I am considering purchasing a 1920s vintage Winchester 1892 from an online auction as a restoration project, and have a couple of questions: The rifle is chambered for .25-20, and although the barrel is reported to be in decent condition, I am considering having it rebarreled to .32-20 because of the availability of ammo. I don't handload, and although I don't see this gun as a "regular" shooter, I would like to shoot it occasionally. So my questions are (1) does changing the caliber to .32-20 involver anything more than a new barrel(since .25-20 is just a necked down .32-20)? (2) Assuming the rifle is otherwise mechanically sound is the current commercial Cowboy Action .32-20WCF ammo safe to fire in this old action?
Winchester 1892 Questions
- Thread starter JHE1956
- Start date
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Biggfoot44
Ultimate Member
- Aug 2, 2009
- 33,137
Rebarell , reline, or rebore . * Probably * cycle ok with just bbl , but any tuning would be minor.
M1892 actions are the benchmark for strong actions , and SAAMI specs for .32-20 are notoriously wimpy , to be suitable for M1873 actions . So any factory loads will be no issues for M1892 .
BUT , it would be your property to do with as you wish . But original M1892s with good original bbls have increasing value and collector interest , and replica/ clones in modern cals are common. A generation ago Sporterized military rifles was common and admirable. Nowdays we constantly see curses at " Bubba " .
M1892 actions are the benchmark for strong actions , and SAAMI specs for .32-20 are notoriously wimpy , to be suitable for M1873 actions . So any factory loads will be no issues for M1892 .
BUT , it would be your property to do with as you wish . But original M1892s with good original bbls have increasing value and collector interest , and replica/ clones in modern cals are common. A generation ago Sporterized military rifles was common and admirable. Nowdays we constantly see curses at " Bubba " .
jimbobborg
Oddball caliber fan
I know people who would give their eye teeth to get a decent 25-20 rifle, especially a genuine Winchester. And if you're not a reloader, don't even bother with either cartridge. Local shops want over $50 for a box of 50 32-20s. Georgia Arms has decent prices, but the inventory fluctuates with the cowboy rounds. As for power, I have an older reloading manual with two sections for 32-20, one for original Colt SAAs, and Winchester 92 actions. The 92 loads are considerably stouter than the Colt loads.
I would have the barrel sleeved to preserve the value. A barrel sleeve will be unnoticeable and will be just as accurate as a barrel change. You MAY have to change or alter the side plates since the 32-20 is a thicker round. I don't know since I have never made that particular caliber change.
engineerbrian
JMB fan club
I agree. Leave it alone.
Biggfoot44
Ultimate Member
- Aug 2, 2009
- 33,137
While it was reasonably popular in both Poice Positive Specials and S&W M&P's pre WWII ( for good reasons ) , the reason you see newlf mfg ammo today is SASS .
Doco Overboard
Ultimate Member
You can always save the original barrel just remember any collector value/interest will be lost with any sort of alteration. If that wasn't the case, I would be more worried about having to alter/adjust the breechbolt, left and right locking bolt, cartridge guide, carrier etc. to make it work. Im not saying that is the case but it would be my prime consideration before even considering re-lining or swapping the barrel.
If I was still intent of doing do all that I would go with 44-40 unless the possibility of a more recent cartridge design was possible.
If it turns out it's a popular and easy conversion, have fun it's your rifle. Just consider the work associated with the swap being in excess of any intrinsic value that remains and your use intent/purpose.
If I was still intent of doing do all that I would go with 44-40 unless the possibility of a more recent cartridge design was possible.
If it turns out it's a popular and easy conversion, have fun it's your rifle. Just consider the work associated with the swap being in excess of any intrinsic value that remains and your use intent/purpose.
You could leave it alone and invest the money you would have spent altering it in basic reloading gear...
I totally understand, but this rifle has apparently already been rebarreled once in its past, and has no finish left on the receiver, and the furniture is beat to crap so I have fewer qualms about making any changes. But I will (except for caliber) keep it in original configuration and save all the original parts. Frankly if I could come up with a couple hundred rounds of .25-20 I probably would keep the current barrel.
Yes, Midway had two brands of .32-20 in stock at about .70 a round, both labled as Cowboy Action ammo.
Biggfoot44
Ultimate Member
- Aug 2, 2009
- 33,137
.25-20 & .32-20 are on the same case . The .32-20 came first, and later was necked down to .25 . So no other alterations should be required ( maybe slight opening up of shell lifter ) .
Not that I'm advocating, but this would be simplist M92 conversation. Relining would preserve the external appearance, at expense of not being able to restore to original.
But that's only a conversation worth having IF someone really, really wanted a .32-20 on purpose. For OP's purposes of using commonly available, inexpensive ammo , what he wants instead is a modern replica / clone in .38/.357 .
Not that I'm advocating, but this would be simplist M92 conversation. Relining would preserve the external appearance, at expense of not being able to restore to original.
But that's only a conversation worth having IF someone really, really wanted a .32-20 on purpose. For OP's purposes of using commonly available, inexpensive ammo , what he wants instead is a modern replica / clone in .38/.357 .
Biggfoot44
Ultimate Member
- Aug 2, 2009
- 33,137
JHE 1956 actually replyed while I was typing.
.25-20 ammo is available, at least from Black Hills , and probably others intermittently. Just buy a stack when you locate some.
I like .32WCF on purpose, but it's only slightly more common, and not much cheaper.
Back in the day, M92 were sought out for conversion to .44mag ( before factory versions available ) .
Added - Or make a distinctive custom rifle instead . Say a 24in bbl with 2/3 length magazine , with rifle style fore end ?
.25-20 ammo is available, at least from Black Hills , and probably others intermittently. Just buy a stack when you locate some.
I like .32WCF on purpose, but it's only slightly more common, and not much cheaper.
Back in the day, M92 were sought out for conversion to .44mag ( before factory versions available ) .
Added - Or make a distinctive custom rifle instead . Say a 24in bbl with 2/3 length magazine , with rifle style fore end ?
Idaho
Member
Please keep 25-20 at least for a good trial. I bought Marlin CL in that caliber and love it. Very accurate. It is fairly easy to reload. You can even reform 32-20 to 25-20 if necessary. If you need to check your head space I can lend you gauges. I will even let you shoot a box of factory ammo through it if you save the brass for me. I love and want to preserve this caliber. You may have a better barrel than you think. Run a leadaway patch through it and see what happens. I took 6 thousandths of an inch of lead out of an old Winchester 1885.
Idaho
Member
Oops. Replied before reading last entry! I get excited about WCF 25-20.
