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May 17, 2010
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Well I have been looking for a used decent looking .357 levergun for years. Especially after I decided to do reloading, and picked up a bunch of .357 brass. So at the gunshow I found this: (pics are from phone and horrible)
Its a Rossi Model 92 and below is the new Palmer FB. I bought both of these in a single deal from the same vendor at the gunshow.
I ran out to the gun range to try it out with all the various 38/357 ammo I have been making for my DW.
The Good:
With 148gr SWC, (my plinker loads) this thing is like shooting a .22... REALLY. It has zero recoil.
The bad:
Loading this gun is a PITA! My thumb is still sore... it hurts to type! The little trap door is too tight. Rounds stick in the tube when the lifting things does not pop up, and I had several rounds just not want to feed on the first try.
The ugly:
The gun is used, but by the looks of the barrel it had never been shot. It had a zip tie on it so I could not dry fire it, until I got home. When I did, it jammed hard!. I finally broke it free and after liberal oiling (several times) while shooting it, It is doing much better. I truely think I am the first person to ever fire this gun. It was completely dry. The wood on the gun actually looks pretty nice, though the forearm does not seem to really match the stock.
No accuracy report, I could not get downrange to put up a new target.
148gr 38... shoots great zero recoil
158 JHP .357 loaded hot... seems to shoot the VERY best in this gun, very light recoil, felt very good in this gun
180gr .LSWC 357 med load... this load is a bugger in the DW unless using EWK EH6. It did recoil in the lever, but still very mild. Did not want to chamber without some jiggle.
This Rossi would fail "The Rifleman" intro scene. No way to rapid fire this puppy. You have to be very smooth and deliberate with the lever down and up. I knew going in that the Rossi was no DW, but still it stings a tad, that it is this bad. For now I will keep the gun, maybe some more range time will smooth it out even more. My son thinks he would like to try it out on a deer. While I want to try it on hogs.
Price ... $350
Soap Box, Ballot Box, Ammo Box
in that order.
4 Monson Model 15's
1 Palmer FB 15
1 Rossi 357 Model 92 (lever)
1 CZ 75B
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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Awesome; gotta love a lever action. Sounds like a hoot.
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
December 26, 2010
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Nice score. I've been wanting a lever gun of some sort also (but my boy wants a black rifle). I bet that Rossi loosens up nicely. My 715 was stiff at first but has loosened up nicely. Have fun with them.
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DWF Supporters
October 11, 2009
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Good for you and a nice find ,
artex
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Moderators
January 24, 2009
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Pinetor said:
The Good:
The bad:
The ugly:
At first I was a little confused as to which new toy you were talking about, but by the time you got to "bad" I knew it wasn't anything from the Palmer camp. 
Of course with the Brazil guys...well...it's often an "anything goes" policy, and the "whatever makes the bucks, wins" mentality that appears constant with our current administration, and their (paid-for lackeys).
BTW, I'm anxious to know if that one is a 5" or a 6" FB gun...show it off with more
when you can.
September 7, 2011
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Congrats , sounds like it needs a good breakdown oil and scrub. Nice gun
" Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch , Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote " - Ben Franklin
May 3, 2011
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Congrats on the new addition. Sounds like you need to break it in. Sometimes lever action rifles won't shoot the same pistol ammo as accurate. Due to the length of the barrel and the twist. You may still need to develop a sweet load for the rifle. Rossi made some very nice lever action rifles. If the grease on it it is very old it sometimes turns into varnish. That may be why it sticks somewhat. Good luck on shooting that new lever action.
February 20, 2008
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What's not to like....lucky guy.
If you're going to drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.
May 17, 2010
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Been doing lots of reading, appearently all the issues I have are common and correctable with spring changes or even just clipping them, and some polishing. I didn't really want a fixer upper but they if these things are done they are actually "suppose to be" a pretty nice gun.
Soap Box, Ballot Box, Ammo Box
in that order.
4 Monson Model 15's
1 Palmer FB 15
1 Rossi 357 Model 92 (lever)
1 CZ 75B
January 22, 2008
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Keep us posted on the mods that you do and how they work out. I would like to add a lever gun in 44 Mag or 45 Colt as a companion to my DW's. Nice find.
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Range Officer
Range Officers
May 2, 2009
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I have the same gun in both 357 and 44... GOOD news is that if you want to turn it into a project gun, there is usually VERY nice wood under that Rossi finish... they use a type of "paint", not a stain.
Strip it off and give it a nice stain job..
SHOOT
May 17, 2010
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Thanks Shoot, that's good to know.
Soap Box, Ballot Box, Ammo Box
in that order.
4 Monson Model 15's
1 Palmer FB 15
1 Rossi 357 Model 92 (lever)
1 CZ 75B
January 22, 2008
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January 22, 2008
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My Dad had a Marlin in 357. I loved it and want one, he sold his! 
(didn't see a crying motie')
…he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. Luke 22:36 Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project http://www.irenasendler.com/
USN-Vet, NRA, GOA, JPFO, SC-GRGR
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