Rossi R92 Re-do

A while back I wrote up the stainless-steel Rossi R92 lever gun, chambered in 454 Casull. Being so impressed with its good manners, it was purchased. There’s no higher accolade for a gun writer. However, as good as the rifle is, I wanted to customize it, building it to my specifications in a Lever-Scout sort of way, sort of.

Traits I wanted were a dual sighting system that could easily be changed in the field, preferably without tools, while being ultra-reliable. Also, a simple rifle sling would be necessary when both hands were needed for other chores/tasks in the field, but keeping the rifle readily accessible.

The first thing I did was to remove the buckhorn rear sight. As much as I loved the sleek and traditional sight, my eyes have trouble using such sights now. I’m much more comfortable and I shoot better with a good peep sight for a back-up sighting system. I wanted a red dot sight as my primary sight system.

Skinner Sights Rail (SSR)

After removing the factory rear sight, four drilled and tapped holes are exposed for installing the SSR. The SSR is tapered, following the barrel contour. Make sure the thinner end is facing toward you when screwing it on your barrel. This provides a flat surface for mounting either an intermediate-eye-relief (IER) scope, or red dot sight of your choice.

I went with a Trijicon RM06 red dot sight with finger knob base, for easy on/off mounting in the field. Should I choose to use the R92 for longer range shooting, I have the option of mounting an IER scope. It’s all about versatilit

Steel Plug Satisfaction

Steve’s Gunz also provides a stainless-steel magazine follower to replace the plastic follower Rossi uses. The stainless-steel follower enhances movement inside the cartridge tube as cartridges feed through it. The last thing you want is for the plastic follower to swell, crack or hang-up while hunting in the cold weather.

Spare Ammo?

I want my “do everything” gun ready to go at a moment’s notice. This includes having a source of spare ammo at the ready for those “grab and go” moments. I went with function, style and reliability with a Barranti Leather buttstock cuff holding 10 extra cartridges in beautifully worked leather. It definitely added to the rifle’s good looks.

Lever Scout Strategy

The Trijicon Red Dot will be my primary sight and the Steve’s Gunz Peep will make a dandy back-up sight. The peep sight is a marked improvement from the factory buckhorn rear sight. It’s just friendlier to older eyes.

Being chambered in .454 Casull, I have a wide range of power levels exceeding 2,000 fps loads with 300+ grain bullets, to lighter “standard” (cheaper) .45 Colt loads, in either factory or handloaded ammunition.

Either way, there’s no denying the versatility of the rifle and loads, always a good thing when you’re miles from the nearest store. These alterations are easy, giving your lever gun a personal touch while adding versatility and improved performance — and making the gun “more yours.”

Rossi-Firearms.com

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