Looking for info and observations on Rossi double shotguns, mostly on "Overland" hammer doubles but also on the "Squire" hammerless. While at a large gunshop/outdoors store yesterday I looked at a 28" brld 12ga Squire which was appreciably loose and off face, the first Rossi I've seen this sloppy. With all the Rossi shotguns sold during the past 35-40 years, and with most being chambered for 3" shells I have to believe that some have had a lot of use and are starting to show their age and/or signs of abuse. I purchased a 12ga Overland coachgun new in the early '70s and when I traded it (regrettably now) it was as tight as the 20ga coachgun which replaced it.
What's been your experience, either with your own gun or just observstions - seen many sloppy/loose ones out there? If your own, is it marked "Garcia Corp" on the barrels or "Interarms Alexandria Virginia" on the frame and does it have a Greener crossblt (quickly I.D. by opening top lever -is there a sliding pin in top of action and mating hole in the rib extension on the barrels) - I believe from what I'm finding it was standard on earlier Garcia imports, but not (discontinued?) on later Interarms.
I love hammer traditional styled guns without add-on litigation driven tang safeties or rebounding hammers, whether handgun, rifle or shotgun, and am planning to add a hammer double rifle to my collection. It would be nice to buy a new Pedersoli or SIACE 45-70 (w/spare 20ga brl set) in fitted case, but at $4 to $10,000- ... little too rich for my blood! Instead, I figure I'll pick up a couple more Rossi Overlands and eventually do a barrel conversion or two to someting other than 45-70, maybe a 25-35, 32-40, 38-55, 30-30 (or -40), and my favorite 50-110.
This is not a simple rebarrel project by an means, but I was trained as a tool & diemaker, worked with an older gunsmith mentor for years, ran my own machine shop for 30 years, and yes I'm still a little intimidated by this new project due to the lack of information on Rossi action strength and suitability, and the complexity and art of barrel regulating! Any info or experience you can share will be greatly appreciated, and help get this project off the ground.
Thank You, Joe (hobbyguymaine)
