 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Rossi RS22 Semi-Automatic Rifle Chambered for the 22 Long Rifle Cartridgeby Jeff Quinn photography by Jeff Quinn & Boge Quinn August 3rd, 2018
YouTube Video Link
Click pictures for a larger version. The Rossi RS22 comes with a 10-round steel magazine,
but can also use the 25-round Model 702 magazines available
from Mossberg.
Crossbolt safety (top), magazine latch (bottom).
Bolt locks open on an empty magazine.
A handy little 22 Long Rifle is one gun that
everyone should own. At least one. I have lots of rifles in my
vault, but if I had to pare down to just one, it would be
chambered for the 22 Long rifle cartridge. There is no other
cartridge that is quite as versatile, and has killing power all
out of proportion to its diminutive size. A good 22 also serves
as a recreational plinker, allowing a whole day of fun for not
much money expended on ammunition. A good twenty-two is one of
the most under-appreciated firearms in existence, because most
folks just take them for granted. The 22 Long Rifle cartridge is
the most-popular cartridge in the world, and paired with a good
rifle, can fill many roles as a fine hunting, camping, and just
all-around fun gun. These days there are many good 22 rifles from
which to choose and a person can spend very little or a lot of
money on that rifle. I recently received in here for review one
of the most-affordable 22 rifles on the market; the Rossi RS22.
This rifle is very similar to the recently-reviewed Mossberg
702 Plinkster. Both rifles are built by the same
manufacturer in Brazil, and both a are very affordable. The
sights are the same set of excellent adjustable fiber-optic
sights, and the magazines will interchange, so this Rossi will
work perfectly with the Mossberg twenty-five round magazine that
they sell for the 702 Plinkster. The stock is a black synthetic material, and
the steel parts have a blued metal finish. The tapered barrel
measures eighteen inches in length, and the rifle has an overall
length of 36.25 inches. The magazine holds ten rounds, and is
made of blued steel. The magazine follower serves to hold the
bolt open when the magazine is empty. The bolt can also be
locked into the open position by pressing inward on the
retracted charging handle. The safety is a crossbolt
trigger-blocking style, pushing from right-to-left to fire. The
trigger pull is surprisingly good on this inexpensive rifle,
weighing in at just four and one-half pounds resistance on my
digital scale. I
tested the RS22 rifle with several brands of 22 Long Rifle
ammunition for velocity and function. The results with each
brand and type of ammunition are listed in the chart below. HP
is a lead hollowpoint bullet. Solid is a lead roundnose bullet.
TC is a truncated cone solid. Velocity readings were taken at an
elevation of 541 feet above sea level, with an air temperature
of 85 degrees Fahrenheit, with humidity in the eighty-seven
percent range. Velocities are listed in feet-per-second (FPS)
and were recorded twelve feet from the muzzle of the rifle.
Bullet weights are listed in grains. The
first round chambered and fired in the RS22 failed to eject.
Other than that one cartridge, the little Rossi functioned
flawlessly thereafter, firing hundreds of rounds without fail.
Every cartridge, using the many types listed in the chart above,
fed, fired, and ejected perfectly. The bolt always locked open
on an empty magazine. Accuracy
testing was conducted at twenty-five yards using several types
of 22 LR ammo. Accuracy was outstanding; much better than
expected from such an inexpensive rifle. I fired five-shot
groups on target, with the aid of a Burris 6 to 18 power target
scope and a Target Shooting,
Inc. Model 500 rifle rest. The top of the receiver is
grooved for tip-off style rimfire rings, making the mounting of
a scope quick and easy. Groups measured from one-half to one and
one-half inches, center-to-center of the widest-apart shots in
each group. The little rifle did almost as well at fifty yards.
Very good performance, especially considering that this little
RS22 has a suggested retail price of only $139 US, as of the
date of this review. Removing
the scope, I also fired many mags full of ammo through the rifle
using the excellent open sights, which consist of an adjustable
fiber-optic rear with a hooded fiber-optic front. The rear sight
has windage and elevation knobs, for easy adjustments without
tools. A welcome feature, and certainly not expected on a rifle
in this price range. The
trigger functioned well, with only slight travel before
releasing. This is a fun little plinker. The RS22 weighs exactly
four pounds on my scale and is a delight to carry and shoot. The
Rossi RS22 is lightweight, handy, reliable, and accurate. It is
also one of the most-affordable rifles on the market, and is
made in America. South America, but still America. Check
out the RS22 and other Rossi products online at www.rossiusa.com. For
the location of a Rossi dealer near you, click on the DEALER
FINDER at www.lipseys.com. To
order the RS22 online, click on the GUN GENIE at www.galleryofguns.com. To
order quality 22 Long Rifle ammunition, go to www.luckygunner.com
and www.midsouthshooterssupply.com.
Got something to say about this article?
Want to agree (or disagree) with it? Click the following link to
go to the GUNBlast Feedback Page. Click pictures for a larger version.
Excellent set of fiber-optic adjustable sights.
Burris Target Scope was used for accuracy testing.
Five-shot groups, fired at twenty-five yards, varied
from 1/2 to 1-1/4 inches.
|
