Rossi Puma 92 in .44 mag - questions

[ndallyn]

So I bit the bullet and am picking up a .44 mag lever gun. It's a used Rossi saddle ring carbine in a 20" barrel. Just had a couple of questions while I'm waiting for it to arrive:

Are the parts on the Rossi levers interchangeable with Winchester 92 parts? Specifically aftermarket sights, stocks (just in case), and action parts (again, just in case).

What kind of ammunition feeds well in these? I was looking at picking up some Wolf reloads but was wondering if Keith bullets and semi wadcutters would feed reliably before I stock up. Do I need to stick to round nose bullets? Can I shoot lead bullets reliably - any issues with fouling, jamming, etc?

Are there any "bugs" in the design that I should look for? I've never owned or shot a 92 type rifle before (more of a Marlin guy), so if anyone had any old-timer tricks for accurizing/smoothing things up, or if there's any issues a new guy should be aware of, I'd really appreciate the help.

Nathan

 

[Amaziah Rimfire]

I have one that I've owned since 1993. Here are a few answers:

I don't know about the other parts, but the sights are not interchangeable. The front sight blade on mine is integral with the front barrel band, and the rear has an odd size dovetail. They work well though. I understand that they have gone to a dovetailed front sight since then. The hammer spring is also a coil and strut arrangement instead of the original leaf spring.

I haven't found any ammo that feeds poorly in mine, and SWC's feed with no issues, but the actions are kind of rough inside and chew up the brass a little bit. There are instructions available online for how to slick up the action on your workbench. Aftermarket springs, particularly the ejector spring, can do wonders for smoothness. (Do web searches for "Nate Kiowa Jones", "Steve's Gunz" and "slicking up a Rossi 92" and you will find resources including replacement sights).

My gun has a marked preference for jacketed bullets. It loves the Federal American Eagle 240 grain JHP's. One great day I shot a 3" group at 100 yards, prone, with that ammo. I've also had good results with handloads using Hornady 265 and 300 grainers. For hunting I would stick with jacketed. I haven't been able to get cast bullets to shoot accurately. They make patterns, not groups, for me, but they're fine for short range plinking. This is with commercially available hard cast bevel based bullets. Perhaps a flat base or gas check design would work better, I'm not sure.

Bugs: Don't dry fire it! I broke a firing pin that way and had to get a replacement. The action out of the box is rougher than a Marlin. If I was using mine for cowboy action I would definitely slick it up and install aftermarket springs to save my knuckles.

Overall, it's a slim and handy but powerful little package. I like it. Kicks like a .303 with full house magnum loads and quite accurate with jacketed bullets.

 

[ndallyn]

Thanks for the heads up on dry firing and the other info!

 

[Tan]

I highly recommend the DVD kit and safety replacement button from Steve's Gunz. The kit comes with a DVD on modding, repair, cleaning etc. as well as a stainless steel mag follower and ejector spring Steve modifies from a longer Wolff Spring.

For $90 shipped, the one and only plastic part is gone and so is the lawyer safety. Take a small sewing pin and remove the paint from the S and F and you're good to go! I haven't changed the ejector spring yet and I may not bother at all depending on how comprehensive I modify the insides for "slickitacity".