Winchester vs Rossi.. Help me choose

[tacmedicp94]

Thanks for all the replies and advice folks. I went an fondled the Winchester again today. If I hadn't been in uniform, and driving an ambulance, it probably would have gone home with me. It is truly a beautifully made rifle. I'm going to go look at the Rossi's again in the next few days. None of my firearms are "safe queens" and all see regular use in the field and on the range. I would not hurt me as much to see a Rossi get scratched, dinged, gouged etc as it would if the same happened to a Winchester. The Winchester is also a 24" barrel, which while still manageable, might be a little long for my liking/usage. I feel that the 20" and maybe even the 16" barrel would be more maneuverable in thick brush. Anyone know what the velocity gain would be if I went with the 24" barrel? Thanks again for the comments and advice.

Adam

 

[Speedo66]

Previous posts have pretty much covered the span. No doubt the "Winchester" is a nicer rifle. If you're inclined to take it in the field, mounted, throw it in the trunk, the Rossi is probably the better choice.

The only Winchester I have is an original '73, great gun. But my .357 Rossi is the one I take hunting. The Rossi feels like it weights half the Winchester, a big deal if you carry it all day.

Rossi is sort of like the AR of lever actions, many people play with the action, change springs, refinish the stock, etc. Lots of aftermarket support.

As mentioned, Bud's has Rossi's for about $400 with free shipping. Tough to beat that deal.

Go here for everything you ever wanted to know about Rossi's: www.rossi-rifleman.com

 

[Schlegel]

I'm pretty sure that in a pistol caliber carbine you actually lose velocity going to a 24 inch barrel, the reason for it is only for the sight radius.

 

[TruthTellers]

I'm pretty sure that in a pistol caliber carbine you actually lose velocity going to a 24 inch barrel, the reason for it is only for the sight radius.

With special loads maybe, but not magnum loads.

I just don't see the net benefit of a 24" barrel over that of a 16" or a 20" and I'm one who normally likes the largest sight radius possible. A 24" barrel will be long, heavier, and only hold a couple more rounds.

 

[mag1911]

I looked at a Win 92 and a Rossi (both 357) at a show a few months ago. Hands down for the Win on fit, finish but the Rossi looked serviceable.

The Rossi owner told me he could only get 3-4 rounds in with his fingers. Took something harder to push in any more. Don't know if that was him, that particular rifle, or if it's common.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I looked at a Win 92 and a Rossi (both 357) at a show a few months ago. Hands down for the Win on fit, finish but the Rossi looked serviceable.

The Rossi owner told me he could only get 3-4 rounds in with his fingers. Took something harder to push in any more. Don't know if that was him, that particular rifle, or if it's common.

A couple of inches clipped off the Rossi tube spring will make feeding easier for those with weak fingers.

 

[mag1911]

He recommended that cut/try procedure on the spring also but I kind of wondered at the time why he hadn't done it himself. Would have made it a whole lot easier to sell, I expect.

 

[bannockburn]

Would buy the Winchester if money were not a concern but since I was on a tight budget I went with a LNIB Rossi M92. Action was great right out of the box and while not as nicely finished as some higher end guns might be, I think it was an outstanding buy for the money.

 

[Speedo66]

I think you may have gotten the nicest piece of wood Rossi ever installed on a rifle.

From what I understand when they built them for different importers, they built to what the importer designated. Some requested American walnut. The current guns use a tropical hardwood with what has to be the plainest grain ever.

Nice gun!

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Yeah, mine has that mystery wood. It has a weird grain pattern. It was also blonde with no finish. I rubbed on some cherry stain and a bunch of coats of Tru Oil.

 

[CraigC]

The Rossi's are good guns but as the others have said, the Winchester is going to be a nicer rifle. The 1873 is also going to be heavier. For the .357, my choice would be a 92.

I'm pretty sure that in a pistol caliber carbine you actually lose velocity going to a 24 inch barrel, the reason for it is only for the sight radius.

Not true. Even moderate loads will gain 300-400fps right up to about 18-20".


Personally, I really like my Uberti 24" 1873 Deluxe Sporting Rifle .38-40.

 

[Pudge]

It depends on what you want, and likely you'll regret not getting what you want. The Rossi's are accurate, functional and very fun. They're significantly less expensive. BUT they aren't a Winchester. If you get the Rossi, you will not be getting a Winchester for several hundred fewer dollars, you'll be getting a Rossi. If what you want is a fun .357 lever action rifle, I'm not sure you need to spend $1200. But if what you want is a Winchester, the Rossi simply won't scratch that itch. Either way, I think it is safe to say, you're going to enjoy the rifle if you get what you want.

 

[shootniron]

I would do the 92...I just like the action, better.

 

[Schlegel]

Not true. Even moderate loads will gain 300-400fps right up to about 18-20".

Going 16 to 20, sure. I was thinking from 20 to 24. Does does really gain more speed with pistol rounds? I am almost positive I read somebody chronograph it as a (very) slight drop. Totally trumped by caliber choice, I admit, though. I would love one of the 20 inch octagon 1892s myself, and it would be the Rossi because no way could I afford the equivalent Winchester. I can understand not being satisfied with a copy, though.

 

[tacmedicp94]

Looks like I'm going with a 20' Rossi 92 with a round barrel. The Winchester was just too pretty (and too expensive). I can take the Rossi out in the field and not worry too much about making sure the rifle stays pristine. Going to look at them tomorrow. Will post pics when I get it. Thanks.

Adam

 

[CraigC]

I was thinking from 20 to 24. Does does really gain more speed with pistol rounds?

Usually not but velocity shouldn't be the only concern when choosing a barrel length.

 

[Water-Man]

It depends on what you want, and likely you'll regret not getting what you want. The Rossi's are accurate, functional and very fun. They're significantly less expensive. BUT they aren't a Winchester. If you get the Rossi, you will not be getting a Winchester for several hundred fewer dollars, you'll be getting a Rossi. If what you want is a fun .357 lever action rifle, I'm not sure you need to spend $1200. But if what you want is a Winchester, the Rossi simply won't scratch that itch. Either way, I think it is safe to say, you're going to enjoy the rifle if you get what you want.

You're not getting a Winchester either when you buy today's Winchester.

 

[AZAndy]

I have the short-barreled .357 and really like it. The above comment about being hard to load is true for me-- after the first couple of rounds, I use an extra cartridge to push 'em in. That door will bite your thumb! The action was a bit ragged at first but smoothed out with use.

 

[bannockburn]

Speedo66

When I found my Rossi at a gun show it was the first one I had seen in a very long while and since it was in .45 Colt it was exactly what I was looking for. I think mine was imported by Legacy Sports International at the time I got it.

 

[Milkmaster]

get a Winchester or Uberti Winchester clone. You know that's what you really want. The others will never satisfy you as well.

Here is my Rossi / Taurus '92 that I just recently sold/traded. I got a Marlin .357 circa 1980. The Rossi needed some slickening up but functioned just fine. The wood was serviceable, but not necessarily pretty. I somehow was just not very proud to show off the Rossi even if it did work. I am at the age where my guns need to be pretty as well as functional I guess. I am always looking to upgrade the quality of the herd and not necessarily increase the herd in numbers. If I could afford it, then I would be much more proud of handing down the Winchester to my kids or grandkids than the Rossi. If that doesn't mean anything to you, then consider the Rossi. Or get the Rossi until you can do better later in life! I did own the Uberti 1873. I like the 92 action much better in the .357 rifle. It does a lot better with my .38 ammo.

 

[Tommygunn]

You're not getting a Winchester either when you buy today's Winchester.

You're getting a Miroku, and they make VERY NICE rifles. And, yeah, they are Winchesters. Legally, they have the NAME on the barrel & tang.
Browning has had its guns made in Japan by Miroku since the 1980s, and before that, Belgium. Are they any less "Browning" than if they were made in Ogden, Utah?
The Italian makers make some very nice reproductions .... but a Uberti made Winchester 1873 is a repro, a Miroku made is, despite a 95 year interruption in production, a Winchester 1873. It's a continuation of the line, as opposed to a reproduction.
I have a Browning 92 in .44 magnum. It's a "repro" of the 1892 Winchester made by Miroku. OK, you CAN sorta call this a reproduction as it doesn't have the "Winchester" name on it. I also have a '92 Winchester Deluxe Limited Takedown in .32-20, ALSO made by Miroku but it does have the Winchester name on it -- it's a Winchester Rifle. It isn't a "repro."

I have two .... "actual"* Winchesters, a model 94AE in .30-30 and a 9422 in .22RF.
IMHO the Mirokus are every bit as well made ..... maybe even better, than the New Haven made guns I have.
They're NOTHING to be ashamed of at all!


* Made in New Haven, Ct.

 

[2zulu1]

I wouldn't worry about beating up a Winchester, they can take a lot of abuse and keep going. I have a '94 octagon barrel, 30WCF, that was built in 1909 and it's my black bear near the house gun.

The stock is beat up and the bluing is long gone, have no idea how many saddle miles it's traveled or how many deer/bear or mountain lions taken; but it's still good enough to be handed down to another generation.

 

[brewer12345]

I have an octagon 24" barrel Rossi 92 in 357. It is a 2008 vintage I bought second hand and the previous owner put on a marbles tang sight and front globe. I have not shot it nearly as much as it deserves, but I like it. Is it as slick as a Marlin or a Winchester? Nope. Is it as pretty? Nope. But it functions well and shoots accurately (as accurately as I can, anyway). I don't worry about scratching it (much) and it eats everything from low end 38 special loads to full house 357 mags. I might put a fiber optic front sight on it this year for better visibility in low light conditions. It was lots of fun to take rabbit hunting in the Fall to try popping a few with 38s (worked like a charm) and I might bring it with me pig hunting in the spring as a backup to a 35 Rem lever.

If you really want the Win/Miroku, buy it. If you just want a 357 lever to play with, the Rossi will do the job at a fraction of the price.

 

[Water-Man]

You're getting a Miroku, and they make VERY NICE rifles. And, yeah, they are Winchesters. Legally, they have the NAME on the barrel & tang.
Browning has had its guns made in Japan by Miroku since the 1980s, and before that, Belgium. Are they any less "Browning" than if they were made in Ogden, Utah?
The Italian makers make some very nice reproductions .... but a Uberti made Winchester 1873 is a repro, a Miroku made is, despite a 95 year interruption in production, a Winchester 1873. It's a continuation of the line, as opposed to a reproduction.
I have a Browning 92 in .44 magnum. It's a "repro" of the 1892 Winchester made by Miroku. OK, you CAN sorta call this a reproduction as it doesn't have the "Winchester" name on it. I also have a '92 Winchester Deluxe Limited Takedown in .32-20, ALSO made by Miroku but it does have the Winchester name on it -- it's a Winchester Rifle. It isn't a "repro."

I have two .... "actual"* Winchesters, a model 94AE in .30-30 and a 9422 in .22RF.
IMHO the Mirokus are every bit as well made ..... maybe even better, than the New Haven made guns I have.
They're NOTHING to be ashamed of at all!


* Made in New Haven, Ct.

Like I said. It's not a Winchester. If you want to call it a Winchester, have at it.

And by the way, you're the only one who used the word ashamed.

 

[Tommygunn]

Like I said. It's not a Winchester. If you want to call it a Winchester, have at it.¹

And by the way, you're the only one who used the word ashamed.²

¹ Except it IS a Winchester.
Although Winchester is a legal entity only, it still exists as such. You just don't make a rifle and stamp "Winchester" on it, the lawyers will shut you down bigtime if you do.

² Yes I am the only one, ain't I? I love being unique.