Rossi 92
The Rossi Model 92 is a faithful reproduction of the Winchester Model 1892—one of John Browning’s most elegant lever-action designs—chambered in pistol calibers including .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum, and .45 Colt. Lighter and more compact than the Model 1894 pattern rifles, the 92 action is renowned for its smooth, fast cycling and is a staple of cowboy action shooting competition. At Rossi’s accessible price point, the Model 92 is also one of the best-value lever-action rifles available for hunting, ranch use, and anyone who wants a matching rifle/pistol caliber combination.
Read our full Rossi 92 Buying Guide ↓
The Winchester 1892 Pattern
John Browning designed the Model 1892 as a lighter, stronger replacement for the Model 1873, built around the smaller pistol calibers that were standard of the era. The toggle-link action cycles faster and more smoothly than the 1873’s design, and the smaller receiver scales well to pistol-caliber cartridges. The 92 pattern action has been praised for a century for its fast, slick cycling that rewards proper lever technique with rapid, accurate shooting. Rossi’s Brazilian-made reproduction captures the essential qualities of the original at a fraction of the cost of American-made alternatives from Henry or Winchester.
Caliber Options
The Rossi 92 is available in .357 Magnum/.38 Special, .44 Magnum/.44 Special, and .45 Colt. The .357 Magnum version is the most popular—it fires both .357 Magnum and .38 Special from the same rifle, allowing economical practice with .38 Special and full-power hunting or defensive use with .357 Magnum. This caliber also pairs naturally with .357 Magnum and .38 Special revolvers for a matched pistol/rifle system. The .44 Magnum version offers more power for deer-sized game. The .45 Colt pairs with Single Action Army revolvers and the Taurus Judge for a classic cowboy combination.
Cowboy Action Shooting
The Rossi 92 is one of the most popular lever-action rifles in SASS (Single Action Shooting Society) cowboy action competition. The 92 action’s fast cycling, light weight, and pistol-caliber chambering make it ideal for the sport’s requirements. The smooth action responds well to a professional slicking job by a cowboy action gunsmith, with reduced spring weights and polished internals transforming the already-smooth factory action into a competition-ready tool. At Rossi’s price point, the 92 allows cowboy action competitors to have a dedicated competition rifle without a major investment.
Hunting and Ranch Use
The Rossi 92 in .357 Magnum or .44 Magnum is a capable deer and hog hunting rifle at close to moderate ranges. The .357 Magnum from a 20-inch rifle barrel generates over 1,000 ft-lbs of energy—more than adequate for deer inside 100 yards. The .44 Magnum from a rifle barrel approaches .30-30 energy levels, making it a legitimate medium-game hunting cartridge. The 92’s compact size makes it easy to carry in a saddle scabbard, through brush, or in a truck. For ranch and farm use where a handy, reliable rifle in a pistol caliber is needed, the Rossi 92 is a practical and economical choice.
Variants and Configurations
The Rossi 92 is available with 16-, 20-, and 24-inch barrels in blued and stainless steel finishes, with straight-grip or pistol-grip stocks in wood and synthetic. The 16-inch barrel carbine is the most compact and popular for general use. The stainless synthetic variant handles weather and outdoor use particularly well. Rossi also offers the R92 with a large loop lever—a cowboy-style oversized lever ring that allows gloved operation and adds to the classic aesthetic. The variety of configurations means there’s a Rossi 92 suited to virtually any intended use.
Where to Go Next
For other lever-action options including Henry and Marlin, see our Lever Action Rifles page. The Marlin 1895 covers the .45-70 lever-action category. For .357 Magnum ammunition, visit our .357 Magnum ammo page.