STIFF ACTION 92 ROSSI?

[m-g Willy]

I just bought a Interarms model 65= (Rossi 92)
The action is REALLY hard to close the last inch when closeing!
This is with or without ammo in it.
Someone told me it is the ejector spring holding up the works.
If it is the spring what can I do to lighten it?
I got a EMF Rossi that is smooth as silk and want this new gun to be just as smooth if possible.

Thanks for any help

Willy

[Graybeard]

I'd be more inclined to think it just needs a good cleaning and proper lubrication but there might also be a burr or metal to metal rubbing that needs to be addressed. All the Rossi 92s I've owned have been very smooth and slick.

[John Y Cannuck]

You could cycle it a number of times, then take it down and look for bright spots where the binding is taking place.
If you are not good with small parts, the '92 action is not a good one to learn on.
The extractor would only be an issue at the very end of lever travel. It's possible that there is an issue with the ejector. The spring however is not very strong, and I doubt that's it. It could however be binding.
Mine is an original Winchester, I have no issues. But if there were some, that's where I'd look.
Also, does the rifle have a peep sight? if so, check that the screws are not too long, and binding on the locking bolts.

[m-g Willy]

Can't see any bright spots anywhere.
I read where cutting 1-2 coils off the main spring might cure the problem.
I was wondering how easeing up on the main spring would have any effect on the closeing of the lever???

Any ideas on that one?

Willy

[leverfan]

Steve Young is a gunsmith that specializes in the '92.  You could visit his site and click on the email link to let him know what your problem is.  He's very helpful, and doesn't mind giving free advice (even when he could make a buck by having you ship the gun to him).  He's done warranty repair for at least one of the big importers.

 http://stevesgunz.com/

[John Y Cannuck]

X2 on Steve, he's got the brains when it comes to '92's.
The last inch..... Maybe the cartridge stop?
It's on the left side of the receiver inside can be tricky to put back in. It could be binding, or there may be crud behind it.

Here's your Rossi '92

[John Y Cannuck]

Thinking about it a bit more, it's more likely that it's just tight. That last inch is roughly where the locking bolts engage the back of the bolt and thrust it tight against the back of the chamber. If a bit of lube on the front and back of the locking bolts improves the feel, that's where the "problem" lay. They can be removed and stoned smoother, or just worn in, your choice.

[Dan Chamberlain]

My Rossi is as slick as K-Y.  I'd say tune in to some old Rifleman episodes and try to beat his tempo at the beginning.  Do that a couple hundred times and you'll never notice the tight spot.

Dan

[jschance]

If your Rossi is new, it'll definitely be stiff and can benefit from some cleaning and lubing.  A friend of mine is a proponent of the "John Wayne" action job.  He put a John Wayne movie in the video player, and then spent the next couple of hours helping John out by shootin' at all the bad guys with the empty rifle.

That last inch binding can also be caused by the heavy ejector spring.  On the 92 design, the ejector spring loads up that last little bit of closing.  I replaced the spring on mine with one a little bit lighter and it made a world of difference.  If you lighten up the main spring, all it will affect is when you open up the rifle (the 92 cocks on opening).

The Rossi's are nice little rifles, and well worth a little work to get 'em smoothed up.

[m-g Willy]

Thanks for all the  info.
I think it is the ejector (watching close ,and  when the ejector makes contact is when it gets harder to close.)

Willy

[John Y Cannuck]

You mean the extractor?
The ejector is under the bolt.

If it's the extractor, check the end of it for burs, it's not impossible that it's a bit too long, or the cut in the back of the barrel not deep enough, or wide enough.
Unlikely on a new rifle, but I have seen them rusted in place so bad it was hard to close the rifle.

[FourBee]

My PUMA 92 was very stiff when I got it.   I blasted it with spray cleaner being careful not to get any on the stock, oiled it up, and began working the action over and over.  Repeated that a few times, and finally it loosened up and boy is it sweet.   Took her out today and sighted it in.  It ejects the shells at different distances, makes me have to hunt for them.   Don't quite understand that.