Taylors 1892 Rifle 45 Colt – Rugged 20 in Octagon Barrel

Description

The Taylors 1892 Rifle 45 Colt is the short, light version of the Browning designed 1892 lever action, with a 20 inch blued octagon barrel, a case hardened frame and hand fitted walnut. It holds ten rounds, measures 38 inches overall and weighs just 6.2 pounds. Taylors lists it as SKU LC1/220040 and the UPC is 839665005675, with manufacture by Chiappa in Italy. MAG5 Firearms stocks it for cowboy action shooters and for anyone who wants a genuinely handy lever gun that shares ammunition with a single action revolver.

A Light, Fast Handling Lever Gun

Six point two pounds is the number that matters here. That is lighter than most modern carbines and it is why a 45 long colt lever action in this configuration feels alive in the hands rather than like a plank. The short 20 inch octagon barrel keeps the weight between the hands, the lever throw is short because the 1892 action was designed for pistol length cartridges, and the whole Taylors 1892 Rifle 45 Colt comes up and points quickly.

45 Colt is a big, slow, heavy bullet and it does exactly what it has always done. Out of a rifle length barrel a standard 250 grain load picks up a few hundred feet per second over a revolver, which makes the Taylors 1892 Rifle 45 Colt a capable close cover deer and hog rifle. It is also an excellent cowboy action cartridge because light cowboy loads are pleasant and quiet, and because the Taylors 1892 Rifle 45 Colt will happily pair with a single action revolver in the same chambering.

Fit and finish is where these rifles justify themselves. The case hardened frame, buttplate and trigger guard carry a real color pattern from heat treatment rather than a printed one, so no two rifles look the same. The walnut stock lever gun furniture is fitted by hand to each barreled action, and the wood to metal fit on a Taylors 1892 Rifle 45 Colt is consistently better than the price would suggest.

Sights, Feeding and Practical Limits

Sights are a dovetail blade front and a dovetail buckhorn rear. The buckhorn is fast at cowboy action distances and it does obscure a small target further out, which is the usual complaint and the reason many owners fit a tang mounted peep. The barrel and receiver are not drilled for a scope, so treat the Taylors 1892 Rifle 45 Colt as an iron sight rifle and plan accordingly if you want optics.

Ammunition profile matters on any tube magazine. Round nose flat point and lead cowboy profiles feed best, and very wide hollow point mouths can hang on the loading gate. The 1 in 16 twist and 0.442 inch bore are set up for standard 45 Colt pressures, so stay away from heavy Ruger or Thompson Center only loads unless the ammunition maker specifically approves them for a lever action rifle. This is an important safety point for any Taylors 1892 Rifle 45 Colt owner and not a marketing caveat.

Two handling notes. The rifle has an internal firing pin and a half cock notch with no crossbolt safety, so carry it hammer down on an empty chamber or at half cock and treat the notch as a carry position rather than a safety. Second, a case hardened frame patinas and is not corrosion resistant, so wipe it down after damp days and keep a light oil film on the metal.

Specifications

• Taylors SKU: LC1/220040
• UPC: 839665005675
• Manufacturer: Chiappa for Taylors and Company
• Caliber: 45 Colt
• Capacity: 10 rounds, tube magazine
• Action: Lever
• Barrel length: 20 in
• Barrel contour: Octagonal, blued steel
• Bore diameter: 0.442 in
• Grooves: 6
• Twist: 1 in 16, right hand
• Overall length: 38 in
• Weight: 6.2 lb
• Frame, buttplate and trigger guard: Case hardened steel
• Stock and forend: Walnut
• Front sight: Dovetail blade
• Rear sight: Dovetail buckhorn
• Trigger: Single

Who Should Buy It

A Taylors 1892 Rifle 45 Colt is the obvious choice for a cowboy action shooter who already runs 45 Colt revolvers, for a hunter working thick cover inside 100 yards, and for anyone who simply wants a light, well made lever gun that does not weigh like a modern rifle. The short barrel and low weight make it a pleasure to carry. Full specifications and the rest of the line are published by Taylors and Company.

If you want more velocity, more capacity and a longer sight radius, the 24 inch 1892 rifle in 357 Magnum gives all three at the cost of a pound of weight and some handiness. If you want optics or a modern safety, a contemporary lever gun is the better answer. Browse the rest of our rifles to compare.

Practical ownership notes. Buy cowboy loads for practice and competition and hard cast flat nose for hunting, and confirm both feed through the magazine before you rely on them. Keep the case hardened metal oiled, run a bore snake through the 20 inch octagon barrel after lead bullet sessions to stay ahead of fouling, and a Taylors 1892 Rifle 45 Colt will give decades of service.

MAG5 Firearms is a family owned FFL dealer in Collegeville, Pennsylvania. This Taylors 1892 Rifle 45 Colt ships to the licensed dealer of your choice, and local buyers can complete the transfer with us in person. Pair it with Atomic Cowboy 45 Colt 200gr and call 610-943-0010 with any questions.