Winchester 1892 32wcf modified to 357

015255

A few years ago I inherited a family Winchester Model 1892 that started out as a .32wcf.
In the mid-20th century, it was modified to fire 357.

I have been told that these modifications, while not common, were not unheard of either so that a rancher could carry one round for rifle and sidearm.

- Anyone have any knowledge of this issue?
Thanks.

v35

Model 92's were converted to useful, powerful calibers since the high speed loadings of the original loadings were discontinued.25-20 & 32-20's were converted to .357 Magnum and 38-40 & 44-40's were converted to 44 Magnum.
Numrich sold barrels for the conversions.
The NRA gunsmithing manual showed how to make the conversion.
As I recall, cartridge guides have to be modified by filling in the original rim grooves and recut in another location.

rufe-snow

Not uncommon, back in the day, before the modern replicas and Japanese clones made their appearance.

Unfortunately has a negative affect on collectors value.

.32-20 was and is a underpreforming cartridge because the ammo companies are scared about all the inexpensive poor quality BP revolvers still floating around. 40/50 years ago conversion to .357 was the answer, as far as Model 1892's were concerned.

Herschel

My father had a Model 92 .25-20 converted to .357 magnum back in the 1950's or early 1960's. I also have a 92 that was a .32-20 that was converted. Both conversions were done by a gunsmith out west named Ward Kuzer (not sure about the spelling). I still have mine and my sister has our dad's. They were fun guns to shoot and function flawlessly with both .357 and .38 Special Ammo. In theory a round nosed bullet (.38 special) could press against the cartridge in front of it in the magazine and cause it to fire in the magazine. I never heard of this happening. Nevertheless, when shooting .38 special I used hollowpoint or other type flat pointed bullets. Neither of these were converted for commonality of ammo with a pistol but I am sure that was a feature that some owners desired. I expect that the present value of our model 92 .357's would be triple or more had they not been converted.

Hangfire

I still have my '92 take-down I had converted/built to .357, back in the 60's.. I fully appreciated the collector value of older Winchesters, but this was built on a trashed action.. It was an action only that, fortunately, had the take-down ring.. The gunsmith was a friend and went all out.. It never misses a beat.. from .38 wad-cutters to full power .357.. I also only use hollow-points..

015255

Interesting information, all. I appreciate hearing from you.
I felt rather alone in the world thinking I had a real fluke here with the only modified 1892 that I knew of.
It was modified when it wasn't a "collectable" so long-term value was not as much a consideration as useable functionality.
OK on the preference of hollow points... I can see the possible danger there of using round nose rounds.
Do we really feel that the aging metal of the Winchester 1892 can safely support a current technology 357 round?
Perhaps it might be better to stick with a standard 38 hollow point so as not to stress the thing?

MIKE WISKEY

"Do we really feel that the aging metal of the Winchester 1892 can safely support a current technology 357 round?"..............the m-92's (and m-86's) were 'over built' for their original calibers and are safe with both the .357 mag. and .44 mag. (thank you John M. Browning). assuming they were propertly converted (bushed firing pin and properly headspaced).

62fuelie

Have fond memories of firing Bob's (hangfire) '92 it is a slick little carbine done by a great smith. 015255 I hope you have as much fun with yours.

Hangfire

Yep, the Colonel knew what he was doin'[8D] Great fun!!

USN_Airdale

i once had a M-1892 Carbine in 25-20, i was shooting it rapid fire at a running Fox when the second to last round had no powder the last round did, the barrel was bulged, but still shot great, in 1962ad, i sent the gun to P.O.Ackley to be modified to .357 Mag., it was, when i got it back, about 9 months later, i found the barrel was changed, the sights i sent with the rifle were not installed, the screw that went thru the barrel band was broken, in short the gun was a mess and failed to feed three rounds in succession, the in coming cartridge would pop up when the action was being closed. i traded it for a Sako 7mm mag. back in 1968ad.

pecospark

I also have a converted '92. Talk about destroying collector value. Mine was originally a '92 MUSKET! that had the stock cut down and the barrel replaced. Great little shooter,tho.

22hipower

Saw one of those modified '92s (32-20 to 357 with new barrel) at the Dallas Market Hall show a couple weeks ago. It "walked" around the show all morning with a $1000 price tag and was still "walking" when I left. It looked pretty good and the action was tight but I couldn't justify a $1000 for a '92 shooter when there are plenty of Marlin and USRAC 94 AEs around for half that price. Just curious about others thoughts as to value of this kind of modification? If with PO Ackley provenance as USN_Airdale describes perhaps $1000 would be reasonable.