Gun Of The Week: Rossi Lightweight Carbine

Rossi USA is the U.S.-based extension of Braztech International, a Brazilian firm that’s been in the firearm business for decades, and it offers up myriad firearms, most of which have classic appeal such as lever-actions and wheelguns. But much has changed with Rossi’s lineup in recent times, with the company adding in modern single-shots with features that appeal to those wanting to run optics and suppressors. And the addons don’t end there. Watch our video above to learn more.

The Lightweight Carbine (LWC) from Rossi is available in a modest suite of chamberings at this time, from 5.56 NATO to .357 Magnum and 350 Legend for those straightwall hunting states. In addition, the sample NRA Media received for the making of this video came chambered for the increasingly popular .300 Blackout cartridge. There’s a .410/.45 Colt option, too. And stock patterns vary in the line from traditionally styled synthetic, as seen here, to folding types along with a thumbhole type with pistol grip, and all of them come ready for use with slings.

Front to back this version of Rossi’s LWC measures 31.5” and weighs just a quarter over 5 lbs., which is an easily totable hunting option as well as a possible trainer for those up-and-coming enthusiasts in your life. Rossi supplies a 16.5” medium contour, alloy steel barrel with its LWC lineup, and the model we have here in .300 Blackout is equipped with a 1:8” right-hand twist. Up front at the muzzle is a section that comes with a removable protector over the 5/8x24 TPI threads. Considering this combination of cartridge and suppressor-ready barrel, the LWC is an ideal candidate for suppressor use. Add in the variety available in the subsonic loading category and locked breech action of the LWC, the suppressed use of the carbine can be shockingly quiet.

Thanks to the simple single-shot design of the LWC, using it is incredibly straightforward and easy. First, you’ll want to ensure that the gun is in its safe position, which requires shifting the crossbolt to the right. Just above that is a release lever, and once depressed, the action hinges open for loading a cartridge. Next, you must close the action, flick the safety off and cock the exposed hammer rearward in order to fire. It is important to note the LWC, like its Brawler counterpart, is equipped with a shell extractor but no ejector, so removing spent brass manually is required.

Our testers appreciated the simplistic design of the LWC, especially as a trainer for basic firearm skills. Having one shot requires more attention to detail, while its manual of arms is conducive for such tasks, too. We also found the gun to be ergonomically friendly, with nice molded-in lines to help hold the gun into position. And its weight strikes a good balance of portability while not being too light to make for hard shooting. The supplied Picatinny rail is also another practical enhancement we appreciate for out-of-the-box use—simply install a red-dot optic or riflescope and hit the range.

Rossi Lightweight Carbine Specifications
Action Type: hinge-action, centerfire rifle
Chambering: .300 Blackout
Barrel: 16.5" alloy steel
Receiver: polymer-coated alloy steel
Sights: none; Picatinny rail
Stock: black synthetic
Capacity: single-shot
Overall Length: 31.5"
Weight: 5 lbs., 3.84 ozs.
MSRP: $357