There’s a new lever gun in town and its name is Rossi R95. The lever action rifle is chambered in 30-30 WIN and offers a couple of variants. Let’s take a look-see.
Rossi R95 Lever Action Rifle
Rossi’s new classically-styled lever gun uses a classic cartridge: 30-30 Winchester. Why it took so long for Rossi to market a rifle in this caliber I don’t know, but it’s here now so there’s no use continuing to gritch about only having a pistol caliber option. Perhaps just as importantly, the side-gate-equipped R95 ejects from the side rather than out the top of the receiver as its R92 predecessor did. This isn’t as traditional as some might like but it will make the weapon more amenable to mounting an optic up top.
In their media kit, Rossi says, “There’s nothing better than a slick lever action. The feeling of levering a round in the chamber, hearing the mechanical parts working together in concert, the satisfying feeling of the bolt closing – it’s kinetic [and] it’s aesthetic…”
I’d be hard-pressed to put it better myself. There is something about lever guns of all kinds; I can’t be the only one who spent hours watching — and then mimicking — the likes of Jack Beauregard, Jacob McCandles, and Zeb Macahan with their lever actions.
Regardless, now that I’m done dating myself, here are a few things to know about the R95.
- It’s a side-gate loader; many lever action rifles are not, which makes me sad. Happily, that’s not the case here.
- Two variants are initially available: the R95 Classic, with a 20-inch barrel the R95 Trapper with a 16.5-inch barrel.
- The R95 receiver is tapped in 8-40 to accommodate an RDS, LPVO, or scope.
- If you don’t want an optic up top, the R95 is equipped with a buckhorn-style rear sight and a ramped, drift-adjustable front sight.
- The barrel is hammer-forged alloy steel with a 1:12 twist, finished in black oxide.
- The safety is cross-bolt style and located right below the hammer. Right to safe, left to fire.
- A walnut finish on the hardwood beech stock gives it an appropriately nostalgic wood look.
- I want one.
That last point might not be significant to you. I’m just sayin’.
