Would you pay $800 for this Winchester 1892 SRC?

[cubrock]

Reblued and import marked (came from Canada). Looks very nice.

Excellent bore.

SRC with the saddle ring removed.

1/2 mag. Correct rear sight.

Price is $800. Local dealer has it.

This is all his description - I haven't held the gun in my hands yet. I'm very tempted to go look at it, but don't really need to spend the money. However, that gun has been on my want list for a couple years and I want a shooter grade gun. A good quality reblue would certainly fit the bill.

Anyway - just curious what you guys think of the price. Thanks for your opinions!

[Pete44ru]

Yeah, I woulda bought it, if I didn't do that already - What's the caliber ?

[cubrock]

Yeah, I woulda bought it, if I didn't do that already - What's the caliber ?

That would help, wouldn't it? .32-20. Sorry I left that out.

[AndyM]

caliber contributes alot to the price. a 25WCF or 32WCF is not going to bring as much as a 44WCF. If it was a 44WCF - i'd jump all over it - if it is not exactly want and is a 32 or 25 WCF i'd wait until another one comes around. I do not think $800 for a 32 or 25 is a great deal considering it is a reblue and the stud is missing. I could care less about being import marked.

[Sixgun]

Cubrock,
By reading that description, the price could be anywhere from $200-$2000. Reblue?---what kind? buffed over lettering and pitted all over, 10 cent gunshop reblue, or a nice factory reblue or a professional's rust blue.----------wood?----original, dented, wood to metal fit, oil stained-------bore condition?--------sights?-----------half mag? original or a backwoods gunsmith's chop down with exposed dovetails.

For anyone comtemplating buying old Winchesters, I strongly encourage them to invest $75 in the Madis book and learn it. Once you have the knowledge, no one can take it away.---------Sixgun

[cubrock]

Cubrock,
By reading that description, the price could be anywhere from $200-$2000. Reblue?---what kind? buffed over lettering and pitted all over, 10 cent gunshop reblue, or a nice factory reblue or a professional's rust blue.----------wood?----original, dented, wood to metal fit, oil stained-------bore condition?--------sights?-----------half mag? original or a backwoods gunsmith's chop down with exposed dovetails.

For anyone comtemplating buying old Winchesters, I strongly encourage them to invest $75 in the Madis book and learn it. Once you have the knowledge, no one can take it away.---------Sixgun

I have not held the gun in my hands, but supposedly it is a nice reblue. The wood looks nice in the pic I have of the gun. Hard to tell from the pic, but the wood to metal fit looks good. The questions re: the sights, mag, and bore condition are answered in my first post.

I'm not looking for a "correct" piece - just a nice shooter-grade original Winchester .32-20. I thought it would be wise to see what people thought about the price, as there is wisdom in a multitude of counsel (seems like I read that in a "good book" one time).

Thanks for your input!

[Mike D.]

Lay the photo on us so we can REALLY make a judgement call.

[cubrock]

Lay the photo on us so we can REALLY make a judgement call.

Now that I have a pic, that would be most helpful, eh?

Upon looking at the pic again, it appears the fit of the buttstock to the tang isn't as good as it could be, but it doesn't look bad. I will have the gun in my hands later in the week. If it is mechanically excellent and the reblue is a good one, I am might tempted to buy it and divest myself of something else in the safe to pay for it.

[bogus bill]

That would be a most beautiful canidate to convert to 357 mag. I just wrote about one I had done years ago, and because I had help it didnt cost probley a 1/10 of what turnbull would get back then. 35 years ago. Looked like a brand new factory job! I stupidly sold it. Check out the other thread on the guy wanting to know what to do with is old 94.

[.45colt]

If I held it in My hands and the reblue was a good job with sharp lettering I would buy it. especially if the bore is good. I Love My 32-20 .Jim.

[Mike D.]

That's not a winchester barrel, unless the post front sight was removed and that FUGLY ramp installed in it's place. The front sght makes it a $400. gun for me.

[cubrock]

That's not a winchester barrel, unless the post front sight was removed and that FUGLY ramp installed in it's place. The front sght makes it a $400. gun for me.

Good catch. I hadn't notice that when I first got the pic. Makes me wonder if it is a cut-down rifle, hence the absence of the saddle ring.

I'll let you know what I think once I have my hands on it.

[Hobie]

My strong feeling is that that is a parts gun and worth about $400 absolute tops. I know I wouldn't pay more than that.

[cubrock]

My strong feeling is that that is a parts gun and worth about $400 absolute tops. I know I wouldn't pay more than that.

The thought just occurred to me that $800 would get me a very nice Browning 53. Given my post about collecting the Browning Winchesters, perhaps I should give that angle some thought....

[KirkD]

The thought just occurred to me that $800 would get me a very nice Browning 53. Given my post about collecting the Browning Winchesters, perhaps I should give that angle some thought....

According to Madis, the front ramp sight with hood became standard on the Model 1892's somewhere in the mid to late 1920's, so the barrel could be original. However, for that price, get yourself a Browning Model 53 32-20. You can't go wrong with that. I got nothing but old Winchesters but even I am being daily and sorely tempted to get a Browning Model 53. That's just how sweet those little rifles are!

[cubrock]

The thought just occurred to me that $800 would get me a very nice Browning 53. Given my post about collecting the Browning Winchesters, perhaps I should give that angle some thought....

According to Madis, the front ramp sight with hood became standard on the Model 1892's somewhere in the mid to late 1920's, so the barrel could be original. However, for that price, get yourself a Browning Model 53 32-20. You can't go wrong with that. I got nothing but old Winchesters but even I am being daily and sorely tempted to get a Browning Model 53. That's just how sweet those little rifles are!

Kirk,

What length barrel do the Browning 53s have? I really like the 20" barrel on the SRC. It is a handy length for toting through the woods.

[KirkD]

What length barrel do the Browning 53s have? I really like the 20" barrel on the SRC. It is a handy length for toting through the woods.

I have an original Browning catalogue for the year they released the Model 53. In the specs, it lists a 22" barrel. I have an original Model 53, but in 25-20, and it, too has a 22" barrel. The overall length of my Model 53 is 39 and 1/2". I assume the Browning is very close to this. I think you'd find the Model 53 very light and compact. As you grow older, you may also appreciate having that front sight an extra 2" away as well.

[3855]

$800 is way too high for a reblued, rebarreled 92. Less than 1/2 of that price would be more appropriate...

For $800, you should be able to find a original unaltered speciman, with a shootable bore, that will also increase in value over the years.

Despite the asking prices on the net, and what you see at gunshows, it is still not unreasonable to expect to find good clean guns at affordable prices. I find them frequently.

[JB]

I'd pass as well. I found a reblued 92 rifle in 32-20 last week. The shop owner told me he'd let it go for $900.00. In my opinion he was asking about twice it's true worth.

[cubrock]

I'd pass as well. I found a reblued 92 rifle in 32-20 last week. The shop owner told me he'd let it go for $900.00. In my opinion he was asking about twice it's true worth.

A few weeks ago, I was at a gun show and could have bought a .32-20 92 SRC with about 50% original finish and very good bore for just over 6 bills. I was being careful with my money and let it pass. If I'd known then what I am contemplating now, I would have bought it. That is the ONLY decent deal I've ever seen on an original 92 with a good bore. I've seen some at similar prices, but with shot-out barrels.

[Marlin .35]

Save yourself from this gun!!!!! I think it is well overpriced. I would get the Browning 53 and be very happy!!! Art

[Pete44ru]

SIGH ! It seems like Everybody's being picky and dreaming, at the same time.

Look at it this way:

If that .32-20 rifle, an original rifle, a Winchester M92 was in 97% - 99% original condition, that $800 rifle would sell for at least $2500-$3000.

I should know, since I sold one last Winter. I traded mine to a dealer for a new Marlin 1895SS, a NIB .44 Browning B92, and $1500 cash.

Then think about my point of view:

For the purchase of a shooter, as opposed to a safe queen, why not pay $700-$800 for a 100% (good) reblued, refinished original, instead of twice (or more) as much ($1500 +) for an untouched gennie in less then pristine, minty condition ? It made sense to me then, and still does.

Why pay $300-$400 for an import, and have to put myself through the aggrivation and added expense & possible shipping/waiting, to upgrage it to what I can buy in the first place ? This makes no sense to me, at all - though I know it makes the world go 'round.

I, for one, (when picking out a "shooter") don't pick out safe queen/collector blemishes, other than to use as a temporary bargaining chip during the purchase negotiations.

[Crazy Horse]

Another vote here for the Browning 53... Mine is the best looking and feeling levergun I have....and I have a good many..