Winchester 1892 Lever Action Rifle Instructions Manual

							U.S. REPEATING ARMS COMPANY, INC.
275 Winchester Avenue
New Haven, CT, U.S.A. 06511-1970
This is one of the famous line of Winchester
World Standard arms. As one of the Classic
Traditions models you can expect the same
quality and satisfaction as with the original
historic Model 1892 introduced over 100 years
ago. And as with the original, you’ll appreciate
its economy of design, quick handling proper-
ties and smooth functioning.
IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS 
FOR
MODEL18 9 2
LEVER ACTION RIFLE
U.S. REPEATING ARMS COMPANY, INC.
275 Winchester Avenue
New Haven, CT, U.S.A. 06511-1970
Administrative Offices:
275 Winchester Avenue, 
Morgan, UT, U. S. A. 84050-9333
Winchester trademarks licensed from Olin Corporation. 
						

							Contents Page
Gun safety warnings  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
General description  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Terminology and descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Serial number  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Ammunition  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Initial cleaning  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Oiling the action  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Operation of the hammer & safety  . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Assembly and Disassembly  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
General operation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Loading  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Unloading  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Firing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
In the case of a misfire   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Sight adjustments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Cleaning and maintenance suggestions  . . . . . . . . 30
Ordering parts / service or repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Questions & Winchester-Guns.com  . . . . . . . . . . .35
1
New gun owner’s record.
Use the space below to record information about your new
Winchester Model 1892 rifle.
Serial Number ____________________________________
Caliber __________________________________________
Grade ___________________________________________
Purchase Price ____________________________________
Purchased From ___________________________________
Date of Purchase __________________________________
Winchester trademarks licensed from Olin Corporation
Printed in USA. • ©1997 • 
KP97082.5/96504 
						

							GUNSAFETYWARNINGS
IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THESE OPERATING
INSTRUCTIONS BE THOROUGHLY STUD-
IED BEFORE USING THIS FIREARM TO
ASSURE PROPER AND SAFE GUN HAN-
DLING. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE
INSTRUCTIONS OR FAILURE TO OBEY
ANY SAFETY WARNING MAY RESULT IN
INJURY TO YOURSELF OR OTHERS, OR
CAUSE DAMAGE TO YOUR GUN. 
As a gun owner, you accept a set of demanding
responsibilities. How seriously you take these respon-
sibilities can be the difference between life and death.
There is no excuse for careless or abusive handling of
any firearm. At all times handle your rifle and any
other firearm with intense respect for its power and
potential danger.
PLEASE READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL OF
THE CAUTIONS, PROPER HANDLING PRO-
CEDURES AND INSTRUCTIONS OUTLINED
IN THIS BOOKLET BEFORE USING YOUR
NEW FIREARM.
1. Do not carry a loaded gun with a live round in the
chamber while walking, running, climbing a tree,
crossing a fence or anywhere you might slip or fall,
drop the gun or otherwise bump or jar the gun. A gun
that is dropped, bumped, or jarred with a chambered
round might accidentally discharge even with the
safety on, causing serious injury to you or someone
else. When a round is chambered keep the safety on
until you are ready to shoot.
2. Do not rely on the safety to prevent accidental dis-
charge. Many safeties merely block the trigger and
prevent firing by pulling the trigger. The safety may
not prevent an accidental discharge due to dropping,
MODEL1892 CLASSICTRADITIONS
When it comes to legends the Model 1892 stands
with the greatest. It is a gun you and your family will
be proud to own, shoot and enjoy for generations. We
sincerely hope that you are pleased with your new
rifle. 
After the incredible success of the Winchester 1886
it was obvious that a smaller caliber version would be
an extremely useful design. That is what lead to the
Model 1892. Like the 1886 it features dual, vertical
locking lugs for impressive strength. But since it was
designed for smaller calibers, the action could be 
significantly smaller and lighter, and even faster
handling. 
Its popularity is legendary. Admiral Peary carried one
on his quest for the North Pole. It was a favorite of
Annie Oakley. Not to mention the thousands of
ranchers and hunters that have relied on one every
day for over a century.
Today’s Classic Traditions Model 1892 comes in sev-
eral grades and caliber configurations. All are beauti-
fully finished and made to the level of precision and
quality that made the originals famous. 
23 
						

							ous injury in case of an accidental discharge. Never
load in the house or in your vehicle.
12. Never shoot at a hard, flat surface or at the sur-
face of water to avoid a ricochet and possible serious
personal injury to yourself or a bystander.
13. Store guns in a clean dry place out of reach of
children and separated from stored ammunition.
14. Never alter any parts of your gun. Any alterations
or adjustments that may become necessary to the
operating mechanism should be performed by a quali-
fied gunsmith.
15. Hunting from elevated surfaces such as tree stands
is dangerous. Doing so may increase the risk of han-
dling any firearm. Always make certain that the stand
being used is safe, sturdy and stable. Always make
certain your firearm is unloaded when it is being
taken up and down from the stand. Always make cer-
tain that your firearm is not dropped from the stand
or dropped while it is being taken up or down from
the stand.
16. Discharging firearms in poorly ventilated areas,
cleaning firearms, or handling ammunition may result
in exposure to lead and other substances known to
cause birth defects, reproductive harm and other seri-
ous physical injury. Have adequate ventilation at all
times. Wash hands thoroughly after exposure.
5
jarring, or bumping a gun.
3. Use only ammunition for which the gun is cham-
bered as indicated on the barrel, to prevent excessive
pressure and possible serious personal injury.
4. Incorrectly reloaded ammunition can cause serious
personal injury and damage to the firearm due to
excessive pressure. Reload only after proper instruc-
tion and in strict compliance with instruction and
data contained in current reloading manuals.
5. Never point a gun at anything you do not intend
to shoot. Always keep it pointed in a safe direction in
case of accidental discharge.
6. Always check to ensure that the barrel is free of
obstructions before loading and using the gun. If you 
experience light recoil or off sound, check the barrel
for obstruction.
7. Before firing, clean any grease or oil out of barrel
with cleaning rod and patch. Grease or heavy accu-
mulation of oil can cause excessive pressure and result
in serious personal injury.
8. Keep barrel, chamber and action free of rust. Rust
in the barrel and chamber can cause excessive pres-
sures resulting in serious injury. A rusted, pitted or
eroded barrel should be replaced.
9. Use hearing protection to prevent ear damage from
repeated exposure to gunfire.
10. Always use proper shooting glasses to prevent eye
injury from flying particles.
11. Never carry a loaded gun in a motor vehicle or
carry one into a dwelling. Always carefully unload
the gun before entering a motor vehicle, a dwelling or
an area such as a camp. Always point a gun in a safe
direction while loading or unloading to prevent seri-
4 
						

							6
MODEL1892 FEATURES
The traditional open sights are
easily adjustable for elevation
and drift adjustable for
windage
7
FIGURE1
The tubular magazine loads
through the right-side mount-
ed loading port in the receiver.
On the top tang youll notice
the primary difference between
todays Winchester 1892 and
the original. Your model fea-
tures a top tang mounted safe-
ty that serves a a hammer
block. The hammer is also of
the rebounding type, to help
prevent accidental discharge.
These safety improvements
give your rifle an added level of
safety you will appreciate.Todays Classic Traditions Model 1892 is a careful
reproduction of one of the original configurations of over
100 years ago.
The 1892 is a classic design, taking many of the effec-
tive and extremely popular features of the Model 1886
and incorporating them in a much smaller rifle for
smaller calibers.
Hunters of the last century
wanted the kind of metal,
crescent buttplate you get on
your Model 1892The select walnut stock is
beautifully cut checkered.
The 1892 demands a high level of careful machin-
ing and hand finish. Qualities that are uncommon
in most of today’s mass produced guns. Qualities
that take more effort but that you will appreciate
for generations.  The two vertical lock-
ing lugs lock into
matching recesses in
the breech bolt for
secure lockup.
The versatile, compact action design was originally
made to handle a variety of shorter cartridges. You
can expect the same reliable feeding with your new
Model 1892. The design of the lever and link 
mechanisms are both clever and unique. Other levers
of the day had bulkier designs that dropped below the
bottom of the receiver. 
						

							GENERALDESCRIPTION
Your new Model 1892 rifle is a modern version of the
rifle that became so popular with tens of thousands of
ranchers, farmers and cowboys late in the 19th centu-
ry. With a few minor exceptions, the action is virtu-
ally identical to the way the originals were made in
1892. The primary difference is the addition of a  top
tang mounted safety switch for added convenience
and an increased margin of safety. The 1892’s safety
mechanism incorporates both a hammer stop and a
rebounding hammer. These advanced features move
the traditional Model 1892 design to a new level of
convenience and safety. These features are explained
in detail later in this manual. 
Figure 1 covers the general features and benefits of
the Model 1892 design.
Cycling the lever smoothly moves a cartridge from
8
the tubular magazine to the chamber. After firing,
working the lever ejects the empty cartridge nearly
straight up and slightly to the right, over your head.
Returning the lever upward cycles a new cartridge
from the magazine into the chamber. The 1892s
uncanny, reliable, smooth function made it an
instant success in its day. We are sure you will appre-
ciate its incredibly design and high level of precision
as you become familiar with it by reviewing these
instructions. 
TERMINOLOGY AND DESCRIPTIONS. 
Descriptions in this manual generally refer to the gun
in the horizontal position. That is, in the normal fir-
ing position. For example, the muzzle is forward or
front; the buttstock is rearward or rear; the trigger is
downward or underneath; the sight is upward or on
top. 
9
FIGURE2A
Forearm
Magazine Tube
Buttplate
Ejection Port
Trigger  Buttstock
Muzzle
Loading PortRear Sight
Receiver
Hammer
Finger Lever Top Tang
Safety/Manual
Hammer Stop
Front Sight
Barrel 
						

							Throughout this manual the “action” refers to the 
mechanism of this rifle which loads and secures the
cartridge in the chamber.
IMPORTANT:Refer to Figures 2A-D for general
part descriptions and terminology regarding your new
rifle. You must become familiar with all part names
listed before proceeding with the rest of the instruc-
tions in this manual.
1110
SERIALNUMBER
The serial number is located on the bottom of the
receiver, where the receiver meets the forearm (see
Figure 2-D). Record the serial number at the front of
this book for future reference. 
AMMUNITION
Your Winchester Model 1892 is designed to shoot
modern factory cartridges only. The caliber of your
new Model 1892 is inscribed on the top of the barrel
in front of the receiver.
MAKE SURE YOU USE ONLY THE EXACT
AMMUNITION/ CALIBER AS LISTED ON
THE BARREL. 
Incorrectly reloaded ammunition can cause serious
personal injury and damage to the firearm due to
excessive pressure. Reload only after proper instruc-
tion and in strict compliance with instructions and
data contained in current reloading manuals.
Winchester ammunition is always an excellent
choice for your new Winchester rifle, delivering the
unmatched performance and dependability you want. 
DISCHARGING FIREARMS IN POORLY
VENTILATED AREAS, CLEANING
Finger lever
FIGURE2B
Safety 
(manual hammer
stop)
FIGURE2C
Vertical locking
lugs Top Tang
Breech Bolt Bottom Tang
Hammer
(rebounding
type)
“On safe” Pushed fully to rear. 
Off safe. Pushed forward.Safety/manual
hammer stop
Receiver Spur of the hammer
Serial Number. Located on the bottom of the
receiver, toward the front.
Record it for future reference.
FIGURE2-D
Trigger guardLoading Port 
						

							FIREARMS, OR HANDLING AMMUNITION
MAY RESULT IN EXPOSURE TO LEAD AND
OTHER SUBSTANCES KNOWN TO CAUSE
BIRTH DEFECTS, REPRODUCTIVE HARM
AND OTHER SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY.
HAVE ADEQUATE VENTILATION AT ALL
TIMES. WASH HANDS THOROUGHLY
AFTER EXPOSURE.
INITIALCLEANING
Some metal parts of your new Model 1892 have been
coated at the factory with a rust preventative com-
pound. Before using your Model 1892, clean the anti-
rust compound from the inside of the barrel, receiver,
cartridge feed mechanism and the action/chamber
areas. A high quality, light gun oil should be used to
remove this compound and to give your new gun its
first lubrication. Clean the barrel using a cleaning rod
and patch as explained under “Cleaning and
Maintenance Suggestions” found later in this manual.
First lubrication suggestions are outlined below.
If your new Model 1892 is for collector’s purposes
only, and is to remain unfired, it is permissible to
leave the rust preventative compound in place and
keep your Model 1892 in its box for maximum pro-
tection during long term storage. 
OILING THEACTION
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 (See Figure 3):
• Along the breech bolt surface.
• Along the breech bolt rail surfaces.
• On all pivot points and bearing surfaces on the
lever mechanism.
Avoid applying too much oil. Only a light film is
necessary. Cleaning and Maintenance Suggestions
should be followed before each oiling.
OPERATION OF THE HAMMER& SAFETY
Your  Model 1892 features a new, innovative safety
(also called a manual hammer stop) built into the top
tang of your rifle, as well as a rebounding hammer
design built into the hammer mechanism itself. 
The Model 1892’s Rebounding Hammeris a safety
feature designed to protect the firing pin from being
struck by the hammer when the trigger is not being
pulled. After firing your rifle the hammer immediate-
ly moves to the rebound position. The hammer can
also be manually lowered from full cock to the
rebound position. From the rebound position, under
normal conditions, the hammer is prevented from
moving forward and striking the firing pin. The
rebound position and the safety (manual hammer
stop) are intended to work together to provide pro-
tection against unintentional or accidental firing.
HAMMER POSITIONS—
The rebounding hammer on your Model 1892 has
two positions as follows:
1312
Lightly oil the action at these points
FIGURE3 
						

							SAFETY POSITIONS—
The safety (also referred to as the manual hammer
stop) is a modern feature built into the action of your
Model 1892 to provide an additional level of safety.
When the safety has been placed in the “on” position
it serves the function of blocking the hammer from
striking the firing pin. Even if the safety is on, it does
not prevent the hammer from falling to the rebound
position when the trigger is pulled. When the trigger
is pulled — with the safety on — the hammer drops,
going immediately to the rebound position without
impacting the firing pin. 
The safety on your new Model 1892 is built into the
top tang of the receiver. The safety “switch” itself is
fitted into an elongated, machined recess in the tang. 
15
• Rebound position.This position (See Figure 4)
takes the place of the dropped and half-cocked posi-
tions found on the original Model 1892s of a century
ago. The rebounding feature of the hammer essential-
ly eliminates the dropped position. The hammer only
travels to the dropped position momentarily after the
trigger has been pulled with the hammer cocked. The
hammer then automatically moves to the rebound
position.
THE REBOUND POSITION IS THE RECOM-
MENDED POSITION OF THE HAMMER AT
ALL TIMES AND SHOULD BE IN THAT
POSITION EXCEPT (1) WHEN FIRING IS
IMMINENT (2) OR IMMEDIATELY AFTER
THE ACTION HAS BEEN CYCLED.
• Cocked position.This is the position that the
hammer is moved to when firing is imminent (See
Figure 5). It is also the position the hammer moves to
when the action is cycled using the finger lever. 
WHEN THE HAMMER IS IN THE COCKED
POSITION THE SAFETY SHOULD BE IN
THE “ON” POSITION (WITH THE “S”
SHOWING) UNLESS FIRING IS IMMINENT.
14
Hammer in the cocked position (ready-to-fire)
FIGURE5
Rebound position of the hammer 
FIGURE4 
						

							spot is covered by the safety and the “S” is visible
(Refer again to Figure 6-A).
To place the safety (hammer stop) in the “off” posi-
tion: Push the safety fully forward, covering the “S”
inscribed on the rifle, and exposing the red warning
dot. When the red dot is visible below the safety it is
in the “off” position (Refer again to Figure 6-B). The
safety can be actuated with the hammer in the
rebound or cocked position.
LOWERING THE HAMMER—
At any time the hammer can be cocked either manu-
ally or by cycling the finger lever fully. Unless shoot-
ing is imminent it is important to lower the hammer
immediately to the rebound position from the cocked
position. To do this: 
1. MAKE SURE THE BARREL IS POINTED
IN A SAFE DIRECTION AND THAT THE
SAFETY (MANUAL HAMMER STOP) IS IN
THE “ON” POSITION.
2. Get a stable grip on your rifle with your hand in
shooting position. Place your thumb on the hammer
and firmly hold the hammer back slightly with your
thumb. 
3. While holding the hammer back, apply just
enough pressure on the trigger to release the hammer
17
“On” Position. 
When the safety is pushed all the way rearward it is
in the “on” position (See Figure 6-A). In this position
an “S” is visible directly in front of the safety. Moving
the safety fully rearward and exposing the “S” blocks
the hammer from striking the firing pin. 
THIS IS THE RECOMMENDED POSITION OF
THE SAFETY FOR ALL TIMES EXCEPT
WHEN FIRING IS IMMINENT. 
“Off” Position. 
When the safety (manual hammer stop) is pushed all
the way forward it is in the “off” position (See Figure
6-B). THIS IS THE POSITION OF THE SAFETY
WHEN FIRING IS IMMINENT.In this position,
when the trigger is pulled, the cocked hammer will
fall and strike the firing pin. If a cartridge is in the
chamber, the firing pin will strike the primer and fire
the cartridge. 
USING THE SAFETY—
To place the safety (hammer stop) in the “on” posi-
tion: First, point your rifle in a safe direction, then
place the safety in the “on” position by pulling it fully
to the rear with your thumb until the red “warning”
16
FIGURE6A
Safety in the on safe position. Fully rearward.
FIGURE6B
Safety in the off safe (fire) position. Pushed forward. 
S