Picked up the Rossi 92. Pretty surprised.

[Snakum]

I picked it up today, got the blued 20" round barrel in .357. I took it home and cleaned it well and shot four-shot groups to adjust the sights. I shot one group kneeling at 25 yards to get on paper, then drifted the front sight a whack. Then a second four-shot group kneeling at 40 yards (see target), then another whack. Then a final 40 yard group resting on the ruck sack printed 1.125". Pretty impressive. The only ammo I could find today was Win Whitebox .38 +P JHPs, but will try .357 and .38 SWC as soon as I can find some, as well as .357 JSPs for hunting.

Impressions:
*Action was tight but wasn't as stiff as I expected and will loosen to just about right for me with a few hundred down the tube.

*Loading gate was pretty stiff.

*If I didn't rack it like a man the empty would drop back into the action.

*Surprisingly accurate.

*Fit and finish wasn't bad at all. I expected much worse. It was practically flawless except for a whack or two already on the front sight. Even the wood was decent. Very surprised.

*Loading will take some getting used to in order to get the angle right, and will probably 'spring' the gate spring when I open it up for stoning.

*Did I mention it was surprisingly accurate?

In all, as long as it holds up reliably and feeds well with the various ammo I'll be shooting I can't imagine a better plinker, CAS rifle, and brush gun for $400.00 even plus tax. Very surprising so far.



Last two four-shot groups with the .38 +P JHPs. Printed 1.125 at 40 yards from a ruck sack rest, including two almost into one hole. Nice.

 

[Jonny V]

I bought one in .44 that has the same quirks. I like it. I'm impressed with this weapon, especially considering what I paid for it <$375. Can't go wrong.

 

[Snakum]

I've been really surprised with it so far. Hope that holds true long term.

 

[ThomasT]

If you have to "rack it like a man" then you need to adjust/tune your extractor or ejecter. The one I had would throw emties over my shoulder with just normal lever speed.

You can find tune up tips over on leverguns.com.

 

[CraigC]

They're good guns and an excellent value. They tend to be a little rough on the inside but nothing that a little judicious stoning or a few thousand cycles won't smooth out. Been wanting a 16" .44Mag for utilitarian purposes.

 

[X-Rap]

I just ordered the 16" 454 HiVis stainless model to match up with my Ruger Alaskan. Has anybody had experience with those?
It looks like the 357 is a nice shooter.

 

[Tommygunn]

I agree with ratshooter. I have a Browning B-92. However the lever is cycled, it tosses the empties positively. You need to tune up the extractor/ejector.
Glad you like the rifle. I was disdainful of Rossis nearly 20 years ago when I found my Browning as I didn't like the workmanship on the interior parts, but they have improved the quality of their products in recent years and are usually quite good.

 

[Red Cent]

Its not the extractor/ejector. Some/most 92s/94s are so tight they squeak with a herculean hammer spring, it will slow down the first timer.And the lifter is robbed of momentum to propel the extracted case.

A '73 and its kin does not have ejectors. The elevator hits 'em hard on the upstroke knocking them free of the extractor. Straight up. Wear a wide brim hat. Ladies, watch the blouse.

 

[Snakum]

Wear a wide brim hat. Ladies, watch the blouse.

LOL!

Shot .357s thru it today, 158gr JSP from Magtech. They cycled perfectly and it ejects them into the next time zone. They were not as accurate as the .38 +P. Shooting them at 50 yards the .357s printed 2.00 to 2.50" groups about 3" high holding at 6:00 with the rear sight on it's lowest setting.

The .38 +Ps shot under 2" groups dead center with a center mass hold. And they cycle and eject fine, I just have make sure I get a full and vigorous yank to get them over the shoulder. Dunno why the .357s get sent to the next zip code when ejecting. I haven't owned a levergun in many years so I need to get used to it, I reckon.

So, I'm still pretty happy with it. I'll try a few hunting loads to settle on one and adjust the sights accordingly for MPBR. I figure from 100 yards and in it'll be good for deer and hoggers. Me still likee.

 

[Snakum]

Anyone got a favorite 158gr factory hunting load that works well for them in the Rossi?

I don't have 38/357 dies and will likely use factory ammo this season, and will buy CAS ammo online or locally till I can get my bench set up.

 

[MattTheHat]

I used to have one in .454. Seemed like a very nice rifle. Accurate enough. Fit and finish was pretty decent. Nice and light, too.

-Matt

 

[Tommygunn]

Its not the extractor/ejector. Some/most 92s/94s are so tight they squeak with a herculean hammer spring, it will slow down the first timer.And the lifter is robbed of momentum to propel the extracted case.

A '73 and its kin does not have ejectors. The elevator hits 'em hard on the upstroke knocking them free of the extractor. Straight up. Wear a wide brim hat.

I am confused by this explanation. By "lifter" I take it to mean the "cartridge elevator," but that is not what ejects the case in a '92. The extractor is on top of the bolt and the ejector is a plunger-like device on the bottome left of the bolt which shoves the bottom of the cartridge forward and as the cart. exits the breach, it is ejected somewhat like a tiddly-wink.
And, yes the '73 Winchester used the elevator block to lever out the case, having a repro '73 I know that ....

Maybe I am missing something here ... that will give me a "Homer Simpson moment" ...but I dunno what ......

 

[Snakum]

I ran a few .38s and .357s thru the action this morning, and I found the .38 cases are very light, much lighter than the .357. That explains the .357s being slung way behind me while the .38s require a manly stroke to get 'em over the shoulder. The last round of the light cased .38s do tend to fall right back in the action if I don't whack it. Seems the next live round helps the empties eject and without a live round behind it the .38s don't wanna go flying.

The action is slicking up nicely on it's own, I won't do anything to it till I see how slick it'll get from use. Already ran 200 rounds thru it. Still pretty impressed with the 50 yard accuracy and how quick it snaps up. I've zeroed the MagTech 158gr JSPs to 3" high at 50 yards, which should give me a good point blank range to 115 yards per my ballistics calculator. I can stand off hand and quickly crank out three at 50 yards and put them all in a 3" circle. That ought to do the trick on these small white tail and hogs we have here.

 

[Red Cent]

Hey Tommygun, didn't say a '92 didn't have an ejector. Watch a lot of cowboys trying to get their '92s and 94s to eject. Lifter/elevator/carrier. Somewhat interchangeable.

 

[CraigC]

Good lookin' pack of levers, Red Cent!

 

[Red Cent]

Thanks CraigC.

 

[Tommygunn]

Hey Tommygun, didn't say a '92 didn't have an ejector. Watch a lot of cowboys trying to get their '92s and 94s to eject. Lifter/elevator/carrier. Somewhat interchangeable.

Yeah, but I was in the alternate universe from "Fringe" when I read your first post and things are "different" over there."

(That's my story and I'm stickin' to it! )

 

[Snakum]

Red Cent ... very nice collection! I'm looking forward to seeing one of them in action tomorrow. Should be a blast.

 

[mgkdrgn]

I used to have one in .454. Seemed like a very nice rifle. Accurate enough. Fit and finish was pretty decent. Nice and light, too.

-Matt

The one I have is in 454. When I heard they had stopped making them I snapped up all I could from the distributors I deal with. Only "new" gun I've actually been able to make any money on!

I mainly shoot mine in 45 Colt ... but with a 454 strong action I can put -any- 45 Colt load in it I care to whip up and not worry about it. I think it's going deer hunting with a friend of mine in a month or so.

 

[oldfool]

If you have to "rack it like a man" then you need to adjust/tune your extractor or ejecter. The one I had would throw empties over my shoulder with just normal lever speed.
You can find tune up tips over on leverguns.com.

syntax
he was shooting 38s (even if +p) not 357s
and most leverguns, no matter how well made, are not real fond of "pause",especially with shorter cartridges
"like a man" does not necessarily imply "muscle" or "speed", sometimes just means don't pause for idle conversation in the middle of the stream, meaning "normal speed"
the gun just might be as smooth as you are
(if not Steve's Gunz can be found at leverguns.com)

all other OP comments strike me "as to be expected" with the Rossi 357s
a good bang for your buck

 

[Archie]

Pretty good is normal, in my experience.

I bought a Rossi '92 in .44 WCF over twenty years ago for Cowboy shooting. It is accurate; about 6" offhand at 75 paces.

The only mechanical problem I've had (not attributable to my handling) is the firing pin broke a few years ago. Other owners have mentioned the same problem. I'd suggest having an extra firing pin in the kit. I should also mention I dry fire that rifle for practice a bit.

 

[FMJMIKE]

Nice rifle !!!

 

[WNC Seabee]

Well, this thread tripped my impulse buying trigger. When I couldn't make a deal on an old Marlin .44, I went ahead and ordered the Rossi .357 from Bud's. I hope I have the same luck as the OP!

 

[IndispensableDestiny]

Anyone got a favorite 158gr factory hunting load that works well for them in the Rossi?

I use Buffalo Bore 158 grain loads in my Marlin 1894C. They are fairly hot and are tipped with a Gold Dot. I've also had success with Gold Dots loaded by Speer (which is what I have for my 686 revolver).

I'm glad you have a shooter. I bought a used one at a show but got rid of it because it didn't shoot the .357's too well.