Author Topic: Rossi Ranch Hand aka "Mare's Leg" (Read 6492 times)

QuailKiller · « **on:** January 05, 2012, 06:00:32 AM »

For some reason, I have been eyeballing the Rossi Ranch hand lately. Since it is a handgun, it would be legal for me to use it in short range or handgun seasons for deer. I was wondering if anyone has come up with a practical way to deliver accurate fire out of one of these out to 50 or 75 yards. I first thought of adding a slip on recoil pad, but then I was informed that might be illegal so I wont do that. I don't want to go to prison. I wonder if a person could attach a one point sling to the saddle ring and use that to hold 'er steady. Maybe I'm off my rocker, but maybe I will give one a try. If it doesn't work out, I could always go the SBR route, but then it would not be allowed in handgun season.

Thanks for any input.

evidrine · « **Reply #1 on:** January 05, 2012, 06:14:44 AM »

I have been eye-balling these also. Henry also makes one similar. I sure would love to own one. Let us know how it turns out.

marked trail · « **Reply #2 on:** January 05, 2012, 08:30:15 AM »

I have a rossi ranch hand in 45 colt, and plan on using it for black bear hunting in Oregon. I've made several one shot kills with my 45 colt TC contender, but sometimes a follow up in the thickest of thickets has been required. While trackingand searching for my last bear at sunset in May 2011, I found myself questioning the firepower of my 2x scoped contender in a close quarters wounded bear scenario. I found the bear dead on one last sweep before total darkness but still felt uncomfortable with the risk. Therefore, when I purchased the first lever action pistol I saw in 45 colt at a gun show in September, my confidence to trail a bear in tight places was restored.

During my first range session, I realized all 45 my hand loads and the flex tip factory loads would shoot way too high (12 to 20"). This seems to be a problem with the ranch hand out of the box, as it is reported to throw lead high by quite a few shooters. I changed out both the front (taller) and rear site (adjusts lower) and have acceptable hunting accuracy now. I was very pleased to find that the 12" barrel fit well in my shoulder holster, design for a unscoped 14" contender.

Shooting a ranch hand for aimed accuracy is a push-pull affair, and I'm interested in a one point sling also. I think it will work quite well. As far as shooting out to 75 yards or beyond, I plan on standing and leaning the ranch hand against a tree for stability. There is no cylinder gap to blow tree bark and debris back into your face, and the 12" barrel optimizes 45 colt performance IMO. If my worst fears are realized and while tracking a sick bear is upon me within feet, I plan to shoot quickly from the hip, which is the ranch hands' forte. It aready made for fun practice, which is why many purchase this firearm anyway.

painted horse · « **Reply #3 on:** January 05, 2012, 02:26:46 PM »

Boy, I would have to put this "gun" into MY top 5 guns that have absolutely no use. O.K., they may look kinda cool and may have a fun factor of about a three if you just like to blast rounds "downrange". (?) Describing your new gun to a friend....."is it a rifle"? Uhhh..noooo, not really. "oh, so it's a handgun." Uhhh, noooo, not a handgun either. "Well, what is it then"? well, it's kinda in between, looks like a little model 92 lever rifle. But it's to short to shoot like a rifle and the stock isn't shaped right for shooting like a pistol. "?" "well how DO you shoot it"? Well you fire it from the hip, (oh yeh, thats real accurate past about 4 feet) remember Josh Randall from the TV series "Wanted dead or Alive, he had one." Oh yeah, I remember that show, good show for the time....stupid gun though.

evidrine · « **Reply #4 on:** January 06, 2012, 05:13:12 AM »

Looks like it would make a good saddle gun, or back pack gun. I like em.

Ken ONeill · « **Reply #5 on:** January 07, 2012, 01:55:56 AM »

I see it as something to "play" with, for the man who has "everything", but I can't imagine a gun with worse ergonomics to hunt with.
Want more firepower than a single shot? What's wrong with a revolver? One is a lot faster than trying to manipulate that lever in a hurry.

SHOOT FROM THE HIP? Good grief.

evidrine · « **Reply #6 on:** January 07, 2012, 07:12:15 PM »

I think people put way too much thought into these things. Its easy to pack and carry. Looks reliable when needed. Is deff better than having nothing. If ya like it good, if ya dont still good. Dont have to discourage others from one if its not your cup of tea. Not everyone buying a gun is planning on bringing it to a shootout after walking out of the store with it. Looks pretty cool to me. Matter of preference.

LunaticFringeInc · « **Reply #7 on:** January 08, 2012, 01:01:52 AM »

Been looking at one of these myself in 44 Mag. Not the most practical of fire arms being neither beast nor foul, but I am kinda thinking it might make a decent back packing, camping, truck gun to have around especially since I have a SBH in the same caliber although with a 4 5/8th barrel. I have been kind of curious as to how they shoot.

jlwilliams · « **Reply #8 on:** January 08, 2012, 02:18:05 AM »

I think your best bet for accurate shooting would be laying prone with the forend resting on a log or whatever. Maybe good for treestand hunting where you can rest it on the rail (if your stand has a rest rail.

I've eyeballed them and thought about one as a 'backpack' gun but I think that a revolver offers a better package. If I'm willing to put a long barreled handgun that I can't readilly holster into a backpack or under the truck seat, why no go with a long barreled magnum revolver? Holds more rounds, handles like a 'normal' gun that I'm accustomed to handling. So on.

The Mare's leg does have a nice, long barrel and a completely sealed breach so it could give you pretty good balistics for a given cartridge. Do the ergonomic shortcomings (awkward shooting hold, low magazine capacity, dificult holsterability) outweigh that? as a practical matter I think so. The gas loss in a revolver doesn't seem to take much away from the performance. With well fit (to your hand) grips on a full sized revolver you can put a powerful magnum handgun cartridge downrange pretty efectively.

I may one day get one just because it's a neat gun and I like to get more stuff to shoot 357 magnum ammo through. Would I hunt with it? Not when I could take a revolver.

anachronism · « **Reply #9 on:** January 08, 2012, 05:07:24 AM »

The utility of this design escapes me.

Graybeard · « **Reply #10 on:** January 08, 2012, 10:33:05 AM »

I've seen a lot of things in my life time that I thought were totally useless. I have to admit tho that this thing tops my personal list of most useless firearms. If it makes you happy go for it but I personally would have one to use if it was free and I'm not sure I'd use it even if someone paid me to. Yeah my opinion of them is pretty low.

Like the previous poster I just can't see a use for it other than to make a profit for the gun maker and the retailer. I suspect they won't do much for the ammo makers as I doubt anyone who buys one is gonna do that much shooting with it.

I reckon if the old show Wanted dead or alive was your all time favorite TV western then having one might be something a fellow would want but the place for it would be hanging on the wall alongside a poster from the series or something.

jlwilliams · « **Reply #11 on:** January 08, 2012, 03:23:25 PM »

Quote from: Graybeard on January 08, 2012, 10:33:05 AM

I reckon if the old show Wanted dead or alive was your all time favorite TV western then having one might be something a fellow would want but the place for it would be hanging on the wall alongside a poster from the series or something.

This gun is about 45 years late to the market. If these had been offered back when that show was on TV it might have done pretty well. Steve McQueen 'advertising' for it every week couldn't hurt.

If they had sold them then they probably would have petered out after the show cancelled. Today we'd be having threads about who found 'one of those old Mare's Legs' at such and such a gun show and in what condition.

Mikey · « **Reply #12 on:** January 09, 2012, 12:39:39 AM »

I'm with painted Horse, Graybeard and Anachronism on this one, although I think the long barrelled, shoulder stocked model 0f the 1873 six shooter is much cooler, and maybe even more useful. I wonder if you could get the same ballistics from the longer barrelled revolver as from the shorter barrelled rifle?

3030guy · « **Reply #13 on:** January 19, 2012, 01:56:38 AM »

I don't get it either, other than just pure fun. Probably the main reason I own a Walther PPK. Since we're on the subject of Hollywood guns (sort of) how about one of those long barreled pistols like Jack Nicholson carried as the Joker in the first Batman movie? You could stick the barrel out and trip the bear as he walked past, then shoot 'em.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 19, 2012, 02:21:20 AM »

I seen one, then I bought it. Took it out shooting, and was not impressed one bit. I have sold the Rossi Rance, and will never waste money like that again.

coyotejoe · « **Reply #15 on:** January 19, 2012, 03:48:30 AM »

Well the manufacturer at least seems to think they will sell. Rossi '92s are scarce in any caliber or configuration except the Ranch Hand, everybody seems to have plenty of those in stock. There probably is a considerable ballistic boost over a 6" revolver. With magnum rounds the cylinder gap alone seems to cost about 200 fps plus the 12" barrel you would likely get ballistics a lot closer to a carbine than to a revolver. But then it's also nearly as big and heavy as a carbine and not nearly so easy to handle and shoot. Whatever floats your boat but I'm not interested.

S.B. · « **Reply #16 on:** January 19, 2012, 06:48:28 AM »

While Steve McQueen had no trouble hitting with this setup(remember that's TV), I seem to have doubts with it's use?
Steve

pspinc2003 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 19, 2012, 09:21:25 AM »

People buying these are doing so for no other reason than to have something most other people don't have. Pull one out at the range and you will have everyones undivided attention...at least for a while.

QuailKiller · « **Reply #18 on:** January 19, 2012, 06:09:47 PM »

This isn't me or my video, but I found it to be very interesting.

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #19 on:** January 20, 2012, 02:23:52 AM »

I had to laugh when that guy talked about us handgun hunters. Then his gun fight statement! I have owned a ranch hand, and I will tell you, they are not worth the money. Also you cannot draw and aim one faster than a standard handgun, no way. This guy is blowing smoke out of his back side..lol Off hand shooting with the Rossi is almost impossible.

temmi · « **Reply #20 on:** January 20, 2012, 06:54:04 AM »

The thing I dislike about the Rossi Ranch Hand is that it takes production away from the M92s

And

I hate that

Snake

coyotejoe · « **Reply #21 on:** January 20, 2012, 11:29:44 AM »

You make a good point there temmi. I've been searching for an M92 in .357 mag but none to be had anywhere, finally gave up and got a .44 mag and felt lucky to find that, but those silly "ranch hands" are everywhere.

Graybeard · « **Reply #22 on:** January 20, 2012, 06:09:37 PM »

Quote

but those silly "ranch hands" are everywhere

That would be cuz no one is buying them so if a dealer is ignorant enough to order them he is stuck with them.

flexjr · « **Reply #23 on:** January 21, 2012, 09:16:41 AM »

ever since taurus brought out the judge it has been the years of the non gun people's guns that get introduced. we did get lucky in that ruger gave us the mid-frame flattop 44 special through those years, but most of what has come out of the manufacterers here lately has been atrocities for non gun people to buy in my opinion. it sells guns and keeps them afloat, but i treat this stuff like the infernal lock in new model rugers i ignore or omit if possible.

jlwilliams · « **Reply #24 on:** January 21, 2012, 02:40:50 PM »

Love that youtube video. Nothing like puting a recoil pad on there (making it into a short barred rifle) and putting the proof online for all the world to see. I'm no lawyer but that sure looks like an NFA violation to me. Oh well. Maybe he got a tax stamp and just didn't mention it in his video.

What the Mares Leg is missing is a few more inches of barrel and a stock. Oh... wait... that would be the 92 carbine. Never mind.

I've also noticed that 92 rifles and carbines are hard to find while the Ranch Hands are in all the stores. I gave up looking when I found a used carbine. Why wait for them to come to their senses and sell more rifles when I could get the used one right then.

Now I'm wondering. Has anybody taken a Ranch Hand and got the $200 stamp to make a 12" barreled trapper? Some one must have. It sounds like an odd gun but there are lots of people out there and it only takes one with that odd taste to just do it. Maybe I'll google that.

yellowtail3 · « **Reply #25 on:** January 21, 2012, 03:00:58 PM »

Quote from: jlwilliams on January 21, 2012, 02:40:50 PM

Love that youtube video. Nothing like puting a recoil pad on there (making it into a short barred rifle) and putting the proof online for all the world to see. I'm no lawyer but that sure looks like an NFA violation to me. Oh well. Maybe he got a tax stamp and just didn't mention it in his video.

+1

Yeah... it's not a 'mare's leg' anymore, it's a rifle now... one that might attract unwelcome attention from federal thugs. Movie prop with legal hazards attached.

jlwilliams · « **Reply #26 on:** January 21, 2012, 03:02:51 PM »

I tried searching it a few ways and just came up with hits about how it's not an SBR. That being a dead end I posted on Bowers' board. There are quite a few NFA industry guys there. If it's been done there is a good chance someone there might have seen it. It does cost $200 for an individual to legally make an SBR, but it's my understanding that an 07 SOT license holder can register and make one without paying the tax. The tax is due if and when he sells it. That leads quite a few of those guys to paper and chop all sorts of guns. Maybe a guy who can legally do it without paying the extra has gone ahead and done it for a laugh. Anyway, if I can find pics I'll post here.

sidewinder319 · « **Reply #27 on:** January 21, 2012, 03:12:21 PM »

The BATF will soon have a new crop of idiots to harvest. These comic book firearms will be restocked into very short very illegal firearms. Some Bimbo in Shotgun news or at gun shows will offer a conversion set that will invite the Feds to your house.

evidrine · « **Reply #28 on:** January 21, 2012, 03:39:21 PM »

Man, you guys sure are hard on people who dont see things the way you do. I personally would love to have one. Doesnt take a genious to see that its not very practical, but it does have a certain apeal to me. Granted I would probably never bring it in the woods, nor would I pay the hefty price tag that is on them. Never the less, I still think it looks fun. I could easily see it as someones back pack gun when out on camping trips. It would also be just as effective as a "behind the seat" truck gun. I think that it is just simply not everyones cup of tea.

kevinsmith5 · « **Reply #29 on:** January 21, 2012, 04:51:57 PM »

Everybody keeps mentioning "Wanted Dead or Alive", guess no one up here ever watched "Firefly". One of the lead characters (Zoe) carried a Mares Leg in 45 LC. Can't personally say I'm interested in owning one, but I'd be curious to shoot one.

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