puma 92

[tcrocker]

I've been doing my home work on punp vs lever action. And lever wins. So what would be better all around rifle for hunting and rainge work I'm leaning towards the Puma 92 case hardined octagon barrel so now 20" or 24"?
http://http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss8/crockerthomas/th_1.png (http://s556.photobucket.com/albums/ss8/crockerthomas/?action=view&current=1.png)http://http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss8/crockerthomas/th_Capture2.png (http://s556.photobucket.com/albums/ss8/crockerthomas/?action=view&current=Capture2.png)

[cajun shooter]

Be very careful of which Puma you speak of. The new one made in Italy by Armi San Marco is at best a chance pick. The Armi San Marco does not have a good track record of building guns. Many of the 1874 Sharps built by them are pieces of junk. The Puma made by Rossi in Brazil is a good rifle if you find one that has been taken care of. As far as barrel the octagon 24 in will get heavy after a days packing. If you are shooting from a fixed position then the longer barrel and weight will not bother you. Do a search as there are hundreds of post on this matter. If you are going to shoot SASS then it is the 20 inch by all means.

[tcrocker]

I'm kind of thinking that the 20" might work best for me I hunt in the woods no fields sometimes I need a fast shot but most of the time I find me a place to set drown and stay there awhile. Most of the time shot distance is 50yds some times more but not often. Most of the time it very thick pines. If eny of yohunt in the south you know what I'm talking about.

[jlchucker]

I'm kind of thinking that the 20" might work best for me I hunt in the woods no fields sometimes I need a fast shot but most of the time I find me a place to set drown and stay there awhile. Most of the time shot distance is 50yds some times more but not often. Most of the time it very thick pines. If eny of yohunt in the south you know what I'm talking about.

I like my Rossi 357 (Braztech) with 16 inch barrel. It's accurate and handy to lug in thick woods. I've got a 44 magnum (EMF) with a 24 inch Octagon barrel, too, but it's really too bulky to lug around in the thick woods, even if you're just going to a place to sit and wait. I think that probably for what you describe, a 20 inch carbine would be ideal for you. After all, generations of hunters using Winchesters and Marlins have taken millions of game animals over the years with 20 inch leverguns--they've proven them to be good.

[NickSS]

I have two rossi pumas in 357 mag and 45 colt. You did not mention cartridges you are looking at but for deer either will work but the 45 colt perhaps a little better. I do not know how good or not the Italian made ones are but the Brazilian ones are good. As Rossi sold the machinery that the Italians are using they should be good too. Like any maker you can get a lemon. In fact my 45 colt had to go back for a new barrel as the one that came with it was screwed up. However after some 8 years of use its one of my very favorite lever guns.

[doubs43]

I bought a '92 Puma nearly a year ago and while it's smooth enough and seems well made, the groove diameter is .433" which only does OK with .430" cast bullets. I'm disappointed that the tolerances weren't kept tighter.

[RobS]

I have a Puma Rossi LSI import in 454 casull and after working over the action and adjusting springs (slicking it up) I have a nice smooth, accurate rifle. As doubs43 stated the 44's did have some overly large specs that created issues. Even my 454 casull lever as a .4525 groove diameter, but isn't an issues since I size larger for my revolver.

[Old Goat Keeper]

I have the exact same gun as RobS. I haven't shot it much and also haven't slugged the barrel. But it shoots factory 45's and 454's better than I can hold. A handy gun that can be loaded from light plinkers to Katey bar the door stoppers.

Tom

[Gee_Wizz01]

I have 2 of the Rossi made Puma's and I love them. I have a 16" .45 Colt and a 20" .44 Mag. Both are quite accurate and fun to shoot. I actually like the 16" better for shooting in heavy brush. It is easy to carry and comes up fast, and the 255 gr .45 boolits provide all the smack down necessary for deer or hogs. Last week an acquaintance at the shooting range brought out a 24" 44 mag octagon barrel Puma, and it was a LOT heavier than my 20" 44 mag, but it sure was pretty. Again my Puma's are Brazilian, and I can not comment on the Italian made rifles.

G

[Phillip]

I have the 24" octagon barrel version, and it dose get heavy. I manly bought for bench shooting and it really dose a good job at it.

If you plain to hunt with it, I would go with a round 16" or 20" for a reduced carry weight. If you don't mind carrying a little more weight, then go with the octagon 20".

[blackpowder man]

I have the Puma LSI Rossi in .44 Mag 24" barrel with casehardened frame. I love it. It shoots far better than my expectations. I have been toting muzzleloaders around in the woods for years, so the '92 feels like a lightweight. The RD 432-265 is great medicine whatever the target may be.

[runfiverun]

20"
i have tried carrying the 24 and for shooting they're fine, but for carrying......

[rintinglen]

20 inch for me. My 357 Rossi suits me to a tee. Out to 100yards, It sends a 358-156 fast enough to kill any deer that you'll ever find. It is handier than the 24 inch. I like it.

[Snyd]

I too have a 20" 454. It shoots everything from 255gr 45 Colt plinkers up to full house 335gr 454 with great accuracy.

[45-70 Chevroner]

I have the Mod.92 Rossi (not a puma) 20" bbl. In 45 colt I use it for cowboy mostly using a 230gr. RN. With my Lyman 255gr. RFN at about 1100 fps makes a great deer thumper out to a 100 yards. I can keep it on a 8" paper plate from the bench at that distance, good enough for the kill zone on deer.

[Hanzerik]

20" Short Rifle, and 16" Carbine, both Rossi/Pumas in .44 Mag
http://home.bresnan.net/~hanzerik/pics/Puma/Right%20Side%202.JPG

[Jeff H]

I handled a new SS '92 Rossi in Gander Mountain a week ago. I was pretty amazed at how light it felt but unimpressed with the workmanship. It was awful.

[saz]

I have a 16" 454 and it is an absolute joy to carry in the field. With 4"less barrel the 80 or so fps I lose over the 20" doesnt mean much on the other end. But if I had to have a 20" I wouldnt object either as they are very sweet handling also. Cajun Shooter is right about which Puma you speak of. Mine is one of the LSI's made in Brazil and is a really nice rifle. I have seen the new ones make my Armi and they are pretty poor craftsmanship.

[1bluehorse]

The weight difference between my 45 colt 24in octagon Puma and a 357mag 20in puma is 1.2Lbs. 7.4lbs for the 45 and 6.2 for the 357. A 20in 45 colt may be a little lighter than the 357 because of less steel in the barrel. I don't see where carrying a 7.5lb rifle versus a 6.5lb would make all that much difference. Can of beer weighs that much, nobody complains about carrying one of those I'll bet.