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What is the preferred caliber for collectors for m1892 & your personal choice.
.25 W.C.F.
.32 W.C.F.
.38 W.C.F.
.44 W.C.F
Yes I agree limestone nice 92’s seem to be a harder find. My direction in collecting has changed & now looking to add a 92 to go with my 73, 86, 94, & 95. Unfortunately affordability is always the first consideration. It will be some time before the 66, 76, & 85 are part of the addiction but a 92 in 44WCF could make its way as an early Christmas present to myself.
RickC
Interesting to see the addiction slowly take hold of the younger people 
I have 92’s in the four main calibers and I like them all. I handload for them all. They are all great! A favorite? Nope. They all have their strengths and place in the scheme of things.
steve004 said
Interesting to see the addiction slowly take hold of the younger people
I think the availability of the Winchester/Miroku 1892’s and the other clones can be credited for the re-awakened interest in the 1892.
Prior to this I would only rarely encounter unaffordable top condition pieces occasionally at the shows, or beat up “clunkers”.
Now, if only someone would produce a top quality book on the 1892 – that would be nice.
( To the original question – 38 or 44WCF ).
November 7, 2015
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Of course I’d prefer a nice .44 but the reality is I prefer something that doesn’t command a premium because of the bore diameter. In my limited experience the same money buys a nice 38 (or 32) or a fair 44. Since I nearly always want to shoot my collectable Winchesters I’ll take condition over caliber almost every time. Another factor is that in spite of being a Clint Eastwood fan I’ve always avoided the 43 caliber. My first 1892 had a crappy bore and a 23” octagonal barrel in 32WCF. Now it has a relined bore, Lyman 17M front sight and a Marble tang sight. Looks a little odd but it’s a fun pinker. My other 92 is a nice rifle in 38WCF. Can’t recall shooting it but it’s a nice rifle purchased for much less than a similar rifle in 44. I haven’t found a 92 in 25-20 with a decent bore yet but I’m not really looking as I don’t cast for or reload that cartridge.
Mike
I have 4 M1892’s. One round bbl., one oct. bbl., one oct. bbl. takedown, and one carbine. All 44’s if you will. I also have a very nice M53 in 44 as well as one in 32-20. I have never fired any of them. Big Larry
TXGunNut said
Of course I’d prefer a nice .44 but the reality is I prefer something that doesn’t command a premium because of the bore diameter. In my limited experience the same money buys a nice 38 (or 32) or a fair 44. Since I nearly always want to shoot my collectable Winchesters I’ll take condition over caliber almost every time. Another factor is that in spite of being a Clint Eastwood fan I’ve always avoided the 43 caliber. My first 1892 had a crappy bore and a 23” octagonal barrel in 32WCF. Now it has a relined bore, Lyman 17M front sight and a Marble tang sight. Looks a little odd but it’s a fun pinker. My other 92 is a nice rifle in 38WCF. Can’t recall shooting it but it’s a nice rifle purchased for much less than a similar rifle in 44. I haven’t found a 92 in 25-20 with a decent bore yet but I’m not really looking as I don’t cast for or reload that cartridge.
Mike
Yes makes sense to me Mike. I had two 73’s (38 & 44) so when I decided to sell one the 38 was higher condition & kept it instead(I have a 73 SRC in 44 to fill the void) but I certainly agree on condition over calibre & same applies to a 92.
Is it possible there was a desire back when collecting started to gain momentum, to acquire the bigger calibers of a particular model because many guns were still being used to hunt with & today any vintage caliber rifle in good condition is the desired?
RickC
May 3, 2020
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My 92 is a 32-20 src as I had a choice of it or a rough 44 I chose the 32-20.
im happy with it but the choice is very limited in UK
BASC member
Hello RickC,
I have a bunch of Model 1892’s in all different calibers. I tend to try to buy a bit unique configurations, followed by condition and the caliber choice is last on my list. Size does not count. It all comes down to your personal preference, check book size, and intended usage. Don’t collect by other persons desires. I would always say buy what YOU want. When you do get around to getting serious I am happy to answer any questions and help in any way. Do to before you pull out the checkbook! I hate passing out bad news.
And David I am working on that book!
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
twobit said
Hello RickC,I have a bunch of Model 1892’s in all different calibers. I tend to try to buy a bit unique configurations, followed by condition and the caliber choice is last on my list. Size does not count. It all comes down to your personal preference, check book size, and intended usage. Don’t collect by other persons desires. I would always say buy what YOU want. When you do get around to getting serious I am happy to answer any questions and help in any way. Do to before you pull out the checkbook! I hate passing out bad news.
And David I am working on that book!
Michael
Wise advise Michael & will do. Appreciate the offer. Nice collection also.
RickC
Geez Michael I’m envious, very nice. My favorite ’92 cal. is the 25-20, reasons being 1. I’m not a game hunter but I do like rabbit,2. We have a .270 cal. restriction in southern Ontario so I couldn’t legally use a .38 or .44 here, but I do know the .44-40 is the most desireable for collectors, I do have a few of them also. I just, reluctantly sold a beautiful 14″ trapper in .44 in order to finance a couple other purchases. Rick, I do have available a pretty good ’92 s.r.c. in .44 available, it is one contracted for the China Navigation Co. ser#895359 .give Me a holler
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
Michael is the 92 src more desired over the 92 rifle configurations among collecters?
RickC
RickC said
Michael is the 92 src more desired over the 92 rifle configurations among collecters?RickC
There is a reason that there are redheads, blondes, brunettes, and ladies with black hair. We are all drawn to something different. I have just over 40 Model 1892’s and only 4 of them are carbines. But I would be willing to bet that there is more than one guy out there who only has SRC’s in his gun cabinet. Carbines make up just over 30% of the total production but there is no doubt that octagon barrel sporting rifles are more popular in the collectors world.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
twobit said
There is a reason that there are redheads, blondes, brunettes, and ladies with black hair. We are all drawn to something different. I have just over 40 Model 1892’s and only 4 of them are carbines. But I would be willing to bet that there is more than one guy out there who only has SRC’s in his gun cabinet. Carbines make up just over 30% of the total production but there is no doubt that octagon barrel sporting rifles are more popular in the collectors world.
Michael
Thanks for the reply Michael. I guess it holds true, you just can’t deny the rifle with octagon barrel in the collectors world.
Now an 86 SRC at 4.4% of production might be different.
Rick
I think it is common for collectors to buy for rarity sake. That is, they might not even think about whether they like the configuration they are buying. If it is rare, they want it. For example, the M1892 or M1886 (or M1894) Muskets are a variation that I do not find aesthetically pleasing. However, I want one. Their rarity has much to do with my desire for one.
steve004 said
I think it is common for collectors to buy for rarity sake. That is, they might not even think about whether they like the configuration they are buying. If it is rare, they want it. For example, the M1892 or M1886 (or M1894) Muskets are a variation that I do not find aesthetically pleasing. However, I want one. Their rarity has much to do with my desire for one.
Totally agree Steve. It felt like I was reading my own thoughts.
Rick
November 7, 2015
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I’ve watched too many western movies and TV shows not to want a 92 SRC. Only problem is I also want condition and so far I haven’t stumbled over one in the condition I want at a price I’m willing to pay. I’ll get serious about finding one someday, gotta thin the herd a bit first.
Mike
TXGunNut said
I’ve watched too many western movies and TV shows not to want a 92 SRC. Only problem is I also want condition and so far I haven’t stumbled over one in the condition I want at a price I’m willing to pay. I’ll get serious about finding one someday, gotta thin the herd a bit first.
Mike
Mike – is there just one chambering you are set on, or are you open to various chamberings?
Online
I enjoy collecting original special order and rare guns, for the 1892’s my caliber of choice is the 38-40. Certain configurations seem to be a dime a dozen in the other calibers, but much harder to find in 38-40 IMHO. And a lot of times they can be had for much less than the cost of a 44-40, all things being equal. Over the years Ive sold off most of my 1892’s that werent special order or were in calibers other than 38-40 – with the intent of having a collecting focused towards obtaining as many configurations as possible in 38-40. Plus I enjoy loading for and hunting with the 38-40. Rarity, configuration, caliber, and eye appeal are more important to me most cases than condition, but condition never hurts either.
If I had a second caliber choice, purely for shooting and hunting, it would be the 32-20
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
November 7, 2015
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steve004 said
Mike – is there just one chambering you are set on, or are you open to various chamberings? Steve-
I’m just enjoying the view these days, Steve. Next few months will be a bit of a fiscal strain so I’m studying the market and playing with the toys I already have. To answer your question I would prefer 38WCF or 32WCF but I won’t rule out the others if the situation is right. At the moment I’d rather take a few to the range than bring another one home. It’s a lot of fun taking these old treasures out for a day at the range and I have a couple of projects I’m pretty excited about.
Mike
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