Cutting down a lever gun

[Jefferson76]

So I just pick up a Rossi R92 in 454 Casull. I wanted a 16" barrel but they only make a 20 now it seems. Does anyone have an idea what would be a fair price for a competent gunsmith to.
• cut down the barrel
• cut down the magazine tube
• shorten the mag spring
• relocate front sight
• relocate the barrel band

Some of this work I could certainly do myself. I think I should leave cutting and crowning the barrel at least to a pro.

Also, would there be any detriment/benefit to leaving the barrel band off?

 

[44-40]

I purchased the 454 16" stainless model years ago. A fun gun...
There used to be a few gunsmiths working on the Rossi lever action for cowboy action shooting, mods and short stroke actions for faster times in the events...might look there.

 

[Tyler Kee]

Grumpy's Guns

Check out Grumpy’s Guns

grumpysguns.com

He did my marlin 336 and threaded it for a silencer. Excellent work and fairly quick turnaround.

 

[MJN030]

So I just pick up a Rossi R92 in 454 Casull. I wanted a 16" barrel but they only make a 20 now it seems. Does anyone have an idea what would be a fair price for a competent gunsmith to.
• cut down the barrel
• cut down the magazine tube
• shorten the mag spring
• relocate front sight
• relocate the barrel band

Some of this work I could certainly do myself. I think I should leave cutting and crowning the barrel at least to a pro.

Also, would there be any detriment/benefit to leaving the barrel band off?

Do you have a name for this newly modified rifle ? I propose thumper !!!

 

[Grey Goast]

I recommend the Name Pocket rocket.

 

[Rflshootr]

you can do the crown yourself if you own a file, some cutting oil and one of these :

BROWNELLS 79 DEGREE MUZZLE CROWNING CUTTER | Brownells

Check out the BROWNELLS available Online at Brownells Today and many more Reamers & Cutters products are available in our Tools & Cleaning Department.

www.brownells.com

 

[Jefferson76]

I purchased the 454 16" stainless model years ago. A fun gun...
There used to be a few gunsmiths working on the Rossi lever action for cowboy action shooting, mods and short stroke actions for faster times in the events...might look there.

I just got back from shooting it for the first time. It's really quite smooth and I like the action for now. I'll probably find a smith here locally as cutting down a barrel is fairly standard to most guns. The obvious difference from a bolt gun being the mag tube and barrel band. So, maybe I should seek a lever gun specialist. Thanks for the advice.

Grumpy's Guns

Check out Grumpy’s Guns

grumpysguns.com

He did my marlin 336 and threaded it for a silencer. Excellent work and fairly quick turnaround.

Do you remember how much it cost? I'm trying to get a ballpark figure so I know how much I'm going to have to save up. This thing wasn't exactly cheap in the current lever gun market.

Do you have a name for this newly modified rifle ? I propose thumper !!!

I recommend the Name Pocket rocket.

Something like that or mule's hoof or the like I suppose. it's actually not that bad in its current forum. Somewhere around a 45-70, less than 300 win mag. Though I wasn't using the heaviest hunting rounds today, and it did leave a surprising bruise on my shoulder. I'll be fine, besides when I'm hunting, and there's a bull elk standing in front of me, I don't even feel it.

you can do the crown yourself if you own a file, some cutting oil and one of these :

BROWNELLS 79 DEGREE MUZZLE CROWNING CUTTER | Brownells

Check out the BROWNELLS available Online at Brownells Today and many more Reamers & Cutters products are available in our Tools & Cleaning Department.

www.brownells.com

I'll check it out, but, this thing is a real shooter. I certainly wouldn't want to screw that up by DIY, and, I may be having second thoughts. I was drilling 8" steel diamond lollipops at 220 yards consistently, with irons.

 

[Tyler Kee]

At the time (Aug 2020), it was $250 for all the work you've described. I wouldn't be shocked at all if it was over $300 now.

 

[Jefferson76]

At the time (Aug 2020), it was $250 for all the work you've described. I wouldn't be shocked at all if it was over $300 now.

That's actually less than I would have guessed, though, I'm sure you are right and it will cost more now.