Browning B-92-Should I buy it?

[rWt]

I have an opportunity to buy a Browning B-92 in excellent (but not mint-some bluing wear), .357 Magnum, for $950. All original.

It's the only one I have seen for sale in .357.

I have been looking at Marlin 1894's and Winchester 92's (which I don't like very much). Rossi's may be great rifles, but are too plain for my tastes.

I haven;t seen a decent 1894 in .357 for below $800-most closer to $900 that I have looked at in comparable condition to the B-92.

It would be the only lever action rifle that I own. Although I also have my eye on a mid-50's Marlin Texan.

SO, would I be nuts to buy it (parts are HARD to find). Or, would I be nuts not to buy it?

What say ye?

[jgt]

If you want it for shooting the same cartridge in the rifle as in a handgun, then I say buy it. If you just want a lever action and would be content to have one that is a mice to moose gun, then you could buy a Marlin .35 Remington for about half that amount and still have one heck of a rifle.

[rWt]

I don't handload, which narrows my choices.

I've read that the .357 version of the B-92 is very tolerant of ammo selection-as long as it's .357 and not .38 Special.

[BigBore44]

I say if you like it, Buy It! The price will not enter your thoughts once you get it out and enjoy it...
I have a few leverguns and had an older (1980) Marlin 1894 357 and it was a hoot to shoot. I traded it off for a 1895 Cowboy 45-70 that I wanted more. I've never been a real big fan of the 357 Magnum not because it's not good just never been a fan.
I also have two 1894 44 mag Cowboys and I love those and the 44 magnum is one of my favorite calibers. I also have an 1895GS 45-70 Guide Gun that gets used quite a lot in the thicker brush and whatnot.
If you go with the Marlin make sure it's an older JM marked Marlin, before 2008 when Remington took it over and started building junk!
If you get that Texan I would like to see a picture of it. I have a 1974 or 76 336 30-30 Texan and, I also had a 64` 35 Rem Texan.

Good luck with your decision
BigBore44

[brionic]

I have one and love it. I had passed on one earlier, at the old King's Gun Works, and kicked myself for years. Then I found another and snatched it up. I couldn't be happier with it.

They are very nicely finished and are about as close to the original design as you can get, for all intents and purposes.

Mine was really stiff when I got it, with a heavy trigger. Disassembly and smoothing instructions are widely available online; just make sure not to compromise reliability in the name of "slicking it up" as many of the CAS guys do. All you need is patience, guidelines, some basic tools, stones and/or fine finish grade wet/dry sandpaper, and some grease. And then a LOT of cycling, dry firing, and range time. Who knows, though... maybe your example is already broken in.

Take a look at Paco Kelly's writings about the 92, and the .357 in it. Quite informative.

If you end up unhappy with it - which is unlikely - you should have zero trouble selling it, probably for a profit.

Here's mine:

[boolitdesigner]

Yes, buy it. It is a very accurate high quality rifle (better than Winchester did it). You'll be quite happy with it.

[rWt]

Thanks, everyone!

[Rimfire69]

Buy it, I've been wanting a 357 carbine of any sort for a while now, have seen 1 Rossi pass by, seems there not so common used.

[rWt]

Talked to Steve Young today. He's a great guy-very knowledgeable! stevesgunz.com

He's a fan of the Rossi for a couple of reasons (besides he sells them)-the carrier was redesigned some time ago allowing straight cases to feed easier. And, they didn't use a 1:38 rate of twist in the .44 mag and .357 mag, which makes them more accurate then Marlins and Brownings which have the 1:38 rate of twist. He's not sure when Browning or Marlin made the switch in twist rates. I'll need to look up the serial number of the B-92 and hope that its a later gun.

[BigBore44]

Marlin 1894/1894C 357's are 1:16" twist...

[rWt]

Thanks-there is no shortage of confusion and conflicting info on what makes and models had a 1:38 twist, or when the different makes and models changed to 1:16.

The number of folks who say their lever-action rifles are accurate seems to be equal to those that say it isn't. I guess it's like some semi-auto pistols-you have to find a bullet and load that works for that particular gun.

[bradshaw]

Aug 15, 2016 10:27:07 GMT -5 rWt said:

I have an opportunity to buy a Browning B-92 in excellent (but not mint-some bluing wear), .357 Magnum, for $950. All original.

It's the only one I have seen for sale in .357.

I have been looking at Marlin 1894's and Winchester 92's (which I don't like very much). Rossi's may be great rifles, but are too plain for my tastes.

I haven;t seen a decent 1894 in .357 for below $800-most closer to $900 that I have looked at in comparable condition to the B-92.

It would be the only lever action rifle that I own. Although I also have my eye on a mid-50's Marlin Texan.

SO, would I be nuts to buy it (parts are HARD to find). Or, would I be nuts not to buy it?

What say ye?

***
rWt.... a .357 Mag carbine should put velocity in zone with the same bullet fired from a .357 Maximum. During development of the .357 Maximum, Bill Ruger, Jr., had the shop in Southport fit ten barrels to prototype SRM-2. Remington experimental .357 Maximum loaded with 158 JHP was sandbagged for group at 100 yards, yours truly at the wheel. With twists ranging from 1:10 to 1:60-inches, the 1:32" twist printed the tightest groups. My groups consisted of loading the cylinder five times for 30-shot groups; and, loading the cylinder eight times for 48-shot groups.

The second most accurate barrel with this batch of Maximum with 158 JHP started from a 1:16-inch twist. There was little or no wind throughout this series. Shooting was deliberate and cadenced between slow and timed fire. The 1:16 twist was button rifled, with a couple of other twists broach rifled, with hook rifling for the odd twists. Ruger settled on their standard .357 Mag twist of 1:16-inch for the Blackhawk .357 Maximum.

The 1:40" twist dropped off in accuracy, with 1:48" starting to fling. Twists of 1:56 and 1:60" could barely find the 100 yard target board and were lousy at 25 yards.

1:18-3/4", standard for S&W, handles 180 grain bullets, including the rather streamlined .358 Speer 180 Flat Point.

1:16" twist: top accuracy with Hornady .358 200 RN. Too slow for the longer Hornady .358 200 Spire Point.

1:14" twist; stabilizes .358 Hornady 200 Spire Point.

180 grain bullets are more tolerant of a slower twist than a 200 grain. However, I would be surprised if 1:38" stabilizes 180 grain bullets. A bullet marginal on paper is bound to tumble in meat. Quality of the the drilled & reamed bore, and rifled grooves, is more important than bedding, since bedding can be cured.
David Bradshaw

[rWt]

Thank you, David-great information!!!

I purchased the B-92 today. Can't wait to shoot it. Now to figure out what ammo to try first. I'll start with a heavier bullet and progress from there.

[BigBore44]

PM Sent

BB44

[brionic]

Outstanding, David, thank you!

I believe that my B92 has a 1-18 twist, but wouldn't swear to it. Next time I have it out I will verify.