Rossi: Going Strong Since 1889

by
posted on July 23, 2022
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Rossi

It was 1889 when Amadeo Rossi founded the firearm manufacturing company that bears his name—known better today as simply Rossi—in São Leopoldo, Brazil. The city, established roughly 60 years before the factory opened its doors, is located in the country’s south and was the first to aggressively invite German immigration. It’s likely the dedication to precision the Europeans brought played a role in how fast the company established a reputation for quality, although there’s no doubt the local workforce’s skill and ingenuity deserves the bulk of the credit. Rossi remains one of the biggest gunmakers in Brazil and hasn’t moved from the city it was founded in, even after 133 years.

The few Rossi guns that trickled into the United States in the 1960s proved to be reliable, accurate and affordable. Though demand for guns built with that reputation grew stateside, the several small firms that initially handled importation had limited success. The company recognized an opportunity was being missed, so in 1997, BRAZTech International became its exclusive North American importer. That same year, it also entered into an agreement with Taurus to produce several revolvers under the Rossi label.

The partnership between the Brazilian firms was a productive one, and in 2008, Taurus purchased Rossi, but retained its entire staff and factory. The change resembled more of a friendly merger, though, with both companies working in concert to improve the rifle lineup. By 2010, fresh and innovative designs were coming from the collaboration, including the still popular single-action, rotating cylinder, Circuit Judge rifle.

The rifle/shotgun continues to sell well to this day, for good reason. When B. Gil Horman reviewed one for American Rifleman, he concluded, “The Circuit Judge chambered for .45 Colt or .410 shotshells will comfortably fill any role appropriate for a .410 shotgun and it produces solid accuracy with .45 Colt loads for hunting medium-sized game at short ranges.”

Today, the company’s lineup includes lever actions, semi-automatics, single-shot Tuffy shotguns and those Circuit Judges. It also offers fresh-from-the-factory pump-action rifles chambered in .22 LR—like the gallery guns of yesteryear, but manufactured to modern tolerances.

Latest

Weatherby 307 New Models F
Weatherby 307 New Models F

New For 2025: Weatherby Model 307 Range XP 2.0 & Alpine ST Rifles

Weatherby's Model 307 bolt-action rifle opens up a world of aftermarket components to consumers, thanks to its Model 700 receiver footprint, and the company now has two new models for hunters and sport shooters.

Preview: Thunderbolt To The Rebels | The United States Sharpshooters In The Civil War

Author Darin Wipperman provides a tantalizing glimpse into the world of Berdan’s sharpshooters during the American Civil War.

Gun Of The Week: Rock River Arms LAR-22 Tactical Carbine

This week, we're on the range with the Rock River Arms LAR-22 Tactical Carbine, a rimfire variant of the AR-15 that's designed for reliability and gives enthusiasts a way to shoot affordably.

The Armed Citizen® July 11, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Japanese Last-Ditch Small Arms Of World War II

The crude assortment of fighting tools used by the Japanese during World War II give clues of an unprepared and unmatched last-ditch fight that ultimately lead to Allied victory.

Federal Ammunition Awards 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships

Federal Ammunition recently awarded the 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships to two 4-H shooting sports teen ambassadors.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.