Rossi lever guns

[bannockburn]

My Rossi Model 92 in .45 Colt is the large loop carbine with a 16" barrel. I bought it LNIB from a dealer at a gun show some years back. I think Legacy Sports International was the importer at the time. The gun itself was in perfect condition and the action was already smooth as silk!

Wouldn't mind getting a .357 version to keep my handy carbine company in the gun safe!

 

[NorthBorder]

@bannockburn you have some nice wood on that Rossi. It seems most of their Brazilian hardwood is kinda boring to look at.

 

[bannockburn]

NorthBorder

When I first got it I considered refinishing the wood to bring out the grain a little bit more. But the wood to metal fit is so nice as it is that I shelved that idea for the time being. I was also impressed with the bluing on this particular gun.

 

[dh1633pm]

I have posted pictures of mine before. It was my second lever gun and my first in a pistol caliber (45 Colt). I shoot it often and it's a favorite. Had the stainless polish removed with a nice mat finish. Added ghost rings sights from XS. Polished internal parts. The day I purchased it, I dismantled it fully and polished things that touched each other. It's is smooth. About as accurate as any other lever gun 45 that I own. I own four (Rossi, Marlin, Henry, and 1873 Winchester). My son and a friend were shooting it last fall at 50 yards at metal targets and making them ping at every shot. My son had the Rossi and my friend has my Marlin. I like it a lot. It's light and recoil isn't hard by any means. It will cycle ammo that makes the Henry cry uncle. Not as smooth as the 1873, but it is second best. When I asked my dealer to get me one, he ordered five. I got my pick of the litter. And of course I had to have one in 45 Colt. The Henry weights a ton and oozes quality. The Rossi not as much, but not bad.

 

[.45Coltguy]

My Rossi Model 92 in .45 Colt is the large loop carbine with a 16" barrel. I bought it LNIB from a dealer at a gun show some years back. I think Legacy Sports International was the importer at the time. The gun itself was in perfect condition and the action was already smooth as silk!

Wouldn't mind getting a .357 version to keep my handy carbine company in the gun safe!
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That is a fine looking Rossi; and the wood is REALLY nice for the Rossi's. That was a nice find.

 

[Roverguy]

Short version. The R92 is well built, though like all other brands, it has its quirks (see above on 44 mag groove depth). They are good value for money but sharp edges and overly strong springs explain some of that - and are easily remedied. The 16” barrel models are incredibly handy little rifles.

 

[Speedo66]

@bannockburn you have some nice wood on that Rossi. It seems most of their Brazilian hardwood is kinda boring to look at.

He really does. I’ve seen an earlier picture he once posted without the glare, beautiful stock.

Mine is as plain as can be. I stripped it, filled in the pores with several coats of hand rubbed TruOil, and went over it with fine steel wool to knock most the gloss off. So now it’s somewhat shiny but basically still a plain Jane.

 

[P89DCSS]

These two feed specials and mag length rounds flawlessly. Came ready-to-run without needing any tweaking. Paid right around $500 each in 2015. The long 24" octagonal is 44mag, the 16" is 357. I used a light stain on the stocks then sealed them completely on all sides with uv resistant polyurethane varnish. Blue loctite holds everything tight.

 

[Space Ghost]

I had one and loved it. Never was a fan of buckhorn sights, so it got a red dot. Same with the lever guns I have now...

 

[D.B. Cooper]

I'm a little late to the game, but I'm surprised no one has mentioned rate of twist. If you're having accuracy issues with a 44 cal rifle, check your rate of twist. If it's the traditional 1:38, sell it or hang it on your fireplace. It's just too slow to properly stabilize a heavy bullet, and with 44 caliber, even the "light" (180 grn) bullets are too heavy (long) for 1:38. Been there, done that. And pushing the heavier bullets at high speeds (1600-1800fps) doesn't help much, either. If your rifle is a faster twist (at least 1:20, which is the Ruger Redhawk twist, and mine shoots 310 grainers really well) then slug your barrel to make sure you're shooting the right diameter projectiles.

Regarding the rifles themselves, I thing they're the best value in lever guns out there. I had the 357 from the 1980s it was awesome. Tack driver accurate. Smooth action. Light and handy. Great little white tail deer brush gun under 50 yrds. (Which is most hunting in the southeastern US.) Download 38 spl to just a few grains of powder and you have a target load with zero recoil or an accurate rabbit load. I don't much like the modern lawyer safety, but I otherwise wouldn't hesitate to buy one.

 

[gunmechanic]

I got a new one over this past summer. 357 blued and 24" oct. bbl. it cycles any i mean any bullet type and 38 and 357 no problem.I just shot it last week it is as accurate as any lever gun i own.I was a little worried about what i would receive. I got it new in the box off gun broker.I could not find any local,i looked for years.I was pleasantly surprised at how nice it was the bluing was spot on the fit and finish was also the wood is ok no special grain or finish but a real nice fit.I thought about refinishing bit it is to nice to mess with.Buy a new one you wont regret it !I will be buying a second one soon in 454.

 

[Ifishsum]

I have a recent one (2018 I think?) in .45 Colt, lots of fun and it's accurate. More so when I switched the rear sight to a flat style, as I don't shoot a buckhorn especially well. I expected to have to slick it up a bit but it was smooth enough and has gotten a better with use. Wouldn't hesitate to buy another based on my experience.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Wanted a 92 Mirochester, and they were made of unobtanium, so I got an R92 in .45 Colt; used cowboy level Trailboss loads, and fitted a Marbles tang sight. It was a 16", light and handy. But the trigger was simply awful. Finally found an actual Mirochester, which is more nicely made than the Rossi, which I sold.
However, two buddies were sufficiently smitten with the R92 that they both ordered one in .357; they came with great triggers. Both are going to get a tang sight, which is really the way to go. If you wish, replace the buckhorns with a folding sight on the barrel, so that you can use either system.
My deer rifle, virtually forever, has been a .44 Mag 94 Marlin, with 1600'sec H110 handloads. One discovery; the relationship of the magazine tube and the barrel affects accuracy. I sanded a couple thousandths off the inside of the magazine loop of the magazine retainer, and fooled with the tension of the retainer screw. It made a significant difference in accuracy.
Moon

 

[Mgderf]

My R92 is chambered for .454 Casull
It has slim lines.
It is light weight.
It is a dream to shoot and hits where I aim, at least inside 100 yards.
I've been running .45 Colt 300gr hollow points hand loaded to near .44mag velocities.
It hits like a hammer on the receiving end, but it's just a good solid push on the shoulder.
It does have a rather nice Kick Eez recoil pad.