Opinions of Rossi .357/.38 lever action rifle?

[leadcounsel]

Saw one today at a local gun shop. It was short, light, blued and darn nice. $350 was the asking price.

Anyone have one of these Rossi lever actions that eats .357 and .38?

If so what's your take?

 

[Tamlin]

I have the Rossi/EMF Hartford version in stainless, 16" bbl. I like it.

 

[Jeff H]

I have the 20" blued version and mine has been flawless, it feeds any ammo I push through it and feels like a 22 when shooting normal 38s and is probably pushing 2000fps on those full bore magnums. The action is a little stiff and the hammer spring is crazy strong but there is enough info on the internet to tell you how to adjust those parts to your liking in an hour or so.

Fun rifle but every time I take it to the range, I have this overwhelming urge to grab my single action revolver as well.

 

[Crowbar Muldoon]

I have the LSI/Puma version. 20" octogonal barrel. Mine is very accurate. Some are more smooth than others, but gunsmith Steve Young sells a video that gives step by step instructions on how to eliminate most of the cycling issues these might have. If you have or buy one of these guns, I recommend it.

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // I have an older one.
Interarms(Rossi Importer), Model 92 SRC, 20" chambered in .38special/.357 mag.

Very accurate with Independence .357 158 gr. JSP and no feed issues.
It double feeds .38 special SWC so I stick to the .357.

One smith says to fix it.

The other says why bother, it cycles .357 extremely well, and the trajectory is so different between light loaded .38s and heavy loaded .357magnums he would have it set up for either or.

I'm still thinking about it.
Your $350.00 price seems fair// 2010 Standard Catalog of Firearms NIB 475//EXC 350//VG 295

 

[greyling22]

I've got the 16" version. it's very light and handy. sights aren't that great. won't take 10 so it's out for cowboy shooting. If you cycle it fast it works ok, but if you cycle it slow, it's not rough, but takes some effort. and it's been slicked up and shot a lot already.

 

[TenDriver]

I have the 44 Mag version and love it. I recommend doing an action job on it, and it will feed easily when done. Nice little rifle!

 

[murdoc rose]

I really dislike pistol rounds in my rifles but as far as function you shouldn't have any problems.

 

[garyhan]

The Rossi is a well regarded lever gun. Mine is a .44/40 and is one of my absolute favorite guns.

gary

 

[exdetsgt]

I have the stainless version in .357. Accurate, action silky smooth, good looking. No complaints. I've run a wide variety of stuff through it; reloads, wadcutters, old ammo, new ammo, and it just doesn't seem to care.

 

[scotjute]

Had one. The action was stiff and the accuracy was so-so. I did not like feeding it as the metal edges were sharp. That said, most of that could have been fixed with a little lite gunsmith work. Gun worked and was light and handy.
Switched to a Henry with removable magazine and like it much better, particularly the accuracy.

 

[exdetsgt]

I'm not much of a rifle guy or I would have known better. Today I loaded my Rossi .38/357 with wad cutters and of course it wouldn't feed them. Once I got them out and reloaded with round nose ammo it worked like a charm. I agree with scotjute about the sharpish metal edges. Took a chunk out of one fingernail, but solved that with a glove. Local gunsmith said he'd take care of that for me. Seems pretty accurate; though I'd like to try a Henry in the same calibre to see if it's any better.

 

[ancientriflesmith]

Rossi are almost 92 Winchesters, Rossi bought Winchesters machinery for making the 92 and other models. Parts don't all interchange but some do.
The older guns were higher quality in my opinion but the new ones are A-OK.
ancient rifle smith

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // Thanks exdetsgt

Read your post, got out the handgun ammo box, feed in some .38 RN and my 92s feeding problems are solved! I just have to stay away from wad cutters and .38LRN are cheap. She just turned into a real plinker.

What one person overlooks another might see from a different view.
Shared knowledge~ ya can't beat it.

 

[Mk VII]

I found that it did not shoot well with Truncated Cone bullet, but RN has been fine.
Some have the front solid with the band, others have it pinned in.

 

[TenDriver]

Mine is an older one with a 4 digit serial number, but it will eat SWC bullets all day long.

It's also recommended you replace the plastic magazine follower with a metal one.