Author Topic: The Incredible Shrinking Rossi Model 92 (Read 3162 times)

Rangr44 · « **on:** February 16, 2010, 05:03:02 PM »

I just shrunk my Rossi Model 92 again.

It started out as a new 16" Big Loop .357, so after I ditched the lawyer bolt safety and peeped it, I swapped for a standard lever as the first shrinkage, around last Christmas.

Then, last week I shrunk the forend wood, cutting it's length back to a length more proportional to the 16" barrel.

Finally, I installed a rifle-type forend nosecap to dress it off, then shrunk the magazine tube to a button mag - sorta like a Model 53.

I don't think I'm gonna go for a folding buttstock, though.

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teamnelson · « **Reply #1 on:** February 16, 2010, 06:12:11 PM »

Great work! Just got the DVD from Steve and fixing to tune up my 92s.

B-dog · « **Reply #2 on:** February 16, 2010, 08:45:42 PM »

Looks great! what does it weigh since the modifications? And whats the mag capacity?

Cheers Ian

jlwilliams · « **Reply #3 on:** February 17, 2010, 12:40:02 AM »

A lot of people shy away from the shorter mag tubes, I'm not one of them. If you hunt with the rifle you are limited to a smaller number of rounds than will fit in a full length tube in many cases. Shortening it up just eliminates weight that isn't working for you.

Good looking rifle. I'll bet that just handles like a dream.

Rangr44 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 17, 2010, 03:20:55 AM »

Thank you all, for the kind words, and YES, it handles GREAT !

The capacity is four, but I rarely load more than 2-3 in any of my centerfire hunting rifles, anyway.

I don't know how much it weighs, since I don't trust my bathroom scale - I suspect my greeneyed monster's got it set to show a few pounds less than her actual weight.

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mattmillerrx · « **Reply #5 on:** February 17, 2010, 07:05:31 AM »

I do like the short mag tube, but mine is the 24 in barrel and it just wouldn't look right.

Dee · « **Reply #6 on:** February 17, 2010, 10:50:46 AM »

Mines the 24" Deluxe Model 92, so I won't be cuttin it down. Besides. I like the 13 round tube. I may need them at my age.
You have done a great job though.

Rangr44 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 17, 2010, 12:45:03 PM »

Thanks, and - no - I wouldn't have done it, if my rifle had a longer barrel, either.

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dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #8 on:** February 17, 2010, 03:28:42 PM »

Great job Rangr44. Looks very balanced, like the nose cap and shortened mag tube. Where did you find the lever, thinking of changing mine, just to big. DP

AtlLaw · « **Reply #9 on:** February 17, 2010, 03:37:49 PM »

I LIKE IT!!!

Hummmmmm, $:-\$ I been lookin for a 357 trapper...

Rangr44 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 18, 2010, 01:38:09 PM »

I swapped out the original issue "Big Loop" lever with another forum member elsewhere - who had contacted me for the trade, when I posted pics of the original big loop config with comments that I was thinking of switching to a standard loop.

Except for the two bucks postage, a freebie for the both of us.

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Canuck Bob · « **Reply #11 on:** June 20, 2010, 09:00:47 AM »

Thanks for a great writeup. You have some good ideas in your rifle. I own a 444 and never fully load the tube because the heavy bullets really throw the balance off. 1 in the chamber and 2 in the tube is perfect. I sometimes slip an extra in the tube in heavy bush. Some of the early Winchester pictures from the 30-40's often had shorter tubes at about forearm length and look just fine.

You mention a button mag. Can you unload now without cycling rounds through the action?

Rangr44 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 20, 2010, 04:33:40 PM »

Nothing's changed, about the magazine's loading/unloading method, just the length/capacity - so the cartridges still need to be cycled through the action to empty the magazine.

"Button" mag refers to the visual look of a magazine tube that's been shortened enough that it's endcap looks like a smooth button in the middle of the forend cap when viewed from the muzzle.

Mine's a tad longer than a true button mag, because I didn't have the proper mating magazine cap/forend cap - which interlocked on issue Winchester button mags.

I elected to go a simpler, less expensive route, via buying/installing a regular rifle-type forend cap, and just hacksawed the mag tube & spring to length.

This is a pic of the other side:

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yukondog · « **Reply #13 on:** June 21, 2010, 09:15:38 AM »

ya done good.

Rangr44 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 21, 2010, 03:59:11 PM »

Thanks, to all, for the kind words.

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steg · « **Reply #15 on:** June 21, 2010, 05:01:29 PM »

What no pistol grip forend? Just kidding, great looking rifle, how is the peep sight working for you, and If I might ask it's cost? The peep that is..........................steg

Rangr44 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 22, 2010, 02:11:38 PM »

The peep is a plain-vanilla, $34 Williams 5D-94AE, meant for a Winchester Model 94 Angle Eject (with the scope mount holes on top).

I D/T'd one hole atop the rear of each of the receiver's sidewalls for it to screw on like it was born there.

Since the top-mounted peep's horizontal crossbar is carried to the rear of the peep sight's base in it's lowest position, I am able to lower the peep until it almost touches the bolt-top safety plug I made.

It zeroed within 5 shots, using the issue front sight blade - which I gave a tip of orange sight paint.

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eastbank · « **Reply #17 on:** June 22, 2010, 02:53:30 PM »

your rifle looks like my model 53,they handle very nice and are great for carrying, my 94 win timber carbine in 444 is a great carry rifle for the big stuff,but it kicks like blue blazes. eastbank.

hillbill · « **Reply #18 on:** June 22, 2010, 04:06:36 PM »

yea that looks alot like my 53 browning that i just sold for double what i gave for it in 32-20.i m iss it but i dont miss reloading 32-20.it was bout the best feeling gun i ever owned. it had the curved lever tho.

steg · « **Reply #19 on:** June 22, 2010, 06:06:43 PM »

Thanks for the info on the peep Ranger 44, these old eyes are crying for one, I can either see the target, or either sight but no more than one at a time LOL.................steg

steg · « **Reply #20 on:** July 12, 2010, 06:02:42 AM »

Rangr44, I got the sight and had my smith install it, what a difference, I can see the front sight and the target, didn't get a chance to sight it in yet, thanks for all your info............steg

Rangr44 · « **Reply #21 on:** July 12, 2010, 09:58:28 AM »

Great ! I'm glad it worked out for you !

You'd be surprised how many pooh-poo them - UNTIL they try using them..................

NOW - It's time to upgrade the front sight, too !

It'll be worth your while, to make the front sight more visible.

First - grab a small bottle of bright orange model car paint, and put a dollop of it onto the top 1/8" of the rear face of the front sight (hold the rifle muzzle-down until the paint dries).

If that floats your boat, and/or you'd like an even better improvement, look into installing a fiber-optic replacement front sight blade, that's the same height as the one on your rifle now.

In any event - good luck 1

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gstewart44 · « **Reply #22 on:** July 12, 2010, 11:38:44 AM »

Great looking and well balanced little carbine there!. I guess the next shrinkage will make it a "Mare's Leg"....

Just kidding!

steg · « **Reply #23 on:** July 12, 2010, 11:16:32 PM »

Rangr44 I had some of that hi visibility yellow paint that I used, picked it up at the gunshop, zeroed it in today, that sight turned it into a new gun, Son saw it and asked me to order one for his also, and I thought I was going to have an edge on him at the range, young eyes and steady nerves, he always shows me up at the range, LOL...................steg

RIFLE MAN · « **Reply #24 on:** July 18, 2010, 02:51:55 PM »

Your rifle looks great! A beautiful piece of work.

Kindly,
Rifle Man

Rangr44 · « **Reply #25 on:** July 19, 2010, 09:48:20 AM »

Thank you all, for the kind words - my old ( REAL old

) Boy Scout Merit Badges are glowing.....

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Bob A · « **Reply #26 on:** July 19, 2010, 04:29:34 PM »

Quote from: Rangr44 on June 20, 2010, 04:33:40 PM

Mine's a tad longer than a true button mag, because I didn't have the proper mating magazine cap/forend cap - which interlocked on issue Winchester button mags.

I elected to go a simpler, less expensive route, via buying/installing a regular rifle-type forend cap, and just hacksawed the mag tube & spring to length.

This is a pic of the other side:

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What is holding the mag tube from sliding out?

Bob A

jlchucker · « **Reply #27 on:** July 20, 2010, 04:06:44 AM »

Quote from: TeamNelson on February 16, 2010, 06:12:11 PM

Great work! Just got the DVD from Steve and fixing to tune up my 92s.

How long did you wait before your DVD came? I ordered one, and a safety plug as well, from Steve back in April. I knew he had been in the hospital, so I didn't want to push him. About two or 3 weeks ago I sent a followup--again, not trying to expedite because I know his business probably took a setback with him gone. His wife responded, saying she'd trace the order. No word so far though. I really don't want to push him because for me it's no emergency, and he's probably still trying to catch up. I figured once the safety plug came I might put on a receiver sight like you did. A Williams receiver sight is what I use on pretty much most of my other leverguns.

Hank08 · « **Reply #28 on:** August 02, 2010, 01:19:10 PM »

I shrunk mine a little, not as much as you. It has an 18 1/2" barrel and full length forend. It balances well and is a joy to carry, holds 6 in mag. One of my favorites to pack around. Has a full buckhorn rear and a King patridge front with a spot of orange epoxy. Weights an ounce less than 6 lbs. H08

Rangr44 · « **Reply #29 on:** August 02, 2010, 03:46:02 PM »

Nice work - I like how they easily handle one-handed, just like a handgun, making them very handy in tight places.

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