The Model 1892 appeared in different guises, each designed to fire either the .218 Bee, .25-20, .32-20, .38-40 or .44-40 cartridges. Additionally, each rifle featured varying barrel lengths (even rounded or octagonal) to match the corresponding cartridge to be fired. Magazine counts naturally varied somewhat between each models though the most basic Model 1892 form fitted up to 15 rounds. Many operators favored Winchester rifles for their ability to fire the same ammunition as their pistols - meaning that a cowboy, trapper or stagecoach defender could take along his trusty rifle and pistol sidearm with only one supply of ammunition. In practice, the rifle proved a success thanks to her noted lightweight and manageable recoil as well as her robustness when in-the-field. The rifle proved just as easy-to-handle and equally easy-to-maintain with her highly regarded smooth lever-action.
Winchester went on to produce the Model 1892 in five distinct production forms, each given a detailed descriptive moniker. These included the "Sporting Rifle", "Fancy Sporting Rifle", "Carbine", "Trapper's Carbine" and "Musket". Both the Carbine and Trapper's Carbine forms were visibly shorter than the basic rifle and fitted with applicably short barrels. Today, Winchester markets the Model 1892 in a "Trapper Takedown" form, a "Carbine", a "Case Hardened Sporter", a "Large Loop Carbine", a "Trapper" and a "Short" form.
The Model 1892, like other Winchester rifles, made something of a splash in many notable Hollywood productions. She served as the firearm of choice to "The Rifleman" with lead actor Chuck Connors and was held in high regard by characters as portrayed by Western star John Wayne. Winchester developed a 100th Anniversary John Wayne Commemorative Winchester Model 1892 Carbine as a collectible piece to discerning buyers.
Its use in The Rifleman bears note for the character utilized a modified Model 1892 made to fire directly from the movement of the lever-action - a set screw within the lever loop designed to come into contact with the trigger. This gave the character an amazingly fast rate-of-fire many times quicker than that of the quickest gunfighter on a draw (the cocking action and firing action were all, in essence, one action). To facilitate the action, the lever loop was decidedly enlarged for easier handling.
The Winchester Model 1892 has proven so popular that it still sees production today in other parts of the world such as Brazil, Japan and Italy.
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