PUMA 92 Lever Action Rifle, should I buy one ?

[iamkris]

Still, both will need work to run smoothly and reliably.

Hmmm, that's not my experience with Rossi/Puma's in my/other fellow CAS shooters. Then again, that's just my experience.

Anyone know how the kick on a .44mag rifle compares to a 30-30?

Try this recoil calculator. http://www.handloads.com/calc/recoil.asp I probably don't have the numbers quite right, but the 44 Mag has significantly less recoil even in a "hot" load

________________________________30-30_________44 Mag
Bullet weight in grains______________170___________240
Velocity in fps_____________________2200__________1600
Powder charge in grains_____________30____________18
Weight of firearm in lbs______________6______________6

Free recoil energy in (ft/lbs)__________14.01__________11.60

 

[happy old sailor]

i have an older 92 in .44M and it kicks like a mule with strong handloads. is ok with wimpy factory loads. it works good and has decent accuracy, about 3 to 4 inches at 100 yds. i could improve on this if i wanted to take the time to work up a load it likes, but this group satisfies me as i dont shoot at anything further other than ground hogs and prarie dogs, and this is not the gun for that.

i was wanting a .357M and my gunstore got one in. i did not order one as i wanted to check it over before buying. this one looked good. then as a poster in some forum had suggested, i asked to see it load. it choked on .357 HPs. it fed .38sp RN FMJs just fine. i did not want a .38sp rifle so i passed on the purchase. it was a pretty thing and i was sorely dissapointed.

so, may i reccomend you try shucking a few rounds through one before you buy. my .44 eats anything. lucky me.