Cosmoline
Member
Just picked this Puma M-92 in .44 Mag up in horse trading. I've always wanted a 92, but the prices have gotten completely out of control for Winchesters. This is a nice clone, with the addition of stainless steel. It seems pretty solid overall, and the action cycles well unless you push the OAL of the .44. I didn't care for the rear sight, which was not stable and would not stay put. I've replaced it with another Winchester sight for the time being, but it's a temporary fix. I might go with a flip style sight. Not what you'd associate with a .44, but then again it's just the sort of cartridge that will have lots of drop.
The rifle makes me remember all the ways Winchester screwed up. Though there's a safety on this one, it's not particularly annoying and is fairly easy to get rid of. It's just a little switch on top of the action. I actually don't mind it as an extra measure when I'm checking to see if rounds cycle properly or I'm unloading. The action is nice and stiff, and should work into a nice place over time. I really love the fact that unlike the USRAC 94's the lever doesn't have its own safety. You don't have to squeeze and pinch your palm to make it work.
The wood looks fantastic, but for reasons I can't fathom the Italians buried it under very, very dark stain. I have half a mind to get the sandpaper out and strip it down to bring that grain out.
I stuck a wild west mount on it for illumination in its home defense role and nighttime wildnernes defense. It's such a handy little thing it will likely be my new trail gun.