Opinions On Quality Of Current Production Rossi 92's ???

[Zappa]

I'm a big fan of lever actions carbines, owning several Winchesters, Brownings, Marlins and Ithacas. I especially like the smoothness of the model 92's. Rossi has a few new models on the market that look really slick.
This stainless 16" .44 mag has caught my eye:

My question is regarding quality of current production.
I have a few horror stories about a Rossi Puma .357 that I owned many years ago.
I believe I posted my mini-rant about it here once or twice.
After that, I avoided Rossi products like the plague.
This new model really has me intrigued, but I don't want to buy another POS.

I've looked around trying to find one on the shelf, but haven't seen a stainless specimen yet. (anyone see one anywhere recently?)
The Rossi Dealer Locator page only shows Walmarts and Dicks as listed dealers. I stopped in at Dicks in Dedham for my first time, they didn't have one but said they could get me one. I was surprised at some of the deals they had there. I looked at a Henry .22 lever action that I was impressed with. The sale price was $250. MSRP on Henrys web site is $325, I looked it up on GB and couldn't find it for less. I may go back and get one.

So, opinions of Rossi quality and function ??

 

[mac1911]

for the price point I think your better off with the henry, my friend purchased a rosi gun for his son. I say its just ok

 

[Acme.Armament]

The Rossi brand is good. I've sold a couple blued version in .357 and they are as good mechanically as a Marlin or Henry. The exterior finish on these have not been as good as a Marlin 1895 or 336 blued.

Right now as I type this my supplier does not have any R92-55018 in stock.

 

[Zappa]

I decided to take a chance on one of these, hoping the quality was better than the Puma I owned in the early 90's, so I went in search of one.
I had 5 different dealers try to get one, but they all said their distributors didn't have any in stock, and they couldn't give me a time frame for delivery. [sad2]

However, I made my first trip to North Shore in Middleton the week before Christmas, and asked the same question. They made a call and said "my distributor has one on in Pennsylvania, I can have it here by Wednesday".



I left a deposit, and sure enough I got a call from them on Wednesday, my rifle was in.
I picked it up the following Friday, but didn't get to go shoot it until today.
The quality is MUCH better than the old Puma. The metal finish and attention to detail is greatly improved, the action is very smooth, and functions flawlessly.
Needless to say I am quite pleased with it.
What surprised me was the stout recoil with the heavy .44 mag loads.
After a half box, my shoulder was a bit sore.
The rifles light weight, stainless buttplate and narrow stock probably don't help much either. I shoot these same loads from a Ruger .44 Carbine, and a Contender Carbine, neither of which kicks like this little Rossi does.
I also loaded it up with some .44 Specials and I'm pleased to report that it also cycles perfectly with the shorter rounds. I can load 10 Specials in the tube, but only 9 Magnums, and getting that last one in is not easy.
Rossi added a manual firing pin blocking safety to the top of the bolt, it rotates 90 degrees between Safe and Fire. It's easy to operate, very low profile, and doesn't detract from the esthetics of that classic Model 92 design. Unlike that abomination of a safety Winchester put on their 94's in the late 80's.
Accuracy wise, I can't say exactly how good it is yet because I was shooting in fog and really couldn't see the targets, but I know I was at least hitting the side of the hill.

Rossi really did a nice job on this new rifle and I'm already thinking about getting another one in .45LC