Does anyone know what happened to Legacy/Puma??

[Dastook]

I may be answering my own question here but I noticed Legacy levers are being advertised at about a 50% increase in price. I see now they are carrying Chiappa, made in Italy, and not the Rossi any more. If I remember correctly Rossi was bought by Taurus. I don't know much about the Chiappa. Does anyone have any experience with them? I have owned several Rossi's and have been well pleased with them.

[Pete44ru]

[Does anyone know what happened to Legacy/Puma??]

Er, sort of.

"Puma" was/is a Rossi brand - Rossi being the South American Winchester Model 92 clone maker.
Rossi's US distributer for a time used to be LSI/Legacy - which Rossi distributorship has now gone by the wayside with Rossi's partnership with/ownership by Taurus in BrazTech for US distribution.

(Miroku is the Japanese maker of the current Model Winchester 92's and was the maker of the discontinued Browning Model 92 clones.)

Recently, in Italy, the old Armi Sport company - an outfit not noted for quality, in my experience - changed it's name to Chiappa, and started to make/distribute (to LSI/Legacy, and possibly others I presume) their own Model 92 clones.

.

[Dastook]

[Does anyone know what happened to Legacy/Puma??]


Recently, in Italy, the old Armi Sport company - an outfit not noted for quality, in my experience - changed it's name to Chiappa, and started to make/distribute (to LSI/Legacy, and possibly others I presume) their own Model 92 clones.

.

That's kinda what I was remembering too. That is why I was so surprised to see the price increases as I have had great experiences with the Rossi and nightmares with Armi Sport.

[Hagler]

Gentlemen,

If you want a Rossi levergun, then you can still get it from EMF, as well as from Rossi USA. You can access the Rossi stuff through the Taurus Web site, or the Rossi site, but the leverguns are only listed in their on-line catalog:

http://www.rossiusa.com/2009catalog/

Unfortunately, EMF has been upgrading their Web site for several months, so you cannot search their offerings, but you can still phone them:

http://www.emf-company.com/

"We appreciate your continued patience while our website is down for construction. We value your business and do not wish to lose any sales. Please contact us by phone 800-430-1310 to ask questions or place orders, by email: sales@emf-company.com and we will be happy to email you our digital catalog.

We apologize for the inconvenience and hope to have our website up soon!

The Gang at EMF!!!!!"

Shawn

[Pete44ru]

I've found that retail price isn't necessarily an indicator of quality, since I've bought some low-priced guns of good quality (my Henry H001), and some high-priced junk (anonymous, since I don't want to offend anyone).

Some companies' marketing strategy seem to be: Lets ask the high price - it can always be lowered/discounted, later.

.

[Nate Kiowa Jones]

OK,
Here's some Rossi 92 history. For years dating back to the 70's the Rossi 92 made in Brazil was imported by InterArms of Alexandria VA. Somewhere in the late 90's the owner of InterArms passed away. It is my understanding the heirs didn't care to continue with the operation of InterArms so the stock on hand was sold off at a reduced price. (I bought new Rossi 92's at that time for $190). About that same time period, Rossi sold off their gallery gun, the pump 62 and the revolvers to Taurus, so some folks thought there would be no more Rossi 92's available. I can't tell you how many people ask me what I was going to do now.
About the time this was all coming down, Navy Arms had started importing the Rossi 92's. Then not long after, the ex-employee's of InterArms started up Legacy Sports International LSI and began importing the Rossi 92. They were even in the same old building as the old InterArms company and were using Puma as the model name. Then and I don't remember exactly, LSI moved to Reno NV.
During this period, mid 90's to 2000, EMF was importing the Armi San Marco Italian made 92's, ASM's and had contacted me to do warranty work on those for them. But ASM's QC went down so EMF ask me to help them decide how they should order some 92's from Rossi. EMF has been importing the Rossi 92's since about 2000 and up until about 2006 the EMF 92's didn't have the ugly safety. Now the do but EMF still has them.

Since late last year when Taurus acquired Rossi and have taken over the distribution, LSI now carries the Armi Sport/Chiappa 92 but it's still called the Puma Model. The Armi Sport/Chiappa 92 is a re-incarnation of the Armi San Marco guns. Chiappa is doing a much better job as far as fit and finish is concerned. But, they did bring forth some reverse engineered design flaws that plagued the ASM 92's. I've made some suggestions to them that I believe will help clear up these problems. I haven't heard back from them so I don't know if the problems have been corrected.

The Rossi 92's are still available but will be imported by Taurus USA of Florida and distributed by
Rossi USA