Rossi 45/70 OR Marlin 45/70???

[joecil]

I've never seen any levergun that didn't work but together it's statistically insignificant. Marlins tend to be rough inside and out. Have you ever really looked at one with a critical eye? Most modern guns are at least a little rough on the inside.

I tend to agree however with the Rossi Rio Grande I just picked up I tend to believe the hype most of the makers say as guns being hand built. Mine looked inside like it had been gone through by a gunsmith cleaning up all marks left in the machining process. I wasn't joking when I said it was the cleanest gun I've ever bought internally and I've owned several top end guns from Springfield, Ruger, Colt and others both US and European. I've never gotten a gun this smooth out a NIB model regardless.

 

[bannockburn]

I can say the same thing about the Rossi Model 92 that I picked up a couple of years ago. Cleanest lever action I have owned, both inside and out. Internals were free of any tool marks and burrs; the action cycled smoothly each and every time. The trigger was exceptionally light and free of any creep or grittiness. On the outside the bluing looked great, definitely benefiting from a decent polishing job beforehand. Metal to metal and wood to metal fit were also first rate. The only thing I wasn't crazy about was the darker than usual stain they used on the wood.

 

[joecil]

I can say the same thing about the Rossi Model 92 that I picked up a couple of years ago. Cleanest lever action I have owned, both inside and out. Internals were free of any tool marks and burrs; the action cycled smoothly each and every time. The trigger was exceptionally light and free of any creep or grittiness. On the outside the bluing looked great, definitely benefiting from a decent polishing job beforehand. Metal to metal and wood to metal fit were also first rate. The only thing I wasn't crazy about was the darker than usual stain they used on the wood.

I'm with you on the Rossi finish on the wood. I re did my R92 and will do the same with this one when I get the time. Oh and I added a picture of mine with the Bushnell Banner 1.5-4.5x32mm scope on it. Please excuse the picture quality as I'm not a good photographer even with a very good DSLR camera.

 

[snakeman]

I would definitely say get the marlin. I had to send my 92 back to rossi and waited 10 weeks. I got the gun back and they had not done a thing to fix it. It still didn't work! I swapped it for a winchester 94 ranger 30-30 in mint condisch.

 

[Panzercat]

God even with Remlins in the mix I would choose Marlin all day every day, but if should be too hard to find a used one. My last recent pistol caliber Rossi was pretty disappointing. Bad action, mismatched wood. Pretty rough fit and finish. I won't buy another.

 

[stolivar]

the Rossi is a 336 clone and not a model 92 clone.

 

[Creature]

deleted

 

[MrDig]

The three names to remember when buying Lever Guns are, Marlin, Marlin and Marlin. Pick your favorite caliber and get a Marlin to match.