The Original Bad Bob Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 What would you recommend for an inexpensive SASS rifle? I already have a short barreled Rossi '92 in .44 magnum, which I know I can use if I shoot cowboy loads, probably .44 special. I will have to load one or two rounds during competition, as it will only hold 8-9 rounds in the mag, unless you are allowed to start with one in the tube? I can't afford a '73 Uberti, which I have seen going for about $1,300, so I'm thinking Rossi. I assume .357/.38 is the favorite caliber to shoot, but which models do you favor? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prairie Dawg, SASS #50329 Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 They are all nice, just depends on what you like Carbine or rifle Blue or stainless or case colored Round barrel or octagon. I recommend that you buy it from Nate Kiowa Jones with one of his action jobs. He's known as the Rossi Specialist for good reason. His 92s are the slickest around. Nate --Dawg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiowa Kid, SASS #69870L Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Howdy, If you can't get an 73 get a Marlin in 357/38 much better choice than a 92 Clone. KK What would you recommend for an inexpensive SASS rifle? I already have a short barreled Rossi '92 in .44 magnum, which I know I can use if I shoot cowboy loads, probably .44 special. I will have to load one or two rounds during competition, as it will only hold 8-9 rounds in the mag, unless you are allowed to start with one in the tube? I can't afford a '73 Uberti, which I have seen going for about $1,300, so I'm thinking Rossi. I assume .357/.38 is the favorite caliber to shoot, but which models do you favor? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Original Bad Bob Posted January 19, 2011 Author Share Posted January 19, 2011 Howdy, If you can't get an 73 get a Marlin in 357/38 much better choice than a 92 Clone. KK Thanks, I thought about that, but lately I've been hearing Marlins are not what they once were, whereas I don't hear much bad at all about the Rossis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L. G., SASS #48097 Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 It all depends on what you want to shoot, and if you plan on becoming one of the fastest shooters. There is nothing wrong with the '92's. What caliber you shoot is up to you. A good idea it to have pistols and rifle use the same. I shoot 250 gr. .45's in Schofields and a Thunderbolt. I also have a pair of Ruger new model Vaqueros, a Marlin 1894, and a EMF Hartford '92. The Marlin and the '92 shoot just about the same speed, the Thunderbolt is wicked fast. On the other hand, the Schofields are slower, and I shoot Gunfighter and just have fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smithy Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 They are all nice, just depends on what you likeCarbine or rifle Blue or stainless or case colored Round barrel or octagon. I recommend that you buy it from Nate Kiowa Jones with one of his action jobs. He's known as the Rossi Specialist for good reason. His 92s are the slickest around. Nate --Dawg +1 I would get a 92 mated to my pistol caliber and have Nate ding it out or get his DVD and do it myself if so inclined. I personally have one in my everything caliber of choice, 45 LC and got Nate's DVD plus some of his 92 parts and did the work myself and could not be happier. For the money you could buy a 92 and pay Nate to do the work cheaper than you could even sneak up on one of the other rifles (66 or 73's). The biggest/only complaint I hear about the 92 is that it is picky to feed in the ammo department. I have not found that to be true at least in the 45 LC area. I have also owned a 357/38 that would eat anything in either chambering as well. So out of two 45's and a 357 I have yet to come across a gun with a failure to feed. I would go for it. Smithy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cpt Dan Blodgett, SASS #75655 Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 +1 I would get a 92 mated to my pistol caliber and have Nate ding it out or get his DVD and do it myself if so inclined. I personally have one in my everything caliber of choice, 45 LC and got Nate's DVD plus some of his 92 parts and did the work myself and could not be happier. For the money you could buy a 92 and pay Nate to do the work cheaper than you could even sneak up on one of the other rifles (66 or 73's). The biggest/only complaint I hear about the 92 is that it is picky to feed in the ammo department. I have not found that to be true at least in the 45 LC area. I have also owned a 357/38 that would eat anything in either chambering as well. So out of two 45's and a 357 I have yet to come across a gun with a failure to feed. I would go for it. Smithy. My Rossi 92 20 Inch Bbl likes to throw 44 spec with 200 grainers out the top. Feeds 200 grainer 44 mags just fine. Does not like to chamber 245 grain semi wads out of either 44 spec or 44 mag. I can shoot them but... Good news they are long enough in 44 spec cases not to be thrown out the top like the 200 grainers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al OVERA, SASS#26238 Life Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 What would you recommend for an inexpensive SASS rifle? I already have a short barreled Rossi '92 in .44 magnum, which I know I can use if I shoot cowboy loads, probably .44 special. I will have to load one or two rounds during competition, as it will only hold 8-9 rounds in the mag, unless you are allowed to start with one in the tube? I can't afford a '73 Uberti, which I have seen going for about $1,300, so I'm thinking Rossi. I assume .357/.38 is the favorite caliber to shoot, but which models do you favor? If you have one that will shoot .44 spl, just take the mag spring out and cut off a few inches of it until you can load the 10 rounds. I've done this many times with .44 mag and .357 rifles. These is enough spring to allow removal of some coils. Be sure to cut and try, not just lop off some. Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
halfcockedd Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 well my first cowboy gun was a marlin and it woked perfect. but if you want a short barrel .44 is not the way to go. trust me you do not want to reload a round or two on the clock!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Hopkins, SASS #57874 Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 well my first cowboy gun was a marlin and it woked perfect. but if you want a short barrel .44 is not the way to go. trust me you do not want to reload a round or two on the clock!! Marlin will make you happier than a Win '92 clone for about the same dough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grouchy Greg, SASS#71981 Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 Thanks, I thought about that, but lately I've been hearing Marlins are not what they once were, whereas I don't hear much bad at all about the Rossis. ====================================== I got my .45 LC Rossi in late '06, I've used it in every match I've been to since then, and it's had zero malfunctions. I can't say the same for Marlins, 'cause it seems like there's at least one malfunctioning Marlin at most of the matches I've been to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pulp, SASS#28319 Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 I started with a Rossi '92 in 2000. It was my only rifle till June 2010 when I finally took the plunge and bought a '60 Henry. Like most Rossi's mine was rough. I ordered Steve's DVD, did the work, and the little rifle couldn't be any slicker. It's as smooth as the Henry now. Both are .44-40. Will I ever win World Champion with my Rossi? No. But I wouldn't win World Champion with the slickest '73 ever made. I have this annoying habit of stopping the rifle on the target, verifying sight picture, firing, waiting to hear the bullet hit, then moving on to the next target. So I'm not fast. Faster shooters can verify sight picture and fire while the rifle is in motion and be on the next target before the bullet hits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Hooker Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 Rossis are not as bad as some folks make out. They are rough, but If you have any mechanical aptitude, you can smooth them out yourself, using Nate Kiowa Jones' video or the instructions on Marauder's web site ( http://marauder.homestead.com ). If you're not mechanically inclined, you can have NKJ do it. If you don't already have the '92, (last I heard, anyway) he'll sell you one race-ready for a slight savings over buying one and sending it to him. And the price savings of the Marlin is largely fictious- the Rossi is $100-150 less than the Marlin, thus a tuned Rossi about equals the price of an untuned Marlin. The other complaint is feeding trouble. This is usually due to using shorter-than-standard ammo. Remember, these .38s and .44s are actually chambered for the Magnums, not Specials. Specials with unusually light, therefore shorter, bullets are even worse. Also, the bullet nose shape is important in feeding- the El Cheapo factory reload SWCs I use give me problems, for example. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanceswithPitBulls Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 I'm no expert, but I afford the following. Lured by the low price I purchased a stainless '92 in 45LC. For seven matches it operated perfectly. It shot fast, straight and true with absoluetly no jams. Suddenly in the eighth match closing the lever was like trying to crush soda cans. When I approached my gunsmith I was told he refused to work on model '92s. I was told his respected competitor could bulletproof the '92 for approximate $250.00. Spurred by his comments I dumped the Rossi at a local gun show and purchased a used Marlin. Ten years and over two hundred matches later I haven't looked back. Until April of 2010 I would have suggested you save up for a Uberti '73, but being on the Georgia State Champonship Posse with Deuce Stevens confirmed that Marlins Rule. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ol poke SASS 57567 Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 Contrary to some others, I love my '92. It's a Rossi Hartford model I bought directly from NKJ. When I do my part, she runs like a tank. Haven't out run her yet after 3 years shooting CAS. I went the cheaper route and am happy I did. I'll probably get a '73 someday, and the Rossi will be my backup. I say the Rossi '92 is a great gun. ol' poke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShadowCatcher Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 What would you recommend for an inexpensive SASS rifle? I already have a short barreled Rossi '92 in .44 magnum, which I know I can use if I shoot cowboy loads, probably .44 special. I will have to load one or two rounds during competition, as it will only hold 8-9 rounds in the mag, unless you are allowed to start with one in the tube? I can't afford a '73 Uberti, which I have seen going for about $1,300, so I'm thinking Rossi. I assume .357/.38 is the favorite caliber to shoot, but which models do you favor? I've a stainless Rossi carbine in .45 Colt that I used for a decade before finally sending it to Nate - who turned it into a sweet shooting rifle. The '92 is a tough rifle - it's far stronger than the toggle link designs that many shooters are enamored of - and it can be loaded up to use ammo appropriate for deer sized game, as well as full up +p ammo if you have a varmint problem and need an bubba assault rifle to quell the uprising. I've got a second rifle (24" bbl) on order and will start using that one for the coming season, because I just like the '92's, after Nate has worked them. In this game you can shoot whatever you'd like and can afford. If it really suits your fancy to shoot a toggle gun, then use one. If you like the '92 - then use that . . it isn't the gun that matters - at least not till your near the top 10% performance level - then it might make a difference. I'd be worried about smooth functioning and reliability. Once you get past that . .well - then you've got room to play around . . . Shadow Catcher Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pay Dirt Norvelle #90056 Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 My 92 Rossi that I ordered from Nate just got to my FFL today. I will have to go there and fill out the paperwork and then it will be 10 days before I can pick it up due to stupid laws. Doesn't matter that I already own enough guns to arm a third world revolution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Max Henry Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 I have a Rossi SS with NKJ work done to it and I am very pleased. For the money you cant beat it. IMHO it is superior to the Marlin by leaps. Thats not to say I am not saving my nickles fora 73 short stroked because the 92 can only have a limited short stroking job but I love my riffle. It will be my sons soon and he cant out shoot it yet lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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