Rossi 92 ?

[Pilgrim]

I want to buy a "92" in .45 Colt. The Win. 92's are ~ $1000 up to $1600 depending on model chosen. The Marlin 1894 Cowboys are also ~ $1000 or more. The Rossi's are in the +/- $400 range. A lot of you folks shoot the Rossi's and seem happy with them re: accuracy, smoothness of the action, etc. My question actually has a couple of parts; 1) Can you disable (and remove) that UGLY safety on the breech bolt? 2) Is the additional $600 + worth it for either the Win. or Marlin? I realise that both the Win. and Marlin have safeties, but I can deal with those. Damn lawyers...
Pilgrim

[labradigger1]

Question 1, yes you can remove the saftey
Question 2, dont know, i am happy w/ the rossi though

[bangerjim]

I have the R in 38/357 (SST) and 45LC (blued). Love them both for the $$. Sure there are better guns out there and many will complain about little problems with R. It's either buy an R for the lower $$ or dream about someday getting one of the others.....while you are shooting and having fun with............. NOTHING.

But bottom line is.....it shoots great with very good accuracy. Kinda tight at first, but works in fast. Some take them apart and do their voodoo on the parts. My view......If it ain't broke, don't tear it apart!

You will like it! Mine are a few years old, so some may have comments on the newer batches coming out of the factory.

bangerjim

[Pilgrim]

Thanks for the feedback folks.....Pilgrim

[seaboltm]

I have one in 357 and 45 Colt. Love them both. There is a lot of information out there about tuning them. forgot to mention, I also have owned Winchesters and Marlins. Nothing wrong with those, but no, they do not warrant the higher price. I had a 94 in 44 magnum, one of the large loops. I got it home, gave it the old John Wayne twirl, and was rewarded with a broken cartridge elevator. It had never fired a shot and it took months to get a replacement part. So don't fool yourself into the higher price/higher quality trap.

[Airman Basic]

Wasn't crazy about the safety either. But after a while, it's kinda nice when unloading loaded rounds from the magazine.

[Pb2au]

The Rossi is a fine rifle at a good price point. I have the 24" with the octo barrel in 45 colt and find it to be a fun accurate rifle.
The number one thing to do when you get one is to clean the action and mag tube thoroughly. When they are shipped from the jungles of Brazil, there is some sticky packing grease/coconut oil/ goo in the action. The quick way to a mis-feed is to not clean it.
Remove the tang screw (the one farthest back on the upper tang) and slide the butt stock off.
Open the action. Wrap the fore grip in a rag to protect it.
Get a can of brake cleaner and from the top, hose out the action.
Operate the lever about ten times.
Hose it out again.
Operate the lever again.
Hose one more time. The cleaner should run out clean.
Remove the mag tube cap. There is a small screw that secures it. Pop the cap out of the end of the mag tube. Be careful because the spring inside will try and launch it into orbit. Get the spring out and the yellow follower. Thoroughly clean out the mag tube.
Re-assemble the mag tube.
Lube up the action. I prefer Rem oil in the spray can, but use whatever you prefer.
Install the butt stock.
Some of the rossi's for whatever reason trend to shoot high even with the rear sight all the way down. It is possible that you might have to replace the front sight. But just shoot it first to see.
Enjoy!

[Trey45]

There seems to be a common theme here as I too have a Rossi M92 in 357 Mag and 45 Colt. Only my 45 Colt has the stupid safety which I never use. I think they are worth the money, matter of fact I have had more problems with my Marlin 1894 44 Magnum than I've had with either Rossi.

[Pb2au]

I have enjoyed mine quite a bit. My biggest complaint was the finish on the jungle wood stock. It was the weird red color. I found out it was a water based "stain", so I used some warm water and a 220 grit sponge and had the old finish off in about a half hour of work. I re-stained it with a dark walnut stain and finished it with Tru-oil.
91626

91627

91628

[mdi]

I have an excellent Puma in .44 Magnum. The only "drawback" (well there mebbe two) is the bore is oversize; .432" plus a hair. I shoot cast bullets only in my Puma so that hasn't been much of a problem, just size 'em to .433". The other "problem" was recoil. I have a stainless steel collarbone and shooting a magazine full would draw blood. Fixed that though; got an all leather, lace on butt pad, which looks real "period" and problem gone! This feller is the '92 Specialist...http://www.stevesgunz.com/ Replacement plugs for the safety, and a bunch of other "improvement" parts and info. I got one of his CDs on reworking a '92 and it's excellent!

[pdawg_shooter]

I have a 92 in 44mag. Color case frame and blue octagon 24" barrel. All I have ever done is shoot and clean it. I have 3 different bullets for my Model 29. A 240gr XTP, a 240gr semi wad cutter, and A 280gr rnfp and they all feed and function perfectly. It shoots into 2.5 @ 100, about all my 62 years eyes are good for with iron sights. Mine is NOT for sale. edit; I size my cast at .432 for the rifle, .430 for the Smith.

[wvmedic]

I have two an SST and a blue in 357 Mag. I really like em, I've never owned or shot a Win 92 but I have no problems with the Rossi.

Yes you can remove the safety and replace with a plug or peep sight.

Jeff

[olereb]

I have Rossi's and Winchesters and the Rossi's with a bit of work are as good of shooters as the Winchesters. I do highly recommend stripping down a Rossi and flushing it with NON Chlorinated brake cleaner a couple times before anything and then taking it apart to check for metal burs,they usually come filled with thick grease that needs to come out and often there are loose metal shards still or burs on parts that need to be ground down/off. That's usually all that needs to be done to get them shooting,alot of people do replace the sights though and get a plug to replace the lawyer safety. One thing I do also is refinish the stocks,like mentioned before its a water based finish and will come off. If you don't mind doing a bit of work they are great rifles,i plan on getting 3 more this coming year.

[Magnum6]

Trey45 , what lot more problem's have you had with your 44 marlin rifle ?

Magnum6

[jonp]

I bought one used for about $300 last year. The only problems i have had is the common shoot too high one but since the front site fell off while shooting it no problem replacing that. The other is the loading gate is sharp. Another easy fix when i get to it. Other than that i dont think you can beat one for the money.