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The Rossi Model 92, a replica of the
legendary Winchester Model 92, has been around in various
forms for many years now, and has almost achieved legendary
status of its own. For the most part, the Rossi
Puma 92 rifles are dandy little weapons, are made of
pretty strong steels, and work well. There have been several
importers of the guns throughout the last few decades, with EMF
and Legacy bringing them in from Brazil these days.
The current Model 92 Rossis have a little safety lever attached
atop the bolt that looks like an afterthought, because that is
exactly what it is. It is, thankfully, easily removable, and a
plain pin can be installed to fill the hole, but there is an
even better filler for that little hole to be available soon.
The Rossi has been, and still is, available in
several different configurations, as were the original
Winchesters. Barrel lengths are usually sixteen, twenty, or
twenty-four inches, with round, octagon, or sometimes half
round/octagon models available. The latest Rossis are also
available made primarily of stainless steel, if desired. My
favorite of the bunch is the little pre-safety sixteen inch .357
Magnum carbines, and I buy every one of them that I run across
if in decent condition at a good price, meaning around three
hundred bucks. The .357 Magnum out of a carbine barrel is
a whole different animal than the same cartridge fired from a
four or six inch revolver. The combination of a sealed breech
and long barrel really brings the efficient little cartridge to
life, and it can be safely loaded up to .30-30
Winchester power levels, and with a fatter bullet.
The only drawback of the little Rossi rifles and
carbines is that they could be a bit smoother in function. Some
work pretty well as is, but most all of them could be a little
slicker. The Model 92 rifle, when timed, fitted, and properly
polished is one of the smoothest, and strongest, lever actions
ever designed.
Steve Young of Port Arthur, Texas is a
gunsmith who specializes in the Rossi Model 92 rifle. He does
some other ‘smithing work as well, but the Rossi is his
specialty. When asked why he chose to specialize in the
Rossi rifles, he says that all of the other guns were already
taken. Reason enough. Anyway, Steve does a booming business in
slicking up the little Rossis for hunters, plinkers, and
especially Cowboy Action Shooters
(CAS). Steve is also a Cowboy Action competitor himself,
going by the alias of Nate Kiowa Jones, so he understands
what a competitive shooter needs. Steve can really make
the little Rossis run.
Timing and feeding are important on these guns,
and Steve polishes them where they should be polished, and
tweaks the action for smooth running with no hang-ups. In a CAS
match, one bobble can mean the difference between winning and
being an also-ran. On a more serious note, the Model 92 wasn’t
designed by John Browning to shoot in Cowboy matches, but
to protect oneself from enemies, and to put food on the table.
The 92 was a much stronger, handier, and lighter rifle than its
predecessor; the Winchester Model 1873. The Model 92 is still a
dandy choice for a defensive carbine, and much preferred to any
handgun. It carries more power, and is easier to deliver aimed
fire. The little lever action carbines are pretty much
overlooked these days as a fighting weapon in favor of AR-15
carbines and pistol-caliber autoloaders, but a slick little
levergun is one of the best choices available. In this latter
context, a smooth-running weapon is even more important than in
any shooting match.
I have three Rossi .357 Magnum carbines that are
almost identical, so I picked the roughest action out of the
bunch to send to Steve for his action job. Steve adjusts
the loading gate spring to ease loading, adjusts the ejector
spring, magazine spring, and trigger return and hammer springs.
He does timing work when needed to assure proper and smooth
function, and pretty much just makes the gun
"slicker". He removes any sharp edges and burrs from
the action and loading gate area, and as an option, replaces the
plastic followers with a metal one. After getting the
little carbine back from Steve, it is the slickest Rossi that I
have.
If you need a new Model 92, Steve can supply
those as well. He gives every gun a good going-over and an
action job, and that is included in his price. Also, Steve can
eliminate the little safety flapper atop the bolt for an extra
charge. As alluded to earlier, Steve is working on an aperture
sight that will replace the safety lever, resulting in eliminating
the eyesore, and adding a very practical sight at the same time.
Steve Young also works over revolvers and
shotguns, making them race-ready for competition. For more
information, go to: www.stevesgunz.com.
Jeff Quinn
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Click pictures for a larger version.
UPDATE!
"Before" pictures of a Rossi
Model 92 shows the safety on top of the bolt, just forward of
the hammer. This part is not needed, and downright offensive to
the eyes of the Model 92 purist.
Steve furnishes a filler that is much more
appealing to the eye than the Rossi's safety. This part is
available for the home gunsmith.
An even better option is Steve's
flush-fitting filler. It must be fitted by Steve, but offers a
much better appearance. This is part of Steve's standard Model
92 action job.
Steve Young, AKA Nate Kiowa Jones -
Rossi Model 92 Specialist
Jeff is a big fan of the Rossi Model 92, and owns
several.
Author's .357 Rossi Model 92 after Steve Young slicked 'er
up.
The Model 92 is one of the strongest lever-action rifle
designs.
Steve Young does a great job of slicking the action and
improving loading gate function.
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