PUMA 1892 (Rossi)

ckid

ckid

CGN Regular
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Location
Quesnel, B.C.
I am looking at buying a Puma in .45 Colt, but I am unsure if it is a wise choice. I would have preferred to buy a Marlin Cowboy, but they have discontinued the 24" barrel - now it's 20":mad: :mad: This rifle will see moderate usage (2000 rnds per year) in Cowboy action competition and I don't want reliability issues or broken parts in the near future. What are your thoughts?

P.S. If anyone knows where there is a 24" .45 Colt octagon barrel 1894 Marlin please let me know.

Steve
 
I've shot both Winchester and Browning 92's and was very impressed with their smoothness and read plenty of articles that boasted of their strength. I can remember looking at Rossi products 15 years ago and was not impressed with fit and finish - but I seem to recall hearing that things have improved. It's unfortunate that it is a day's drive away just to go have a look at it.
 
I can remember looking at Rossi products 15 years ago and was not impressed with fit and finish - but I seem to recall hearing that things have improved.
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Yes I'm hearing the same - the Puma 92 actions, though better made than before, usually still require slicking up by a 1892 smith and reducing some spring tension - especially for competition. The gun is worth the trouble I've read. The end result is a great 92 type cowboy shooter. I'm considering buying one myself but in 454 or 480 for bears.
 
I think it was Camp Cook or Geologist who picked up a PUMA a couple of months ago. His was in .454 Casull IIRC. I think he had a problem with the stock, but the dealer made it right. Seems like a fun little rifle.
 
I also just picked up a Puma M92 454 a couple weeks ago. I have only fired a few rounds of .454 & 45LC out of it and no real sighting in just yet. Nice smooth action and a compact little bush gun.
 
Things sound favourable I will be ordering it today and getting rid of my M94. I'll let you know what I think once I get to wring it out.
 
Excuse me, but what is a "92 smith"? I should think any qualified and licensed master-gunsmith would have learned everything they ever needed to know about slicking up a '92 before ever even thinkiing about getting past their apprenticeship. Just 15 years ago, these guns were FAR more prevalent and I'll bet most decent smiths work on dozens each year - even today.
 
X-man said:
I think it was Camp Cook or Geologist who picked up a PUMA a couple of months ago. His was in .454 Casull IIRC. I think he had a problem with the stock, but the dealer made it right. Seems like a fun little rifle.
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It was Camp Cook, seemed like a nice little gun.
 
Caldwells in North Vancouver are the Canadian importer for LSI Puma rifles.

Have your dealer give them a call.

Yes I have a stainless steel 20" barreled LSI Puma M92 in 454 Casull.

I did have problems with the stocks on the gun but they exchanged them right away.

I am on a trip right now and spent the morning in Princeton doing some coyote calling (called in 2 but was unable to get a shot off they were behind me) and this afternoon and evening on the connector just out of Kelowna.

I am on my first prospecting trip of the year so have my shortened SRH 454 Casull and the Puma rifle out with me today.

I bought the gun with the fiber optic front and rear sights. The rear sights are about the cheapest pieces of scrap I have ever had on a rifle. I removed the rear sight and installed a Marlin 1895GS rear sight which has made this little rifle very accurate with all of my different loads.

I actually just ordered 200 420gr WLNGC's to try out... Hope they fit in the Puma... :)
 
Claven B since WB suggested that work may be needed on a new rifle I thought he might post some information so that the additional costs of smoothing and shipping could be considered by anyone looking to purchase a new rifle. Perhaps erroneously I thought the point of these forums was to share knowledge and experience with other firearm enthusiasts.

Yes you are correct when you say that many smiths are more than competent to smooth out the actions of 92, However I was curious if there was a Canadian equivalent of Doug Turnball who specializes in lever guns. I have a 92 that was rescued from a fire. With the barrel bent, sights and mag tube missing and the lower tang broken I felt it had no collector value so I had it rebarrled to 357. I sent it to a smith who was recommended by a friend, I had seen examples of his work and was satisfied with the care and quality of his work. He did the best of his ability but the gun still needs a bit of tweaking. I wouldn't hesitate to send that smith other guns but I would be interested in a smith that specialized in lever guns if there is one in Canada. Hence my question about a 92 smith.
 
I handled a used .44 Mag recently, like new, $450.00 (at Stittsville Range). Fit and finish were quite nice, as was the balance. This was a 24" octagon-barreled model. If I wanted a .44 Mag rifle, I'd have bought it in a heartbeat. I noted that it is tapped for a tang sight, but not for a receiver sight.
 
My Buddy had a Rossi Puma in .38/.357 Mag. Straight factory, never seen a smith. It was a slick gun and I don't remember him ever having troubles with it. Surprisingly accurate too. He used it for gophers out to 150 yards.
 
Out of the box my Marlin 1894CB 45 Colt was a smoother action than my Puma M92 454 Casull.

The M92 action is a far stronger action though.
 
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