View Full Version : Rossi Ranch Hand
Snaquebite
07-09-2010, 09:45
Practical ????
Cool - Hell yea....
I want one....
16079
Pistol cartridge lever-actions have had attention of the American public since the days of the Old West when having a rifle and pistol that shoot the same caliber just made sense.
There are numerous variations―rifles, carbines, standard loop, oversized loop—including Rossi’s Model ’92 hybrid—the Ranch Hand. This Mare’s Leg version (think Steve McQueen in “Wanted: Dead or Alive”) is a short, 24-inch carbine, available in three popular pistol rounds— .38 Spl./.357 Mag., .44 Mag. and .45 Colt.
The Ranch Hand’s 12-inch barrel complies with federal regulations, and features a gold-bead front sight with an adjustable buckhorn rear sight and an oversized loop lever. MSRP is $536.
Caliber: .38 Spl./.357 Mag., .44 Mag., .45 Colt
Action: lever-action repeating pistol
Receiver: investment cast steel
Finish: matte blue
Magazine Capacity: six rounds
Overall Length: 24”
Barrel Length: 12”
Rifling: six groove, 1:30” RH twist
Weight: 4 lbs.
Sights: adjustable buckhorn rear, milled front post with brass insert
Trigger: non-adjustable single stage; 5 lbs. 7 ozs.
Stock: Brazilian hardwood
Accessories: manual, safety lock
Suggested Retail Price: $536
http://www.americanrifleman.org/ArticlePage.aspx?id=2447&cid=1
While not available until November, I've seen some sites advertising as low as $410.00
mojaveman
07-09-2010, 10:07
I bought a Rossi M92 in .38/.357 and have been very happy with it. A .357 Magnum when fired from a 20" barrel becomes something of a different species. I replaced the yellow plastic magazine plunger with a steel one because they are known to break. I also removed the funny and totally unauthentic looking firing pin safety from the top of the bolt and replaced it with a blued steel plug. Thumbing the hammer down to half-cock is ok for someone who is careful. My next project to do with it is to finish the wood with a nice oil.
I am guessing that it is classed as a pistol due to the 12 inch barrel?
The shortened stock will make it hard to cycle the action if used as a rifle.
I have a winchester Trapper Carbine in 44 mag. It handles quick, very compact, and accurate.
Ret10Echo
07-09-2010, 10:55
I bought a Rossi M92 in .357/.38 and I am very happy with it. A .357 Magnum when fired from a 20" barrel becomes something of a different species. I replaced the yellow plastic magazine plunger with a steel one because they are known to break. I also removed the funny and totally unauthentic looking firing pin safety from the top of the receiver and replaced it with a blued steel plug. Thumbing the hammer down is ok for someone who is competent with firearms. My next project to do with it is to finish the wood with a nice oil.
Also have the Rossi in .357. Great shooter out of the box and the large loop lever just looks COOL..:D
The Reaper
07-09-2010, 13:28
Got to be better than the Winchester Trapper in .357.
Less than 50 rounds to break the cartridge stop on the feed ramp.:mad:
TR
Brings back fond childhood memories.
x SF med
07-09-2010, 19:41
Brings back fond childhood memories.
Oh yes it does....
Why is that not considered a SBR? Barrel length <16 overall length <26"
Glad it's not though, it's very cool.
Back to Snaque's question though, as really cool as it looks, I am not sure about the practicality of it.
Ret10Echo
07-10-2010, 04:25
Back to Snaque's question though, as really cool as it looks, I am not sure about the practicality of it.
Beyond the sporty good-looks you mean :D
Although there are other more practical designs, this provides a lot more punch than the average 22LR pack rifle. I could see it as something to have on backpacking trips or to scabbard on horseback or quad. Not for an intentional hunt.
Haven't had problem with the stop breakage (yet) in the Winchester 94AE I have, but if I had it to do all over again I'd of bought a Marlin. The Grizzly ammo advertises 180gr at 1350fps. Hefty but cozy in the rifle. Would like to shoot it from a revolver and see what it feels like. The pistol/rifle commonality is a compelling if not good idea, but I think I'd rather have a .45-70 or .30-30 in a long lever gun. If I have to use a lever gun against something it's usually better to have bigger. I had a problem with .38 Special cartridges in that they are a tad bit shorter than the .357's and cycling can sometimes be a problem. Least it was for me. I agree with Mohaveman re: the silly bolt/hammer safety.
16095 16096
FWIW, here's more discussion on the Winchester variety.
http://www.gunblast.com/End-of-an-era.htm
Utah Bob
07-10-2010, 06:18
Why is that not considered a SBR? Barrel length <16 overall length <26"
Glad it's not though, it's very cool.
It's made and classed as a pistol. Approved by BATFE as such.
It's a gun made specifically to interest us FOGs. Not very practical. It makes you smile though.
A better legal "short rifle". (http://www.eastcoastfirearms.com/images/gallery/8071R.JPG);)
Bob, that "better legal short rifle" would have turned the tide in the hands of John Wesley! :D:D
Utah Bob
07-10-2010, 06:33
Bob, that "better legal short rifle" would have turned the tide in the hands of John Wesley! :D:D
It'd still get caught in your suspenders though.:D
My friend, David, had one of these - I had the Have Gun, Will Travel pistol with business card that said, "Wire Paladin - San Francisco", and the hidden derringer in the small pouch on the back of the holster.
This "Mare's Leg" (as it was called in the show) toy will now cost you more than a real Ranch Hand.
Richard :munchin
Ret10Echo
07-10-2010, 08:45
Haven't had problem with the stop breakage (yet) in the Winchester 94AE I have, but if I had it to do all over again I'd of bought a Marlin. The Grizzly ammo advertises 180gr at 1350fps. Hefty but cozy in the rifle. Would like to shoot it from a revolver and see what it feels like. The pistol/rifle commonality is a compelling if not good idea, but I think I'd rather have a .45-70 or .30-30 in a long lever gun. If I have to use a lever gun against something it's usually better to have bigger. I had a problem with .38 Special cartridges in that they are a tad bit shorter than the .357's and cycling can sometimes be a problem. Least it was for me. I agree with Mohaveman re: the silly bolt/hammer safety.
16095 16096
FWIW, here's more discussion on the Winchester variety.
http://www.gunblast.com/End-of-an-era.htm
I enjoy having the common cartridge when going out to shoot. Having the lever action Rossi and a couple of wheel guns makes for a nice day at the range. I haven't had any issues with feeding of 38 rounds although I think there is a bit more fouling using the shorter cartridge, but that may be more a product of my cartridge selection.
mark46th
07-23-2010, 08:01
I've been looking at these. I carry a Ruger SS Security Six in .357 Mag when I hunt. I have a bunch of ammo. My son is an LEO and was given 800 rounds of .357 Mag. It's a great excuse to buy a new rifle!
I have an M4 clone and was thinking perhaps an American Arms derringer in 223 would be the ticket...
MVP
The Reaper
07-23-2010, 13:03
I have an M4 clone and was thinking perhaps an American Arms derringer in 223 would be the ticket...
MVP
Might as well use a .22LR and light off an M-80 at the same time.
Not going to get much MV out of that barrel.
TR
I once heard the American Arms derringer in 44mag described as "a sheep in wolf's clothing".
FWIW: the recoil of anything above 38 Spec in a derringer is not pleasant without gloves.
MVP
DasRonin
07-25-2010, 20:51
Has anyone shot the Rossi Ranch Hand or rifle using .110 gr ammo (either .38 spec or .357 Mag)? I had a Marlin lever with a micro grove barrel and it would not stabilize enough to do better than 5 inch groups at 25 yards. I later bought a Winchester M94AE and it was a tack driver with the 110 gr ammo.
I have a bunch of .38 spec & .357 mag ammo in 110 gr and would hate to get the Rossi Ranch Hand to find it did not stabilize the 110 gr bullets.