I've been thinking about getting one of the 45-70 models. Just wondering what you guys think of them. Marlin is my favorite but I'd thought I'd mix it up a bit.

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"But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security." U. S. Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776

Most any Rossi I've ever had or been involved with wasn't the purtiest girl at the dance but like homely gals, when you turned out the lights they were all a bit fun!

I've heard claims that the the Rios aren't as strong as the Marlin 1895s & the absolute heaviest loads shouldn't be used in them. But I have ever spoken with an actual owner of one. I HAVE seen comparisons on the net with various parts from both rifles laid side by side and some of the Rios parts are a little thinner (the levers for instance). But again, never seen a user of both say yay or nay.

I was in the 45-70 lever market earlier this year. I picked up a few Rios at a gunshop but I could never get over the cheap, "un-attractive" wood used on the stocks. But thats just me, if you either dont care or are looking for a cheap bigbore lever to chunk behind the seat in your pickup, then the Rossi might be your daisy!

I bought 2 1895s, one a lmtd edt 1895STBL for my oldest son. It'sa jewel & is flawless. (he put way more scope on it than I'd personally choose. He went with a SS VX3 3.5x10x40 but that was his choice) I then bought a 1895G, carried it home & slapped a VX3 2.5x8x36 on it & man does it carry like a dream in my west TN swamp! (my son shoots the 325FTX Leverevos in his. I have the bonecrushing Buffalo Bore 300 Barnes in mine)

My sons STBL is a work of art & was slick as glass straight out of the box. My G-gun has great wood on it but the Carrier (I'd call it the loading ramp) needs removed & polished as it scrapes cartridges up pretty badly while cycling. Both guns shoot great tho!

I tried & tried to find a new Henry 45-70, wrote the company & the Pres himself said they WERE shipping in May/June but I never found any that had so I gave up looking & bought the Marlins. Sure woulda liked to have tried a Henry but I dont know wth they were doing.

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Chaser of webfooted swampmonsters!

Dont buy the rossi!

Rossi has not been a favorite of mine in handguns or rifles. They make much better. Stay away.

If I could locate one of the octagon barreled 454's I'd jump on it. I have wanted one for a couple of years now but has eluded me when cash was in hand.

Why the 454 you ask, the heart wants what the heart wants.

My experience with Rossi is the action is incredibly stiff. I found this with Rossi lever actions and revolvers. I don't much care for the factory triggers either. I think you can do much better.

I've done some reading on this and appreciate the responses. It looks to me like the price difference between a NIB Marlin 1895 and the Rossi is $100 or less. I will probably stick with a Marlin.

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"But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security." U. S. Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776

I have a Rossi (EMF) 92 in 357 Magnum with a case hardened frame. I replaced the idiotic safety on the rear of the bolt with a plug kit from Steven's Guns. It is awesome and does not have the useless rebounding hammer the Miroku does. Also it is a non union product - which I hugely prefer.

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- A Man Without A Cross -

I don't recognise the negitive reports in my experience with the Rossi 92.
Mine was a bit stiff until I cleaned the shipping grease out and relubed with one of the wonder lubes I've got around here.
I lapped the barrel real well, since I intended to shoot cast bullets only. If there is some problem with Rossi I've yet to find it.

Jim

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Cast bullets are the true and rightous path to shooting bliss

So I have a Rossi and did have some work done to it before I took Possession... but

I do love it

My one issue is I needed to "finish" the stock, which I did with no issue.

The person who did my work was Rossi 92 Specialist, Nate Kiowa Jones a.k.a. Steve Young - Professional Gunsmith

I would not trade it for the world

Snake

I have only shot the Rossi .357. It fed both .38 specials and .357 magnum rounds well, and could shoot better than I could.

PMC 130 grain FMJ loads were absolutely amazingly accurate, even though this round was dismal in several revolvers I tried...go figure.

G,day guys. well i bought a 24" octagonal 92 for CLAS competitions. had some initial feed problems,sent to my gunsmith who cleaned her up in 2 hours.does not miss a beat. usual comp is 5 rounds in 15 seconds. this rifle shoots 1" group at 50m.
have since aquired a Rio Grand 30-30 i will let you know how she goes next week.
Grandad

Nels here from OZ.
re marlin bought a new one last year,compared to a winchester the timber is ordinary and the fit timber to metal left a bit to be desired, had the usual teething problems we sorted out,fitted a set of ANSHUTZ Target sights and she is now a beauty.
bought a rossi 92 .357m, had some teething problems cycling this was sorted out in a couple of hours,fitted the Marlin sights to her and she is accurate.
bought a winchester 9422 this is the slickest outfit, never a problem.
Its like a new 4x4 they all have issues. deal with it and use more ammo.
Nels