Browning 92: rebarrel to 44-40 or 38-40

[kaschi]

You guys give good advice so maybe you could chime in here and help a brother in need. Here's the story. I've got two Browning B92 carbines in 44 Mag. One is NIB (which I plan on shooting very soon) and the other is Excellent ++ w/out box that is shot occasionally. I'd like to turn that shooter into a 44-40 or 38-40 by having it rebarreled to one of those two grand old calibers but can't decide on which one to go with. Which would you pick?

I should mention that two other 44-40s live in the gun safe; one being a Winchester 1892 rifle w. 24" round barrel (late 1990s production) and the other a Rossi stainless steel SRC. As a result of already having two 44s, I thought it might be cool to add a 38 to the lot. And by the way, I have about 250 rounds of factory Winchester and Remington 180 grain soft point ammo so loaded ammo and a future brass supply are on hand. Thank you!

[Malamute]

You guys give good advice so maybe you could chime in here and help a brother in need. Here's the story. I've got two Browning B92 carbines in 44 Mag. One is NIB (which I plan on shooting very soon) and the other is Excellent ++ w/out box that is shot occasionally. I'd like to turn that shooter into a 44-40 or 38-40 by having it rebarreled to one of those two grand old calibers but can't decide on which one to go with. Which would you pick?

I should mention that two other 44-40s live in the gun safe; one being a Winchester 1892 rifle w. 24" round barrel (late 1990s production) and the other a Rossi stainless steel SRC. As a result of already having two 44s, I thought it might be cool to add a 38 to the lot. And by the way, I have about 250 rounds of factory Winchester and Remington 180 grain soft point ammo so loaded ammo and a future brass supply are on hand. Thank you!

Any idea what the groove diameter of the barrel youre going to remove is? If its smaller than mine Id be interested in it.

[EdinCT]

44WCF is easier to find brass and Jacketed soft points for. 38 WCF is what was popular in the Northeast so my family used it and I connect to its history. With cast bullets either is a great plinker and farm gun.

[Griff]

I'm a BIG fan of having multiple rifles in a caliber. Like six 45Colts, 28 .30-30s, only two .38 Spls and two 7mmRemMags... and four .223s... In a few moments of sheer stupidity, I only have one, .30-06, one .40-90 and one .45-70... just never seem to have found the "right" mates to go with what I have.

Normally, I'd say the .44WCF is an easy choice... but, you already have ammo for the .38WCF? Clearly, you need SOMETHING to shot that stuff up in!

[ollogger]

with all them other 44-40s it would have to be a 38-40 for me,I do have some in both
38 & 44 WCF & for some reason I prefer the 38-40 but not sure why??



Brad

[Pete44ru]

.

Have you checked on barrel availability ?

While I think a .44-40 barrel might be available through the Winchester/Miroku Parts Dept, IDK where a .38-40 barrel could be found.

Thinking it through a little further, mayhaps a .38-40 barrel could be had via obtaining a .357 barrel & having it re-bored/re-rifled to .38-40 - I guess it would depend upon how much you want to put into the project.



.

[missionary5155]

Greetings
What is the diameter of that 44 Mag barrel ?
If it is a nice .428-.431 just have that barrel rechambered to 44-40 (44WCF). Maybe cost $50... That would be my plan.
Mike in Peru

[Malamute]

Greetings
What is the diameter of that 44 Mag barrel ?
If it is a nice .428-.431 just have that barrel rechambered to 44-40 (44WCF). Maybe cost $50... That would be my plan.
Mike in Peru

Steve recently mentioned that the difference in chamber neck diameter and brass diameter/thickness tends to make for short brass life when so re-chambered.

[kaschi]

Thank you for those posts. If it's going to be a 38-40, the question as to barrel availability is a key issue. Who would be some reputable barrel makers to contact to see if they offer one? The idea of getting a 357 barrel and then having it bored out might get a little costlier that I want to go so finding a "correct" barrel is important…... If that's not possible, the 44-40 will get the nod. In that case, maybe Winchester/Miroku would be the best solution. Wonder if Browning threads and Winchester threads are the same? They came from the same factory so they hopefully are. This would be the easiest and cheapest route of all.
Please name some gunsmiths you've had do rebarreling jobs for you. You can PM your choices if you don't want to post publicly. Thanks again.

[buckeyeshooter]

Here you go! I have several 44-40's but have always wanted a 38-40 too!
http://www.gmriflebarrel.com/wl383028-2 ... rel-blank/

[Sixgun]

These barrel, cartridge guide, lifter, bolt swaps with gun smithing were popular back in the day when people worked for $5 an hour so my suggestion is that unless you have the parts available and a friend gunsmith who can handle it, just go buy another rifle. My educated guess is there will not be much of a difference in price.

But some guys like the challenge and excitement of a rifle/cartridge swap over. That's your call.----6

[.45colt]

It couldn't hurt to get in touch with John Taylor Machine. He seems to have a very Good reputation.
http://johntaylormachine.com/53.0.html

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

If you come upon a drop in 38-40 or even a 44-40 barrel for your B92 please let us know where you found it. Some of the B92's were rifled to 1 in 38 and didn't shoot all that good. So, I have had a couple re-bored to 45lc. If I could find drop in barrels that would make things much easier.

[OldWin]

For me, all things being equal, the 38-40 has it all over the 44-40. I have to do something different with all my 44's to get them to shoot. They (at least my examples) seem much more fussy as to what they need to shoot.

The 38-40, on the other hand just seems to be easy. I have seven, and can shoot the same load and bullet in them all. I get very good accuracy from this cartridge and it is one of my favorites.
Never had one in a handgun though.


I guess for me, if i was going with 44-40, I'd just leave it a 44mag. Easier to load, better brass life, and less hassle. I really like the 44mag from a 92 carbine.

[Malamute]

If you come upon a drop in 38-40 or even a 44-40 barrel for your B92 please let us know where you found it. Some of the B92's were rifled to 1 in 38 and didn't shoot all that good. So, I have had a couple re-bored to 45lc. If I could find drop in barrels that would make things much easier.

Don't all of the Brownings have 1/38 twist from the factory?

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

If you come upon a drop in 38-40 or even a 44-40 barrel for your B92 please let us know where you found it. Some of the B92's were rifled to 1 in 38 and didn't shoot all that good. So, I have had a couple re-bored to 45lc. If I could find drop in barrels that would make things much easier.

Don't all of the Brownings have 1/38 twist from the factory?

Don't know for sure but I was told some were 1 in 20

[abcollector]

Tough choice. I have always wanted a .44-40 WCF but being that you already have a couple, have a nice start of .38-40 WCF ammo, I'd lean towards the latter. However as someone's already mentioned, you'd probably be ahead selling one of the B92's and buying a .38-40 or .44-40 WCF.

[kaschi]

What's the ideal twist rate for a 38-40 barrel?