantastic and the action is super smooth.

Thanks,
Mike

[HWooldridge]

I have owned several 92 rifles but I use my thumb in the lever to open the action then slap it shut with my fingers - both movements are done with an open hand. I do not stick my fingers inside the lever.

[beltfed]

Never a problem with my first year production, original M92.
And, I do put my three fingers inside the lever as I "crank in" another round.
beltfed/arnie

[pworley1]

I have never had that issue with an original or the Miroku models.

[Eddie Southgate]

No issue with my 1911 version. I would use a fine cut file and then a stone to take the edge off so it is not sharp.

[Bridger]

Thanks,

Has anyone noticed if any part of their lever hand even comes into contact with the locking lug or if the lug is sharp? Maybe I need to just change the way I cycle the action but old habits die hard. Or maybe I do just need to disassemble the rifle and file away at that one corner until it is no longer sharp.

Mike

[HWooldridge]

I had to check - so I went inside and worked the action on my 92. My hand never comes anywhere close to the locking lugs.

Regardless, I think stoning the sharp corners won't hurt anything.

[Bridger]

I had to check - so I went inside and worked the action on my 92. My hand never comes anywhere close to the locking lugs.

Regardless, I think stoning the sharp corners won't hurt anything.

Yup. I think that is the way I need to go.
Thanks

[John Taylor]

can't be as bad as an M1 Garand thumb. I have had several 92s and never had a problem.

[FergusonTO35]

I keep my thumb well clear of the action when cycling the lever, only use the two middle fingers of my dominant hand to work the lever. I have big fingers so I can't shove all three fingers in the loop.

[Bazoo]

I have a Winchester 92, and an 1886 made by Miroku, and I do not have this problem. I'd certainly take some sharp edges off though if I did.

[Sam Sackett]

If your thumb is hitting anything when you cycle the action, you need to retrain your thumb. I shoot cowboy action with a 92 and keep my thumb out away from the action.
But you should also take that sharp edge off for safety sake.

Sam Sackett

[pietro]

.

Get stoned, not filed.....

[Bazoo]

I had my wife cycle my 92 earlier to see if her untrained hands would get near the bolt. Nope. I had a heck of a time forcing my thumb up around the bolt when cycling too.

I went ahead and shot a couple mags out of it... yep, they are smooth and fast.

[indian joe]

I have owned several 92 rifles but I use my thumb in the lever to open the action then slap it shut with my fingers - both movements are done with an open hand. I do not stick my fingers inside the lever.

its called a finger lever in the old catalogs for a reason - intended to be "thrown" open and flicked shut with the middle joint of a couple of fingers

[Bridger]

Thanks to everyone for the replies. Very helpful. For clarification, I am getting cut right a the very base of my thumb. I am guessing that, never owning a 92 before, perhaps I have developed some bad habits when it comes to operating the lever although they never seemed like such until now. I will have to experiment with some of the suggestions here. Be that as it may, I am a little disappointed that this rifle left the factory with such a sharp surface that is exposed to human flesh whenever the action is open.

I wonder if my rifle is an anomaly in this regard?

Thanks again everyone.

[indian joe]

Thanks to everyone for the replies. Very helpful. For clarification, I am getting cut right a the very base of my thumb. I am guessing that, never owning a 92 before, perhaps I have developed some bad habits when it comes to operating the lever although they never seemed like such until now. I will have to experiment with some of the suggestions here. Be that as it may, I am a little disappointed that this rifle left the factory with such a sharp surface that is exposed to human flesh whenever the action is open.

I wonder if my rifle is an anomaly in this regard?

Thanks again everyone.

hopefully an anomaly -- regardless of lever operating method I would stone that sharp edge until it wont cut anymore

[John Taylor]

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/CUb8iza_iuc Maybe this will help.

[Bridger]

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/CUb8iza_iuc Maybe this will help.

It would except that is me in the video! Just kidding. I wish! Anyway, he is cheating. That's an 1873, not an 1892 so no blood drawn!

[John Taylor]

It would except that is me in the video! Just kidding. I wish! Anyway, he is cheating. That's an 1873, not an 1892 so no blood drawn!

notice where his thumb is?