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View Full Version : The "44" calibers for Winchester's (Miroku) 1892?


dhthorpe
06-17-2004, 08:25 PM
Here's a quote from the Winchester site:

The original calibers were the 44-40, the 38-40 and the 32-20, the most popular being the 44-40. It sold more than the other calibers combined. Today, you can own any one of these original calibers, but you can't lallygag around. These rifles are in a limited production.

There will be two versions of the 1892. The Model 1892 44 Mag is a short rifle with a 20" tapered octagon barrel. A ten-round tubular magazine will nicely balance the underbarrel. It will be offered in 44 Mag., 38-40 and 32-20. A saddle ring will be fit on the left side, and the stock and fore-end will be carved out of solid walnut with a crescent buttplate fitted.

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OK, here's my question: they say you can buy any of the original calibers like the popular 44-40, but then in the next paragraph they offer the gun, not in 44-40, but in 44 Mag. I have never shot or even held a 44-40 cartridge... is it dimensionally the same as the 44 Mag.? That is, are the cartridges interchangeable?

MikeG
06-17-2004, 08:45 PM
No, the .44-40 has a larger base, and is a slight bottleneck instead of being straight. Not interchangeable at all.

The .44 mag / special chambering is offered for the convenience of using carbide dies (no case lube) and substantially imcreased ballistics over the .44-40, which was originally loaded with black powder.

.44-40 brass has a reputation for being thin and hard to work with, as well.