Looking to buy an 1892 replica, trouble deciding

[Roland]

Well yeah a '92 for the sake of having a '92 does say it pretty well I'd say, a .44mag will also have practical use for hunting. I haven't found anyone selling '66s here in Finland but I am not keen on the brass frame look. I like blued and color cased guns. The '73 with a color case receiver is in my opinion the most beatiful rifle design so far developed.

[Sacramento Johnson]

Howdy pard!
 For hunting and using hot loads, stick with the '92.  (No  44 mag available in any toggle link rifle and for good reason.)
As for puma vs armi-sport/chiappa; well, I can't comment on the armi-sport, but I have had a number of brazilian made '92's over the years and I'd say their most recent attempts are pretty darn good compared to what they used to put out! Have a 45colt one and yes, it's a bit stiff in the action compared to some toggle links I've used, but its smoothing up nicely with use, and is a tack driver.  I'd say go for it.
As for carbine versus short rifle vs full length rifle, for hunting, you might want to look at the short rifle or full length rifle (unless you travel alot on horseback!)  Having had all configurations, the longer stock on the rifles fits me better, and the heavier barrel doesn't bounce as much for follow up shots. For those reasons, I'm a little more accurate with the rifle configurations.
As for 44mag, vs 45colt; when it comes to commercially available ammo, it's easier here in the US to get commercial hunting 44 mag in various configurations.  But if you hand load, it becomes a whole different story, and the power can be upped on 45 colt to 44mag level (with lower pressures from what I've read, and one can use heavier bullets!). 
By the way, please add to your list of rifles to get the 1886 Winchester or a clone thereof; truely a piece of history and it'll take you into the power realm of the 45-70!

[Camille Eonich]

You will get a little better, smoother loading if you use a tapered or necked down cartridge so you may want to consider 44-40.  The '92, when chambering, lifts the round to be loaded at an angle.  Straight walled cartridges can add an extra element of difficulty there.

Just something to think about.

[Camille Eonich]

Oh and the Hartfords are a great looking '92.  Can you get those there?

http://www.iar-arms.com/1892-winchester-rifle.htm

[Professor Honeyfuggler]

Just to make things a little more confusing, this year Puma rifles are made by Chiappa, in Italy. Legacy Sports (owner of the Puma brand) announced the change as "an upgrade for 2009."

I have a '92 action Chiappa Puma in .357 I use for CAS, and it's a very nice gun. In a sense I got lucky, because on a dealer's recommendation I started with a much cheaper Rossi '92 carbine, made in Brazil, which worked OK but it only loaded 8 shots, and CAS almost always uses 10 shots per stage... sometimes 10 +1. The dealer accepted responsibility for the mistake, since it was their recommendation, and took the gun back. I stepped up to the Puma, and the difference in the action, stock, finish, and everything else was well worth the extra money. Out of the box it was a much smoother, easier action than the Rossi was, and within 200 rounds it was nicely shot in and scoring me clean stages on the weekends.

To understand why this gun is not available in .44 Magnum, you simply have to look at the market for the product, which is Cowboy Action shooters, and they don't shoot .44 Magnum.

'92 actions in general are sensitive to bullet shape and overall cartridge length. Round nose flat point (RNFP) is generally recommended, to avoid chain fire in the tubular magazine, but I've found Conical Flat Points chamber more reliably for me.

[GunClick Rick]

Got mine from EMF,Hartford92 all color cased on the metal.I have not shot it enough to break it in,but i love it and EMF is an outstanding company..

[Johnny McCrae]

I also bought my 1892 Hartford Carbine (.44-40) from EMF. As Rick said EMF is a great company. I had my gunsmith smooth out the action and it is a very reliable reliable rifle. The reason I bought it was it's reasonable price and also to learn how to reload .44-40 WCF cartridges. Some day I may get an 1873.

[Ike N. Fixit]

I just recieved my 92 rossi in 357/38 special and love it.
It's the FIRST out of the box rifle I have EVER gotten that shoots EXACTLY where you aim it.
I know it's new and somewhat rough action but that will improve i'm sure

Ike N Fixit
#85760

[GunClick Rick]

What loads are good for deer and or bear.Season is comin up,i plan on useing my 92 for huntin this years,i hope..Don't reload so it will have to be factory loads,What say yeee...

Hurry i gotta go soon//

[J.D. Goodguy]

  Check out ammoengine.com and check on 45 ammo.  You will find several very good loads for hunting that should work in a 92.  Heavier bullets and more powder.  Cabela's is one place on the list with the ammo in stock.  Good luck hunting.  JD