What good is this rifle?

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Hokkmike

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I like western styled guns. Yesterday I saw a Rossi Model 92 trapper model in .45(LC) at a LGS for $650. I REALLY like the looks and handling of it. The wood and metal are also very good. The is bore clean and rifling looks fine. The action works - well......OK. But, it is not suitable for cowboy action shooting as it does not hold ten rounds and the .45 Colt is a debatable deer hunting round. I also think at the listed price that it is a little too expensive. But I am not sure of its value. I am not familiar with Rossi as a brand except to know that most of these kind of guns required some tuning to work smoothly.

Still, I DO LIKE the looks and handling. What is the matter with me that I am attracted to loser guns like this? Can ANYBODY justify a reason to buy this thing?
 
1) You want it.
2) You can afford it.
3) You don't have it.
Those are the only reasons necessary to justify it.
You have an inherent right to "pursue happiness" as you best see it and define it for yourself.


Essentially the same reasons I bought my Marlin .357 magnum lever gun with 16" barrel which maxes out at 8 cartridges in the tube magazine.
 
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The original black powder round was considered capable of bringing down a horse. If your deer hunting a fairly close range situation it should do fine. Home defense maybe? Short, light, and plenty powerful for two legged critters that wish to do you harm. I bought one in 357 just because I wanted one. "Because I want it" is enough excuse to buy it. I f I only owned guns that I felt I needed I wouldn't have but one because I have just about given up on hunting. Just can't make the miles need to do so anymore.
 
45 Colt loaded to potential is plenty for deer, hogs etc. I would argue that rifle to be as effective as and as well suited for hunting as similar rifles in 357, or 44 mag. It’s not a long range gun, but it’s not intended to be. Price wise, these was a .357 locally that I almost bought for $700 new. If it had t been for those terrible buckhorn sights I would have brought that rifle home. I would lean towards the $500 range on a used gun in nice condition. Anything more would have to be like new in box with rear sight replaced but in the box if wanted.
 
The only reason I could think of it is if you think it is a cool gun to have and you are OK with the price. I would have no use for it, personally.
 
The Rossi is also chambered in .454 Casull. So, strength of the action is unquestioned.
Loaded with a Lee 310gr RFN-GC @ .460” with Ruger “only” loads of #2400 or H110, It approaches a factory.45/70 (@ trapdoor pressures).
It is over powered for anything in the lower 48 save moose or black bear.

My favorite load for both my S&W 625 and Win. M94 is the Lee 255gr RFN over 8.2gr of Universal or 9.8gr of LongShot. My buddy using a Taurus Thunderbolt shot a 100lb doe lengthwise with an exit. You could eat up to the bullet hole...
We shot a bunch of armadillos on that hunt. Impact of bullet is louder than gun shot! Think a bass .22lr with a sonic “crack”. (1,200fps from 24”bbl).
 
Lots of folks don't realize that the 1892 is the strongest of the pistol cartridge levers and stronger than many rifle cartridge levers with regards to the pressure they can endure. Stronger than the Winchester 94 and Marlin 336. Paco Kelly wrote of 50,000psi loads in them 20yrs ago, long before they made them in .454. There ain't much in North America that will withstand 260's at nearly 2000fps. Standard "Ruger only" 30,000psi loads are a chipshot for the 92 and the new Rossi's are really nice rifles. Only downside is that the twist rate is typically 1-30" which precludes bullets much over 300gr.
 
45 Colt loaded to potential is plenty for deer, hogs etc. I would argue that rifle to be as effective as and as well suited for hunting as similar rifles in 357, or 44 mag. It’s not a long range gun, but it’s not intended to be. Price wise, these was a .357 locally that I almost bought for $700 new. If it had t been for those terrible buckhorn sights I would have brought that rifle home. I would lean towards the $500 range on a used gun in nice condition. Anything more would have to be like new in box with rear sight replaced but in the box if wanted.

"Terrible buckhorn sights?!??!!!!?????!!?" I must be a championship quality wierdo ......... I love buckhorn sights on my leverguns!!!!:neener::cool: :confused:

Oh well.......
 
"Terrible buckhorn sights?!??!!!!?????!!?" I must be a championship quality wierdo ......... I love buckhorn sights on my leverguns!!!!:neener::cool: :confused:

Oh well.......

Back when I had really good vision I liked them but age has taken a toll on my eyes just like the rest of me and I can do much better with peeps now. Scopes trump all other sights but they just look too weird on any levergun that will accept them for me plus there is a cheekweld problem. I'll admit to sticking a scope on a couple of my levers to check out accuracy capabilities or handloads. but they haven't remained on them.
 
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They’re coming back into vogue a bit more, so the prices for used pistol-caliber lever guns isn’t as low as it was several years back... especially in “ban” states like mine. If it’s well taken care of $650 is a tad high, but isn’t unheard of.

Not counting the rimfire cadre, these are my pistol caliber levers: a Rossi 92 copy in .357 Mag, a Rossi 92 45 Colt and a Win 94 Trapper in .44 Mag.

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Why is the .45 Colt my favorite of all three? Besides the ease of loading cigar butt cartridges into the gate, the .45’s action is slicker than seal snot on an iceberg. Besides, the cavernous maw at the business end looks pretty darn cool :thumbup:.

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Get the rifle, you won’t regret it. ;)

Stay safe.
 
Don't know that anybody will read this as the thread seems to have come to a natural end, but here is an update....
The used rifle in the OP was priced at $650. Went to "Up In Arms" gun store in East Smithfield, PA yesterday and saw a brand new one on the shelf for $675. That tells me something.
 
Yes, it tells you they retain resale value. I have always wanted either a Win. Trapper in .44, or .45 Colt. The Rossi's are a little bit closer to my budget. I'd be more inclined toward the used one, pending a thorough inspection; it's already broken in.
 
Why? Why not.

Throw some Buffalo Bore .45 rounds in there and you’re good for most game in NA.

Besides, pistol cartridge carbines are fun. The price reflects current conditions.
 
Why? Why not.

Throw some Buffalo Bore .45 rounds in there and you’re good for most game in NA.

Besides, pistol cartridge carbines are fun. The price reflects current conditions.

Honestly, I'm not sure a better brush gun than a 44 or 45cal 92 action with a 16" barrel exists.

Plenty of punch when properly loaded for shots inside 100yrds for anything on this continent. Not too much recoil. Light and svelte, easy to maneuver even through the thickest scrub brush. Quick to shoulder, fast follow up shots.

I've watched guys caught up in the thick stuff wiggle around trying to figure out what to do with a 30" muzzle loaders, 22" 45-70s, or 18-22" slug guns. I know I have had much less of an issue getting untangled with my 16" 92.

Not to mention, they're fantastic plinker's at iron sight range. They shoot great off hand. The 44/45's will really ring a gong, or slap a section of log around like few other cartridges.

Get it, and be ready to enjoy a great combo.

My 44's put a bunch of venison in the freezer. But now that I moved out west, I'll probably ditch the reddot and mount a peep sight on it, since it won't be my main deer rifle any more.

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The Rossi is also chambered in .454 Casull. So, strength of the action is unquestioned.
Loaded with a Lee 310gr RFN-GC @ .460” with Ruger “only” loads of #2400 or H110, It approaches a factory.45/70 (@ trapdoor pressures).
It is over powered for anything in the lower 48 save moose or black bear.

My favorite load for both my S&W 625 and Win. M94 is the Lee 255gr RFN over 8.2gr of Universal or 9.8gr of LongShot. My buddy using a Taurus Thunderbolt shot a 100lb doe lengthwise with an exit. You could eat up to the bullet hole...
We shot a bunch of armadillos on that hunt. Impact of bullet is louder than gun shot! Think a bass .22lr with a sonic “crack”. (1,200fps from 24”bbl).
The 454 Casull is not the same gun, different alloy in the receiver, capable of much more abuse than either the 44 mag or 45 Colt chambered ones.
 
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