Rossi/Puma short rifles

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aragornelessar86
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Rossi/Puma short rifles

Post by aragornelessar86 »

Am I going crazy or did Rossi/Puma used to make a "short rifle" version of their 92s? They haven't been listed on Rossi's site for the better part of a decade now, but I can't even find any kind of reference to them or classified/gunbroker/gunsamerica listings. Maybe I'm just going senile.
Puma 92, 24" rifle, SS, .357 Mag
Rossi 92, 20" carbine, SS, .45LC
"Remlin" Guide Gun
Lassiter
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Re: Rossi/Puma short rifles

Post by Lassiter »

They did! I had one back around 2002. It had an octagon barrel in 45 Colt. I think it had an 18" barrel but it might have been 20"
.45colt
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Re: Rossi/Puma short rifles

Post by .45colt »

We have one here, 20" hex barrel, .357 mag. a lot of weight but it hangs really well offhand. I bought online it from a place in Kentucky prolly 20 years ago.$325.00. It must have been worked over for SASS because it is smooth and slick and a great shooter. My Daughter keeps it for a home defense Gun now.
aragornelessar86
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Re: Rossi/Puma short rifles

Post by aragornelessar86 »

Ah, so I'm not losing my mind. I sure wish I could get my hands on a stainless one in .45LC. Maybe if anyone gets a line on on they can let me know.
.45colt wrote: Tue Apr 08, 2025 11:44 am We have one here, 20" hex barrel, .357 mag. a lot of weight but it hangs really well offhand. I bought online it from a place in Kentucky prolly 20 years ago.$325.00. It must have been worked over for SASS because it is smooth and slick and a great shooter. My Daughter keeps it for a home defense Gun now.
I've got a 24" rifle in .357mag, and a 20" carbine in .45LC. While the carbine is nice and light, I really miss the forward weight of the octagon barrel. Also, I far prefer the crescent butt to the carbine version.
Puma 92, 24" rifle, SS, .357 Mag
Rossi 92, 20" carbine, SS, .45LC
"Remlin" Guide Gun
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Old Savage
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Re: Rossi/Puma short rifles

Post by Old Savage »

I have a 16” 357.
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zoner
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Re: Rossi/Puma short rifles

Post by zoner »

I have a 357 magnum Rossi with 16" barrel also
348win
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Re: Rossi/Puma short rifles

Post by 348win »

What the deal w these modern Rossi 92's in Stainless....

How durable is the Stainless to the elements

For the price, I'm wondering if they are just the ticket for a truck/farm gun that's going to see rain, bad weather...on the regular.

Or are they cheap, rough, and gritty.

Haven't had a chance to hold one or cycle action.
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JimT
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Re: Rossi/Puma short rifles

Post by JimT »

Stainless steel will corrode or rust if it is abused and not cleaned. I have seen stainless black powder guns that were pitted because of not being cleaned and I have cleaned up stainless steel guns that were rusty. It can hold up longer than blued steel but it is not "unrustable."

As for Rossi's, they are a decent levergun for the price. I had one that I worked over and shot in Cowboy Action for some years. It is slick and accurate. One of the levergunners on this Forum now owns it and says it is as slick as ever.

The only Rossi levergun I have now is the one that Paco gave me. It has a heavy octagon barrel and good wood. It was looooong barreled but I did not care for it and cut it back to 18" for a handy length.

BEFORE
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AFTER
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348win
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Re: Rossi/Puma short rifles

Post by 348win »

Thanks for sharing Jim

You are right that stainless is not unrustable.

I see different grades are more durable.

I know blued guns don't like being caught in the rain, not one bit.

I read somewhere S&W double action pistols on fishing boats in Alaska subject to saltwater out in the open on the boat spot of rust formed, wiped right off.
I got to agree w that cuz I never seen a 1980's, 90's S&W stainless Revolver w rust/pitting.

Ruger SS handguns hold up well too.

I read somewhere Ruger Hawkeye SS Rifles low grade SS and rust easily.

These comparisons are what I am implying.


The cowboy guys would know who have been stuck in the rain w Rossi 92 Stainless, how the fared.
I'm talking these late model CBC manufactured.

I'd like to be able to go out when its drizzling, gun able to get wet, and not be paranoid its gonna go to he** by the time I get in at dark to dry it by the fire overnight.
Blue guns I don't want to risk that if I don't have to.
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Grizz
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Re: Rossi/Puma short rifles

Post by Grizz »

348win wrote: Sat Apr 26, 2025 4:44 pm What the deal w these modern Rossi 92's in Stainless....

How durable is the Stainless to the elements

For the price, I'm wondering if they are just the ticket for a truck/farm gun that's going to see rain, bad weather...on the regular.

Or are they cheap, rough, and gritty.

Haven't had a chance to hold one or cycle action.
I saw a stainless ruger blackhawk that had been left on a bunk on an unheated boat over a Juneau winter that was completely scarred, marred, and pitted.

I have a Smith 66 that's lived on my boats in the same conditions with no problems. It shows no signs corrosion. And i don't oil it.

I have a stainless guide gun that rides in the skiff thwart in salt spray, at night it gets wiped dry, WD 40'd down the barrel and thru the action, and leaned up against the oil stove to warm it up. So far no corrosion.

When I was living on salt water my guns are stainless. I hunted with a blued SBH and one time, on one long day in the wet woods, a spot pitted on the outside of the trigger guard where it contacted leather. Its relief revolver is a stainless redhawk.

My experiences incline me toward stainless. they will get transported like chainsaws and pick axes and hatchets and splitting mauls and tubs of fishing gear. not a place for prima-donnas . . .
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Pat C
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Re: Rossi/Puma short rifles

Post by Pat C »

The stainless used on most firearms is 416 series it is not corrosion proof. I've seen some nasty bores on muzzle loaders that were shot and loaded in field and forgot about .Needless to say bores nearly ruined.

17-4 is what Big Horn Armory uses it's much more resistant to corrosion.
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Grizz
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Re: Rossi/Puma short rifles

Post by Grizz »

Pat C wrote: Sat Apr 26, 2025 6:51 pm The stainless used on most firearms is 416 series it is not corrosion proof. I've seen some nasty bores on muzzle loaders that were shot and loaded in field and forgot about .Needless to say bores nearly ruined.

17-4 is what Big Horn Armory uses it's much more resistant to corrosion.
do you know what stainless Smith used on their revolvers? my 38 and the 357 both seem impervious to the air that kisses the ocean. .
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Pat C
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Re: Rossi/Puma short rifles

Post by Pat C »

No I'm not sure , I'll see if I can find out.
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Re: Rossi/Puma short rifles

Post by Pisgah »

Anyone who might have questions about Rossi levergun quality can take this for what it's worth. I just got a 16" R92 .45 Colt this week. By any mass-produced standard today, they are superb. Mine, the blued version, has a metal finish to rival any, at any time.The wood they use is a mystery, but it looks great with the old-style-Winchester-looking stain. Buckhorn sights aren't the greatest thing at age 72, but my first three bench rested shots at 25 yards using my warmish rifle handload made one ragged hole. My ONLY "complaint" -- the front sight is high enough that it requires the rear to be raised quite a bit. Of course, when the peepsight-bolt safety replacement arrives from Steve's Guns, that complaint will vanish...
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Pat C
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Re: Rossi/Puma short rifles

Post by Pat C »

Grizz wrote: Sat Apr 26, 2025 7:01 pm
Pat C wrote: Sat Apr 26, 2025 6:51 pm The stainless used on most firearms is 416 series it is not corrosion proof. I've seen some nasty bores on muzzle loaders that were shot and loaded in field and forgot about .Needless to say bores nearly ruined.

17-4 is what Big Horn Armory uses it's much more resistant to corrosion.
do you know what stainless Smith used on their revolvers? my 38 and the 357 both seem impervious to the air that kisses the ocean. .
It is 416 stainless steel .
348win
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Re: Rossi/Puma short rifles

Post by 348win »

Are the dovetails cut; American/Standard/Imperial or Metric???

I suspect the front sight being high to be an annoyance, but at least it has a gold bead. Hopefully not too fat.

I haven't got to inspect one of these rifles in person yet.
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Grizz
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Re: Rossi/Puma short rifles

Post by Grizz »

Pat C wrote: Sat Apr 26, 2025 8:18 pm
Grizz wrote: Sat Apr 26, 2025 7:01 pm
Pat C wrote: Sat Apr 26, 2025 6:51 pm The stainless used on most firearms is 416 series it is not corrosion proof. I've seen some nasty bores on muzzle loaders that were shot and loaded in field and forgot about .Needless to say bores nearly ruined.

17-4 is what Big Horn Armory uses it's much more resistant to corrosion.
do you know what stainless Smith used on their revolvers? my 38 and the 357 both seem impervious to the air that kisses the ocean. .
It is 416 stainless steel .
thank you
oldebear1950
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Re: Rossi/Puma short rifles

Post by oldebear1950 »

I have a 16 inch 38/357 stainless, but I still clean it after shooting, like someone else said , just cause is stainless doesn't mean you don't have to clean it up now and then
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Re: Rossi/Puma short rifles

Post by Griff »

I have one I bought for my son in 2005, imported by EMF. 20" bbl, pretty stout chuck of steel for an octagon bbl!.
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