Winchester Repeating Arms 1892 User Manual

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR

MODEL 1892

LEVER-ACTION AND

LEVER-ACTION

TAKEDOWN RIFLES

This owner’s manual is for Winchester®
Model 1892™ lever-action rifles only.
Supplemental instructions for special edition
Model 1892 rifles must be used in conjunction
with the instructions found in this owner’s
manual. If your supplemental instructions are
missing, contact us immediately for a free copy
or download one online at: winchesterguns.com.

Winchester Repeating Arms

275 Winchester Avenue

Morgan, UT 84050-9333

[phone]

winchesterguns.com

Winchester is a registered trademark of Olin Corporation.

Important instructions for the

Winchester® Model 1892

™

Lever-Action Rifle

Winchester Repeating Arms
Customer Service Department (United States)
275 Winchester Avenue
Morgan, Utah 84050-9333
Phone: [phone]

If you have any questions or comments regarding
your new firearm, please feel free to write or call us.
Use the space below to record information about
your new firearm.

Model __________________________________________

Serial Number ____________________________________

Caliber __________________________________________

Grade ___________________________________________

Content s Page

You Are Responsible for Firearm Safety ................................2

General Description and Operation ...................................... 9

Nomenclature ........................................................................ 9

Serial Number ........................................................................ 9

Initial Cleaning and Oiling ................................................. 13

Operation of the “Safety” ....................................................14

Rebounding Hammer ...........................................................16

Ammunition ........................................................................ 18

Loading ................................................................................19

Firing .................................................................................... 23

Unloading ............................................................................ 25

Sight Adjustment .................................................................26

Takedown Models ................................................................28

Cleaning and Maintenance Suggestions ............................. 36

Parts, Service, Repair and Questions ................................... 39

Website Information ............................................................ 41

Purchase Price ____________________________________

Purchased From ___________________________________

Date of Purchase __________________________________

AO1006/10289

The Model 1892 was born from the incredible success
of the Model 1886 when it became obvious that a
smaller caliber version would be an extremely useful
addition. Like its predecessor, the Model 1892 features
dual, vertical locking lugs for impressive strength in a
more compact, even faster handling size.

The popularity of the Model 1892 is legendary.
Admiral Peary carried one on his quest for the North
Pole. It was a favorite of Annie Oakley, and the first
choice for the legendary actor John Wayne. Hundreds
of thousands of ranchers and hunters have chosen the
Model 1892 over the competition for over a century.

1

You Are responsible For
FireArm sAFetY

FAILURE TO FOLLOW ANY OF THE FOLLOWING
WARNINGS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY
OR DEATH.

As a firearm owner, you accept a set of demanding
responsibilities. How seriously you take these
responsibilities can be the difference between life
and death.

There is no excuse for careless or abusive handling of
any firearm. At all times handle this firearm and all
other firearms with intense respect for their power and
potential danger.

Please read and understand all of the cautions,
warnings, notices, proper handling procedures and
instructions outlined in this owner’s manual before
using your new firearm.

1 ALWAYS KEEP THE MUZZLE OF YOUR FIREARM

POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION EV EN THOUGH
YOU ARE CERTAIN IT IS UNLOADED.

Never point any firearm at anything you do not
intend to shoot. Be extremely alert and aware of
all persons and property within the range of
your ammunition.

2 NEVER RELY TOTALLY ON YOUR FIREARM’S

MECHANICAL “SAFETY” DEVICE. LIKE ANY
MECHANICAL DEVICE, A “SAFETY” CAN
SOMETIME S FAIL; IT CAN BE JARRED OR
INADVERTENTLY MANIPULATED INTO AN
UNSAFE CONDITION.

The word “safety” describes a firearm’s trigger
block mechanism, sear block mechanism, hammer
block mechanism or firing pin block mechanism.
Mechanical “safeties” are designed to place your
firearm in a safer status, and no guarantee can be
made that the firearm will not fire even if the
“safety” is in the on safe position. Mechanical
“safeties” merely aid safe gun handling and are no

excuse for pointing your firearm’s muzzle in an
unsafe direction. See “Operation of the “Safety”
on page 14 for instructions on the operation of
this firearm’s “safety.”

Remember, safe gun handling does not stop with

your firearm’s mechanical “safety” devices, it starts
there. Always treat this firearm with the respect
due a loaded, ready-to-fire firearm.

Some firearms do not have a mechanical “safety.”

Many target firearms, lever-action firearms and
pistols do not have manual “safety” mechanisms.
Therefore it is critical to read and understand the
owner’s manual for every firearm which explains
the safe operation of the firearm.

While it is a good idea to test your firearm’s

mechanical “safety” periodically for proper
function, never test the “safety” while your firearm
is loaded or pointed in an unsafe direction.

3 WHENEVER YOU HANDLE ANY FIREARM, OR

HAND IT TO SOMEONE , A LWAYS OPEN THE
ACTION IMMEDIATELY AND VISUALLY CHECK
THE FIREARM’S CHAMBER TO MAKE CERTAIN
THAT THE FIRE ARM IS COMPLET ELY U NLOADED.

Make certain the firearm does not inadvertently
contain any ammunition. Remember, merely
removing the magazine does not mean the
chamber is unloaded. Always keep the chamber
empty and the “safety” in the on safe position
unless shooting is imminent.

4 ALWAYS WE AR EAR AND EYE PROTECTION

WHEN SHOOTING.

Unprotected, repeated exposure to gunfire can
cause hearing damage. Wear hearing protection
(shooting ear plugs or muffs) to guard against
such damage.

Wear shooting glasses to protect your eyes from

flying particles. Allow proper distance (eye relief)
between a scope and your eye when firing a scoped
pistol, rifle or shotgun. Do not use unorthodox
shooting methods that could cause the rearward
travel of the slide or bolt of a firearm to contact

2

3

your eyes, face or hands. Always keep a safe
distance between the muzzle of your firearm and
any persons nearby, as muzzle blast, debris and
ejecting cartridges could inflict serious injury.

Always wear eye protection when disassembling

and cleaning any firearm to prevent the possibility
of springs, spring-tensioned parts, solvents or other
agents from contacting your eyes.

5 KEEP ALL FIREARMS UNLOADED DURING

TRANSPORT, E VEN WHEN STORED IN A HOLSTER,
GUN CASE, SCABBARD OR OTHER CONTAINER.

6 DROPPING OR JARRING A LOADED FIREA RM CAN

CAUSE ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE.

This can occur even with the “safety” in the
on safe position. Be extremely careful while
hunting or during any shooting activity to avoid
dropping any firearm.

7 HUNTING FROM ELEVATED SURFACE S SUCH AS

TREESTANDS IS DANGEROUS.

Doing so may increase the risk of mishandling a
firearm. The following rules should always be
observed by you and those you hunt with. Always
make certain that the stand being used is safe and
stable. Always make certain that your firearm is
unloaded when it is being taken up and down from
the stand. Always make certain that your firearm is
not dropped from the stand, or dropped while it is
being taken up or down from the stand. Remember,
a loaded firearm may discharge when dropped, even
with the “safety” in the on safe position.

8 STORE YOUR FIRE ARM AND AMMUNITION

SEPARATELY, WELL BEYOND THE REACH
OF CHILDREN.

Take prudent safeguards to ensure your firearm does
not become available to untrained, inexperienced
or unwelcome hands. Store all firearms in secure,
locked cases or a gun safe. Keep your firearm
unloaded when not in use.

9 BEWARE OF BARREL OBSTRUCTIONS.

Mud, snow and an infinite variety of other objects
may inadvertently lodge in a barrel bore. It only

4 5

takes a small obstruction to cause dangerously
increased pressures that can damage your firearm
and cause serious injury to yourself and others.

BEFORE CHECK ING FOR A BARREL

OBSTRUCTION, BE CERTAIN YOUR FIREARM IS
COMPLETELY UNLOADED, THERE IS NOT A LIVE
CARTRIDGE IN THE CHAMBER AND THE
“SA FETY” IS IN THE ON SAFE POSITION.

After assuring yourself that the firearm is

completely unloaded, open the breech or action
and look through the barrel to be sure it is clear of
obstructions. If an obstruction is seen, no matter
how small it may be, clean the bore with a
cleaning rod and patch as described on page 36 of
this owner’s manual.

10 BE ALERT TO THE SIGNS OF AMMUNITION

MALFUNCTION. IF YOU DETECT AN OFF SOUND
OR LIGHT RECOIL WHEN A CARTRIDGE IS FIRED,
DO NOT LOA D ANOTHER CARTRIDGE INTO
THE CHAMBER.

If your firearm fails to fire, keep the muzzle pointed
in a safe direction for a minimum of 30 seconds.
Carefully open the action and remove the
cartridge from the chamber. If the primer is
indented, the defective cartridge should be
disposed of in a way that cannot cause harm. If the
primer is not indented, your firearm should be
examined by a qualified gunsmith and the cause of
the malfunction corrected before further use.
Glance down the barrel to make sure that no
obstructions remain in the barrel. Completely
clear the barrel before loading and firing again.
Failure to follow these instructions can cause
extensive damage to your firearm and possible
serious injury to yourself and others.

11 NEVER INSERT A CARTRIDGE OF THE INCORRECT

CALIBER INTO AN Y FIRE ARM.

The caliber of your firearm is marked on the
barrel. Store all cartridges of different calibers in
completely separate and well-marked containers.
Never store cartridges of mixed calibers in a

common container or in your pockets. See page 18
for more information on the correct ammunition
for your firearm.

12 E XAMINE EVERY CARTRIDGE YOU PUT IN

YOUR FIRE ARM.

We assume no responsibility for the use of unsafe
or improper firearm and ammunition
combinations or damage or injury caused by
damaged ammunition. It is your responsibility
to read and heed all warnings in this owner’s
manual and on ammunition boxes. See page 18
for more information on the correct ammunition
for your firearm.

13 USE ONLY SAAMI APPROVED AMMUNITION.

The barrel and action of this firearm have been
made with substantial safety margins beyond the
pressures developed by established American
commercial loads. Nevertheless, we can assume no
liability for incidents which occur through the use
of cartridges of nonstandard dimensions or which
develop pressures in excess of commercially
available ammunition which has been loaded in
accordance with standards established by the
Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’
Institute (SAAMI).

14 MAKE SURE OF ADEQUATE V ENTIL ATION

IN THE AREA THAT YOU DISCHARGE A FIREARM.
LEAD EXPOSURE CAN OCCUR FROM
DISCHARGING FIREA RMS IN POORLY
VENTILATED A RE AS, CL EA NING FIREARMS
OR HANDLING AMMUNITION.

Lead is a substance that has been known to cause
birth defects, reproductive harm and other serious
injury. Wash hands thoroughly after exposure to
ammunition or after cleaning a firearm.

15 DO NOT SNAP THE FIRING PIN ON AN EMPTY

CHAMBER; THE CHAMBER MAY NOT BE EMPT Y!

Treat every firearm with the respect due a loaded
firearm, even though you are certain the firearm
is unloaded.

16 K EEP YOUR FINGERS AWAY FROM THE TRIGGER

WHILE LOADING AND UNLOADING UNTIL
SHOOTING IS IMMINENT.

17 BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND BACKSTOP,

PARTICULARLY DURING LOW LIGHT PERIODS.

Know the range of your ammunition. Never shoot
at water or hard objects.

18 ALWAYS UNLOAD YOUR FIRE ARM’S CHAMBER

BEFORE CROSSING A FENCE, CLIMBING A
TREE, JUMPING A DITCH OR NEGOTI ATING
OTHER OBSTACL ES.

Never place your firearm on or against a fence,
tree, car or other similar object.

19 BE DEFENSIVE AND ON GUARD AGAINST UNSAFE

GUN HANDLING AROUND YOU AND OTHERS.

Don’t be timid when it comes to firearm safety.
If you observe other shooters violating any of
these safety precautions, politely suggest safer
handling practices.

20 BE CERTAIN YOUR FIREARM IS UNLOADED

BEFORE CLEANING.

Because so many firearm accidents occur when a
firearm is being cleaned, special and extreme care
should be taken to be sure your firearm is unloaded
before disassembly, cleaning and reassembly.

Keep ammunition away from the cleaning

location. Never test the mechanical function of
any firearm with live ammunition.

21 TEACH A ND SUPERVISE FIRE ARMS SAF ET Y TO

ALL MEMBERS OF YOUR FAMILY, ESPECIALLY
TO CHILDREN AND NON-SHOOTERS.

Closely supervise newcomers to the shooting
sports. Encourage enrollment in hunting and
shooting safety courses.

22 NEVER DRINK A LCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OR

TAKE ANY TYPE OF DRUGS BEFORE OR
DURING SHOOTING.

Your vision, motor skills and judgment could be
dangerously impaired, making your gun handling
unsafe to you and to others.

6 7

23 READ AND HEED ALL WARNINGS IN THIS

OWNER’S MANUAL, ON AMMUNITION BOXES
AND WITH ALL ACCESSORIE S T HAT YOU INSTALL
ON YOUR FIREARM.

It is your responsibility to secure the most up-to­date information on the safe handling procedures
of your Winchester firearm. We assume no liability
for incidents which occur when unsafe or improper
firearm accessories or ammunition combinations
are used.

24 PRACTICE PERIODIC MAINTENANCE , AVOID

UNAUTHORIZED SERVICING.

Your firearm is a mechanical device which will
not last forever, and as such, is subject to wear
and requires periodic inspection, adjustment and
service. Winchester firearms should be serviced
by a Winchester Repeating Arms Authorized
Repair Center or by our Service Facility in
Arnold, Missouri. We assume no responsibility
for injuries suffered or caused by unauthorized
servicing, alterations or modifications of
Winchester firearms.

25 WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE ON

FIREA RMS THAT HAVE BEEN ALTERED, ADDED
TO OR S UBSTAN TIALLY CHANGED.

Removal of metal from the barrel, or modifications
of the firing mechanism and/or operating parts,
may lead to a refusal of service on such firearms.
We will charge you for parts and labor to return
the firearm to original specifications.

DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE S, ALTER

THE TRIGGER, “SAFETY” OR OTHER PA RTS OF
THE FIRING MECHANISM OF THIS OR AN Y OTHER
FIREA RM. FAILURE TO OBEY THIS WARNING MAY
RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH TO YOURSELF
OR OTHERS.

B E C A R E F U L !

GenerAl Description AnD operAtion

The Model 1892 rifle is one of the firearms that
changed the face of America during the late 1800s.
Conceived from the genius of John M. Browning, the
lever-action Model 1892 is a scaled-down version of
the powerful Model 1886. Cowboys and frontiersmen
preferred a rifle that fired the same ammunition as
their sidearms, and a smaller version of the rugged,
reliable Model 1886 design was a natural choice. The
Model 1892 features dual, vertical locking lugs for
strength in a compact, faster handling size.

nomenclAture

Descriptions in this owner’s manual generally refer to
the firearm in the horizontal, normal firing position.
For example, the muzzle is forward or front; the
buttstock is rearward or rear; the trigger is downward
or underneath; the sights are upward or on top.

Throughout this owner’s manual the action refers to
the mechanism of this rifle which loads and secures
the cartridge in the chamber.

Figure 1 (pages 10-11) covers the general features and
benefits of the Model 1892 design. The appearance of
your rifle may be slightly different, depending on the

version you purchased. Refer to Figures 2, 3 and 4
(pages 12-13) for general part descriptions regarding
your new rifle.

You must become familiar with all the part names
listed before proceeding with the rest of the
instructions in this owner’s manual.

seriAl number

The serial number of your Model 1892 can be found
stamped on the bottom of the receiver, toward the
front. Record the serial number at the front of this
owner’s manual for future reference.

8 9

(Continued on page 13.)

FIGURE 1

moDel 1892 FeAtures

The Model 1892 of today is a careful reproduction of one
of the original configurations made over 100 years ago.

The Model 1892 design is visually exciting with its
complex machining and hand finishing. These qualities
are uncommon in most of today’s mass produced guns.
They are qualities that take more effort to build, something
you will appreciate for years to come.

Traditional open sights are easily
adjustable for elevation and drift
adjustable for windage.

Innovative rebounding
hammer.

The convenient top-tang
“safety” is easy to reach
with the shooting hand.

The two vertical locking lugs lock
into matching recesses in the
breech bolt for secure lockup.

Your Model 1892 has a beautiful
stock and buttplate design
patterned after classic versions
popular more than a century ago.

The tubular magazine loads
through a loading port in the
right side of the receiver.

The Model 1892 is a compact version of the revered
Model 1886. Smaller, lighter and faster handling than the
Model 1886, the Model 1892 shared the same cartridges as
popular revolvers of the day. That meant the shooter had to
carry only one caliber of ammunition to serve both the rifle
and revolver. The design of the lever and link mechanisms are
both clever and unique. These attributes made the compact
Model 1892 a handy, fast-handling favorite.

11 10

FIGURE 2

Buttstock

Rebounding Hammer

Top-Tang
“Safety”

Receiver

Ejection Port

Rear Sight

Barrel

Front Sight

Buttplate

FIGURE 3

Top-Tang Safety
(Manual Hammer Stop)

FIGURE 4

Hammer

Trigger

Finger Lever

Rebounding Hammer

Vertical Locking Lugs

Finger Lever

Trigger

Loading Port

Forearm

Magazine Tube

Muzzle

initiAl cleAninG AnD oilinG

WEAR EYE PROTECTION WHEN ASSEMBLING A ND
DISASSEMBLING YOUR RIFLE TO PREVENT SPRINGS,
SPRING-LOADED PA RTS, SOLVENTS OR OTHER
AGENTS FROM CONTACTING YOUR E YE S, RESULTING
IN INJURY.

Various exposed metal parts of your new firearm have
been coated at the factory with a rust preventative
compound. Before firing your rifle, clean the anti-rust
compound from the inside of the barrel, receiver and
the action-chamber areas. A fine, light gun oil is ideal
for removing this compound and for giving your new
firearm its first lubrication. However, any quality
firearm oil may be used. Clean the barrel using a
cleaning rod and patch as explained under “Cleaning
and Maintenance Suggestions” on page 36. If your
rifle is to be stored, it is acceptable to leave the rust
preventative compound on the rifle and keep it in its
original packaging.

Before beginning the first firing of your Model 1892
you should first wipe the mechanism completely
clean. Clean the bore and apply a few drops of quality
oil on the following surfaces (Figure 5, page 14):

13 12