Ever since I was a kid watching The Rifleman with Chuck Connors, I’ve been a fan of the big loop Winchester 92 carbine. Heritage Manufacturing is now offering their own clone of this rifle, and I ordered a sample chambered in .45 Colt.
Its fit and finish is impeccable, and the only modern concession is the addition of the manual safety on the top rear of the receiver. Rotating it fully counterclockwise, covering the red dot, engages the safety thereby mechanically blocking the firing pin.
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Perhaps the most notable feature of this particular rifle is its large loop. It brings back memories of John Wayne in Stagecoach or True Grit or the opening credits of The Rifleman with Chuck Connors levering rounds unbelievably fast through his 92. It looks as cool as it is impractical!
I had the opportunity to take my evaluation sample with me to Gunsite for a 3-day event. Over the course of two days, I fired the Heritage 92 on Gunsite’s square ranges, the Military Crest, Scrambler field course and Playhouse shoot house. It performed without a hiccup and turned in some very nice groups at the 50-yard line with an aggregate group size under 2”.
But it is the 92’s short length and beautiful balance that makes this carbine ideal for home/ vehicle defense or use as an all-around truck gun. It’s smooth cycling, 100% reliability coupled with the .45 Colt’s punch makes it an incredibly versatile carbine!
