Gun Of The Week: Davidson’s Exclusive Rossi R92

In this "Gun Of The Week" episode, we’re on the range with a Davidson’s Exclusive variant of Rossi USA’s popular R92 lever-action rifle. This version of the R92 includes a few design elements that make it handier and more versatile, and it’s a model you can only buy through the Davidson’s network of dealers. Watch the video above to see this exclusive R92 in use on the range.

Davidson’s is one of the largest firearm distributors in the country, and it works with manufacturers to bring special configurations to market that you just can’t find anywhere else. The company works with gunmakers all over the world, including Taurus Armas, the parent company of Rossi, a well-known manufacturer of classically styled lever-action rifles. This R92 takes the lever-action concept up a notch, though, and builds in some must-haves for modern shooters.

Rossi’s R92 picks up where Winchester left off with its classic Model 1892 design developed by John Moses Browning at the end of the 19th century. The Model 1892 carried the legacy of the Winchester lever-action well into the 20th century. More than 1 million were made before Winchester stopped production at the start of World War II. The Brazilian firm of Amadeo Rossi has been in business since the 1880s, but by the 1970s, Rossi guns were being imported into the United States, including a model branded as the Puma, which was a clone of Winchester’s original Model 1892 design. Today, Rossi still makes these guns, and this particular R92 includes some welcome updates.

This Davidson’s Exclusive Rossi R92 is built almost entirely with stainless-steel components, notably the receiver, barrel, magazine tube and large-loop lever. These stainless components are mated with gray laminate furniture, creating a durable, weather-resistant package that’s designed to withstand use and abuse in the field. Notably, this particular model is outfitted with a short 16” barrel versus the longer 20” barrel on Rossi’s other stainless offerings. Additionally, lever-actions make for great suppressor hosts, thanks to their locked-breech, manually operated actions, and this model comes threaded from the factory with 1/2x28 TPI muzzle threads for your favorite suppressor.

A forward-mounted Picatinny optics rail makes it easy to add a scout-style riflescope or a red-dot sight, and the rear of the rail provides an adjustable aperture that works in concert with a bright fiber-optic front sight. The enlarged lever loop provides room for gloved hands, and a generously sized leather wrap on the bottom portion of the lever provides padding for unprotected hands when working the action.

At the range, we found this Davidson’s Exclusive Rossi R92 operated smoothly and handled well. The gun’s weight of around 6 lbs., combined with the thick rubber buttpad, brought the recoil of even hot .357 Magnum loads down to manageable levels. Despite the shortened barrel, the under-barrel magazine tube still provided room for up to eight rounds, giving us plenty of firepower. The easily accessible side-loading gate also made topping up a breeze. One element that may take some getting used to on these Rossi lever-actions is the uniquely positioned safety lever located on top of the receiver. It’s also worth noting that these guns include the more traditional half-cock safety notch found on other lever-action designs, too. Overall, though, this upgraded R92 is an easy-to-handle, versatile package that keeps the lever-action concept alive for the 21st century.

Davidson's Exclusive Rossi R92 Specifications
Distributor: GalleryofGuns.com
Importer: Rossi USA
Action Type: lever-action, repeating, centerfire rifle
Chambering: .357 Mag.
Receiver: stainless steel
Barrel: 16" stainless steel; threaded 1/2x28 TPI
Magazine: tubular, eight-round capacity
Stock: gray wood laminate
Sights: adjustable rear peep, fiber-optic post front
Overall Length: 34"
Weight: 5 lbs., 12.8 ozs.
MSRP: $1,090