The Winchester 1892 Short is a lever-action rifle chambered in .44-40 Win. The 20-inch barrel, 10-round tubular magazine, and Grade I walnut stock with oil finish make it a practical working rifle with traditional aesthetics. At 6 lbs it handles well in the field. 
 

Key Specifications 

• Caliber: .44-40 Win. 
• Barrel Length: 20 inches 
• Capacity: 10 rounds 
• Weight: 6 lbs (96 oz) 
• Finish Color: Blue 
• Manufacturer: Winchester 
• Model Number: 1892 Short 
• UPC Code: 048702017445 
   

Detailed Features 

1. Lever Action: Fast follow-up shots with a smooth cycling action. The 1892 design is well-proven and cycles reliably with proper ammunition. 
    
2. 20-Inch Barrel: Shorter than the traditional 24-inch carbine, which improves maneuverability in brush or on horseback without a significant accuracy penalty. 
    
3. Buckhorn Rear Sight and Marble's Gold Bead Front Sight: The buckhorn gives a traditional sight picture; the gold bead acquires quickly in field conditions. 
    
4. Top Tang Safety: Positioned for easy thumb access without disrupting the lever action. 
    
5. Grade I Walnut Stock with Oil Finish: Traditional oil finish shows the wood grain and is easy to touch up in the field. 
    
6. 10-Round Tubular Magazine: Full-length tube holds 10 rounds of .44-40. 
    

Target Audience 

 
Cowboy action shooters who need a SASS-legal lever gun, hunters running .44-40 for medium game, and collectors interested in the classic Winchester lever-action platform. The .44-40 pairing with a revolver chambered in the same caliber is a historically common combination. 
 

Usage Scenarios 

• Cowboy Action Shooting: The 1892 in .44-40 is a natural for SASS and similar events. 
• Medium Game Hunting: .44-40 is adequate for deer and similar game at moderate distances. 
• Collection: The 1892 design is historically significant and the blued walnut configuration is its classic form.

Winchester 1892 Short owners in .44-40 are mostly buying into the platform deliberately. They appreciate the lever-action's history and the .44-40 caliber's cowboy action shooting applications. Discussions reflect genuine enthusiasm for the design rather than generic positive sentiment.

The lever action is described as smooth and satisfying to operate. Accuracy and manageable recoil are mentioned favorably; .44-40 is not a hard-kicking cartridge and the 6 lb rifle handles it without discomfort.

Ammo availability is the main practical discussion point. .44-40 is less common than .38 Special or .357 Magnum for cowboy action, and it costs more. Buyers who shoot high volume at matches sometimes factor this in before committing to the caliber.

The blue finish and walnut stock draw positive comments for appearance. Maintenance of the blued finish comes up occasionally. Blue requires more care than stainless or Cerakote, which some buyers account for before buying. Overall sentiment is strongly positive among the target audience of cowboy action shooters and traditional lever-action enthusiasts.