Whimsy, Just remember there are several Rossi gunsmiths listed on the Internet, Steves Comes to mind, they are always backordered and certainly not because these rifles are working 100% out of the box. Although quality is better under Taurus/Rossi/Braztech they still require work in almost all cases to be a reliable shooter. You did not get an occasional lemon, that is the way they have been produced for years. I have stoned actions for many cowboy shooters over the years so they can get through a match without a failure. Also replace the plastic follower with an aftermarket one and there is a "button" that can be installed in place of the idiot safety on the bolt.
My Rossi 92 .357 Review
- Thread starter Mr. Whimsy
- Start date
Sorry you had a bad experience. I have two Rossi 92s. One is a 357 mag 20" just like yours I bought a year and a half ago. When I first got it it fed most rounds (38 or 357) well but seemed to get hung up on semijacketed softpoints. So I bought 500 rounds of 357 mag flat point fmjs which cycled great. I recently finished off that batch and went shooting with several different half boxes I had sitting around. It cycled everything perfectly, even semiwadcutters had no problem. I was sighting my other 92 (a 454 Casull) at 100 yards and they both shot great (though the new gun tended to hang a little on some 45 colts I tried out.) The 357 was grouping about 6 inches at 100 yards. Not bad for levergun with open sights.
It seems to me that these guns have a little break in period. I'd say give it some time at the range and see if it smooths up.
It seems to me that these guns have a little break in period. I'd say give it some time at the range and see if it smooths up.
stubbicatt
New member
I don't know much about the 92. I've never owned one. But I am a firm advocate of the 357 lever gun experience. A whole lot of fun, and comparatively inexpensive at about 8 cents in expendables per round fired. Kids can shoot them, and they have a surprisingly effective down range performance. Reckoning that I would only have one to last me the rest of my days, I opted for a Uberti 1873 replica and I must say that it has impressed me.
I hope you find a replacement that works for you.
I hope you find a replacement that works for you.
Old Thread Keeps Growing New Legs
Interesting that this old thread keeps popping out of the grave every few months!
But since it is back again, you can add me to the group who bought one and absolutely LOVE this gun.
I bought a Rossi 92, 20" blued .357, a year ago - action totally smooth; feeds .38 SWC and .357 fine; accurate; excellent fit and finish; attractive wood.
Before I bought it, I despised the idea of the stupid safety on top (I grew up hunting in the 60s with an old Winchester 94, so I like the more traditional stuff), and I had full intention of jerking it out and gleefully destroying the little thing. Turns out, it didn't bother me at all - I never even notice it, and I actually like having it on there when I am cycling rounds through the gun indoors. And if I ever get to teach my granddaughter how to shoot it, I will REALLY like having the safety option.
The only thing I have done to this gun (besides shoot it) is replace the plastic mag follower with a metal one and add a leather lace on but pad with about an inch of internal cardboard padding to extend the short stock for my 37" arms. I did by a replacement ejector spring due to the common complaint of throwing the empties clear to Iowa, but mine has been so nice out of the box I never felt the need to replace it.
I personally hate Taurus as a company (bad experience with a pistol around the same time I bought this gun), but I love this Rossi 92 so much I keep thinking about buying one in .44 Mag. I certainly do not need it, but I want it!
Interesting that this old thread keeps popping out of the grave every few months!
But since it is back again, you can add me to the group who bought one and absolutely LOVE this gun.
I bought a Rossi 92, 20" blued .357, a year ago - action totally smooth; feeds .38 SWC and .357 fine; accurate; excellent fit and finish; attractive wood.
Before I bought it, I despised the idea of the stupid safety on top (I grew up hunting in the 60s with an old Winchester 94, so I like the more traditional stuff), and I had full intention of jerking it out and gleefully destroying the little thing. Turns out, it didn't bother me at all - I never even notice it, and I actually like having it on there when I am cycling rounds through the gun indoors. And if I ever get to teach my granddaughter how to shoot it, I will REALLY like having the safety option.
The only thing I have done to this gun (besides shoot it) is replace the plastic mag follower with a metal one and add a leather lace on but pad with about an inch of internal cardboard padding to extend the short stock for my 37" arms. I did by a replacement ejector spring due to the common complaint of throwing the empties clear to Iowa, but mine has been so nice out of the box I never felt the need to replace it.
I personally hate Taurus as a company (bad experience with a pistol around the same time I bought this gun), but I love this Rossi 92 so much I keep thinking about buying one in .44 Mag. I certainly do not need it, but I want it!
leadcounsel
Moderator
It just puzzles me how a gun can leave a factory in that condition. Each gun should be more carefully inspected, chambered, shot a few times, etc. Some companies put a sticker on each one that it has been inspected...
Say you're paying your QC folks $20 per hour. 15 minutes spent per gun before it leave the factory would cost $5, plus say $1 in ammo for a few shots.
Seems $6 spent at the Quality Control would save a lot more than that on the return, recall, repair, replace, shipping labels, and badmouthing on the internet...
Say you're paying your QC folks $20 per hour. 15 minutes spent per gun before it leave the factory would cost $5, plus say $1 in ammo for a few shots.
Seems $6 spent at the Quality Control would save a lot more than that on the return, recall, repair, replace, shipping labels, and badmouthing on the internet...
I agree 100% ^^^. It certainly isn't limited to Taurus/Rossi. I had to send back my S&W .38 Bodyguard (excellent customer service by the way) and a buddy had to send back his Ruger. I get that some firearms are more prone to a trip back to the manufacturer but they all suffer from QC issues at times.
Emerson Biggies
New member
My Rossi 92 Blued in 38/357 was junk the day Bud's delivered it. Would feed nothing without 45 degree jam into the chamber.
THREE trips to the factory later got the gun going. It now feeds any 38 special perfectly but some 357s will try to jam if I don't operate the lever vigorously. I believe the 357 that have been taper crimped work better.
I love the gun now, but Rossi has other problems with parts. The P892 scope mount that I need is not to be found in this universe. They are advertised in many places, but available in NONE.
Finding parts for a Rossi may be as hard as finding parts for a kerosene lantern or typewriter. Go figure.
THREE trips to the factory later got the gun going. It now feeds any 38 special perfectly but some 357s will try to jam if I don't operate the lever vigorously. I believe the 357 that have been taper crimped work better.
I love the gun now, but Rossi has other problems with parts. The P892 scope mount that I need is not to be found in this universe. They are advertised in many places, but available in NONE.
Finding parts for a Rossi may be as hard as finding parts for a kerosene lantern or typewriter. Go figure.
I was looking for a new gun to purchase a while back and considered the Rossi 92 as a potential purchase in spite of the many problems with them I have read about. I went to a LGS to see and handle one up close and was not impressed with what I saw. I already have a Winchester M94AE Trapper in 357 mag, a Marlin 336C in 30-30, and a Marlin 1895 in 45-70. The fit and finish of the guns I have are way better than the new Rossi I examined and decided I could never be satisfied with it.
The Winchester M94AE Trapper I have is one of the guns made in Japan before Winchester stopped making them for several years. At that time you could go to a local sporting goods store called Big 5 and purchase one on sale there about every month. They sold them in several pistol calibers. I purchased this gun from a guy I worked with and it has been a very good gun. I added a compact scope to it as well as a recoil pad. My favorite load for this gun uses a SAECO hard cast bullet that I cast myself in 180 grain. I push this bullet with either H110 or Alliant 2400. Good accuracy to up to 100 yards. This combo shoots very clean. The bore on this Winchester is in great condition with a mirror finish. These pistol caliber lever guns are a lot of fun if you can get a good one.
The Winchester M94AE Trapper I have is one of the guns made in Japan before Winchester stopped making them for several years. At that time you could go to a local sporting goods store called Big 5 and purchase one on sale there about every month. They sold them in several pistol calibers. I purchased this gun from a guy I worked with and it has been a very good gun. I added a compact scope to it as well as a recoil pad. My favorite load for this gun uses a SAECO hard cast bullet that I cast myself in 180 grain. I push this bullet with either H110 or Alliant 2400. Good accuracy to up to 100 yards. This combo shoots very clean. The bore on this Winchester is in great condition with a mirror finish. These pistol caliber lever guns are a lot of fun if you can get a good one.
I have an LSI/Rossi Puma M92 which I purchased new in 2008.
It's in .38/.357, 20" Octagon barrel and Color Case.
This rifle has been good-to-go out of the box and to this day. Good metal to wood fit, smooth action and accurate enough for my needs.
It has fed .38, 158gr. factory ammo without a problem. That's the only .38 I've used. In .357, I've used various weights and bullet types and all fed reliably.
I've had several lever guns over the years and the Rossi has been the best-bang-for-the-buck of them all.
It's in .38/.357, 20" Octagon barrel and Color Case.
This rifle has been good-to-go out of the box and to this day. Good metal to wood fit, smooth action and accurate enough for my needs.
It has fed .38, 158gr. factory ammo without a problem. That's the only .38 I've used. In .357, I've used various weights and bullet types and all fed reliably.
I've had several lever guns over the years and the Rossi has been the best-bang-for-the-buck of them all.
Old thread...
I work overseas, when I come home the 1st rifle out of my Gun Safe it my Rossi 92 38/357. By far the most fun gun I own.
158gr Semi Wad Cutter 38spl with a starting load of Clays = very little noise. Don't even need hearing protection.
I compare hand cycling an action to masturbation - it ain't the real thing.
Doesn't matter if it's a semi-auto, bolt action, pump, or lever action - you need to work the action briskly - or as some say - "be a man with it." Want to see a gun have issues? Gently cycle the action.
I work overseas, when I come home the 1st rifle out of my Gun Safe it my Rossi 92 38/357. By far the most fun gun I own.
158gr Semi Wad Cutter 38spl with a starting load of Clays = very little noise. Don't even need hearing protection.
I compare hand cycling an action to masturbation - it ain't the real thing.
Doesn't matter if it's a semi-auto, bolt action, pump, or lever action - you need to work the action briskly - or as some say - "be a man with it." Want to see a gun have issues? Gently cycle the action.
I've had two Rossi 357mag leverguns, a 20" rd bbl carbine and a 24" oct bbl rifle since 2009. They each have over 4K rds of full power 158grn 357mag handloads through them and they are solid, accurate, and a blast to shoot. I did slick them up following Steve Young's DvD and his parts including the bolt safety plug.
They are my most fan favorite rifles when I take out new shooters as both the women and men love to shoot them. My rifle has a Marbles tang and Lyman globe sight on it and I use them to shoot at steel plates at 300yds while my carbine has a bead front sight for closer accuracy. Both shoot very well for a pistol round.
With all the use they get, they are solid, sturdy and always ready to go. With just a quick action and barrel cleaning they stay solid and reliable. I wouldn't trade them off for any other rifle.
They are my most fan favorite rifles when I take out new shooters as both the women and men love to shoot them. My rifle has a Marbles tang and Lyman globe sight on it and I use them to shoot at steel plates at 300yds while my carbine has a bead front sight for closer accuracy. Both shoot very well for a pistol round.
With all the use they get, they are solid, sturdy and always ready to go. With just a quick action and barrel cleaning they stay solid and reliable. I wouldn't trade them off for any other rifle.
I bought a 92 many years ago. It was so cheap that I couldnt resist it.
It is nicely accurate with the heavier jacketed rounds out to 100 yards. it has never had a jam. It's rough as heck in the action, but I still work with it just fine. The blue was nice, and the horrible looking wood was still prettier than plastic. It's a toy, yet it's still a gun I would take out hunting. I keep the thing in a closet loaded with .357 soft points in case I ever need a rifle for emergency purposes in my suburban neighborhood.
Ar clones started at over a grand. this thing is fun to shoot and it works. Sounds like you got a loser, but trust me, they aren't all losers. If they work and fulfill your needs, you win, but if they don't work, you can either try it again, or start from scratch with another plan.
It is nicely accurate with the heavier jacketed rounds out to 100 yards. it has never had a jam. It's rough as heck in the action, but I still work with it just fine. The blue was nice, and the horrible looking wood was still prettier than plastic. It's a toy, yet it's still a gun I would take out hunting. I keep the thing in a closet loaded with .357 soft points in case I ever need a rifle for emergency purposes in my suburban neighborhood.
Ar clones started at over a grand. this thing is fun to shoot and it works. Sounds like you got a loser, but trust me, they aren't all losers. If they work and fulfill your needs, you win, but if they don't work, you can either try it again, or start from scratch with another plan.
Unlicensed Dremel
Moderator
I've had good luck with LSI / Rossi Puma 92s in .45 Colt and .454 Casull, and also with Taurus and Rossi branded pumps - 62s, 72s / 59s.
Super Sneaky Steve
New member
I loved my 92 in .357 so much that I bought a second in .45 Colt.
They both have a Skinner rear peep and a Marble front fiber optic. The .357 is red and the .45 Colt is green.
In the picture my .357 has no front and the .45 is stock.
They both have a Skinner rear peep and a Marble front fiber optic. The .357 is red and the .45 Colt is green.
In the picture my .357 has no front and the .45 is stock.