Colt M1892
Colt's Manufacturing Company · Revolver · Discontinued · 1892
Also known as: Colt Model 1892, Colt New Army, Colt New Navy, Colt New Army & Navy
Overview
The Colt M1892 is a six-shot, double-action revolver chambered in .38 Long Colt and notable as the first Colt service revolver to use a swing-out cylinder. Adopted by the U.S. Army and Navy in 1892, it replaced the single-action Colt revolvers of the previous generation and introduced faster reloading for American troops. Variants including the New Army, New Navy and later improved models served as the standard U.S. military sidearm through the Spanish-American War and the Philippine-American War. Combat experience exposed the weak stopping power of the .38 Long Colt cartridge, prompting the Army to seek a larger-caliber replacement and ultimately leading to the .45-caliber Colt M1909 and the M1911 pistol.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1050 g (37.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 286 mm (11.26") |
| Barrel Length | 152 mm (5.98") |
| Action Type | Revolving |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Double Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Cylinder |
| Muzzle Velocity | 235 m/s (771 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 269 J (198 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 45 m (49 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | 6 Grooves, Left-Hand Twist |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .38 Long Colt · primary — also known as .38 LC, .38 Colt
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Features: First Colt Revolver With A Swing-Out Cylinder, Solid Frame With Side-Mounted Cylinder Release, Double-Action/Single-Action Trigger, Counter-Clockwise Cylinder Rotation
Production
Production years: 1892-1907
Produced in successive military and commercial patterns before being superseded by the larger-caliber Colt M1909.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Colt's Manufacturing Company
Discontinued: 1907
Notes
Issued in several closely related military models (New Army, New Navy, and the improved 1894/1896/1901/1903 patterns) alongside commercial versions with shorter barrels.
Background
The M1892's underpowered .38 Long Colt round famously failed to reliably stop charging Moro warriors during the Philippine-American War, a shortfall that drove the U.S. military's return to a heavy .45-caliber cartridge and shaped the requirements behind the Colt M1911.