Rossi Ranch Hand aka "Mare's Leg"

[mechanic]

Had a dealer trying to sell me one the other day.  I offered him $50.00, cause I figured I could always make a c note selling it to someone that might actually want it.  I don't.
 
Ben

[olsmokey]

Here in Ia.we are allowed to use handguns with straight walled cases on deer. My shooting ability on deer with my RBH is under 50yds. So I ordered one in 45colt hoping I could maybe extend my range to 100yds. I too had to change out the front sight as it shot a foot high at 25yds. The guys at Brownell's got me the right sight. To help hold it steady I looped a leather shoe string thru the saddle ring and around my neck and put pressure out which helped a bunch. Using 250gr. Hornady FTX loaded ''Ruger only'' I can hit my 8'' steel plate at 100yds constantly shooting off a stick.  Good enough for minute of deer. I carry it in a back scabbard from I got from Cochise leather and it carrys comfortably. Your not going to win any quick draw contests and is best suited for still or stand hunting but I have to admit it is a hoot to shoot.

[QuailKiller]

Wow, I had no idea people would be so opinionated over this firearm!  As for the guy in the video, I am going to assume he has that firearm registered with the ATF as a short barrel rifle, which would make it illegal for handgun season.  His comment about not being able to hit anything with a handgun at 100 yards was off as well.  I can't do it, but I know there are people here who can.  I was more interested in his gun than what he had to say.

Thank you all for your input.  After looking closer at these, I don't think I will lay down any of my cash for one.  I sure would like to shoot one though.

[olsmokey]

As far as the guy in the video making his an SBR by putting on the pad, as long as the overall length does not excede 26'' it is still a handgun. (max barrel length is 16'' and max overall length is 26'' to be a handgun) so he has 2'' to play with.
Quailkiller; if you get the chance to shoot one by all means do. You will be hooked.
 
 
 

[kevinsmith5]

I think if it has a buttstock on it, it's a rifle. If it has a buttstock it has to have at least a 16" barrel and a total length of 26". If he doesn't have a tax stamp, he's in trouble.

As for not hitting anything with a pistol at 100 yards....my uncle's .357 Single Six will....in my uncle's hands. But then he squirrel hunts with a 22 WMR Single Six and only takes head shots (25 years a Ranger, 20 of them as a handgun instructor).

[jlwilliams]

  OK.  After the topic I started over on subguns.com on this subject has gone on a few days I have a little more to report back.  First, while I didn't get any pictures of a Ranch Hand converted to a SBR I did get a couple posters who have the form 1 pending.  One for a centerfire and another who is doing a Henry 22.  Both are awaiting aproval and hopefully will post pics when they get their stamps.  I also got a link to one on the AAC blog that has a 44 Ranch Hand threaded with a silencer, but no stock.  The blog does say that the stamp and stock is coming up next.
 
  There was also some discussion of what makes a SBR by legal definition (which should not be confused with common sense) anyway, the consensus being that a slip on butt pad does make the weapon meant to be shouldered. That means that a slip on or any butt plate is a no-no without the stamp.  Once one has the stamp, I myslef wouldn't waste the stamp on a slip on pad.  I'd put the nicest walnut stock I could find on there.
 
  The more I think about it, the more sense something like this makes as a starting place for a SBR.  IMO, you lose a lot by cutting a centerfire rifle down to a shorty.  For example, a 10" .223 isn't anywhere near as powerful as a 16" 223.  You give up a lot of power in the trade.  Now a magnum handgun cartridge is doing better out of a 10" or 12" barrel than is does from a 'normal' handgun.   Myself, I've long been meaning to file a form 1 (have the paper unfilled in the next room) for a TC Contender.  That way I could try as many rounds as I want.  My thinking being that a 357mag would probably be the happy medium.
 
  As they come from the factory, I think the Mare's Leg isn't practical and is fine for somebody who wants it for fun.  Now add a couple hundred bucks and get the stamp and I think you could have a truly capable compact rifle.  SBRs are a bit too legally encumbered for most of us, but they are something one can legally own in this country if it's what you want to do.  For me, it's too much to spend to shave 4" off of what you get from a 16" carbine.  $50 an inch saved isn't for me but I don't sling any mud at anybody doing what they see ft with theirs.

[Hazardhandgun]

I love this gun. I have one in 45 colt and Its a great time to shoot. I live in Colorado and spend time hiking and shooting. This is my pack gun. Its plenty accurate. I can hit a clay pigeon at 75 yds. the gun is dependable and accurate fun to shoot and easy to maintain. It makes a great truck gun or pack gun. it doesnt have hardly any recoil. Makes a hell of a boom I love this gun.

[huntingohio]

I dont understand all the doubting on this gun. Its literally a rossi riogrande jus chopped down. which are know for being good little rifles once broken in and polished up.
It would work for field use, granted id rather have a 10 in dan wesson but wish in one hand and defficate in the other...
Its going to fire with more energy than the same calibered revolver just because of the closed bolt.
Its simply gripped like the  straight gripped blackpowder pistols of old not that great but servicable. However I have read that its good enough for deer hunting accurate, can handle full house rounds,
I'd like to get a used one in 44 mag and build a foraging gun. Big heavy max loads for anything up to moose and small quick moving bullets for small game and groundhogs.
of cousre it wouldnt be ideal for 2 legged threats but for a woods gun itd do fairly well i think

[marked trail]

I wrote the 3rd responcse in this thread.  This is a followup and a FYI.
 
I shot my black bear with a 308 on small meadow's edgeat dark on a warm May evening.  Firat shot knock it down and it rolled.  Getting back up, I fired one more at its vanishing hind quarters.  I waited for the death moan... nothing.
 
I followed a good blood trail throgh the second growth jungle, sometimes on my hands and knees.  The bruin seemed to be bleeding from both sides.  After 200 yards or so and in the faging light of a super steep slope the trail ended.  It just flat stopped.  Circling, I noticed a cull Port Orford Cedar that was not harvested previously.  It was about 25" dbh, and I pondered if the animal climbed the tree and was watching.  At dark and in the thicket with limited visibility upward to the witches broom branches and limbs, I decided to 'save myself' and come back in the morning.
 
The 308 stayed in camp, and the Ranch Hand was loaded full with 45 colt 260 grainers at first light.  I returned to the cedar tree and the bear was 25 feet downslope of its base.   Dead. 
 
I'm still glad I purchased a Rossi RH and will use it again in other followups.

[evidrine]

Good post! 

[Caplock80]

That's not a recoil pad on that mares leg.  Not for your shoulder anyways.  Call it a face pad for when he holds that thing up to his face to line up the sights and pulls the trigger.  ouch!

[kynardsj]

I had forgotten that Zoe carrried one in Firefly. I'm old enough to remember Steve McQueen and his too. I would play with one if someone gave it to me but won't be buying one. But to each his own. Your money, your gun if that's what you want. A friend of mine owned a garage sometime back and dabbled in buying, fixing up and re-selling cars. I noticed a particularly ugly car one day on his lot and said somethinf about it. He told me that there was a butt for every seat and sure enough sold it sometime later. I guess the butt for every seat idea goes for guns too.