Bought locally with a box of JHP thrown in for the retail price of a new one or half of what they sell for on GunBroker used. See more pics for issues.
So it's marked PUMA and was imported my LSI. The other side has A ROSSI MADE IN BRAZIL. The only stamp on the barrel is 454 CASULL. The serial number is buzzed on the receiver and looks tacky.
It's got one of those knob switcher thingies on it too. That's coming off in favor of a delete peep and blank filler or a custom rear sight in the OEM location with a plug in the safety hole. My 39A, 336RC, R92 .357 all were factory with no safety. Enough about my opinion there.
Seller disclosed scratches on the stock. Yep, they're there. Already ordered the dyes I want to custom mix for the refinish. The one and only "feature" of the newer safety equipped Rossis I wanted was the water based stain ... NOPE, not on this one. Tried isopropyl alcohol, nope...barely phases it. Oh well, getting there is half the enjoyment.
Lookie there...the barrel band screw came right out. Then the screw holding the sling doohickey stripped instead. No idea what kind or size of key head that is designed for but in a pile of Allen keys too large to count and a large Wheeler bit set, I found NOTHING that would fit it snugly. It will have to be left on (ugly) or drilled. Don't wanna do either so staying with the lesser of two evils and leaving it is likely my move.
Is it OEM? If not I guess the rear stud bogged into the wood is aftermarket as well? Need to know before the wood refinish in case I need to fill the hole in the stock. I don't need sling swivels but would leave them if they were OEM.
What do I like about it?
- It can shoot .45 Colt, what I was looking for for several years.
- It is uncommon compared to other cartridges so it should hold its value
- I paid half of current crazy GunBroker rates
- Action feels pretty smooth for a gun that has been shot very little.
- Trigger feels nice as is.
What I don't like about it...
- Metal finish is several levels below that of my older R92. I can almost see the machine tool marks through the thin blueing.
- The magazine tube is so thin, poorly finish machined, and poorly blued it looks like anodized spun aluminum up close
- Fiber optic sights. Ugh. At least the rear sight is broken so I have an excuse to swap them both.
- Plastic follower. Easy fix. Likely no reason to but thought of a lever gun with a plastic part is weird.
- Poor stamping choices. A ROSSI and IMPORTED BY LSI and MADE IN BRAZIL should be partly on each side of the barrel just ahead of the receiver where they could be less seen.
- Scratches in the wood. Not an easy fix but worth the outcome to refinish it all.
EDIT to add: Steve's Gunz wants $35 for a mag follower. Guess mine will stay plastic. WAIT! Just found a brass one on eBay with good reviews for $20.