opinions on Rossi?

[RP88]

I've been looking into getting a levergun soon (most likely in .357 or .44 mag) for general shooting and because I do not have any example of the platform in my collection.

I've noticed that Marlin and Rossi generally have a $100-130 difference in price, with Rossi being the less expensive when comparing NIB items (Rossi averages $400-420+ new; Marlin goes for $500-525+ new).

My question is: what makes the Marlin worth the extra money?

Don't get me wrong; I'm eyeing the marlin much more, because of its gold standard and longstanding reputation, and I've heard some concerning lemon reports on the Rossi lines. Also, even though Brazil does make some good things, I'm not particularly excited by the fact considering that the savings here isn't exactly competitive. However, I've read on other forums that many have gotten consistently good performances out of them, save for a few bad examples.

But, if I were to try and save some cash, can I be confident in Rossi, or is the Marlin a whole class above it in terms of product and QS?

 

[TonyAngel]

I have a Rossi in .357. I like it a lot, although it's a bit rough around the edges. Still, to be honest, I got it because it was in a neat little "trapper" package with a 16" barrel. If Marlin had the same offering, I would have gotten the Marlin due to the fit, refinement and smoothness.

 

[GTR done]

I picked up a used marlin 44 mag CP (compact 16" ported), they dont make that model now. Look around for what ya want. I like mine, glad didn't get the Rossi.

 

[CraigC]

They're good guns, particularly the later models. Nothing about a Marlin is "better", they're just different. Actions on all of them tend to be a little rough out of the box. They smooth with use, or judicious stoning.

 

[chas08]

I own both, a Rossi 92 in .44mag and a pair of Marlins, a 336 in .35 Rem, and an 1895 G in 45/70.

I've owned the Rossi the longest, about ten years. It has served me well. The Rossi is light and whippy like a Winchester 94, Which I like in an open sighted brush gun.

The Marlins are heavier and just feel more solidly built, I have low power scopes on them. I've never shot or handled a Marlin 1894, but they are easier to add a scope or peep sights to, if you want, than the Rossi.

I have reached the point where my eyes are not good enough for notch type iron sights in low light or againt dark backgrounds. If I cant find something thats compatible with the 92 with minimal gunsmithing. It will go on the auction block and a Marlin 1894 will replace it.

In short, I wish I had bought the Marlin to begin with, but not because I consider the Rossi inferior.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Rossi = Taurus = Crap IMO Spend the extra $100 and get something you won't immediately have to send back to the factory.

 

[Pokyman]

Kodiaks commemt about sending back to the factory- keep in mind the factory is half way around the world.

 

[CraigC]

Folks that only have experience with Taurus or Rossi revolvers probably shouldn't comment. The Rossi 92's have been on the market for a very long time and are very well reputed and respected by folks who know a lot about leverguns.

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/Default.htm

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/taylor/rossi.htm

 

[wojownik]

I have a Rossi 92 in .45 long colt. I love it - its been reasonably accurate and dependable (I really put it through its paces when I went through my SASS cowboy shooting phase some years back).

Admittedly, it did need a bit of fine tuning - I had the magazine tube spring replaced and the feed ramp was polished. But with those minor mods, the rifle has been 100% for some years now.

My only complaint is that I don't shoot it much anymore, since I can't even afford to even reload .45 LC nowadays

 

[lonestardiver]

I bought my Rossi '92 trapper with big loop about 12 - 13 years ago when I was shooting SASS type matches... I also used it to hunt with in south Texas....great brush gun...light. With SASS loads (44 mag cartridges loaded to sub sonic speeds with bullseye powder very controllable and pleasant to shoot and worked great in my super blackhawks.) Full power mag loads will be noticable in the shoulder due to the steel butt plate...only an issue at the range or if you are shooting a lot with full power loads. It is a great hog popper...240+ grain flatnose with win 296 or h110.

 

[tkcomer]

Here's my opinion. If ya you ever think you might like to put a scope on it, go with the Marlin. If not, grab a Rossi.

 

[oldfool]

'92 top eject slimmer, trimmer, but every bit as strong an action
(cheaper when made in Brazil, vs. made in USA)
1894 side eject, easy scope mounting
both good, get both, I did, like both, equal accracy

fit & finish on either/both (current production) , not what it used to be, true of all firearms "dollar-for-dollar"... but good enuff

 

[gamestalker]

I know a few people that like them. But in my personal experience I don't care for them. They don't seem to be as tight as Ruger's, S&W's, and Taurus. I saw one come in at the gun shop I was working in that had a fracture starting to develope at the beginning of the barrel. It was very new, the guy bought and shot maybe 200 rounds through it, all factory so he said. We sent it back for him and they replaced it with another one. So I guess that might have influenced me some.

 

[CraigC]

They don't seem to be as tight as Ruger's, S&W's, and Taurus.

Since when do Ruger, S&W and Taurus make leveraction 92 replicas???

 

[JoelSteinbach]

When you can Buy AMERICAN, I own 4 Marlin's and have never one problem from them, I have gave away the one Rossi rifle that I had it was not a very reliable gun.

 

[The Real Wyatt]

Kodiak and Pokyman ...

I doubt that either of you have owned a Taurus/Rossi gun. You just parrot internet BS you've heard from a friend of your cousin's friend.

I own many Taurus guns and a Rossi '92 rifle in .45 Colt. I also own Kimbers, Smith & Wessons, Dan Wessons, Rugers and Thompson Centers.

My Taurus/Rossi '92 .45 Colt is one of the finest firearms I own. It accurately shoots anyting I feed it, from the lowly Cowboy loads to the Fire-breathing "Ruger Only" handloads.

A damn fine rifle.

 

[az_imuth]

Rossi = Taurus = Crap IMO Spend the extra $100 and get something you won't immediately have to send back to the factory.

I won't even address the ridiculous "crap" comment for now, but I would like to know where you can find a Marlin 1894 Cowboy in .357 for $100 more than a Rossi. Heck, last time I looked the Cowboy models were nowhere to be found and the price was nearly double the cost of a Rossi.

 

[Hanzerik]

I have two Rossi (LSI Imports) lever actions in .44Mag. Well built, wood fit is great on both, metal finish is great, and both have never had any issues at all. The only modifications I have made to them is changing out the factory sights, and removing the safety on the Short Rifle. I also added sling mounts on the carbine. According to some mine must be a fluke, because they have been chugging along happily through about 1K rounds each with no hiccups feeding any type of 44Mag ammo.

I owned a 44Mag Marlin Cowboy Limited at one time, but liked my 1892 better, so I sold the Marlin (IIRC he was from this site) and bought another Rossi. Sure you can mount a scope easier on a Marlin, but for a pistol caliber cartridge gun, I don't see the point unless you have problems using irons. The Marlin would hang up using LSWCs and you had to work the action pretty hard to get them to cycle, RNFP fed nicely. Nice gun, but like I said, I like the 1892 action better.

And to the poster right above me; I lucked out and found that Marlin Cowboy limited for right at $100 over what I could have bought a Rossi for . I sold it for what I paid for it ($525 shipped).

gamestalker, are you talking about a pistol?

 

[bannockburn]

I picked up a used LNIB Rossi 16" large loop carbine in .45LC last year. The gun is very well made with an excellent fit and finish overall. Accuracy is decent enough with the open sights and it's been completely reliable out of the box. If the action is a little rough or in need of a tune-up, I would recommend contacting Steve Young at stevesgunz.com for additional information or gunsmithing help with Rossi lever actions.

 

[SundownRider]

I owned a Rossi in 44 mag and to smooth out the action I watched two John Wayne movies back to back. Every time a gun went off I worked the action. Got busy during the big shootouts.
After that it was pretty smooth.

 

[Janos Dracwlya]

I have no experience with the Marlins beyond handling them in stores.

I have had a Rossi M92 for about twelve years and used it in Cowboy Action Shooting for five or six of those. It was my go-to shoulder gun for home defense for some time, and I'd still trust it in that role.

It was a little rough when I first got it, but it smoothed out on use alone; people who tried it used to ask me which smith I'd had work on it.

The only problem I ever had was that it hates most SWC bullets, except Zero brand which have much less prominent shoulders.

I would happily buy another.

 

[k_randomfactor]

Kodiak and Pokyman ...

I doubt that either of you have owned a Taurus/Rossi gun. You just parrot internet BS you've heard from a friend of your cousin's friend.

I own many Taurus guns and a Rossi '92 rifle in .45 Colt. I also own Kimbers, Smith & Wessons, Dan Wessons, Rugers and Thompson Centers.

My Taurus/Rossi '92 .45 Colt is one of the finest firearms I own. It accurately shoots anyting I feed it, from the lowly Cowboy loads to the Fire-breathing "Ruger Only" handloads.

A damn fine rifle.

I've been in enough Taurus and Rossi guns that I can say, without a doubt, that they are not the same quality as S&W, Ruger, Marlin, or other higher priced guns.

The leverguns are better quality than their revolvers. I will not dispute that atall atall. That doesn't change the fact that if I was in market for another lever gun, it would be Marlin, Winchester, or one of the Browning repros.

 

[wriggly]

I just picked up a Rossi .38/.357 20 inch round barreled model 92 for $360 new unfired, and it had the Marbles type sights on it (Buckhorn rear, and gold bead front) It is slick enough already to cycle rounds with one finger. The 1892 action is stronger than the Marlin, but I am not trying to slight the Marlins, I would have probably bought one were they available. They have just about dried up because of the Marlin buyout by Remington. It will be a time yet before they complete the move to Ilion, and start making them again. A good source told me to expect a tidy increase in price once Remington starts cranking them out as well.

Shooting .38's out of one of these lever guns is a hoot.

 

[Tamlin]

I have a Rossi 16" .357 levergun. If I had found a Marlin in 16" I would have got the Marlin. Did not like the stock iron sights on the Rossi, and could not adjust them for any kind of decent accuracy. Steve at Steve's Guns told me it is a common problem with the 16" barrels on the Rossi. Ended up putting a Burris Scout Scope on it. Had to have a gunsmith custom mount a rail, but after all was said and done, I'm happy with the gun. No jams, and feeds .38s just as well as .357s. Took it to the range today in fact and consistently obliterated the center of the target without a problem.

 

[lizziedog1]

I've been in enough Taurus and Rossi guns that I can say, without a doubt, that they are not the same quality as S&W, Ruger, Marlin, or other higher priced guns.

You must be a pretty small guy.