AllOutdoor Review: Rossi R95 30-30 Lever Action
Sam.S 12.21.23
Recently Rossi has been making strides leaps and bounds in their product catalog. Previously, in recent times they were not only known for affordable single-shot shotguns, decent pistol caliber lever guns, and a handful of 22 rifles. However this year they unveiled things like the Brawler, their 357 Magnum revolvers, and now a full power 30-30 lever action! Today we are diving into my review of the Rossi R95. Let’s jump down the rabbit hole!
Rossi Coverage on AllOutdoor
- AllOutdoor Review – Rossi Brawler 45 Colt / 410 Single Shot Pistol
- Affordable, Light, Convenient – The New Rossi Poly Tuffy Survival Rifle
- $200 Break-Action Pistol?! NEW Rossi Brawler .410 Gauge / .45 Long Colt
- NEW Rossi R95 .30-30 Win Lever-Action Rifles – 16″ Trapper & 20″ Rifle
- Pump Action Rimfire Rifle – The 15-Shot Rossi Gallery 22
Specifications: Rossi R95
The Rossi R96 is currently offered in two different barrel lengths, 16.5” and 20”. The model I received for review was the 20” which is easy to pick out in a lineup since the barrel extends past the magazine tube quite a bit (or at least it appears to be a lot, this is still a compact gun). Aside from barrel length the other big difference is that the 20” model has a more classic lever while the 16.5” has a large loop.
Side note: I have heard the shorter large looped version referred to as “The Trapper” and the 20” as “The Classic”. However, I am unsure if this is what Rossi calls them or not. On their website, they are both just the R95.
Specs will be specific to the 20″ model.
- Caliber: 30-30 Win
- Capacity: 5 Rounds
- Front Sight: Fixed
- Rear Sight: Dovetailed Elevation Adjustable Buckhorn
- Action: Lever Action
- Barrel Length: 20 Inches
- Overall Length: 39 Inches
- Overall Height: 7.40 Inches
- Overall Width: 1.70 Inches
- Overall Weight: 109.70 Oz. (Unloaded)
- Twist Rate: 1:12″ RH
- Grooves: 6
- Frame Material: Alloy Steel
- Frame Finish: Black Oxide
- Barrel Material: Alloy Steel
- Barrel Finish: Black Oxide
- Safety: Thumb Safety
The MSRP of the Rossi R95 in its current form is $949.99. I say current form because not only does Rossi typically come out with a polymer or tactical version of their guns but as of right now they sell a whole host of accessories and replacement parts in their estore. That way if the old-school wood look is not your bag you can upgrade it to that modern lever gun everyone is going goo-goo gah-gah for.
“It’s 30-30 Time with the Rossi R95
As lever action rifles surge in popularity across the country, Rossi employees kept getting asked one question at every trade show they were at: “when are you bringing a 30-30 to market?” The answer is now with the all new R95, which features a hammer forged barrel, a smooth hand finished lever action, large loading gate, and is drilled and tapped for optics. That’s on top of the walnut finish, 5+1 capacity, and the fact that it’s compatible with rails and handguards that work with another major manufacturer’s lever action.
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, it’s aesthetic, and it’s everything you want. Rossi has been feeding those feelings with its pistol caliber rifles for years, and now it’s giving a 30-30, perfect for North American game.
Grab an R95 today and get into the centerfire rifle game with Rossi.”
First Impressions: Rossi R95
The Rossi R95 comes in the standard cardboard Rossi box with sectioned-off areas containing things like a manual and a cable lock. It will come wrapped up in a plastic protective bag. Upon taking it out of the bag the first thing I noticed was how nice the stock looked. I honestly was not expecting the wood to look as good if not better than it does in pictures. One thing I will say is that my stock set (stock and forend) did not match great. Sometimes wood is just like that. The forend is a tad bit lighter but that’s probably all the stain/oil the wood could absorb in those spots. It is not a night and day difference just a notable one.
The next thing I took note of was the metal finish. The receiver has a more matte finish than the barrel and small parts. I do not mind this choice given a glossy receiver has the potential to come off too glitzy. It would also be more prone to scratching since the shell casings thwap the side of the receiver when ejected. The barrel and small parts have a black gloss to them that is very attractive and really blends well with the wood accents around it.
The action is extremely smooth and feels like a gun that has little to no break into it. No gritty or snag feelings. Overall the fit and finish were impressive though for the price point I would hope it would at least be as it is and nothing less.
Range Time: Rossi R95
The Rossi R95, specifically my 20″ version, offered a notably smooth action during my range session. Loading proved to be hassle-free, and the loading gate design was a pleasant surprise—unlike other lever guns, it didn’t cause discomfort or snag my fingers. The safety mechanism was intuitive and easily discernible.
The hammer, while easy to grasp, could benefit from an included extension, especially considering its hunting-oriented design. Most folks I can imagine would scope this rifle and being able to get at the hammer is a big deal. I like the stock lever well enough especially since it lays flat on your knuckles and isn’t rounded on the inside but personally, I would lean toward a larger loop lever (like on the 16.5”) for enhanced comfort, especially when using gloves.
Despite its commendable action, the classic buckhorn sights left something to be desired. While they add a nostalgic touch to the gun, their practicality during follow-up shots or precision aiming at anything beyond 25 yards was lacking.
The absence of a scope or mount (I did not have this on hand at this time) during my range experience meant relying solely on these buckhorn sights, which resulted in noticeably better groupings at 25 yards than at 50 yards. This discrepancy in accuracy was primarily due to the challenge posed by the sights themselves—they seemed better suited for quick, instinctive shots like those needed during a hog hunt rather than the precision demanded by a bullseye at a greater distance. That being said this drift in accuracy is my fault and not by any fault of the gun (beyond my garnered disdain for the rear sight).
I fired around 50 rounds of miscellaneous Federal, Remington, and Winchester. All fed, fired, and extracted just fine with zero issues. It was a quick flip of the lever and another was ready to go. Genuinely impressed by the smoothness of the action.
Final Thoughts: Rossi R95
Overall, the Rossi R95 performed very well during my range outing. Despite the limitations imposed by the sights, the gun demonstrated a smooth operation and a loading process devoid of finger discomfort—a testament to its user-friendly design. The inclusion of sling swivels was a thoughtful touch that added to the practicality of the firearm, although preferences might lean toward modifications like a larger loop lever or improved sights for enhanced usability in different scenarios. The new Rossi R95 has my seal of approval and my recommendation if you are looking for a quality sub $1000 lever action rifle.
In closing, I want to say thank you to Rossi for allowing AllOutdoor and myself the opportunity to try out one of their R95 rifles! That is greatly appreciated. Also, we would like to know what all of you guys and gals think? Do you believe that this rifle is something worth spending your money on? Would you run to the range with this beautiful fun? Would this be your go-to fun gun at the range? Let us know all of your thoughts in the comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.
