Rossi 45 lc lever action rifle

Prof Young · February 25, 2012, 01:21 AM

Shooters:
I see that Rossi makes a lever action rifle that shoots 45 colt. Anyone out there care to share their experience with this gun?
Live well, be safe
Prof Young

briandg · February 25, 2012, 02:12 AM

the rossi iin .357 us a very functional, decently accurate, and pretty well constructed rifle. You should be able to get 6" groups easily. I can hit 75 offhand yard clay pigeons on the berms with mine.

If this style of gun is good for you, you will do well.

Lee McNelly · February 25, 2012, 02:27 AM

Inexp yes

acc yes

finish yes

gak · February 25, 2012, 04:47 PM

They are great guns. Light, handy, slick, strong actions, quick to bring on target. all features brought over from the legendary Winchester 1892 (92), arguably John Browning's finest rifle design and one of Winchester's finest offerings ever. I've only got .357 and .44 Mag (and a little. of .44-40) over the course of 30 or so years with them, but have heard little but good about the .45s as well. (.45 was never an original Win 92 offering)

All of mine are "pre safety." In the mid 90's when Legacy Sports (LSI/Puma) took over from Interarms as the top importer, they added a fukakata little ambiguous safety atop the receiver. In 2006, another Rossi distributor, EMF, which had been a safety hold-out succumbed and added the "feature" as well. It's the only real "ding" IMO on the newer (post Interarms era) Rossis. Most live with it and--for the most part--learn to ignore it. Others have plugged it successfully (do a search), including one with innovative peep site (see link below) "replacement" to fill in.

But, really, they're all great guns. Some smoother out- of-the-box than others. 2000 or so meant new tooling and supposedly with it smoother actions, but I've not had any complaints regarding the older ones...and even those that might be a little stiff early on, nothing a lot of dry levering won't cure 95% of. Steve Young, aka Nate Kiowa Jones, is the 92 guru www.stevesgunz.com, famous for his Rossi tuning, and has a video for do-it-yerselfers to slick up your gun, and parts such as a steel mag follower to replace the plastic one that comes with most.
Get one and enjoy!

Later Edit: Btw, Rossi (Taurus/Braztech) itself is the only current distributor/importer of its 92s. LSI got out of the Rossi business (but kept its "Puma" name many have felt synonymous with any Rossi 92--it got from its Interarms "take over") in 2008 and has been selling its own pricier line of Italian (Chiappa) made 92s since, along with Cimarron and Taylor's.

Doc.Holliday · February 25, 2012, 08:08 PM

Great rifle in 45 colt.
I have a 92 big loop trapper model that is slick and handy and the Ranch Hand model as well both of course in 45 colt.
All Rossi's have a sight issue that is easily corrected with Marbles sights making them accurate as well.
I am a reloader so ammo cost is a non issue.
I had nothing but feeding problems with this model in the 357/38 spl caliber so I traded it off. It seems to be a common issue when trying to use 38 cal.
It is true The original model 92 Winchester was never chambered in 45 colt but then again neither was it chambered in 357/38 spl or 44 mag.
I think you will enjoy this rifle in this fine old historical caliber.

Doc

az_imuth · February 26, 2012, 07:46 AM

I have one of the Braztech 24" Octagon models that I purchased toward the end of 2010. It's chambered for 38/357 and I haven't had any issues using 38 in mine at all. It'll eat the stuff like candy and puts it right where you aim. I had considered the 45 caliber, but not being a reloader would have made that a rather expensive choice. Like most, my action was a little rough out of the box and then smoothed up very nicely after some use without making any modifications.

Prof Young · February 26, 2012, 12:38 PM

Shooters:
Thanks for the info. I may start shopping.
Live well, be safe
Prof Young

arch308 · February 28, 2012, 08:08 PM

I've got an older one in 45 Colt and really like it. With my hot handloads it will hold good groups at 100 yds. I've even taken a young buck with it. The fit & finish are outstanding and the wood is so good looking I don't take it hunting much for fear of marring the finish.

All in all a sweet little rifle.

Hammerhead · February 28, 2012, 11:00 PM

My shooting partner has the stainless 16" Puma in .45 Colt, I get to shoot it often. I really like that gun, it even feeds my SWC loads.
My .45 Colt carbine is the H&R single shot, like that one too.

PetahW · February 29, 2012, 09:58 AM

I have a Rossi/LSI Model 92 Big Loop 16" carbine in .45 Colt - that I bought 4 years ago NIB, and have been shooting w/o issue.

I "upgraded" (?) mine via replacing the plastic magazine follower with one I handmade of brass, and also replaced the bolt-top lawyer safety with a Skinner Lo-Pro Peep Sight - which zeroed using the issue front sight within 5 shots.
The LoPro Peep install was a drop-in, via simply opening the bolt & tapping out the safety retaining pin, which is re-used to retain the Skinner peep.

For plinking, I use Cowboy loads or whatever, but for hunting I use the loads the rifle is zeroed for - CorBon JSP's.

Using the CorBon loads, I've been successful on big Maine Whitetails out to a little over 100 yds

.

Edward429451 · March 1, 2012, 09:52 AM

I can tell you that its a tough rifle. A friend has one in 45 Colt and I stood there and watched him shoot about a dozen rounds of 44 Mag through it. I eventually wandered over and started picking up the brass and noticed it was seriously bulged. It never did split a case and the rifle was fine. (morons).

kokopelli · March 1, 2012, 08:09 PM

Bought a 19" 45 colt. Was so impressed with it I bought another one- 16" saddle ring large loop. I am so impressed with it it's a matter of time before I get the Ranch Hand too.

arentol · March 2, 2012, 12:31 AM

I have a 16" trapper model from Rossi in Colt 45 that works great. I actually don't mind the safety they installed on it because you can easily replace it with a peep sight to give yourself a much longer sight radius than you would ever get with the barrel sights.
The only negative thing I have to say about it is that if you shoot really hot loads (like stuff rated at 1000ft/lbs and higher muzzle energy from 5" barrels) it can be kind of tough on your shoulder because of the metal buttplate and overall light weight. This is a complete non-issue with normal rounds though, which you could shoot all day without issue.

I also have a Ranch Hand in .44mag. It actually had some feed issues and I ended up having to grind one piece down just a teeny bit to get it to feed at all. Aside from that it has been great.

I also swapped the levers between the two guns, as I find the Ranch Hand is much easier to work with a normal lever. I am probably going to order another lever from Rossi for the trapper as I really don't like the big loop at all. I have no intention of spinning my rifle to load it, and that is all the big loop offers while the smaller loop makes for a shorter total distance I have to move my hand to work the action, which is a very good thing.

I have used the DVD from stevezguns to do some work on these gun. The action is now pretty smooth and easy, and I was able to use a dremel with a grinding stone tip to lighten the trigger pull on both to about 4 lbs.

Definitely some fun guns.

February 25, 2012, 01:21 AM	#1
Prof Young Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2007 Location: Illinois - down state Posts: 2,403	Rossi 45 lc lever action rifle Shooters: I see that Rossi makes a lever action rifle that shoots 45 colt. Anyone out there care to share their experience with this gun? Live well, be safe Prof Young

February 25, 2012, 02:27 AM	#3
Lee McNelly Junior member Join Date: June 9, 2011 Posts: 325	ROSSI Inexp yes acc yes finish yes

February 25, 2012, 04:47 PM	#4
gak Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2005 Location: Aridzona Posts: 2,767	They are great guns. Light, handy, slick, strong actions, quick to bring on target. all features brought over from the legendary Winchester 1892 (92), arguably John Browning's finest rifle design and one of Winchester's finest offerings ever. I've only got .357 and .44 Mag (and a little. of .44-40) over the course of 30 or so years with them, but have heard little but good about the .45s as well. (.45 was never an original Win 92 offering) All of mine are "pre safety." In the mid 90's when Legacy Sports (LSI/Puma) took over from Interarms as the top importer, they added a fukakata little ambiguous safety atop the receiver. In 2006, another Rossi distributor, EMF, which had been a safety hold-out succumbed and added the "feature" as well. It's the only real "ding" IMO on the newer (post Interarms era) Rossis. Most live with it and--for the most part--learn to ignore it. Others have plugged it successfully (do a search), including one with innovative peep site (see link below) "replacement" to fill in. But, really, they're all great guns. Some smoother out- of-the-box than others. 2000 or so meant new tooling and supposedly with it smoother actions, but I've not had any complaints regarding the older ones...and even those that might be a little stiff early on, nothing a lot of dry levering won't cure 95% of. Steve Young, aka Nate Kiowa Jones, is the 92 guru www.stevesgunz.com, famous for his Rossi tuning, and has a video for do-it-yerselfers to slick up your gun, and parts such as a steel mag follower to replace the plastic one that comes with most. Get one and enjoy! Later Edit: Btw, Rossi (Taurus/Braztech) itself is the only current distributor/importer of its 92s. LSI got out of the Rossi business (but kept its "Puma" name many have felt synonymous with any Rossi 92--it got from its Interarms "take over") in 2008 and has been selling its own pricier line of Italian (Chiappa) made 92s since, along with Cimarron and Taylor's. Last edited by gak; February 25, 2012 at 06:48 PM.

February 25, 2012, 08:08 PM	#5
Doc.Holliday Member Join Date: August 11, 2011 Posts: 27	Rossi 92 in 45 colt Great rifle in 45 colt. I have a 92 big loop trapper model that is slick and handy and the Ranch Hand model as well both of course in 45 colt. All Rossi's have a sight issue that is easily corrected with Marbles sights making them accurate as well. I am a reloader so ammo cost is a non issue. I had nothing but feeding problems with this model in the 357/38 spl caliber so I traded it off. It seems to be a common issue when trying to use 38 cal. It is true The original model 92 Winchester was never chambered in 45 colt but then again neither was it chambered in 357/38 spl or 44 mag. I think you will enjoy this rifle in this fine old historical caliber. Doc

February 26, 2012, 12:38 PM	#7
Prof Young Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2007 Location: Illinois - down state Posts: 2,403	Thanks Shooters: Thanks for the info. I may start shopping. Live well, be safe Prof Young

February 25, 2012, 02:12 AM	#2
briandg Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2010 Posts: 5,468	the rossi iin .357 us a very functional, decently accurate, and pretty well constructed rifle. You should be able to get 6" groups easily. I can hit 75 offhand yard clay pigeons on the berms with mine. If this style of gun is good for you, you will do well.

February 26, 2012, 07:46 AM	#6
az_imuth Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 306	I have one of the Braztech 24" Octagon models that I purchased toward the end of 2010. It's chambered for 38/357 and I haven't had any issues using 38 in mine at all. It'll eat the stuff like candy and puts it right where you aim. I had considered the 45 caliber, but not being a reloader would have made that a rather expensive choice. Like most, my action was a little rough out of the box and then smoothed up very nicely after some use without making any modifications.

February 28, 2012, 08:08 PM	#8
arch308 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2011 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 876	I've got an older one in 45 Colt and really like it. With my hot handloads it will hold good groups at 100 yds. I've even taken a young buck with it. The fit & finish are outstanding and the wood is so good looking I don't take it hunting much for fear of marring the finish. All in all a sweet little rifle.

February 28, 2012, 11:00 PM	#9
Hammerhead Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,432	My shooting partner has the stainless 16" Puma in .45 Colt, I get to shoot it often. I really like that gun, it even feeds my SWC loads. My .45 Colt carbine is the H&R single shot, like that one too.

February 29, 2012, 09:58 AM	#10
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	I have a Rossi/LSI Model 92 Big Loop 16" carbine in .45 Colt - that I bought 4 years ago NIB, and have been shooting w/o issue. I "upgraded" (?) mine via replacing the plastic magazine follower with one I handmade of brass, and also replaced the bolt-top lawyer safety with a Skinner Lo-Pro Peep Sight - which zeroed using the issue front sight within 5 shots. The LoPro Peep install was a drop-in, via simply opening the bolt & tapping out the safety retaining pin, which is re-used to retain the Skinner peep. For plinking, I use Cowboy loads or whatever, but for hunting I use the loads the rifle is zeroed for - CorBon JSP's. Using the CorBon loads, I've been successful on big Maine Whitetails out to a little over 100 yds .

March 1, 2012, 09:52 AM	#11
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	I can tell you that its a tough rifle. A friend has one in 45 Colt and I stood there and watched him shoot about a dozen rounds of 44 Mag through it. I eventually wandered over and started picking up the brass and noticed it was seriously bulged. It never did split a case and the rifle was fine. (morons).

March 1, 2012, 08:09 PM	#12
kokopelli Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2009 Location: Ky Posts: 202	Bought a 19" 45 colt. Was so impressed with it I bought another one- 16" saddle ring large loop. I am so impressed with it it's a matter of time before I get the Ranch Hand too.

March 2, 2012, 12:31 AM	#13
arentol Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2011 Posts: 230	I have a 16" trapper model from Rossi in Colt 45 that works great. I actually don't mind the safety they installed on it because you can easily replace it with a peep sight to give yourself a much longer sight radius than you would ever get with the barrel sights. The only negative thing I have to say about it is that if you shoot really hot loads (like stuff rated at 1000ft/lbs and higher muzzle energy from 5" barrels) it can be kind of tough on your shoulder because of the metal buttplate and overall light weight. This is a complete non-issue with normal rounds though, which you could shoot all day without issue. I also have a Ranch Hand in .44mag. It actually had some feed issues and I ended up having to grind one piece down just a teeny bit to get it to feed at all. Aside from that it has been great. I also swapped the levers between the two guns, as I find the Ranch Hand is much easier to work with a normal lever. I am probably going to order another lever from Rossi for the trapper as I really don't like the big loop at all. I have no intention of spinning my rifle to load it, and that is all the big loop offers while the smaller loop makes for a shorter total distance I have to move my hand to work the action, which is a very good thing. I have used the DVD from stevezguns to do some work on these gun. The action is now pretty smooth and easy, and I was able to use a dremel with a grinding stone tip to lighten the trigger pull on both to about 4 lbs. Definitely some fun guns.

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