Rossi M92 Trapper .357/.38, good bad or indifferent?

G

Gaz_in_NZ

New member
While buying .38Spec ammo on Wednesday I noticed that there was a Rossi Lever Action rifle in stock that took my eye because it was quite short barreled. I just checked with the Gun Shop and it's an M92 Trapper, 16" barrel in .357/.38, SS not blued (still looks very cool though).
I have always had a lusting for a pistol caliber lever-action (Winchester Yellow Boy type saddle gun) and this one looks to fit the bill.

How do these rate alongside say the Uberti Yellow Boy, Marlin etc?
The Rossi is half the price of the Uberti over here in NZ.
Any Pro's and Con's for either?
Target shooting, not hunting.
Will it chamber Wad-cutters or SWC OK, or are they better used with Round Nose?

I have read this post, but it's 12 months out of date : -
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=502946

Thanks in advance
Gaz
 
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If you live in New Zealand I can tell you where there is one, beautiful looking little thing it is too... Just love the look of that 16" barrel. :)

Also found a 357Mag Rossi Puma Shorty Bush Rifle 13" barrel which also looks nice. But I think I prefer the 16" trapper.

Cheers
Gaz
 
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Rossi's are a little rough

Fit and finish not quite as good as others, actions maybe a little rough out of the box. A great value for your dollar. The .357 really shines when spit out of a carbine length barrel.
I've got a 20" .45 colt and love it to death.
 
I have one of the older pre safety Puma models in 357 and really like it, I love shooting 38spl out of it, fun to shoot all day.
 
Great gun - go for it! Here in the US, Steve Young (aka Nate Kiowa Jones) is the 92/Rossi expert... www.stevesgunz.com ...order his DIY (smoothing/tune up/mod's) DVD as well as his metal mag tube follower (to replace plastic) and safety plug if desired. For awhile I think I heard the Rossis in AU at least were still being shipped w/o the fukakata safety...how about now and Nz?
Some Rossis have different personalities and are OAL sennsitive, some liking .38s more than others. NKJ worked on guns, I believe , solve or at least moderate the sensitivity. I forget if the DVD addresses--if yours ends up having such a tendency. Also, if a bit rough out of the box (recent years' are supposed to be smoother (All of mine are older pre-safety and weren't much of an issue)...a lot of dry levering can smooth if it's an issue.

Not mentioned yet is that the 92 is a very strong action, perhaps the best of the "pistol caliber" levers.
 
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