Just inherited a family Heirloom Winchester 1892 in 38WCF (1893 vintage) Rifles in tip top shape. Is it safe to use smokeless powder in this rifle? I know the later model were just don't know about early model 92's.

Yea, all the factory loads are loaded down so they don't blow up an old colt pistol. The 38-40's can loaded a bit stronger for the rifle. You probably ain't hunting with it anyway.

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Most '92s were for smokeless powder use. Some of the very early production guns were black powder. Does the barrel have any markings to indicate smokeless powder? Should show "Nickel steel"..."Special steel"...or similar marking. If not, pull the front stock and magazine and look at the proof marks on the bottom of the barrel. one make will be "MNS", if so it's smokeless safe. Otherwise assume it is a black powder barrel.

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I never, ever heard of any consideration that 92's should not shoot any ammo.

I will have the gun back in Pa by Friday. It was given to me during are my stay in North Carolina. I will pull forearm off and check it out. It's was produced in 1893 has a 25,xxx serial number. I will post some pics to show it off. Guns been in the wife's side since new but I never knew about it till recently . There are some old boxes of unfired smokeless ammo that were handed down with gun so I have to assume it's been shot with smokeless. Barrel and for that matter the entire gun has no pitting and it easily retains 80% of if original bluing .

My M92 24" round barrel in 38WCF is of 1906 vintage. Handles WW 180gr jacketed FPs very well. They are not particularly potent rounds, as others have noted.

Also have some vintage ammo that came with the rifle, but haven't shot any and don't intend to. They're lead bullet loads, WRA headstamp brass.

Congrats on your new (old) treasure. It sounds like a beauty! I fire smokeless rounds in my '73's and they're 10 years older than yours and with much weaker actions. Just don't use any High Velocity (HV) factory rounds or hot handloads and you'll be fine. I doubt you'll be shooting it a lot anyway.
yooper

I have Winchester, Marlins, Colt Lightnings, Whitney Kennedy's and other original guns in 44-40 as well as 38-40 and shoot them all extensively with no problems...

There was a guy, friend of my father's that made some hotter loads for my brothers 92 SRC. I used to really drool over the 92 src's when I was a kid carrying a ruger 44 carbine with a red field wide field on it. It was a heavy sob, at 11 years old. The 92 was a skinny little thing. Hard to get anyone to make ammo for you anymore.

You are a lucky guy there Mr. 92.

I know back when they use to load HV factory loads for the 92 that had velocities around 1600 + fp. I know the action on the 92 are plenty strong enough for that but I don't know about the early barrels.

first gun i ever deer hunted with was a 92 38wcf

You have received great advise from the other posters.

I was in the same situation as you are now, only 4 years ago.

My 1892 .44-40 sporting rifle was made in 1896.

Early 1892's are good for current factory loads or equivalent hand loads.
The early rifles have the Winchester WP proof mark on the top of the barrel adjacent to the receiver. These early barrels are adequate for any sane smokeless load.

Later 1892's had the WP proof mark on the side of the barrel. These stronger barrels held up better with warmer hand loads with 2400 powder.

Older barrels could bulge the chamber with these heavier loads listed in later manuals from the 1950's through 1960's..............Some of those loads never should have made it into a manual.

I have used 8 grains of Unique behind 200-215 grain cast bullets with very good success in my old rifle and newer 1892's. It is under max and is safe in revolvers and weaker action .44-40 smokeless rifles.

You can look at .38-40 data with a 180 cast bullet and find a similar load.
The current Lyman manual is a good source.

The Winchester cowboy load is mild and very accurate too.