Rossi Model 1892 - that ugly safety removal

[Faulkner]

I have an EMF model 1892 (made by Rossi) saddle ring carbine in .38/.357 that I am very pleased with. Unfortunately, like most lever guns manufactured in the past decade, it has a totally unnecessary manual safety. In the case of the Rossi 1892 they placed a toggle safety on top of the bolt and though it seems to work as designed I find it a hideous addition to an otherwise classic rifle profile.

Google being the powerful tool that it is, I did an internet search and found Steve's Gunz website. He has developed a plug to fill the hole when the bolt toggle safety is removed. I ordered one on-line and downloaded the instructions on how to do the replacement.

Part showed up in the mail today and I performed the operation. I much prefer the clean lines of a pre-safety 1892, but I am very satisfied with the plug over that ugly toggle safety, mission accomplished.

 

[Viss]

Nice Job, I would love to do this to mine, is it a complex procedure.

 

[Grayfox]

I like it. I've passed on buying another Rossi 92 just because of that ugly safety.

 

[Faulkner]

Nice Job, I would love to do this to mine, is it a complex procedure.

Not hard at all, don't even have to take the bolt out. Took me about 10 minutes with the correct size pin punch an a small hammer.

 

[Stevie]

Yeh...I pulled the extra safety parts from my Rossi M92 bolt not too long after I bought the cool little carbine.

Was going to buy the little plug..but never got around to it. So one day I machined my own 'filler-plug' from aluminum and pinned it in place with the original pin. My .44 mag Rossi is stainless steel so a shiny aluminum plug blends in perfectly.

 

[RobertJ.]

That's what I did to mine. Then I had a gunsmith mount a Williams 5D peep, and now you can't even notice the plug.

I also got the steel follower from him, but I haven't installed it yet.

 

[Faulkner]

There's a several places that have the steel magazine follower. That's next on my list.

 

[Art Doc]

I guess I am the only guy in the world who would not disable or remove a safety from a gun out of fear that it could become a legal issue one day. I have seen many posts for years about removing ugly safety levers from guns (often lever rifles) and I asked my wife (the prosecuting attorney) what would happen if there was ever a shooting involving such a modified gun and she assured me she would have the owner's head on a stick before the jury. Even if the shooting didn't involve the safety, the fact that this "crazed Rambo wannabe" (how one would be described to a jury of people ignorant on guns) wanted to make his weapon even more deadly by removing a safety feature...

Like I said, I know that nobody agrees with me that it could happen. One thing that really unnerves me is the thought of being sued or prosecuted. I have a Winchester M94 Trapper with the ridiculous push button safety. It will remain right where it is.

 

[Stevie]

a prosecuting attorney will make you a villain for any number of factors..provided you shoot someone....provided it comes to trial...provided a whole lot of things(like surviving the gunfight yourself!)

Yeh it's something to consider...the ultimate wisdom of removing/disabling a safety mechanism. My Marlin 'Cowboy' still wears it's safety...My hi-Powers still have mag-safeties...other pistols in my inventory too still have mag-safetys. I'm all for safeties on firearms

The one and only safety I've removed/deleted from a firearm is the silly Rossi bolt wing safety. In this instance..I really don't care what an attorney thinks....not really planning on defending myself with the gun..and if I do it's quite likely there will be at least one less witness anyhow....

 

[Art Doc]

The scenario I fear is the accidental shooting. The lawyer representing the victim has the gun examined and the smith reports a safety was removed...well, you know where it goes from there. At that point you WILL be concerned with what an attorney says. Yes, it's VERY unlikely to ever happen. But...I worry.

 

[Faulkner]

There are literally millions of pre-safety lever guns in America. I just don't see this as a big deal.

 

[A10]

An attorney could use the removal of a safety device as proof of a reckless disregard for safety. Choose wisely.

 

[mjr]

I have a Winchester M94 Trapper with the ridiculous push button safety. It will remain right where it is.

I bought a .45 Colt Model 94 with 24" barrel--and that push button safety. It was used but unfired, and the dealer knocked fifty bucks off because I moaned and whined about the safety. Yeah, it's unattractive, but after using the rifle I don't mind it. You can even carry your M94 "cocked and locked" if think that's cool. (I don't, myself.)

I agree, SaxonPig, about not disabling safeties. I'm nervous and a pessimist.

 

[RobertJ.]

There are literally millions of pre-safety lever guns in America. I just don't see this as a big deal.

JMB would be rolling in his grave if he knew what they did to his already safe design!

Removal of the safety makes it as un-safe as my Model 94.

 

[Brian in Oregon]

Reckless disregard for safety is when you allow the muzzle to point at another human being. Any other issues are just frosting on the cake.

 

[CZU]

What is the purpose of a safety on an exposed hammer lever action? I just don't get it. I haven't looked at repro single actions lately, do the have safeties as well?

 

[Waldo]

I agree that removing a safety from a gun could cause legal problems. But I hate some of these new safeties on a gun that was not designed for them. I have a Taurus copy of a Model 63 Winchester that has a safety on the bolt. It is fairly inconspicuous, but I do not like it. My solution is that I do will never again buy a gun with a safety I do not like. That has worked very well for me.

 

[L Pete]

I guess I am the only guy in the world who would not disable or remove a safety from a gun out of fear that it could become a legal issue one day. I have seen many posts for years about removing ugly safety levers from guns (often lever rifles) and I asked my wife (the prosecuting attorney) what would happen if there was ever a shooting involving such a modified gun and she assured me she would have the owner's head on a stick before the jury. Even if the shooting didn't involve the safety, the fact that this "crazed Rambo wannabe" (how one would be described to a jury of people ignorant on guns) wanted to make his weapon even more deadly by removing a safety feature...

I haven't removed the safety on my Rossi, either. But, not for the same reason. I just like the fact that I can put the safety in the "on" position when I want to unload the rifle. I just get nervous running live rounds through the action with a cocked hammer in the "ready to fire" position. I have several Marlins that have the cross bolt safety, and feel the exact same way about them. That little safety on the top of the bolt looks like, well you know what, but for me, I think it's an improvement for safer firearms handling. Your thoughts on the legal aspects are a secondary concern, and it's just shortcutting any potential problems is a firearm is used in a SD situation. The only mods I make to a SD gun is usually just sights. I don't like plastic, I don't like white outlines, and I'm not real crazy about white dots, but that's just me. The words "un-altered" are always good when in a court of law.........

[/quote]Like I said, I know that nobody agrees with me that it could happen. One thing that really unnerves me is the thought of being sued or prosecuted. I have a Winchester M94 Trapper with the ridiculous push button safety. It will remain right where it is[/quote]


Same here, mine will all stay the same.....

 

[L Pete]

Don't ask me how, but somehow, I split you quote.....

 

[walkinghorse]

Amazing endictment of society today that prosecutors, defenders, judges, law enforcement, news reporting, and heck just the public in general twists facts and/or adds or deletes facts to suit their purpose to get the result they want, rather than what occurred.
Back to the OP original post, I have an older Rossi 92, you know the one with big PUMA emblem on the side. In a legal matter would that be held against me, as implying that I would shoot kitty cats?
Another option to consider for the new 92's with a bolt safety, bolt mounted peep sight. Adjustable Bolt-Mounted Peep Sight Safety Replacement Adjustable Bolt-Mounted Peep Sight Safety Replacement [] - $59.95 : Steve's Gunz, The Home of the Rossi 92 Specialist
Guess this could be construed as improving your ability to hit your target in a negative way?