Rossi Puma

[Mad Mike]

 Anybody familiar with 'em ?   Was at one of the local gun shops & they have one in 45 lc.  Looks good & feels even better against  my shoulder.  The lever moved smoothly & had no kind of lag whatsoever.  Shop is askin' 260 for it.

Really thinking hard on this one .. any opinions or info would be greatly appreciated.   Thanks.

[Big John Denny]

Pard, I believe the Puma is a clone of the Winchester 1892. You've already handled it for "feel", and if it worked smoothly for you it might be just the ticket. However, the fact it has a smooth lever action doesn't tell you what it will do with bullets in the magazine. Some 92s just have to be tuned up. The Rossi specialist is Nate Kiowa Jones. If anyone could tell you it would be him.

The price sounds reasonable if the rifle is otherwise in good shape. I like this old saying "One pays their money and takes their chances.". 

His website is stevesgunz.com and he is also listed as a member at CAS City.

[Russ T Chambers]

I had a Rossi Puma in .44 mag,  Shot semi wad cutters (easier to tell from my .45 RNFP pistol rounds) in it all it's life.  Over ¾ of that time was with BP.  Then one day it up and decided to jam feeding unless held muzzle down while cycling the action.  Replaced it with a '73 from Cimarron.  For 12 years or so it was a good gun!

[Lars]

I bought one in 44-40 when I first started CAS/WAS and never regretted it. I did lots of refinishing the stock, which turned out to be a really nice peice of Brazillian hardwood, and some slicking up the innards. Later I sent it to Steve Young for better sights and had him do his standard slickup. It has been a reliable rifle that is about as slick as 1892s get. I did not get the "full race job" so there are some things that could have been made slicker but, I wanted day in, day out reliability.

I have also shot several in 45 Colt. All would feed any ammo, any OAL, including empty cases. Hear of more problems with 44 and 357 mag chambered ones.

Lars

[Panhandle Slim]

My wife bought me one in 45 LC for Christmas in 2003.  It's the saddle ring version with the large
hoop lever.  It's still stock, as I haven't had any work done on it, and probably won't because the
action is smooth enough for me right out of the box.  It's also very accurate up to 25 yds on a
pistol range.  Given the chance, I'd definitely buy another one.  It's my favorite lever gun of the
3 I own now.

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I bought one that was so stiff that I couldn't cycle it while holding it on my shoulder. Steve slicked it up and it was like butter after that. Mine was in 38/357 cal and it was very sensitive to bullet length. I had to fiddle with bullet depth until I got it right. When I got fast enough, I had to get a Uberti Model 73 to keep up with me.

[Mad Mike]

    Thank you all for the replies.  I was looking at it again yesterday while waitin' for the paperwork to be done on my Gaucho.   
   
     I think I'm gonna get it ... after thinkin' about everything it's just too good to pass on ... only gotta find a way to come up with another 160 bucks.


Thanks again ya'll

[Qball]

When you get your gun you need this site for self maintenance.
great info.
http://www.marauder.homestead.com/Rifles.html

[Mad Mike]

Thanks for the site Qball.

I found it hard to belive but when I talked to my wife she said to buy it now before someone else did.
  So I did.

Thanks again for all your help.

[Trinity]

Thanks for the site Qball.

I found it hard to belive but when I talked to my wife she said to buy it now before someone else did.
  So I did.

Thanks again for all your help.

She's probably got a purchase of her own in mind.  Did she make your favorite meal tonight by any chance?

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I found it hard to belive but when I talked to my wife she said to buy it now before someone else did.
  So I did.

Don't let her shoot it. I let my wife shoot my '73 and I had to buy her one to get mine back.

[Mad Mike]

  She shoots my snub-nose .38 better than I do but she won't "own" a gun.
 
  Anybody know where I can get a big loop for it ?

[Texas Tall]

Hey Mike, I used one for several years with no problems untill I got a '73 then it had sat in the safe
for the next two years till last weekend I took it to a shoot and it worked better than I remembered.
Sounds like a good deal to me.

See Ya..................Texas Tall.

[Hemlock Mike]

I've had one in 45 Colt for over 7 years.  I smoothed it a little and it gives me no problems.

Hint:  NEVER remove the forearm unless you like frustration !!

Mike

[Marshal J.D.Lightning]

I've been using mine now for about 5 years & it has never given me any problems !!! This is a rock stock standard rifle & I have done nothing to it & it just keeps going with whatever I feed it !!!

My son is now shooting western action here in Australia with me & he wants a 357 so I'll be looking at a Rossi for him.

All the best & let us know if you have it or when you get it.

"Lightning" 

[Mad Mike]

 I got it Lighting .... been too busy to get out to shoot it yet & it's KILLIN' me ... and now this dang snow.  I hate snow.

[RamRod]

Try Brownells for large loop levers!