Whenever I start digging, it ends up a journey down the rabbit hole. This material is offered, from my notes, to others trying to understand the Rossi Single Shot series. This information, based on my interests only looks at centerfire Single Shots.[hr][/hr]
[hr][/hr]My original questions really boiled down to:
- What if I just want a single centerfire rifle, what cartridge offerings are available?
- What are the stock choices?
- Can additional barrels be purchased?
For 2013, only three cartridges are offered: 223 Rem, 243 Win, and 44 Mag. These rifles are offered in some different configurations; standard, youth, and heavy barrel.What if I just want a single centerfire rifle, what cartridge offerings are available?
Only black synthetic stocks are offered. If you are a lover of wood stocks, that is one of several important features that sets the Wizard apart from the Single Shots.What are the stock choices?
No. Rossi does not have an additional barrel program. A combination of barrels is available in "Matched Pair", "Trifecta", and "Pick 4" offering. These "combos" are cataloged typically include a rimfire or centerfire barrel matched with a shotgun barrel. A 17 or 22 caliber rimfire is no longer offered as a single, stand alone rifle. Swapping barrels is now the bailiwick of the Rossi Wizard.[hr][/hr]Can additional barrels be purchased?
[hr][/hr]Okay, but I know I've seen Single Shot rifles offered in different cartridges other than those listed and I've seen them with wood stocks! What gives?
The answer to the first point is that they have come and gone, here is a list of the cartridges as sold in individual rifles as I've been able to determine. Keep in mind that 2008 is when Braztech purchased Amadeo Rossi SA.
- 2008 - 2010
- 17 HMR
- 22 LR
- 22 Mag
- 22-250 Rem
- 223 Rem
- 243 Rem
- 270 Win
- 308 Win
- 30-06 Sprg
- 7.62X39
- 357 Mag
- 44 Mag
- 45 Colt
- 2011 (Wizard introduced, Single Shot Offerings reduced)
- 223 Rem
- 243 Win
- 7.62X39
- 44 Mag
- 45 Colt
- 223 Rem
- 243 Win
- 44 Mag
Because of the timing with the Amadeo Rossi acquisition, in my mind and in my search for specific cartridge offerings in the wood stocked rifles, I've come to think of these early, non cataloged, Braztech rifles as "Legacy" Single Shots.
Overall, the "Legacy" rifles are a very good buy on the auction sites and in the stores. Most of the cartridge offerings seem to sell about 20% less, even as new in the box rifles, than the current cataloged rifles. The Amadeo Rossi rifles, from my observations, are an outstanding value often selling for 55% of the cost of the current rifles. This said, there are a couple of unicorns that do not follow these patterns. The 357 Mag and 7.62X39 rifles. These two chamberings are in very high demand and bring more than what a new rifle will.[hr][/hr]
[hr][/hr]There is always a "why a Rossi" and a "why not a H&R". Having owned both now, my observation is that hands down the Rossi is a better rifle. The "why" is the trigger. My observations follow those of others offer through a google search. The only reason I can see not to pursue a Rossi SS is a lack of chambering offerings and a dislike of synthetic stocks.
All this is a mute point as from my observations and reflecting on the material as I have presented it, I don't think that Braztech has ever had any intent of competing with H&R and a case could be made that the SS are being phased out. It is down to point that if you don't buy a combo gun, there isn't much to offer.[hr][/hr]
[hr][/hr]What about the Wizard?
With my Wizard sitting next to my SS, it is like a quarterhorse standing next to a plow horse. I never thought of my Wizard as particularly sleek until I stood my SS next to it. The difference is night and day.
Possibly, the Wizard was a move by Braztech to bring out a Single Shot that would compete with the Thompson Encore rather than the H&R products. This is a whole different subject but one that I have burrowed into just as deep. In any case, Braztech's lack of commitment to the this design, through barrel offerings, has doomed it just as well despite it being an outstanding rifle.
Let me close by answering a common questions that comes up concerning the Rossi Single Shot and Wizard.
No. The basic design is similar but the dimensions are totally different.Will a Wizard barrel fit on a Single Shot?