Lever Action Decision

[SDcollector]

I'm ready to buy a 1892 clone in 357. I've whittled my choices down to two, either a Cimarron for $1025 or a Rossi for $717 I know the Cimarron is higher quality, but is it worth the additional $300?

Does anyone have any experience with these two?

[Spyder]

I have a couple of Rossi's and am perfectly happy with them. I haven't handled the Cimarron. I've read complaints about the Rossi having off center front sight, etc. but MY experience has been great.

[SDDAVE56]

I have no experience with the Mod 1892, or Rossi for that matter. I do have lever guns, and wheel guns from the following, Uberti, Cimarron, and Taylors. They're all made by Uberti, which is owned by Beretta. I find the fit, and finish to be of very good quality. All function well, and are very accurate, me being the limiting factor.

[splithoof]

I have numerous lever-action rifles, including a Rossi “Puma” (has that ugly cat medallion on the receiver); the Rossi functions well considering it’s price point. The Cimarron is basically the same action, but with a nicer finish and wood, from the two examples I’ve handled. I ended up replacing the wood forend because the barrel band had been ruined by the previous owner while trying to remove it for cleaning, and it fits better. That Puma has a 16” barrel, and shoots to the sights well enough for some hunting. The action locks up tightly, and over time has smoothed out.

[splithoof]

I have no experience with the Mod 1892, or Rossi for that matter. I do have lever guns, and wheel guns from the following, Uberti, Cimarron, and Taylors. They're all made by Uberti, which is owned by Beretta. I find the fit, and finish to be of very good quality. All function well, and are very accurate, me being the limiting factor.

All those tend to be good, solid shooters for the price. They satisfy the desire to use clones of older antiques that may not be as robust due to softer steels of many decades past. My kids have a batch of the Uberti SAA clones in .357 Magnum; very well made, with adequate fit and finish for all-day shooters. They are fun to use especially with our .38 Special loads, and are great for educating new shooters about single-action revolvers.

[golfish]

I've had 5 Rossi 92s, there was something wrong with each one and their customer service is terrible. The Winchesters 92 and Remlin 94 (2018) are much better guns

[OLD-skool454#3]

I'd go Winchester or Marlin CSBL for .38/.357 as my first choice if I had extra money to spend. As for a great less expensive (not cheap) option I went with the Citadel Levtac rifles. I own Rossi's as well, but the Levtac's have proven to be great rifles for the price.

[splithoof]

While the RuMar (IMO) is a much better choice, the question from the OP was regarding the R92…

[OLD-skool454#3]

In that case...No, the cimarron is not worth the extra $300 just like the rossi is not quite worth the $717, but it is cheaper and going to shoot just as well...neither are precision rifles.

[SDcollector]

Thanks for everyone's input!

Well after a lot more reading and videos, I've decided to buy a Marlin 1894 by Ruger in 44 Mag/Special. It only costs $83 more than the Rossi and it looks like it has a nicer finish. I've always liked the Ruger's I've bought and sold over the years and they have great customer service, which I understand is a lot better than Rossi's.

[SDcollector]

I have no experience with the Mod 1892, or Rossi for that matter. I do have lever guns, and wheel guns from the following, Uberti, Cimarron, and Taylors. They're all made by Uberti, which is owned by Beretta. I find the fit, and finish to be of very good quality. All function well, and are very accurate, me being the limiting factor.

I'll be buying a Cimarron Pietta Frontier soon, if not before my Marlin.

[SDcollector]

I'd go Winchester or Marlin CSBL for .38/.357 as my first choice if I had extra money to spend. As for a great less expensive (not cheap) option I went with the Citadel Levtac rifles. I own Rossi's as well, but the Levtac's have proven to be great rifles for the price.

I hadn't heard of a Levtac until now. But there's something about a Picatinny rail, current model scopes and an aluminum M-LOK handguard that just doesn't seem right to me on a lever gun. : )

[SDDAVE56]

I'll be buying a Cimarron Pietta Frontier soon, if not before my Marlin.

I have two Marlins, a 39A, and a 1894 COWBOY LTD 38 / 357, "JM" stamped.

[Jimi Jah]

I have the Henry Big Boy steel side gate 357. It's quite good. Very accurate without the heavy octagon barrel.

I also have the Marlin 1894 Classic 357. Better metal finish, worse wood finish. Mine has beautiful figured walnut, rare for Marlin. Either are great choices that should hold value better.

[BOBGBA]

Thanks for everyone's input!

Well after a lot more reading and videos, I've decided to buy a Marlin 1894 by Ruger in 44 Mag/Special. It only costs $83 more than the Rossi and it looks like it has a nicer finish. I've always liked the Ruger's I've bought and sold over the years and they have great customer service, which I understand is a lot better than Rossi's.

I think you've made a good decision.
One of these days, I'll cave and get this.

image.png