Rossi 92s - Any problems with the reintroduced rifles?

[Mosin Bubba]

I have an old Rossi 92 in 357 from the Interarms days and love it. One of my favorite guns that I own.

Anyway, I've thought about adding another one to the gun hoard - maybe a 357 in 20" or a 44 magnum. But Rossi had shut off manufacturing for the 92s for years, moved it I think to another factory, and recently started it back up again. And at least with my experience with manufacturing (currently working in circuit design, but the manufacturing guys are never too far away), new processes, new facilities, etc, usually means teething issues.

For the guys who have bought the new batch of Rossi 92s, how have they been? I know the QA and QC over at Rossi was never particularly tight to begin with, but is there anything notable about these new guns? How do they stand up to the earlier ones?

 

[LoonWulf]

I had one a couple years ago, rough around the edges, but otherwise accurate and reliable with .357 ammo. With .38s it would launch them out of the gun with the empty, but shimming in the cartridge guides a little fixed that.

 

[doubleh]

I bought one a few months ago. The only problem I have found with it is in bullet choice in 357. Round flat nose bullets with a large flat nose won’t feed. Use one with a slightly smaller nose and no problem. Anything in 38 Special works. The gun is light and also accurate except with some 95 grain swc loads I tried. 125 gr. swc does well and 140 gr Hornady even better in the accuracy department. I will test 158 gr.loads as soon as I’m able to get around again.

 

[mcb]

I have a Rossi M92 in 44 Mag I bought new in 2014 and it has been 100%. It was a bit rough cycling when I first got it but I fixed that with a few hundred rounds of 44 Mag and it's slicked up nicely. Never has any issues with accuracy or cycling any and all bullet shapes.

 

[HPJeep]

I'm in the same boat as the OP. My older Rossi works quite well and now considering the 16 inch trapper in 45LC with blued finish. Following this thread.

 

[NorthBorder]

I've been looking for a lever gun in 45LC or 44 mag and people on gun boards everywhere swear by Rossi. But when I read about their CS and repair policies, that really makes me want to look at other brands and give Rossi/Braztech a pass. So, how long have they been cranking out these new rifles?

 

[Tommygunn]

Northborder, Rossi 1892s can be nice rifles. Try to be sure you can check out the particular gun you will be taking home, not just the display rifle.

 

[Pudge]

Bought a .357 about the same time as mcb. Had the gun shop cycle .357s and .38s through it. Got a spring set from Brownells and now the brass stays by my feet. Haven't had any issues, really enjoy it.

 

[cosh]

Got a 45 Colt 20-inch a couple years ago. The small edge by the loading gate is a little sharp at the start, smoothing out now. First cycling was a little tight. Under 100 rounds so far and action is starting to smooth out. No malfunctions as new out of the box. Just cleaned the bore and lubricated action some. Works as is so I will leave it alone - it is a good pairing with my Ruger Vaquero.

 

[rule303]

I have one of the new 2019 CBC made 92's. Mine is the 16" carbine in .357 mag. It cycles .357 and .38's without a hitch. Fit and finish is better than I have seen on the older ones. The bluing is dark and even. The wood looks like a tight grained walnut, but is probably a South American jungle wood of some sort. The wood finish is evenly applied and the stock matches the forearm perfectly. The bolt mounted safety is also smaller than the earlier guns.

 

[WestKentucky]

The buckhorn sights are.... interesting. The ones I have handled would be hard to shoot accurately.

 

[doubleh]

Bought a .357 about the same time as mcb. Had the gun shop cycle .357s and .38s through it. Got a spring set from Brownells and now the brass stays by my feet. Haven't had any issues, really enjoy it.

Mine does eject it’s brass with enthusiasm. When shooting off the bench I place my hand over the receiver to deflect the brass onto the table. If I don’t do this the empty hits the tin roof with a bang. I am going to check out the springs from Brownell’s. How difficult a job is it to install them? I have absolutely no experience working on a 92.

 

[critter]

I recently bought one in .44 mag. After about 100 rounds, the extractor broke. It is an MIM part. Rossi will not sell one to replace it-a 'restricted' item they say. Said send it in, but they were busy and wait time will be 6-8 weeks they say. Haven't done anything yet.

 

[Pudge]

Mine does eject it’s brass with enthusiasm. When shooting off the bench I place my hand over the receiver to deflect the brass onto the table. If I don’t do this the empty hits the tin roof with a bang. I am going to check out the springs from Brownell’s. How difficult a job is it to install them? I have absolutely no experience working on a 92.

I'm no gunsmith or craftsman. I did it, but, it wasn't without significant frustration. You'll need a dummy round. Watch tutorials a couple if times.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I bought a new 16" stainless .357 five years or so ago. It functioned good out of the box. I bought Steve's Gunz DVD and did an action job. It turned out slick. I count not shoot a decent group with the factory buckhorns. I swapped the rear sight and can shoot the rifle very well now.

 

[mcb]

I recently bought one in .44 mag. After about 100 rounds, the extractor broke. It is an MIM part. Rossi will not sell one to replace it-a 'restricted' item they say. Said send it in, but they were busy and wait time will be 6-8 weeks they say. Haven't done anything yet.

I would bet that part is not MIM, long skinny parts, especially long skinny part under high localized stress are not a good for MIM. If it is MIM they are idiots but I would bet the extractor is made for ground stock. Probably go an inclusion or bad heat-treat. None the less these guys have extractor if you don't mind fixing it yourself.

https://jack-first-gun-parts.myshopify.com/collections/rossi-92-357-lever-rifle

Never done business with these guys but they have extractors and I believe the 45 Colt extractor is the same as the 44 Mag extractor since the rim diameters are nearly the same diameter.

 

[Tommygunn]

The buckhorn sights are.... interesting. The ones I have handled would be hard to shoot accurately.

I LOVE Buckhorn sights! They're greeeeeaaat! My Browning 92 in .44 mag has them and is probably the most accurate lever gun I own!
But I get it; it's a matter of taste. "To each his own." We need to stick with what works for each of us.

 

[Glockula]

I could not stand the Buckhorn sights at first. To me my .357 16 inch has always shot high. After 4 or 5 years and 1000 rounds I started getting used to them. Now I am dead on at 50 yards and comfortable at 75. So I don't dislike them but I wasn't a fan at first. There are other sights available and even rails if you are into that sort of thing.

I purchased mine in 2014 and had the exact same problem as loonwolf. .357 magnums shot great, but .38s would kick an empty and a live out at the same time. Its fixed now and I am a fan of the rifle.

 

[Starter52]

Another fan of buckhorn sights. Love 'em on my Rossi and my T-C muzzleloaders.

 

[gotboostvr]

My only gripe with my 16" SS 44Mag was the Buckhorn sights, but they're common on most lever guns.

I was gonna swap for a peep sight, but the rail was cheap and I had a spare Reddot. Plus as a hunting rifle first and foremost, I went with the Reddot purely for performance at dawn/dusk.

 

[rule303]

Lots of comments about the earlier 92's. The new (2019-) 92's are built by a completely different company in a new factory. They are imported by Rossi, but built by CBC (the same company that makes Magtech ammo).

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Here's the pedigree on my 5 year old gun.

 

[doubleh]

I'm no gunsmith or craftsman. I did it, but, it wasn't without significant frustration. You'll need a dummy round. Watch tutorials a couple if times.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[Speedo66]

I've mentioned this before, no need to order an ejector spring, which is the spring that sends the empties into the next zip code.

Your hardware store probably has the Century C-530 spring in stock. This inexpensively replaces the factory spring, no shipping costs, and the empties drop at your feet. The lighter spring also makes working the action require less effort.

I watched a couple of videos, stopped them to follow them step by step, and with no experience was able to replace the spring. I'm not saying it was simple, but watching and going along with the videos it was doable for me with no gunsmithing skills.

 

[dh1633pm]

I purchased one in 45 colt a while back. Took it apart first way. Nothing wrong with it, just wanted to make it my own. Put a Matt finish on the stainless, replaced the follower, springs, and top safety. Removed sharp edges and polished surfaces that touched. Drilled and tapped for a ghost ring just in front of the lugs. Removed rear sight and filled in the screw holes.

It is smooth, ejects straight up with gusto, and accurate enough. The Matt finish doesn’t blind the eyes. Very happy with it and the changes. It does not eject well at zero degrees or below.