Picked this up at a gun show the other day. Overall its in really good shape for being 99 years old. The only concern for me is some damage at the muzzle. My question is, should i see about fixing it or leave it as is? If i should fix it, what are some options? I don't want to take away it value though.
1892 25-20 Takedown
- Thread starter algsey
- Start date
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A gunsmith with the machines and experience can reface the muzzle and recut the crown.
It won't be cheap, probably around $200 as the barrel will need come off the receiver but it can be done and if done properly it will not detract value, it will add value to the weapon.
In detail,
The 'smith will remove the barrel, place it in a four or five jaw chuck on the lathe, remove as little material as possible to clean up and reface the muzzle.
Then he will use a recrowning tool to recut the muzzle crown while still in the lathe.
Barrel will then be reinstalled on receiver, headspace checked and rifle reassembled.
These old .25/20s are well worth having this done if the overall bore is in good shape.
They are quite accurate and pleasurable shooting rifles.
It won't be cheap, probably around $200 as the barrel will need come off the receiver but it can be done and if done properly it will not detract value, it will add value to the weapon.
In detail,
The 'smith will remove the barrel, place it in a four or five jaw chuck on the lathe, remove as little material as possible to clean up and reface the muzzle.
Then he will use a recrowning tool to recut the muzzle crown while still in the lathe.
Barrel will then be reinstalled on receiver, headspace checked and rifle reassembled.
These old .25/20s are well worth having this done if the overall bore is in good shape.
They are quite accurate and pleasurable shooting rifles.
Don't do it yourself with a hand drill and a countersink stone.
200Apples
Mojave Lever Crew
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I have developed a real fondness for the Model 1892. I also like the idea of take-down rifles/carbines.
Congratulations on your acquisition of a wonderful piece!
I have developed a real fondness for the Model 1892. I also like the idea of take-down rifles/carbines.
Congratulations on your acquisition of a wonderful piece!
witchhunter
Member
I would shoot it first, it might not need a crown or a crown might not help if the bore is bad. Try it out before you spend any money on it.
Mike C2
Member
Like witchhunter said, shoot it first and see what it shoots like. But you can cut the crown yourself by hand, just using the all-knowing Google search and read up on the options and cost of cutters.
tark
Member
I crowned the muzzle on the 30-06 rolling block I made with a RCBS deburring tool! It shoots just fine. Remember, as long as the end of the barrel is squared to the bore, you don't actually need a crown at all. Crowns are put on barrels to protect the rifling in the bore at the point where it ends, should the rifle's muzzle hit hard surfaces. It looks from your pic that there is considerable
rust pitting at the muzzle. That would have to be re-surfaced at minimum.
If you feel the need for a crown there are plenty of inexpensive tools available.
If the bore is too far gone to be a shooter, you would be better off not touching the gun. With a bad bore, but a good exterior, the gun has some collector value, which it won't have if you re-crown it.
rust pitting at the muzzle. That would have to be re-surfaced at minimum.
If you feel the need for a crown there are plenty of inexpensive tools available.
If the bore is too far gone to be a shooter, you would be better off not touching the gun. With a bad bore, but a good exterior, the gun has some collector value, which it won't have if you re-crown it.
The picture quailty kind of sucks, but the bore is actually nice. Its a dark bore, but has strong rifling. It looks like some idiot at one point used the muzzle as a hammer. Its got a couple nasty burrs. Would facing off about a 1/16 to an 1/8" hurt the value of it, if it was done right?
tark
Member
Sounds like a shooter to me. Re-crown that gun and go shooting! I have an 1898 Krag with a bore just like yours that shoots two inch groups at 100 yards.
ApacheCoTodd
member
Crown & shoot.
Then - get you some re-loading dies.
Todd.
Then - get you some re-loading dies.
Todd.
tark
Member
I love the 25-20 round, I have a savage bolt rifle in 25-20 and a Remington model 25. Ammo can be hard to find, you will have to reload if plan on shooting it a lot. I would love to have a 92 in 25-20.
Curiously, the model 25 has almost no crown at all, just a squared off muzzle. And it shoots just fine.
Curiously, the model 25 has almost no crown at all, just a squared off muzzle. And it shoots just fine.
Driftwood Johnson
Member
Howdy
Most of the old Winchester lever guns had no crown at all. The muzzles were flat and the rifling ran right to the end. I just checked a couple of Winchester Model 92s and Winchester Model '73s. No crown at all, just a flat muzzle.
I agree, shoot it first to see if there is a problem.
If you need to clean up the nicks and dents, you can buy a muzzle crowning tool from Brownells for a tad over $100. It comes with a pilot that will be specific to your caliber. If you want to crown another caliber, all you need is a new pilot, you don't need to buy the whole tool.
http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/barrel-tools/barrel-chamfering-tool-kits/45-muzzle-cylinder-chamfering-cutter-brass-pilot-prod18298.aspx
Most of the old Winchester lever guns had no crown at all. The muzzles were flat and the rifling ran right to the end. I just checked a couple of Winchester Model 92s and Winchester Model '73s. No crown at all, just a flat muzzle.
I agree, shoot it first to see if there is a problem.
If you need to clean up the nicks and dents, you can buy a muzzle crowning tool from Brownells for a tad over $100. It comes with a pilot that will be specific to your caliber. If you want to crown another caliber, all you need is a new pilot, you don't need to buy the whole tool.
http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/barrel-tools/barrel-chamfering-tool-kits/45-muzzle-cylinder-chamfering-cutter-brass-pilot-prod18298.aspx
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