Rossi Circuit Judge

[TwoRivers]

Well, after a long wait, Rossi (http://www.rossiusa.com) is finally shipping the .45 Colt/.410 Bore "Circuit Judge" in quantity. Think I like it, despite it's odd shaped butt stock. It comes with two "choke" tubes, a straight rifled one for the .410 shotshell, to take out the spin. And a plain "thread protector" tube for the .45 Colt, or .410 slug. So it is an "either or" proposition. Though I am sure you can fire the shotshell without harming anything through the protector tube, if you are not concerned with a decent pattern.
The pistol grip could be better. There's quite a bit more wood on the right side; plenty to reshape to better fit my (small) hand. Single action trigger pull is excellent, light with little movement; and not terrible for a double action pull. Quite good, as is typical for a Taurus/Rossi.
The comb barely allows getting down to the iron sights, a shallow "V" with green dots, and matching red dot front, quite good sights, actually. A Weaver base is mounted. I think this little gun is just begging for a red dot sight.
Butt length is a bit long at 14 1/4 inch, with a ventilated 1" pad. A half inch solid rubber pad will cure that problem, as you surely don't need a recoil pad.
There are two gas deflectors, stamped sheet metal "ears" screwed to the crane and right side of the frame, covering from four to eight o'clock. The forearm is well shaped to keep your hand from coming back too far, and as long as you don't cock your left arm up high, there should be no problem with the blast from the barrel/cylinder gap.
Only glitch so far has been with the cylinder latch, ever so often it will hang up, and lock up the cylinder and hammer, putting the gun out of action. If that doesn't wear in, I'll have to take it apart to check for burrs. Come spring (May), I'll report how she performs.
The owner's manual includes a .22 Rf/.22 RF Magnum, with interchangeable cylinders; a .44 Magnum version; and a 28 gauge. So there is hope that Rossi will deliver on those versions as well . They haven't always kept their promise in the past. The .44 version I'll probably pass on, the other two will be on my Santa's list.
Cheers.

[Mark]

These guns are interesting because when I first saw a picture of one I did not think it to be practical, and after some reflection I realized that I was listening to my own prejudices instead of keeping an open mind about new items.

I am curious to see how well it groups at 100 yards with 45 colt rounds, or if there any plans to offer it in 45/70.

[TwoRivers]

Probably "minute of gallon jug" at a hundred, but could be better with the right ammo. With almost two inches of free-bore, I don't expect it to be a tack driver. Will be interesting to see what it can do. A .45-70 would require a larger cylinder and frame, there's no metal left to spare. But then, the 28 gauge will require that. If we ever get to see it.

[MoA]

Congrats... sounds like a fun toy. Would love pics and a range report.

[Mark]

There have been a couple of states in the last few years that were shotgun-only for deer, that have changed their rules to allow rifles chambered in pistol rounds. I suspect the decision to bring this out might be to see if there is a market in that area.

[dr.jayakumar]

Only glitch so far has been with the cylinder latch, ever so often it will hang up, and lock up the cylinder and hammer, putting the gun out of action. If that doesn't wear in, I'll have to take it apart to check for burrs. Come spring (May), I'll report how she performs.
The owner's manual includes a .22 Rf/.22 RF Magnum, with interchangeable cylinders; a .44 Magnum version; and a 28 gauge. So there is hope that Rossi will deliver on those versions as well . They haven't always kept their promise in the past. The .44 version I'll probably pass on, the other two will be on my Santa's list.

with the technology at peek,i think it is the company who has to set it right for you.it looks like a revolving rifle http://www.google.co.in/imgres?q=revolv ... &zoom=this gun looks way apart from other rifle's.nice gun.
have no idea about the calibre mentioned,as we(I) don't have first hand experience.
nother thing i remembered as i read this is valentino rossi?bike racer.
thanks for sharing,sorry for being random.
regards

[Vikram]

An interesting gun,TwoRivers.Wonder what could be its applications apart from fun shooting. How does the shotgun cartridges perform in a rifled barrel? Thanks for sharing.


Best-
Vikram

[TwoRivers]

An interesting gun,TwoRivers.Wonder what could be its applications apart from fun shooting. How does the shotgun cartridges perform in a rifled barrel? Thanks for sharing.
Best-
Vikram

Vikram: Typically a rifled barrel throws a ring shaped pattern, with little coverage in the center. Despite claims to the contrary by makers of "Paradox" guns. That's what the straight rifled "choke" tube is for, to stop the spin as the shot charge leaves the muzzle.
I can see its use for protection in the home; and useful as a "canoe gun" out of the big game hunting season, to collect grouse for the pot, and discourage a blackie if he gets too interested in your camp. A "survival" gun. The .45 Colt may not have impressive ballistics by today's standards, and I would not try to improve on them in this gun, but it has killed lots of people, and bigger; and still puts a big hole in the target.

Best -TR