Rossi M92 .44 woes

[Caribouriver]

Just recently picked it up (Big 5). It looked good and cycled snap caps at the store. Took it home and noticed that after loading with snap caps, the top round was angled in the mag well. It took two leverings to get a snap cap to chamber. Then it chambered, extracted and ejected normally and consistently. For about a dozen times. Then it started to extract about 90% but not eject. And that's how it remains.

I have not taken it apart to clean it and so it has whatever gunk the factory left. I am waiting for Steve's video, spring and mag follower to arrive. I am hoping that once it gets cleaned up and those parts installed, it will be AOK. I'm just wondering if any Rossi owners have had similar cycling problems, what you did about them and what I should be on the lookout for when I take it apart.

I read on the Rossi forum (rossi-rifleman) that Rossi CS leaves a lot to be desired. Members ask to purchase parts but Rossi evidently says that internal parts are only for their techs to service. Then CS says to send the rifle back for even minor problems and expect it to be returned in 4-6 weeks. I'm new to Rossi and am not intending to spread FUD. But some members on the Rossi forum regret having sent their rifles back to Rossi for warranty work. Just trying to figure out if I can't resolve the problem if I would be better off sending it to Steve to look at rather than Rossi. Thanks.

[Epaphroditus]

I recently got two M92 and one was really full of cosmoline and had to fully taken apart and cleared of that thick stuff. After that it was fine.

The other one internally was very dry and rough to work the action. After taking apart and lube all was well.

Steves DVD will give great info and tips on diss/assembly.

[tmh1]

Sorry for your issues - I have 3 R92's and they have all worked flawlessly, although mine are chambered for less powerful rounds (38sp/357). So I don't have any direct experience with the Rossi factory gunsmiths. But if the company is willing to send you a return label for the gun I would probably take them up on the warranty return offer, and take the "lost time with my new gun" penalty. I know that there is much internet chatter, but I am one of those folks who believe that the gunsmiths who work for a company have a pretty good knowledge of that company's products, and can make the gun work right for you.

OTOH there is much positive said about Steve in the R92 community, and he could definitely get the gun working right, albeit for an additional price. If you were going to have other work done by Steve anyway, then I would send it there. If not I would try Rossi first.

Just one man's opinion...

[kendog4570]

Snap caps are for.... snapping. They are not action proving dummies.
Try it with some ammunition. At the range of course, not at the house.

[Quinc]

Check out: http://www.rossi-rifleman.com/ Lots of good info here.

[Caribouriver]

Good advice gentlemen. Thanks. I'll proceed with a cleaning, two new parts and a live ammo range trip. I'll report back.

[CoopsDad]

Mine was full of thick, sticky cosmoline and was hard to cycle when I got it. I did a full disassembly, clean, lube and reassembly and it's worked flawlessly since.

[TRAP55]

Snap caps are for.... snapping. They are not action proving dummies.
Try it with some ammunition. At the range of course, not at the house.

What kendog said.
I've picked up a couple of nice rifles cheap, that had "cycling problems", only to find out later the owner had never actually had any real ammo in it.

[Caribouriver]

Good to know Trap and Coops

[MongooseV8]

I have a brand new Rossi 92 in 45 Colt with the 24" stainless octagon barrel and the barrel spun loose after the first 5 rounds. They aren't near the quality of the Winchesters or the Marlins but they are cheap.

I know on mine I had to be firm when opening the lever to eject and feed. Are you cycling the lever with authority or slowly?

[golfish]

I'd remove the wood, mag spring and follower and use a can of brake cleaner on the action (I'm sure you've read the drill) lube it up and cycle the action a few hundred times. Then fire away and see what happens..

I love my .357 rifle but my .44 carbine is not very accurate. I need to figure out what the deal it with it.

[Sosoomi]

I have a few of these.... The 92's in 357 and 44...

First thing to do is sit down and watch TV.... While thus entertained rack that puppy at least 500 times.... Seriously.....

Now give it a good cleaning....

When shooting...don't baby that lever..... Full, firm strokes....if you short stroke it you will have problems....

If you feel up to it you can break it down and clean up the action..... Only take off the obvious burrs and don't go attacking it with files or dremels...

A word of warning..... When you pull the action apart the extractor will come out and it is a *****....and I'll say this again... A ***** to put back in....

There are spring kits available if you really want to get into it... Rossi Rifleman is the goto site for info...

I will tell you I have a 44 '92 and I did have some issues... I did sent it back to Rossi and had it returned in 10 days... I am not sure if they have changed their spring kits but if your ejected brass falls to your feet and is not launched into orbit....then they have and I wouldn't make any changes...

My sights need adjusting because I do shoot hot loads... Probably need a taller front sight but just haven't got to playing with it...it does shoot high at 100 yards...

Factory loads and it is bang on...

[Pauliedad]

Tag for when I pick mine up on Saturday. Woo hooo!

[smalltime]

My sights need adjusting because I do shoot hot loads... Probably need a taller front sight but just haven't got to playing with it...it does shoot high at 100 yards...

You can remove the elevation ladder to lower your impact a bit. My R92 in 44 mag has run perfectly with various loads using 240gr SWC's & XTP's

[Epaphroditus]

Yeah, before going all whole hog on mods (ala Stevesgunz) take it out and shoot it a bunch. Only after shooting find out what functions are not to your liking - then do the appropriate mods.

For example the follower - until is splits it works fine so why swap it out right away?

Mag spring mod - once too much is cut off now you need a new spring. Unless you actually can pick up an extra round in the tube is there really a need to trim the spring?

Ejector throwing cases a mile or not ... I kind of like a well flung brass!

Extractor "mods" were already done on both of my 92 so maybe the Rossi factory guys are listening.

Loading gate spring - for one if mine it was not bad but the other one was really stiff and took to the mod nicely.

Maybe a tang sight for more flexible sighting options? I'm contemplating it in any case.