Rossi leveraction .357mag

[SATX man]

Anyone know what the quality of Rossi rifles? I am looking for a leveraction rifle in .357mag and a friend has one he is thinking of selling, anyone have one? are there any issues with them?

 

[classcpl]

I bought one of the 16" models from Buds Gun Shop last year. Its a fast handling little carbine with a slick action and almost no recoil. I love it. The only things I plan to change on it is replacing the plastic magazine follower with a steel one and adding some type of peep sight. Even with the crappy open sights it will hold 4moa at 100yds with my .357 handloads. Also feeds .38 Special with no problems.

Oh yeah, I absolutely hate the bolt safety and will be removing that very soon.

Ive heard lots of complaints about the early production model but mine is great.

 

[ccsniper]

They make them in .45 colt right? Will they handle the Ruger only loads as well? I am needing a cowboy rifle action that will handle the Ruger only loads as I am planning on picking up a Ruger blackhawk in 44 mag this year.

 

[kanook]

I've got one from the early 90's and love it. The only problem I had with it was when I let myy nephew shoot it. He didn't want to give it back and he shot all my reloads that I mad for my revolver.

 

[gilberto]

I have a trappers carbine in 357. Accurate enough for the little 16" barrel, just doesn't feed 357's very good no matter what bullet I've tried. Feeds 38's slicker than snot. I think polishing the feed ramp would help. For the meantime I just run 38+p's. Other than that, a handy little carbine. Oh, mines the older one without the lawyer safety.

 

[Hanzerik]

They make them in .45 colt right? Will they handle the Ruger only loads as well? I am needing a cowboy rifle action that will handle the Ruger only loads as I am planning on picking up a Ruger blackhawk in 44 mag this year.

I'm not sure about "Ruger Only" loads, but my two .44 Mags have eaten everything I have feed them. Shooting .44 Mag out of a rifle you will gain about an average of 300 fps from the same loads out of a pistol. The steal buttplates on these rifles will bruise you up if you fire a lot from a bench or prone position. The Model 1892 action is one of the strongest lever action actions...some say it is stronger then the Marlin 1894 action. So yes I would say you should be fine shooting heavy loads out of a Puma. Cast 240gr LSWC bullets with Unique for have been my main load so far for plinking, 240gr & 200gr XTP-HP and 2400 will be used for hunting (have not had a chance to shoot the XTP loads yet because of weather and work getting in the way)

Here is a pic of my two Pumas; 20" Short Rifle, and 16" Carbine:

Factory sights have been swapped out with Marble Arms sights all around.

I have a trappers carbine in 357. Accurate enough for the little 16" barrel, just doesn't feed 357's very good no matter what bullet I've tried. Feeds 38's slicker than snot. I think polishing the feed ramp would help. For the meantime I just run 38+p's. Other than that, a handy little carbine. Oh, mines the older one without the lawyer safety.

gilberto, shoot an email to Steve at Steve's Gunz and ask him about the .357 mag loading issue. He is considered the "Expert" on the M92 and should be able to guide you to the solution of your

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

I don't own a Rossi but have friends with Marlins and Winnys, the rifle at the top is every bit as attractive as those are. if it shoots as good as it looks -

 

[19-3Ben]

I wish Marlin would get on making some variety the way that Rossi has. If you want a .357mag marlin levergun, you're stuck with the octagon barrel model, or the 18.5" model.

I want a 16" like the Rossi, and how about large loop versions the way Rossi offers it?

Are the Rossi rifles generally as well made as the Marlins? I want to support Marlin (I live about 3 miles from their factory in North Haven CT but can't afford, and frankly like the options better on the rossi.

 

[chas08]

Anyone know what the quality of Rossi rifles?

I've had an older model 92 with a 20" bbl in .44mag that I bought used about 10 years ago. It's been a great little gun so far. Very dependable and very accurate to 50 yds (that's about as far as I ever shoot it). And not to shabby at a 100. I've taken several Hogs with it (just for fun) and it is my first choice, in a rifle, if I have to go help look for a wounded Hog.

 

[ArmedBear]

The Rossis aren't as smooth as a real Winchester 1892, but I have never heard of anyone having any trouble with the things. They can be slicked up, too, if you want that.

(I have a Marlin .357, myself, but when I got it, it was similar in price to the Rossi. Whichever way you go, a .357 lever gun is just plain "neat", and highly recommended!)

 

[eastbank]

if you can find a older navy arms import made by rossie(no safety) you will have a real nice rifle, navy arms put real walnut on them and had them blued and finished here. i have shot my 92 short rifle in 44-40 between 1200-1400 reloads and have not had a bobble, it eats any thing and my hunting load is 23grs imr 4227 with the 200xtp hornady bullet. eastbank.

 

[Jeff H]

I like mine a lot, it is a new one that I've only had out to shoot once (150 rounds of 38spec and 357mag)

I did a little rudimentary slicking up of the action last night and it cycles much smoother and doesn't throw brass near as far as it used to. I think it could be slicked up a whole lot more than I did to mine, but I didn't want to get carried away polishing everything, I didn't have the patience for that last night. :banghead:

 

[bikerdoc]

OP, If you dont buy it have your friend PM me.

 

[Wanta B]

Go for it,I have a 16"LTD Stainless in .454Casull with about 1200 rounds of .454 and some 2000 odd rounds of .45LC. No problems to speak of. I imagine that in .357 it will be quite nice and last for some time.

I also have a Marlin 1894ltd-SS 16".357 and can tell ya' it is a hoot shootn' with either .357 or plinkn' .38spl. so I would exspect the same from a Rossi

 

[Mr. Whimsy]

I wish Marlin would get on making some variety the way that Rossi has.

I want a 16" like the Rossi, and how about large loop versions the way Rossi offers it?

... can't afford, and frankly like the options better on the rossi.

My thoughts exactly. The Rossi guns look like they have a lot of potential.

 

[Wanta B]

I hear that Remington ownes Marlin now. If true we just may see more sellection from them.

 

[19-3Ben]

I certainly hope so.

In my ideal world, Marlin would make 16" and 18" models of the following:
Blued, stainless, large loop, normal lever, regular wood, fancy grain.

And one with fancy grain wood and a color case hardened receiver. Not that I would ever be able to afford that one, but I'd at least like to lust after it!

 

[Tamlin]

I have the Rossi/EMF model with a 16" bbl. Quality is fine. The short barrel makes the stock sight setup not that great. After adjustments, it still shoots consistently 3" high. I'm getting a scout rail installed and will probably go with a Burris scout scope.

 

[snakeman]

Excellent levergun!

 

[mgkdrgn]

They make them in .45 colt right? Will they handle the Ruger only loads as well? I am needing a cowboy rifle action that will handle the Ruger only loads as I am planning on picking up a Ruger blackhawk in 44 mag this year.

Yes, they make them in 45 Colt And in 44 Mag. However, the two are not interchangeable, cartridge wise. I would assume if you are going to pick up a 44mag revolver you would want the lever gun in the same cartridge.

I have one in 454 Casull/45 Colt, and like it a lot. I normally shoot it in 45 Colt, but got the "bigger" caliber just to insure it would take any 45 Colt I wanted to toss at it.

Now, that said, I don't believe Rossi is going to make the gun in 454 Casull any more, but will continue to make it in 45 Colt. I have one of the last in 454 Casull (NIB) for sale, and have a 45 Colt en-route from my distributor. If you are interested in purchasing before they end up on Gunbroker, PM me. I can also get you one in 44 Mag if that is your desire.

 

[mgkdrgn]

Here is a pic of my two Pumas; 20" Short Rifle, and 16" Carbine:

Factory sights have been swapped out with Marble Arms sights all around.

Hey, how is that tang mounted peep working out for you? I have a Dr. Skinner peep mounted where the rear sight normally is, and that worked out pretty well for me.

 

[carbineguy]

rossi doesnt even compare to marlin or winchester its not a bad gun for the price but dont think its gonna work as smooth or shoot as close of a pattern as a marlin or winchester and by shoot as smooth or eject as smooth i dont mean brand new i mean after like 200 shots the whole gun changes

 

[Wanta B]

Carbineguy,would you be so kind as to elaborate on your comment regarding the Rossi rifles compared to the Marlins and Winchesters? I have had Winchester M94s,two both .45LC,made toward the end of the Conn. plant and got rid of both nearly as fast as I obtained them...pos's to be frank.I currenlty owne three Marlin 1894ltd-SS 16"'ers,a .357,that I shoot rather often,a .44Rem.Mag. and a .45LC. All are quite smooth now,having spent much time working and "smoothing" them. A friend has an old Winchester 1892 in .45LC that is truely smooth. To these I also have a Puma/Rossi M92ltd-SS 16" in .454 Casull that is simply wonderful...very smooth and quite accurate given what it is,3" 7-shot groups @100yrds. w/full power .454C. 2"@100yrds. w/medium power .45LC.

Just want to know your reasoning for the statement. Perhaps I have a "good" one? I have quite a bit of range time with EMFs and other makes of the 1892 action that are VERY nice tof coarse they are not Rossi tho'.

 

[Wanta B]

Carbineguy---Reason I ask is that I have given thought to getting a couple more with the octogon barrels and another .454 Casull.

 

[eastbank]

like i said before i would not buy a rossie with out handleing it, the 44 mag puma i had was a pos, rough as a cobb,would not feed right, let shells go under the lifter and the fit and finish was very bad as was the wood. that being said i had a next to mint con. 92 short rifle with a 20" oct barrel rossie in 44-40 that was imported by navy arms and was finished by navy arms and real walnut put on it, offered to me with the agreement if i didn,t like it i could return it. well i still have it and it has well over 1000 reloads thru it with out a hitch. i still think the tapered case of the 44-40 helps with feeding better than the straite walled cases. eastbank.