It’s the opening scene for a typical Western movie or TV show. We have been following a rider on the trail. We watch as the drifter/cowboy/marshal/outlaw rides into town and pulls up at a hitching post outside a saloon, bath house, or hotel. The rider dismounts, wraps his horse’s reins around the hitching post, and with his saddlebags across his shoulders, removes his rifle from the saddle scabbard and heads inside. We all recognize the rifle as a lever-action Winchester.
As the late 1800s are replaced by the early 1900s, the lever-action Winchesters were largely replaced with bolt-action or semi-auto rifles. The pendulum has now swung back the other way, and we have multiple producers of lever-action rifles. Taurus now owns two producers of lever-action rifles. Rossi has been manufacturing Winchester and Marlin clones in Brazil for import into the U.S. The latest producer of lever-action rifles is Heritage.
Heritage Manufacturing
Heritage joined the Taurus family in 2012. It has been known primarily for its rimfire single-action cowboy guns, but all that has changed with a new line of lever-action rifles being rolled out this year. The Heritage Model 92 series is designed to replicate the iconic lever-action rifles of yesteryear but with the precision and performance demanded by today’s firearms enthusiasts. These rifles are being produced in the Taurus manufacturing facility in Bainbridge, Georgia.
The Heritage 92 line features a diverse range of calibers including .357 Magnum, .45 Long Colt, and .44 Magnum. Each rifle in the Heritage 92 line is available in three distinctive finishes allowing shooters to choose between stainless with hardwood, PVD gold finish with hardwood, or polished black with hardwood. This gives shooters options to fit their particular style of ownership or perceived use for the gun. Ranch Hand variants of the 92 line provide a Mare’s Leg-style firearm with a big loop lever — perfect for fun days at the range.
Today’s cowboy/rancher/hunter is more likely mounted on an ATV than a horse. A rifle scabbard mounted on an ATV’s handlebars makes the rifle readily available for dispatching pests or acquiring game. Equipped with adjustable buckhorn sights, Heritage 92 rifles promise accurate performance across a variety of shooting scenarios.
Additionally, select models in the line feature different profile barrels. The selection includes an iconic octagonal design available in lengths ranging from 16.5 inches to 24 inches for the rifles, and a 12-inch barrel for the Mare’s Leg. This variety of lengths provides shooters with options to suit individual preferences and shooting needs whether hunting fast moving predators at close range, defending against a charging bear, or taking more measured shots at deer and big game. Capacities range from 6 to 12 rounds, depending on chambering and barrel/magazine tube length. All in all, the Heritage 92 line includes 14 different models with MSRPs between $840.99 and $1030.99.
I’ve owned a Rossi 92 in .44 Magnum for several years. The workmanship on that rifle is superb, but I found myself wishing I had chosen a .357/.38 instead of the .44 Magnum. With Heritage joining the ranks of Taurus rifle producers, I decided now was the time to add a .357/.38 Model 92 clone to the fold. The Heritage rifles are not exact replicas of the John Moses Browning design, but they closely follow the familiar and time-tested layout. The build quality appears solid.
I chose a .357 Magnum/.38 with a 24-inch octagonal barrel, 12-round capacity, and polished black finish. This rifle is 42.8 inches long and weighs 7.3 pounds. These rifles are side loading and top ejecting. They have a manual safety on top of the receiver that is rotated to the left (on) or right (off). Heritage asserts that each of its products is not merely a product but a storyteller, encapsulating the charm and individuality of the Old West — cherished by seasoned aficionados and newcomers alike.
For me, the story is one of remembrances when my mare, Bess, and I traversed the fields and woods of North Mississippi living the cowboy life of 100 years earlier — through my choice of guns: the Winchester in the rifle scabbard and the Colt in the holster. Only those were make believe. Today, thanks to the clones from Heritage, a Ranch Hand in the holster and a 92 in the saddle scabbard, my guns are all they should be to equip me for the cowboy life.
Of the two primary rifle model types made by Rossi and Heritage, one line follows the Marlin 1895/336 layout which is side loading and side ejecting making it perfect for mounting a scope or other optic. Heritage’s 92 and Rossi’s Model 92 are side loading and top ejecting making them more suitable for open sights.
Range Testing
I spent an afternoon with the Heritage 92 at a 25-yard outdoor range. There, I could take advantage of the rifle’s open sights. It had been a while since I’d done any open-sight rifle shooting, so I started my introduction to the 92 with some good old plinkin’ (shooting at cans and such). I followed up by placing a Dot Torture target at seven yards and using the 3-inch diameter dots as individual targets.
The results were spectacular with both .38 and .357 ammo. Spectacular, like 5-round ragged holes in each of the dots fired at. The buckhorn rear sight, along with a brass bead front sight, worked very well. Throughout the range experience, I found the Heritage 92’s action easy to cycle. The length of pull is 12.75 inches. The trigger pull averaged just over 6 pounds.
Cleaning the gun requires no disassembly. In fact, the manual insists that if disassembly is required it should only be done by a competent gunsmith. For cleaning after shooting, all powder residue should be removed from the barrel and action with a brush and solvent. The external metal should be wiped down with a lightly-oiled rag.
Final Thoughts
My overall impression of this Heritage 92, from first open of the box through several shooting sessions, and on to cleaning, reminded me of how much I enjoyed the real Winchester 92 that a close family member had when I was growing up. The pistol caliber Winchesters have such a smooth action due to the shorter length cartridges they share with our belt guns.
Heritage truly has captured the essence of the cowboy world that so many of us envied during the formative years in which our relationship with guns was developing. For me, that period was from age seven through 20 when I went into the Army. Shooting an M16 in the Army and various ARs in civilian life have never meant as much as pulling the trigger and cocking the lever of a lever-action gun.
John Moses Browning sure knew what he was doing when he worked up the design of the Winchester Model 92. Heritage has captured that spirit and passed it along to us.
What’s your best Heritage/Rossi story? Have you fired the Heritage 92? What was your impression? Share your answers in the Comment section.
The Heritage Model 92’s open sights produced 50-yard groups, such as these, consistently. The author’s Heritage 92 has an octagon barrel and brass bead front sight. 
The adjustable Buckhorn sight produces excellent accuracy out to 100 yards. These 3-inch dot targets show off groups shot from the bench at 10 yards using the Buckhorn sight. The 9 circle is .357 Magnum and the 10 circle is .38 Special. 
The Heritage Model 92 brings back Old West memories in fine style, with modern function and reliability. Available in .357 Magnum, .45 Colt, .44 Magnum, and .454 Casull, the Heritage 92 is available in several barrel lengths and finishes. The Heritage Model 92 series features traditional design elements such as octagonal barrels on some models. Finish options include polished black or stainless steel.
Archie, the Heritage and Rossi rifles are not both coming out of the same factory in Brazil. Rossi is still turning out rifles from the Brazil factory, but the Heritage rifles are being made at the Taurus plant in Bainbridge, Georgia.
I was wondering if they build the .308 like henry and browning. I grew up hunting with marlin 22 and 30/30. There is no telling how many squirrels and white tails i have killed with these two rifles, but my eyesight got so bad i cant see the open sights and had to convert to a scope. I purchased a bolt action 308 but perfer a lever action but henry and browning are too expensive forme. I would like any information you can provide me with. Thank you
The Rossi version of these guns are a couple of hundred dollars less than the Heritage version. Both coming out of the same factory in Brazil. They are asking 850..to 1K plus for these rifles. No thank you. Im buying the Marlin, the Henry or the SW model. They are American made by American craftsman. Keeping the jobs here. I won’t buy the FN Winchester version. It’s made in Japan by people who are not allowed to own firearms. Guns out of Turkey I don’t want them period. The way the treat women and religious people over there. Thank you
I was always a Rossi fan until they decided to put that ugly toggle safety switch on top of many of their classic lever and gallery guns. When I buy Rossi anymore, I buy older guns before they put that thing on top. I look for that ugly switch first thing. It is rather reminding me of a big, infected pimple on the nose of a prom queen. Pity! I notice too that a lot of times photos are taken in such way that the guns are leaned over a bit in order to hide that ugly zit. I can’t really tell in the photos in the article. The close-ups don’t appear to have it, but they may tilt it back a bit. The smaller ones appear as though they might. It all depends on how the photo is staged. You rarely see a picture top down, if you did the zit might pop. That is unless Rossi came to its senses and stopped defacing their guns this way.
I still like the looks and feel of my original Winchester Model 1892 vs this new one. it’s been in my family over 80 years when my Father bought it used as a kid. Between my Father and 2 brothers we have harvested over 65 Whitetail deer in Wisconsin and I have taken more than 15 Mule Deer and a 6×6 Bull Elk and countless coyotes. The 44-40 load is accurate and deadly up to 65 yards which is adequate for a stealthy hunter. The serial number identifies this as an 1800’s manufacture with the big difference between these is the curved steel butt plate,which I feel is important.It is a real Classic that I hope my Grandsons will enjoy!
I have used the Rossi 92 for cowboy. It performed well. My only complaints are: The ejected .38spl brass ended up on the brim of my hat and the curved brass butt plate just doesn’t fit me right. I added a slip-on recoil pad and the judge didn’t gig me for that. I much prefer the slide-action “Lightning” model, but I think it was discontinued. Stay safe. j
I’m glad to see a number of rifles chambered in .38 and .357 calibers instead of the more traditional high power/long range traditional rifle calibers. The wide open spaces are shrinking for many Americans and target practice is often replacing active hunting. While a .38 or .357 will go for quite a distance – at least as far as their iron sights will accurately take them, people who might be thousand feet past the backstop barrier will be a little safer than if the shooter was using a traditional high-power rifle round with a range of around a mile.
Well I am probably in the minority. However, guns for me, have one major function, SELF DEFENSE! Every thing I have shot (non AR style) just don’t cut it for me. Nothing shoots quicker or more accurately or easier than an AR15 5.56 NATO. They are like Glocks, they just work!
I guess after the expense of learning how to inefficiently, and expensively, do AR magazine dumps, not surprised to see a trend toward something more slow motion, and just as enjoyable, as a good lever gun. Like the author, I kind of favor the ones in .357/38, REVOLVER Calibre. Some are coming out with sight mounts that allow good quality sights, in place of the buck horn, which to me are a lot like the goal post on a Glock. They work, but not that great. Now fiber optics are nice for open sights. ,),)
I once filled my dream of owning one of the famous Winchester 94s. Unfortunately it was one of those post 1964, made in Ja Pan, and turned out to be the biggest disappointing POS of a firearm anyone could imagine, with its stamped internal fragile parts, and horrible accuracy. Just carry it for a week in the woods, and find all the bullets that were in the tube, shoved down into the brass. Scary, so fulfilled someone else dream with it. Sadly it kind of left a bad feeling about Winchester too after that. Nice to see so many brands now being offered, in case I ever get that itch again.
Years ago, I planned to buy a ROSSI 357 lever action rifle. After trying several, (one that didn’t work/cycle straight off the dealer’s rack), gave up. As a home defense/Hog gun, a 357 carbine is a great choice. How many DAs could claim you are using an “Assault Rifle” if the actual rifle looks like an old time Cowboy rifle? As to varmints, a 357 or 44 carbine is still a great “truck gun” for those unexpected targets of opportunity. Using the 38 spl. or the 44 spl. rounds in lieu of the magnum rounds, these rifles are a great choice for a beginner’s first centerfire rifle. Now if these new HERITAGE model 92s are quality items, they should be a welcomed addition to anyone’s collection. Only suggestion is the option of a shorter length of pull youth/lady’s stock.
Having a Winchester 1873 with actual scabbard wear “rubs me the wrong way” to see the faux finish on the Heritage 92. I love this resurgence of the lever guns, even though they seem to be all pistol caliber carbines. My thanks. always, for another great installment of “The Shooter’s Log”
I grew up near Bainbridge, GA, where my family has deep roots, so I chuckle at the thought of the town being selected by Taurus as its latest firearms mecca. I just hope they don’t intend to hire primates from the planned nearby monkey breeding warehouse. I suspect that’s what Century Arms did (or maybe still does). All joking aside, I wish Heritage success in its new 92 venture. I still remember my first two lever action rifles, but not with fondness. They were a a rough-as-a-cob Rossi 92 in 357 Magnum and a chronically malfunctioning Marlin 1894 in 44 Magnum. That was over 40 years ago, and despite the bitter experience, I was not deterred. The romance of the old west remains strong and I’ve long since acquired better products from both companies and others such as Browning, Winchester, Uberti, and Mossberg.