Had my new .357 (thanks Dante's!) out this weekend.
The bad:
1) It would not feed anything, Period. The gun had been test fired at the factory (and not cleaned, of course), but they must have single-loaded it by hand. The elevator (or some call it a carrier?) was jamming against the loading port extension, preventing the cartridge from lining up with the chamber because the elevator was coming only half way up. A minor problem that can be solved with a few file strokes and some emery paper, but sad to get a gun right out of the box that couldn't be cycled all the way open and couldn't feed a single cartridge. If affordable .357 Ranch Hands were't so hard to find, I'd have sent it back. I had to single-load it for grouping tests.
2) I have what appears to be one of the new taller front sights. The problem is that at 25 yards, it's still not quite tall enough. I like to shoot with a centre hold, but using this hold, the gun shot 8" or so too high using .38 SWC's. Actually, the sight might be tall enough, but the rear would need to be lower than the lowest notch. I have a lower Marbles rear sight on the way, along with a higher front post that I may (or may not) need.
3) The Saddle ring has to go. It's no friend to a lefty like me and is so totally useless on this gun for anyone who does not own a horse.
The good:
1) Handled better than I thought. The cosmetic fit and finish was better than the last Rossi I looked at a few years ago - they have definitely gotten cosmetically better in recent years. There is some internal flashing and burring that needs clean-up, but nothing too bad. To be honest, I've had two chiappa 92's and they were no better. Both of those rifles had issues, in one case the barrel dovetails were machined so poorly I had to return it. In the other case, the take-down was so loose the front end wobbled no matter how tight the magazine was screwed in. Of course, neither gun is as nice as my Miroku Winchester 92, but Moroku doesn't make one this short - sadly.
2) It's a shooter! This group is about 1", shot from a rest with a low 6 o'clock hold at exactly 25 yards as measured with a laser range finder. Using cheap factory reloaded Centaure lead SWC's from the old Cenury Arms in Montreal. It's old ammo I've had sitting on a shelf for a long while. I could do better with better regulated sights, I was aiming about 1" lower than the bottom of the black bull.
This next group (at the top of the target, 5 shots, about 6 inch spread) was shot free-hand, same ammo, also 25 yards, centre-hold using push-pull. It was my first attempt with this gun and the group size shows it - lol.
Today, I pulled it all apart and ground off the riveted-over inner legs of the saddle ring and pulled that (mercifully) off the gun. Next week when in town, I'll pick up some plug screws and tap the holes so I can fill them. I also properly fitted the loading port door and polished the side of the cartridge elevator where it passes the door extension. It now feeds .38''s well, though it's a bit temperamental with .357's yet. Best I can do though until I get a lighter ejector spring in the mail (that I already ordered). All the internals were de-burred. It now also cycles a lot smoother.
New sights, a metal magazine follower, reduced power ejector spring, and a holster are en-route. No real regrets picking up this fun little gun for carrying around the acreage.
I also may yet re-shape that HUGE loop. It's just stupid big. What was Rossi thinking? I'd like it big enough for gloves, but half the size it is now.
