Winchester 1892 Lever Action Rifle Instructions Manual

							charge of this firearm as a result of jarring or abuse
such as occurs when a firearm is dropped. 
ALWAYS ASSUME THAT YOUR GUN CAN
BE FIRED AT ANY TIME, EVEN WITH ALL
SAFETY MECHANISMS ENGAGED. 
WHENEVER YOU ARE NOT ACTUALLY
FIRING YOUR RIFLE ALWAYS BE CERTAIN
THAT YOUR RIFLE IS POINTED IN A SAFE
DIRECTION.
Continually be aware of the position of the safety
(manual hammer stop) on your rifle. Check it both
manually and visually to avoid any chance of acci-
dental discharge. Always keep the safety in the “on”
position unless you are actually firing the rifle. It is a
good idea to keep the action open (with the finger
lever down) at all times other than when you are in
the field and shooting is imminent.
IMPORTANT: IT IS ALWAYS RECOMMEND-
ED THAT THE ACTION BE KEPT OPEN AT
ALL TIMES WHEN YOUR RIFLE IS LAYING
ON ANY BENCH OR TABLE AT A SHOOT-
ING RANGE OR OTHER FACILITY. 
ALWAYS KEEP THE MUZZLE OF YOUR
RIFLE POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION.
FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE ABOVE
INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN INJURY
OR DEATH TO YOURSELF OR OTHERS. 
ASSEMBLY ANDDISASSEMBLY
Your Model 1892 comes fully assembled in the box.
No assembly is required. No disassembly is required
for normal maintenance. 
If your Model 1892 requires disassembly for any rea-
son (such as requiring extra cleaning after being
dropped in water) it should be performed by one of
19
from the full-cock position (see Figure 7).
Immediately remove your finger from the trigger and
slowly and carefully allow the hammer to lower into
the rebound position (see Figure 8).
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THIS RIFLES
SAFETY MECHANISMS—
REMEMBER, NEVER RELY TOTALLY ON
YOUR FIREARM’S MECHANICAL
“SAFETY” DEVICES. 
As is true with other firearms, when the safety mech-
anisms on this rifle are engaged, they are designed to
prevent accidental discharge. However, these mecha-
nisms may not necessarily prevent the accidental dis-
18
Carefully hold the hammer back while pulling the trigger
FIGURE7
Remove finger from trigger and lower the hammer to the
to rebound position
FIGURE8 
						

							BEFORE LOADING YOUR RIFLE MAKE
SURE ALL GREASE AND OIL HAS BEEN
REMOVED FROM THE BARREL AND
CHAMBER, AND THERE ARE  NO
OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE BARREL OR
ACTION AREAS. 
LOADING THE CHAMBER—
The chamber may be loaded two ways. Before
attempting any loading procedure:
MAKE SURE THE BARREL IS POINTED IN
A SAFE DIRECTION AND THAT THE SAFE-
TY (MANUAL HAMMER STOP) IS IN THE
“ON” (SAFE) POSITION AND THE HAMMER
IS IN THE REBOUND POSITION.
• Load the chamber by placing a cartridge directly
into the chamber through the opened action. This is
for single shot loading only with the magazine empty.
to do this, open the action by operating the finger
lever fully down and forward. Insert a round into the
chamber then close the action.  
• Load the chamber by transferring a cartridge that
was previously loaded into the magazine to the cham-
ber by operating the finger lever. To cycle the lever ,
pull it downward and fully forward with the fingers of
your hand inserted in the finger loop (see Figure 9).
21
the U.S. Repeating Arms Authorized Repair Centers
(ARCs). See “Service or Repair” later in this manual
for details on how to obtain service for your
Winchester rifle.
GENERALOPERATION
ALWAYS KEEP THE MUZZLE POINTED IN A
SAFE DIRECTION. 
Prior to using live ammunition, it is essential that you
familiarize yourself thoroughly with these operating
instructions. Get accustomed to the feel of your new
gun. 
• Know the forces required to operate the action
• Know what forces are required to pull the trigger
• ABOVE ALL, KNOW HOW TO PLACE THE
HAMMER INTO THE REBOUND POSITION
AND THE SAFETY (MANUAL HAMMER
STOP) INTO THE “ON” POSITION.
Throughout this manual the “action” refers to the
mechanism of a firearm which loads and secures the
cartridge in the chamber. If the action resists closing,
do not force it. Small pieces of grit or other obstruc-
tions can make it difficult to close the action. Make
sure all surfaces are clean if any unusual resistance is
felt. However, remember that this is a finely fitted
action purposely made with tight tolerances. This
assures your gun of good part-to-part fit for many years
to come and is the sign of a finely crafted firearm. 
LOADING
USE THE CORRECT AMMUNITION AS INDI-
CATED BY THE INSCRIPTION ON THE BAR-
REL. AS EXPLAINED PREVIOUSLY,
20
FIGURE9
Cycle the lever
downward and
fully forward to
open the action 
						

							THE ON POSITION, AND THEN PLACE
THE HAMMER INTO THE REBOUND,
POSITION UPON CLOSING THE ACTION.
LOADING THE MAGAZINE—
The magazine is loaded through the port on the right
side of the receiver. 
1. With the action closed and the safety (manual
hammer stop) in the “on” position and the hammer
in the rebound position, press the spring cover inward
with the tip of the first cartridge until all but the rim
has entered the loading port (See Figure 11A & B). 
2. Then, insert the next cartridge in the same man-
ner, pushing the preceding cartridge into the maga-
zine. 
3. Repeat this procedure with each cartridge, but
push the last cartridge past the end of the spring
cover, allowing the cover to snap closed 
(see Figure 12). Do not exceed the recommended
capacity of the magazine.
BEFORE LOADING, ALWAYS MAKE SURE
TO ALWAYS PLACE THE SAFETY (MANU-
AL HAMMER STOP) IN THE ON POSI-
TION, AND THE HAMMER IN THE
REBOUND POSITION.
CAUTION: ALWAYS MAKE SURE THE CAR-
23
Then return it upward to it’s original position (see
Figure 10). Keep you fingers clear of the trigger at all
times when working the lever.
IN EITHER CASE, ALWAYS FIRST PLACE
THE SAFETY (MANUAL HAMMER STOP) IN
22
Push the last cartridge fully in until the cover
closes.
FIGURE12
FIGURE11B
Push in until almost fully inside the loading gate, then
start another cartridge. Push the last cartridge fully in
with your thumb.
Carefully start the cartridge into
the loading port
FIGURE11A
Return the action
to the closed
position by work-
ing the lever back
and fully up
FIGURE10 
						

							PROCESS MAKE SURE THAT THE SAFETY
(MANUAL HAMMER STOP) STAYS IN THE
“ON” POSITION (WITH THE “S” SHOWING)
AND THAT YOU KEEP YOUR FINGER
AWAY FROM THE TRIGGER AT ALL TIMES.
When cartridges no longer eject when you cycle the
action, further assure that no cartridges remain by
opening the action and visually checking the cham-
ber and feed/magazine mechanism to be sure no car-
tridges remain. 
IMPORTANT: ALWAYS VISUALLY NOTE,
BY LOOKING THROUGH THE TOP OF THE
OPEN RECEIVER, THAT THE MAGAZINE
FOLLOWER IS SHOWING—AND NOT A
CARTRIDGE BASE. 
ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECK THAT NO
CARTRIDGES REMAIN.
After the last live round is moved out of the magazine
and ejected, immediately lower the hammer to the
rebound position as explained previously.
FIRING
IMPORTANT: WHEN YOU ARE PREPARING
TO SHOOT, IT IS ALWAYS ESSENTIAL
THAT YOU BE TOTALLY SURE OF YOUR
TARGET. ALWAYS BE AWARE OF ALL
OBJECTS BEHIND YOUR TARGET. KNOW
THE EXACT LOCATION OF PERSONS WITH
YOU AND ANY OTHERS IN YOUR VICINITY.
PICK YOUR TARGET WISELY AND
CAREFULLY. 
With a loaded cartridge in the chamber,THE 
SAFETY (MANUAL HAMMER STOP) IN THE
“ON” POSITION, THE HAMMER IN THE
REBOUND POSITION AND YOUR FINGER
OFF THE TRIGGER: 
25
TRIDGES ARE OF THE PROPER CALIBER
FOR YOUR RIFLE. CHECK THE AMMUNI-
TION DESIGNATION ON THE BARREL.
FAILURE TO FOLLOW THIS INSTRUCTION
CAN RESULT IN SEVERE DAMAGE TO
YOUR GUN AND POSSIBLE SERIOUS
INJURY TO YOURSELF OR OTHERS. 
UNLOADING
Fully unloading your rifle when storing your rifle or in
other appropriate situations is essential to safe gun
handling. 
BEFORE UNLOADING, CHECK TO ASSURE
THAT THE MANUAL HAMMER STOP IS IN
THE ON POSITION (SAFE) BY PULLING
IT FULLY TO THE REAR UNTIL THE “S”
JUST FORWARD OF THE SAFETY IS VISI-
BLE. KEEP YOUR FINGER AWAY FROM
THE TRIGGER WHEN CYCLING THE
ACTION.
IMPORTANT: 
1. WITH THE GUN POINTED IN A SAFE
DIRECTION AND YOUR FINGER OFF THE
TRIGGER, SWING THE FINGER LEVER
DOWNWARD FULLY. THIS WILL EXTRACT
ANY CARTRIDGE FROM THE CHAMBER
AND EJECT IT. 
Capture (or pick up) the cartridge and return the fin-
ger lever fully upward. 
2. Proceed to operate the finger lever in the same
manner transferring all the remaining cartridges from
the magazine to the chamber and then eject them
out. It is possible, with practice, to carefully work the
lever and capture the loaded ejected cartridges with
your other hand.
THROUGHOUT THE UNLOADING
24 
						

							upward. The closing of the action will transfer a new
cartridge from the magazine to the chamber, leaving
the hammer in a cocked “ready to fire” position. Start
again at step #3 above or go immediately to step #6
below.
3.WHEN THROUGH FIRING ALWAYS
IMMEDIATELY PLACE THE SAFETY (MAN-
UAL HAMMER STOP) IN THE “ON” POSI-
TION AND THE HAMMER IN THE REBOUND
POSITION.
4. To later fire additional cartridges from the maga-
zine —with an empty casing still in the chamber —
simply work the finger lever downward fully ejecting
the empty cartridge and then return the lever to the
original upward position. Repeat the firing sequence
again.
5. WHEN FIRING IS COMPLETED OR WHEN
SHOOTING IS NO LONGER IMMINENT,
IMMEDIATELY RETURN THE SAFETY
(MANUAL HAMMER STOP) TO THE “ON”
POSITION AND RETURN THE HAMMER TO
THE REBOUND POSITION. 
IMPORTANT: UNDER NO CIRCUM-
STANCES SHOULD YOU MOVE ON OR
CONTINUE TO HUNT WITH YOUR HAMMER
OR SAFETY IN THE FIRE POSITION.
6. At this point you will need to either refill the mag-
azine with loaded cartridges (if shooting is going to
continue), or fully unload your rifle (if shooting is
completed). Either way place the safety in the “on
safe” position and the hammer in the rebound
position.
27
1. Firmly position your thumb on the hammer and
draw the hammer back to the full-cock position (see
Figure 13). 
2. Place the safety in the “off” position by pushing it
fully forward, covering the “S”. 
CAUTION: YOUR RIFLE IS NOW READY TO
FIRE. REMEMBER, THE RECOIL FROM A
LARGE CALIBER CENTERFIRE RIFLE WILL
BE SOMEWHAT HEAVY, SO FIRMLY
SHOULDER YOUR GUN, TAKE AIM, AND —
WHEN ON TARGET — SQUEEZE THE
TRIGGER.
3. Firmly shoulder your gun, take aim and when on
target squeeze the trigger smoothly, without jerking.
After firing, let the trigger return to the fully forward
position. 
TO CONTINUE THE LOADING PROCESS AND CHAM-
BER ANOTHER ROUND FOR THE NEXT SHOT:
1. Swing the finger lever fully down extracting and
ejecting the fired cartridge case from the chamber. 
2. Close the action by returning the finger lever
26
When firing is imminent draw the hammer back to the full
cock position
FIGURE13 
						

							possible to cock the hammer and pull the trigger, and
then, when the cartridge fails to fire, think the rifle
has misfired. However, you may have merely forgot-
ten to move the safety to the “off” position. In either
case, always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direc-
tion until you determine the cause.
SIGHTADJUSTMENTS
Model 1892 rifles are fitted with traditional open
sights. 
OPENSTYLESIGHTS
Your firearm can be adjusted to shoot higher by mov-
ing the rear sight elevator backward by one or more
notches. 
In order to shoot lower, the elevator can be moved
forward (See Figure 14). 
The rear sight is attached to the barrel in a dove-
tailed slot machined into the barrel. By gently tap-
ping the rear sight base (where fastened to the barrel)
to the right, your gun will shoot more to the right.
29
IMPORTANT: ALWAYS KEEP YOUR MODEL
1892 SHOULDERED WHEN EJECTING AN
EMPTY CARTRIDGE CASE. Ejection is up and
slightly to the right. If you eject a cartridge with the
rifle lowered and the action directly in front of your
face, it is possible that the ejected cartridge could
strike the shooter in the face. Caution should be
taken by the shooter and bystanders behind the
shooter. When an empty cartridge is correctly ejected
it will fall to the ground in an area behind and to the
right of the shooter.
IN THE CASE OF AMISFIRE
Only rarely will modern factory ammunition experi-
ence a misfire. If this ever happens to you when
shooting your Model 92 please follow these instruc-
tions carefully. 
CAUTION: IN CASE OF MISFIRE, KEEP THE
BARREL POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION,
PLACE THE MANUAL HAMMER STOP IN
THE “ON” POSITION AND CAREFULLY
OPEN ACTION WHILE AVOIDING DIRECT
EXPOSURE TO THE BREECH BY YOUR-
SELF AND OTHERS. 
Carefully inspect the ejected cartridge. If the primer
is indented, the cartridge should be disposed of in a
manner that would prevent accidental injury to you
or others. If there is no indentation, your gun has
malfunctioned and should be serviced by a qualified
gunsmith or by a U.S. Repeating Arms Company
Authorized Repair Center (ARC).
It is important that you be fully familiar and totally
competent with your rifles handling and operation
procedures. With the safety in the “on” position, it is
28
Lift up on the notch holder and
move the elevator forward or
rearward with your fingers.
FIGURE14 
						

							action and oiling key parts. Most regular mainte-
nance will also include cleaning the barrel. If you
encounter a function problem (tight action when
working the finger lever), be sure to give your gun a
thorough cleaning to see if it solves the problem
before seeking the services of our service facility or a
competent gunsmith.
To clean your firearm, follow the general outline
below:
CLEANING PROCEDURES—
BE CERTAIN YOUR GUN’S CHAMBER AND
MAGAZINE ARE UNLOADED. ALWAYS
WEAR PROTECTIVE SAFETY GLASSES
DURING ALL 
KEEP AMMUNITION AWAY FROM THE
CLEANING AREA. DO NOT TEST THE
FUNCTION OF YOUR FIREARM WITH LIVE
AMMUNITION.
ALWAYS PLACE THE SAFETY  (MANUAL
HAMMER STOP) IN THE “ON” (SAFE) POSI-
TION BEFORE BEGINNING ANY CLEANING
PROCEDURE.
1. Open the action. Use a cleaning rod with a tip and
patch suitable for your caliber bore. Make sure the
patch is large enough for a snug fit in the bore. 
Insert the rod and patch into the barrel at the muzzle
end and run it back and forth several times. USE A
CROWN PROTECTOR IF POSSIBLE.Be careful
not to strike the crown of the muzzle with the handle
end of the rod. Damage to this area can affect the
accuracy of the rifle.
2. Inspect the chamber and bore for brass, copper,
lead and powder fouling. A normal amount of powder
residue can be expected and is not serious. It can usu-
31
An adjustment to the left can be made by tapping the
base to the left (See Figure 15). 
Care should be taken not to mar the finish or bend
sights when adjustments are made. 
A NONMARRING BRASS, PLASTIC OR
FIBER HAMMER AND/OR DRIFT IS
ALWAYS PREFERRED FOR THIS OPERA-
TION.
CLEANING ANDMAINTENANCE
SUGGESTIONS
The Model 1892 will function better and more reli-
ably over a longer period of time if it is properly
maintained and kept clean.
BEFORE PERFORMING ANY CLEANING 
PROCEDURES, ALWAYS MAKE CERTAIN
THERE ARE NO CARTRIDGES IN THE
CHAMBER, MAGAZINE OR ACTION/FEED
AREAS.
You should clean your Model 1892 after every day of
shooting and more often if it becomes excessively
dirty. A minimum cleaning includes wiping down the
30
Tap carefully. 
Do not mar the
barrel or sight.
FIGURE15 
						

							7. Wipe all wood surfaces.
8. When transporting only, place your Model 1892 in
a quality protective case to prevent scratches and
dents. Store in a dry place to prevent corrosion. Store
away from children. Make sure your gun is unloaded
and always store ammunition separately.
OTHER CLEANING SUGGESTIONS—
• Never pour large quantities of oil into the receiver
or other parts. It can drain down to the wood and
soften it — and cause permanent damage and loosen-
ing of the stock.
• After extended periods of heavy use, your gun
should be taken to a qualified gunsmith to have the
action disassembled for professional cleaning and
lubrication.
NEVER ATTEMPT TO TAKE YOUR MODEL
1892 APART FURTHER THAN EXPLAINED
IN THIS MANUAL. 
This is a specialized, finely fitted mechanism. You
may permanently mar it by attempting to disassemble
the inner mechanism assemblies. If further disassem-
bly for service or cleaning is required, take your gun
to a U. S. Repeating Arms Company recommended
Service Center or a competent gunsmith as explained
under “Service or Repair.”
33
ally be removed by repeating step one, using a patch
saturated with solvent. If or when fouling should
become heavy, it can be removed with a brass bore
brush. Dip or spray the brush with solvent and scrub
the chamber and bore until the fouling is removed.
To prevent brass bristles from breaking off, the brush
should be pushed completely through the bore before
being withdrawn.
3. After fouling has been removed the bore should be
wiped dry. Then pass a slightly oiled patch through
the bore, for preservation. A fine, light gun oil is rec-
ommended. 
4. Wipe all exposed metal surfaces of the receiver,
forearm and barrel with a clean rag. Finger marks
should be removed because they provide a place
where moisture can accumulate. Any dried oil in the
receiver area should also be removed. 
5. Then lightly oil your gun at the points described
under “Oiling the Action” explained earlier in this
manual. Ordinary good judgment will, of course, indi-
cate that the metal of the gun should receive a light
film of oil any time the rifle has been exposed to
weather or handling. Remember, the polished, finely
fitted surfaces of the receiver and action mechanisms
must always have a thin film of oil. Make sure that
the surfaces of the breech block, lever components
and feed mechanism parts are especially clean and
lightly oiled with a high quality gun oil. Do not use
pure silicone or lanolin.
6. INSPECT THE BARREL AND CHAMBER.
TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT NO PATCHES
HAVE BEEN INADVERTENTLY LEFT IN
THEM. Remove any that remain.
32 
						

							QUESTIONS
If you have other questions about Winchester rifles
and shotguns, call or write our Customer Service
Department:
Customer Service
U.S. Repeating Arms Company, Inc.
275 Winchester Avenue
Morgan, Utah 84050-9333
Phone: 1-800-945-5237
WINCHESTER-GUNS.COM
U.S. Repeating Arms Company offers an information
resource for you on the world wide web. 
• List of authorized repair centers.
• Customer service information.
• Answers to many technical and historical
questions.
• Links to helpful sites.
Go to: www.winchester-guns.com   
35
ORDERINGPARTS
To order parts, please write our parts department and 
furnish the following: your name, address, and tele-
phone number. Also specify the model and serial
number of your gun. When we receive your request,
we will send an order form and a parts breakdown
with prices.
Write to:
Parts Department
U.S. Repeating Arms Company, Inc.
275 Winchester Avenue
New Haven, Connecticut 06511-1970
CAUTION: PARTS ARE MADE FOR
WINCHESTER BRAND FIREARMS MANU-
FACTURED BY OR FOR U.S. REPEATING
ARMS COMPANY, INC., AND SHOULD NOT
BE USED IN OTHER GUNS EVEN THOUGH
MODELS MAY BE SIMILAR. IMPROPERLY
FITTED PARTS MAY BE DANGEROUS.
SERVICE ORREPAIR
If your Winchester firearm should ever need repair or
service, please utilize one of the world-wide network
of U.S. Repeating Arms Company A
uthorized Repair
C
enters for Winchester firearms. If you have any
questions about how to obtain service for your
Winchester firearm, call or write the Authorized
Repair Center (ARC) nearest you. A list of ARCs is
packaged with your new gun. If you need to obtain a
new list of ARCs call us at:
1-203-789-5000
34