Rossi M92, help me choose.

[Krow Kawler]

I've been wanting an M92 in 357/38.SPCL for a long time. Working a lot of over time now, so my chances of getting one are looking good. I will be using it for hunting purposes mostly for deer and predators. What I would like to know is: would there be any advantage, or disadvantage between the 20" and 24" barrels in this caliber? 
 
Thanks!

[Graybeard]

Perhaps a very slight advantage of longer sight radius on the longer barrel but not enough to matter. Mine is a 20" round barrel.

[painted horse]

Like Graybeard said....I had a Rossi 20in 45 colt years back, it was a nice little rifle. But...I figured the 24in oct. barrel would be better, (I like the look and have always been a sucker for a longer barrel)so I sold the 20in, bought the 24, finally got it to shoot after much work. (nothing to do with barrel lgth) and now after a few years of ownership, I'm trading it to a friend who has a 20in in stainless and wants the 24 in blue. I like the looks of the 24in, but it's not as "handy" as the 20in and it is a bit barrel heavy. I think the 20in will be a better saddle gun, and it will match my stainless BBH. If the oct. barrel is your thing they also make that in the 20in now.  Pick either one, pretty good little rifles.
 
Post script: Actually the reason I decided to trade was I've been shooting my Wifes 20in 357mag lately, realized I really like the shorter rifle MUCH better.

[Krow Kawler]

Painted Horse, could you tell any difference in the muzzle jump and noise levels between the two barrel lengths?

[bajabill]

I just got the 16" in 45colt.  I like the weight (about 5 lbs) and it really shoulders quickly.  Typically, I have always favored the longer barreled guns, but this time I went with the handier option, and it seems to be just that.  Not uncomfortable to carry without a sling.  I dont expect it to be a long range target gun.  Recoil is not an issue with this gun and chambering, and all guns are loud so if I am shooting targets the ear muffs are on and barrel length is a non issue in this regard.

[Graybeard]

With the .357 Magnum there really isn't enough recoil to talk about muzzle jump much less a difference due to barrel length. Now in .44 magnum there is.

I've owned two of them in .45 Colt both full octagon barrels the first a 20" and the second was either 24" or 26" can't recall which. Due to the heavier octagon barrels and mostly light loads I used I never noticed recoil with either same as with my .357 magnum.

BUT with my 20" round barrel 44 magnum recoil with full magnum loads is very noticeable and rather painful on my old worn out shoulder. I have a partially torn rotator cuff in both shoulders that badly needs surgery and that curved metal butt is just too painful for me with full magnum loads. I imagine I'll mostly be using lighter 44 special loads in it. I've noticed they aren't that much different than the recoil of the .357 but eventually I'll likely trade it either for a longer octagon barrel 44 or 45 Colt cuz this one really isn't fun to shoot with the loads I use in my handguns.

[Canuck Bob]

My 24 inch Winoku 32-20 is too barrel heavy.  I'm not familiar with the Rossi balance but I would check it out first.  I payed a lot for my rfle and wish I had got a 20 inch tube.  It is the octagon with a small bore size so it is quite noticeable.  Sure do like the 92 action and handling generally.  You will be a happy guy.

[yukondog]

I have the 44 and 454 both with 20" barrels they handel good and easy to carry in the woods.

[coyotejoe]

It seems to me that choosing is the easy part, finding a dealer who has one in stock is the hard part. I've found a few .44 mags and .45 colts but .357's are scarce as hen's teeth. I've checked on line with wholesale distributors, Jerry's Sport, Davidsons, Zanders & Chattanooga--- no .357's at all. My luck, just when I decide I want one and actually have the means to buy it there are none to be had.

[Krow Kawler]

I called a Rossi company in Florida to inquire about ordering one. The lady told me they only shipped them in quantity's of 10 at a time. Said it would take anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months to for me to get it. I just inquired about the 357's, so i don't know if that includes the other calibers as well or not. I asked why it took so long to get one, she replied, there wasn't a big demand for them. So that's one reason I'm on here asking questions about them. If i have to sweat it out for 6 months, i wanna be pleased with my purchase in the end.
 
How are the safety's made on the M92's? Are they the cross bolt design like the Marlin and Winny's, or some other feature? I can't really tell by the pictures I've seen.
 
Thanks

[coyotejoe]

It's a lever on the top rear of the bolt which swings through about a 90 degree arc from safe to fire, easy to ignore and not too difficult to remove, some people just grind off the lever and reinstall the shaft to plug the hole.

[teamnelson]

I've got 2 in 38/357, both 20" and I think it's the perfect length - the 24" was too nose heavy. My only complaint is the one with a saddle ring - just rattles and gets in the way.


If you want, you can improve sight radius by dropping a peep sight in where the safety button is on the bolt, gives you maybe 4-6" (I'm eyeballing it) extra sight length. Take out the rear buckhorn and drop in a dovetail blank to make it look clean.


I tuned both of them up per Steve Jones DVD; new spring kits, and SS mag followers ... my old Rossi had a metal one, and the newer EMF had plastic.