Marlin 1894 Cowboy vs. Rossi 92

[tango2echo]

Both in .45LC. $80 difference in price in my area (Rossi is less). The Rossi has color case hardening of the receiver and buttplate. Both have octagonal barrels. Same barrel length.

Will be used for fun shooting, ocasional deer hunting, and a once in a while CAS match.

I really like the case hardening look if I can get it, and plan to add a big loop and Marble sights.

$600-$700 max budget for this build. Discuss....

t2e

 

[R.W.Dale]

Having owned both rifles in question the Marlin wins out over the rossi hands down.

The rossi is a nice rifle with nothing really wrong with it to prevent it from functioning. However the action on mine was quite stiff and notchy to operate. The sights in a word SUCKED and you have really no options to upgrade on the rossi.

My current marlin suffers from NONE of these afflictions and is a much more nicely finished firearm to boot

 

[iamkris]

Agree with Krochus.

I have a Rossi 92...it took a fair amount of work (e.g.., had Steve Young remove the stupid safety on top of the bolt, I've smoothed the action, replaced the sights and refinished the wood) but now it is a great rifle. Good looking, accurate, reliable. Then again, it only cost me $300 up front used.

That said, the Marlin would be good to go out of the box. At equal price, the Marlin would win hands down.

 

[LeverGunJunkie]

I own a marlin 1894, but never shot/played with the Rossi. I can't imagine it getting any better than a Marlin. Not trying to ignite the Win v Marlin fight though, I own 4 Model 94s.

 

[mgkdrgn]

Both in .45LC. $80 difference in price in my area (Rossi is less). The Rossi has color case hardening of the receiver and buttplate. Both have octagonal barrels. Same barrel length.

Will be used for fun shooting, ocasional deer hunting, and a once in a while CAS match.

I really like the case hardening look if I can get it, and plan to add a big loop and Marble sights.

$600-$700 max budget for this build. Discuss....

t2e

1: You can buy it with the "big loop", you don't have to (or want to) add it later.

2: There -is- an alternative to the standard iron sights, www.skinnersights.com. I have those on my Rossi M92 in 454 Casull and they are a big improvement over the standard irons. There is also a tang mounted peep you can get.

3: I have a few of the M92's, blue, round 20" barrel in 454 Casull, which will also shoot 45 Colt, available for sale. This model also allows you to tube load as well as pinching your fingers in the loading gate. ;-) If you want one with a big loop, I could probably get you one for a lot less than $600, shipped to the FFL of your choice.

 

[Badlander]

+1 on the marlin

 

[Ed Ames]

Not going to weigh in on the '94 vs '92 question... Marlin doesn't sell a '94 in .454 so they had zero interest for me.

Am going to weigh in on this:

The sights in a word SUCKED and you have really no options to upgrade on the rossi.

Yeah, the sights suck, but there are several upgrade options.

 

[robctwo]

I have the Rossi '92 in 45 Colt. I have upgraded sights. Kick to shoot. Smooth action. Reading about the reloading options it appears the '92 is a tank. I've loaded some 340 gr lead just under 1,300 fps with no ill effects other than a sore shoulder. Have not shot the Marlin, so have no opinion. Did hunt dad's old Win 30-30 for a couple years. Nice gun.

 

[Gunfighter123]

Having owned both rifles in question the Marlin wins out over the rossi hands down.

I agree 100% with the above statement. For what its worth --- in about 300/400 SASS cowboy shoots , I've seen MANY Rossi 92 owners , who after trying a Marlin , sell their Rossi and buy a Marlin --- have NOT seen ANY Marlin owners who have sold their Marlins to buy a Rossi !!!

 

[tango2echo]

Just got back from my local dealer. He had the Marlin in stock, and found a guy with a Rossi 92 that's into Cowboy shooting that frequents the store. I got a chance to look over both guns. The other guy had not seen the Marlin yet. Well, ended up that the other guy bought the Marlin that was in stock, and since I'm in no hurry, the dealer ordered me a Marlin. Since the dealer was selling both guns, we both got a great deal. Ended up being only $45 more than the Rossi, and the fit & finish on the Marlin is better. The barrel on the Marlin is much heavier, and everything appears more solidly built. I think I will be happy with it. It has a very nice balance and feel.

Thank you for the honest feedback guys. That's just one thing that makes this a great site.

t2e

 

[Claude Clay]

i have a older Rossie/puma. i don't remember what i changed the rear site to, but its better. slicked/ polished the internals and wrapped the handle in leather-from a old pair of minitonkas. the last bit of closing the handle engages the bolt lugs and requires an extra effort--no big deal. you know it is necessary and you do it--no big deal.
i have shot many matches and played with it for 15+ years. its a winner.

that said, my daughter has a marlin 357 and is better out of the box than a new Rossie.
but not my older one: once you get past working the handle.

buy what pleases you. 5 years from now that $80 will have long since been forgotten.
so I'm think to not judge by price--go with what feels best to you.

 

[Leadhead]

Claude, it's the ejector spring that is making the action stiff at the last bit of closing....
Give Steve a call and order a replacement spring...I think they around 10 bucks.
http://www.stevesgunz.com/index.htm