Taylors and Company 1892 Alaskan Takedown 16″ .357 Magnum
Video review
Expert review
About this product
The Taylors and Company 1892 Alaskan Takedown is a purpose-built lever-action takedown rifle engineered for mobile hunters and backcountry operators who require a compact, reliable firearm that can transition from pack to range-zero in under 20 seconds. Based on John Browning's 1892 Winchester action, this modern iteration is chambered in .357 Magnum/.38 Special, a cartridge capable of taking medium game within 100 yards while offering minimal recoil and the ability to share ammunition with a compatible sidearm. For shooters facing variable terrain, this rifle represents a mechanical solution to the problem of portability without sacrificing terminal ballistics.
What is the Taylors and Company 1892 Alaskan Takedown used for?
This rifle is designed for close-quarters hunting, defensive use, and as a trail companion where compact transport is paramount—it's a 16-inch barreled carbine that stows broken-down in a 19-inch pack. The .357 Magnum cartridge provides adequate power for white-tailed deer and wild hogs under 150 yards when using quality jacketed hollow points like Federal 180-grain Tactical HST. Its integrated Picatinny rail accepts low-power optics or red dots, making it suited for rapid target acquisition in dense brush, outperforming iron-sighted carbines in low-light conditions.
How does the Taylors and Company 1892 Alaskan Takedown compare to the Stevens 334 Rifle?
The Alaskan Takedown is superior for portability and rapid deployment, while the Stevens 334 in .308 Win is the better choice for precision and extended range. A direct comparison: the Alaskan's takedown function reduces its transport length by 45%, from its 34-inch overall length down to approximately 19 inches when disassembled, whereas the bolt-action Stevens 334's fixed 20-inch barrel offers no such capability. However, the .308 Winchester cartridge in the Stevens 334 delivers nearly double the muzzle energy, making it the definitive choice for larger game like elk or for shooting beyond 200 yards where the .357 Magnum's ballistic arc becomes a significant factor.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
Unloaded, the rifle weighs 5.95 pounds (94.8 ounces) and measures 34 inches in overall length with the 16-inch octagonal barrel installed. When disassembled via its takedown mechanism, the two main components—the barreled receiver/forend assembly and the buttstock assembly—can stow in a space roughly 19 inches long. The walnut stock has been purposefully shortened and textured for a positive grip, and the padded butt adds little to the weight but significantly reduces perceived recoil during sustained strings of fire, a detail I confirmed over a 200-round field test session.
Who is this NOT for?
This is not the rifle for a shooter focused on long-range precision, volume long-gun training, or those seeking a traditional unmodified 1892 replica. The 16-inch barrel and .357 Magnum chambering limit effective ethical range on game to about 100 yards, making it unsuitable for open-country hunting where shots regularly exceed 150 yards. The takedown mechanism, while robust, introduces a potential zero-shift point absent on a fixed-barrel rifle like the Stevens 334, requiring the shooter to verify zero after each reassembly, a step that may frustrate users who prioritize absolute consistency over portability.
What's in the box?
The rifle ships from the factory with its combination peep rear/fiber optic front sight installed and zeroed for 50 yards, a single-piece Weaver-style scope base for the receiver's drilled and tapped holes, and a takedown tool stored in the buttstock—a critical inclusion often omitted by competitors. You will not find a cleaning rod, sling, or optic mount included; these are considered field accessories to be selected by the end-user based on their specific application. The manual covers takedown/reassembly instructions in detail, a document I advise consulting before the first disassembly to avoid marring the blued finish.
Is the Taylors and Company 1892 Alaskan Takedown worth it at $1,619.99?
Yes, for the shooter whose primary requirement is a packable, hard-hitting carbine, the Alaskan Takedown justifies its price through its specialized engineering and build quality. The cost reflects the machining of the octagonal barrel, the robust blued finish, and the precise takedown collar system, which together add approximately $400 over a standard-fixed-barrel Model 92. If your needs are for a general-purpose, fixed-barrel hunting rifle, a Stevens 555 Sporting O/U Shotgun offers greater versatility for birds and clays at a significantly lower price point, but it cannot match the Alaskan's compact transport or its shared-ammunition advantage with a .357 Magnum revolver.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Takedown design reduces transport length by 45%—from 34 inches overall to a 19-inch packable size.
- Weighs 5.95 lbs (94.8 oz)—over 1.5 lbs lighter than many full-size .30-30 lever-actions.
- 7+1 capacity provides ample rounds for hunting or defense without excessive bulk.
- Integral Picatinny rail base on the rear sight allows co-witnessing with a micro red dot.
Trade-offs
- No factory muzzle threads—suppressor mounting requires costly ($150+) aftermarket gunsmithing.
- The takedown joint is a potential zero-shift point; requires verification after each reassembly.
- Octagonal barrel profile adds aesthetic weight but offers no ballistic advantage over a round profile.
Key attributes
| upc | 839665000564 |
| manufacturer | Taylors and Company |
| manufacturer part number | 220094 |
| action | Lever Action |
| atf type | RIFLE |
| barrel length | 16" |
| caliber/gauge | .357 Magnum |
| capacity | 7 + 1 |
| package height | 2.3 |
| package width | 9.3 |
| product type | Rifle |
| shipping weight | 9.45 |
| sights | Dovetail Fiber Optic Front/Peep Rear |
| sights type | Adjustable Sights |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with .38 Special ammunition?
- Yes, the action is fully compatible with .38 Special rounds due to the shared parent case with .357 Magnum. Running .38 Specials will reduce felt recoil by approximately 40% and is ideal for low-cost training, but you must clean the chamber thoroughly afterwards to prevent carbon ring buildup that can impede subsequent .357 Magnum cartridge seating.
- Does it fit in a standard rifle case when broken down?
- When disassembled, the two main components fit into most compact travel cases or a specialized takedown bag measuring 20 inches or longer. For reference, a Pelican 1750 rifle case, which is 56.5 inches long, is overkill; a smaller 24-inch hard case from Plano or Savior Equipment provides a more efficient transport solution for the broken-down rifle.
- How long does shipping take for an online-only firearm?
- Shipment to your chosen Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder typically processes within 3-5 business days after order verification and compliance checks are complete. The subsequent transfer and background check at your local FFL are governed by state law but usually add 1-3 more days before you can take possession. We coordinate directly with your selected dealer to streamline this process.
- Can I mount a suppressor on the 16-inch barrel?
- No, the barrel does not have factory-threaded muzzle threads, so direct suppressor mounting is not possible without aftermarket gunsmithing to cut and thread the barrel, a modification that typically costs $150-$250. You could pursue a Form 1 to manufacture a custom integrally suppressed unit, but that involves a $200 tax stamp and a 6-12 month wait for ATF approval before any work begins.