Any PUMA Levergun owners?
- Thread starter deanadell
- Start date
Mad Martigan
New member
I'm thinking about getting a stainless .357 pretty soon. I was all enamored with the Marlin(Davidson's) LTD, but I really want a shooter. We just bought a Winchester Compact Trapper in .357 yesterday, but it isn't for shooting. I wanted the 1894 stlye, but the only one Marlin makes in stainless is the LTD. So this is how I've arrived at looking at the Pumas. I'm still not sure about the dark wood.
Puma for 13 year old Son
I have a 13 year old that thinks he would like to have one in 357 with a scope. What do you folks think about the quality of these guns and what prices have you paid? How many different makes and models do they make? Talked to the folks at the local shop and I can get one ordered for ~$450 (+/-). Is this a good price? I could not find them on the web, anyone have the web address?
Thanks for any help!
FH
I have a 13 year old that thinks he would like to have one in 357 with a scope. What do you folks think about the quality of these guns and what prices have you paid? How many different makes and models do they make? Talked to the folks at the local shop and I can get one ordered for ~$450 (+/-). Is this a good price? I could not find them on the web, anyone have the web address?
Thanks for any help!
FH
FirstFreedom
Moderator
Yep, here's the rifles on the web:
http://www.legacysports.com/puma/index.htm
After clicking on this link, scroll down the the very bottom of the page, and then click on the small print "Click here for spec sheet", to see the model variations.
Had one in .357 mag (Rossi/Interarms import - same thing) - loved it, but didn't need it, so sold it.
Have one now in .454 casull - love it. These are nice rifles, to be sure. My .454 is the 20" model, for the extra weight - I am not as tough as tiny.
http://www.legacysports.com/puma/index.htm
After clicking on this link, scroll down the the very bottom of the page, and then click on the small print "Click here for spec sheet", to see the model variations.
Had one in .357 mag (Rossi/Interarms import - same thing) - loved it, but didn't need it, so sold it.
Have one now in .454 casull - love it. These are nice rifles, to be sure. My .454 is the 20" model, for the extra weight - I am not as tough as tiny.
The hot 240 grain bullets hurt more than the 300 grain loaded to 100% capacity with H110. The faster ones are more of a snap and the butpad is kinda narrow.
I'm waiting to get some 360 grain hardcast bullets to try. I figure it will load to about 1700-1800 FPS. That may be a little more comfortable - like a shove instead of a smack.
I wouldn't want to shoot the thing from prone or leaned over a bench.....
-tINY
I had an LSI Puma and didn't care for the little lever safety which - at the time - was unique to the LSI Rossis. Ambiguous as could be, passive (re its apparent action) and even with a tiny red dot couldn't tell whether you were "safe" or set to go--and looking like something begging to break.
Aside from the - also unique to LSI - availability of the .454 and .480 chamberings, all along I have wondered why has everyone been saying Puma this and Puma that, when superior (non safety) Rossis have been available from EMF (including .44 Mag like LSI) and Navy Arms. Now, I don't know about Navy Arms but as of this past Spring, EMF has succumbed to the little ambiguous safety--which IMO is not nearly as good (if you have to have one) as the later year Win 92s and 94s tang safety. In talking to someone who was at last year's SHOT show - who in turn inquired with Rossi reps why not adopt the superior Win design? - the Rossi response was, almost admitting it was a better design, that they were not tooled ($$) up for it.
That said, if not needing a .454 or .480, I would look far and wide for a NOS or gently used non/pre-safety EMF or Navy Arms or even older Interarms Rossi. Failing that, I'd have a 'smith remove the safety "correctly" and I understand there's at least one specialist that'll do that. It will likely void any warranty, but these seldom "go back" anyway. Answer in short, Rossis are fine and while LSIs otherwise no different: find a Rossi without the safety.
Btw, didn't mean to disparage your choice - it sounds otherwise like a great gun--enjoy (or trade for same in non-safety if given the choice). Just had to say it - though for new-manufacture Rossis (maybe other than Navy Arms??-don't know ) it sounds like it may be too late out there re the safety - but there've been non-safety Rossi alternatives to the LSI for years (heck, Navy Arms is even walnut!) but oddly LSI/"Puma" is just about the only one folks mention. If you keep it, I'd have the safety removed though and holes filled (screws most likely?).
Aside from the - also unique to LSI - availability of the .454 and .480 chamberings, all along I have wondered why has everyone been saying Puma this and Puma that, when superior (non safety) Rossis have been available from EMF (including .44 Mag like LSI) and Navy Arms. Now, I don't know about Navy Arms but as of this past Spring, EMF has succumbed to the little ambiguous safety--which IMO is not nearly as good (if you have to have one) as the later year Win 92s and 94s tang safety. In talking to someone who was at last year's SHOT show - who in turn inquired with Rossi reps why not adopt the superior Win design? - the Rossi response was, almost admitting it was a better design, that they were not tooled ($$) up for it.
That said, if not needing a .454 or .480, I would look far and wide for a NOS or gently used non/pre-safety EMF or Navy Arms or even older Interarms Rossi. Failing that, I'd have a 'smith remove the safety "correctly" and I understand there's at least one specialist that'll do that. It will likely void any warranty, but these seldom "go back" anyway. Answer in short, Rossis are fine and while LSIs otherwise no different: find a Rossi without the safety.
Btw, didn't mean to disparage your choice - it sounds otherwise like a great gun--enjoy (or trade for same in non-safety if given the choice). Just had to say it - though for new-manufacture Rossis (maybe other than Navy Arms??-don't know ) it sounds like it may be too late out there re the safety - but there've been non-safety Rossi alternatives to the LSI for years (heck, Navy Arms is even walnut!) but oddly LSI/"Puma" is just about the only one folks mention. If you keep it, I'd have the safety removed though and holes filled (screws most likely?).
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1) tINY - if you're talking about putting a peep in the Rossi/LSI safety location (?) you may be (unitentionally) making a good point in the other direction...re the Win 92/94 tang safety - while a much better design IMO - being in the way of a tang peep sight? - anyone seen such an application on a later Win? Rossi may have (unintentionally) ended up making such a tang sight still do-able.
2) roscoe - Probably can get Steve of www.stevesgunz.com to swap that loop for a regular out - as I believe he sells/converts just the opposite for folks. In the meantime, you can have him deal with that dang safety!
2) roscoe - Probably can get Steve of www.stevesgunz.com to swap that loop for a regular out - as I believe he sells/converts just the opposite for folks. In the meantime, you can have him deal with that dang safety!
rossi puma,,,
can't remember the thread,, but someone said "" don't ever sell your first gun""" dang me, in the early 90's I had the best .38/357 rossi puma. not exactly my first gun but really close, it was pretty expensive ,, had great dark oiled furniture,,, and the "puma" emblem, think it was pewter... wish I could find it ... someone is enjoying the heck out of it... but I agree with everything positive said about this rifle ,, hey if one of you guys have my rifle,,,, want to sell it????!!!
can't remember the thread,, but someone said "" don't ever sell your first gun""" dang me, in the early 90's I had the best .38/357 rossi puma. not exactly my first gun but really close, it was pretty expensive ,, had great dark oiled furniture,,, and the "puma" emblem, think it was pewter... wish I could find it ... someone is enjoying the heck out of it... but I agree with everything positive said about this rifle ,, hey if one of you guys have my rifle,,,, want to sell it????!!!
bubbygator
New member
My .357 Legacy SS Puma shoots real nice. Had a peep sight & flourescent light-pipe front sight installed & that works great too. I still have to get it sighted-in a bit; it's shootin about 4 inches low at 25 yards. But a nice sight picture for these old eyes.
FirstFreedom
Moderator
gak, you make a good point - the safety style and location are not good - but LSI markets and distributes to dealers more effectively than EMF or Navy.
Anyhoo, I had my gunsmith install a Williams FP peep sight *just* in front of the safety - there is still enough room for the spent case to eject out the top, and maybe only 1/8" to spare - not much, but it works.
If you plan to do this, get the Williams FP (or Lyman) designated to be made for the Win 94 and/or Marlin 336. It works, but you have to drill & tap in the side of the receiver.
Anyhoo, I had my gunsmith install a Williams FP peep sight *just* in front of the safety - there is still enough room for the spent case to eject out the top, and maybe only 1/8" to spare - not much, but it works.
If you plan to do this, get the Williams FP (or Lyman) designated to be made for the Win 94 and/or Marlin 336. It works, but you have to drill & tap in the side of the receiver.