- 17 February 2025
The Rossi R95 Triple Black, chambered in .45-70, is a great option for a left-handed shooter and hunter. I had a special opportunity to run this classic and modern-looking lever-action for several months last year. Not only does this historical action ease the pains of left-handed shooting, but also, the remaining elements of the R95 are aesthetically curated and complementary of each other.
The Preferred Left-Handed Rifle Option
Simply put, the R95 stayed on the straight-and-true path when its designers took into consideration the action design and manipulatable parts and positions. Even when shedding brass inboard, I appreciate the certainty that I’m on level drilling ground with my righty counterparts as the R95 has a nice center of gravity as opposed to erring in favor of hand-dominance.
When gripping and firing the R95, I can feel the tried-and-true elements of an older action design. The push-button safety selector is where I expect it to be and the lever drives and hooks like I remember. When I extend my arms out however, I see a fresh and crisp rifle that merges timeless design with modern conveniences. Even the little details – such as an elongated Picatinny rail and a paracord braid on the lever itself – give me little flashbacks to my Army days.
On the range, I had a lot of fun rolling up paper targets, as this was my first time using the .45-70 cartridge. The rear iron-sight aperture is nice and wide, similar to the night irons on most AR-platforms, which makes target re-acquisition all the merrier. Even when I needed to remove the irons to accommodate my Leupold VX-3HD, reacquisition was a breeze with a nicely shouldered stock.
A common issue with lefty shooters is the threat of hot brass either in your collar or in your sleeve. I had none of these issues. I left my protractor at home and can’t predict with any degree of accuracy at what angle the casings were flying, but it was a far-cry from watching 5.56 casings flying about the area willy-nilly.
A Lever-Action that Merges Tradition with Modernity
The R95 doesn’t pull any punches in aesthetics. I’m particular about a firearm’s appearance, not because it always directly impacts performance, but because an appearance that promotes confidence also supports competence. Here are some of the R95’s features that breathe rock and roll.
Tough Stock and Tougher Grip
The R95 Triple Black’s furniture looks like it’s made up of composite; however, it's made of Brazilian hardwood that’s been painted black with a textured web design. My reptile brain doesn’t know where this design choice originated from, but I love it for the simple reason that as tricky as being a left-handed shooter can already be, having a grippy material to latch onto is appreciated. When moving or manipulating the R95 with one sweaty hand or two, I don’t need Popeye’s forearms to override a conventional wood finish.
Picatinny Love and No Excess
The R95 Triple Black takes some of the best features of the modern battle rifle and courts tradition simultaneously. My R95’s appearance and .45-70 chambering reminds me of a hybrid between a modern scout-style rifle and an old ranch gun. My favorite aesthetic feature is what the rifle’s Picatinny system has to offer. Some may scoff at its length down the receiver and barrel, but I see it as a win. With an elongated Picatinny system, there’s plenty of room for irons, scopes, dots, magnifiers and lasers for, according to Rossi, “whatever you’d use a .45-70 for.” There’s no shortage of rifle frames loaded down with excess gear, but the R95 clearly opted for not “being burdened by what has been.” It sports a black oxide finish atop an alloy steel threaded barrel and frame with the aforementioned furniture and traditional sling mounts. With a 5+1 capacity, we’re not “loading all Sunday,” but we are dropping targets with heavy .45 caliber bullets.
Is and Is Not
The R95 Triple Black carbine-length barrel and .45-70 chambering performs well at a short-to-medium range, and is a good option for the lefty looking for a well-deserved break from right-handed rifles. In my hands, this is not a home defense firearm nor is it a truck gun. I prefer a solid stock for hunting or range work, but not on the inside of a vehicle or rounding corners in my home. It is certainly light enough to wield one-handed, which is great for anyone looking to throw up a hand and arm signal here and there. In my opinion, it’s a hunting rifle and a ranch gun with an anti-anything bullet coming out of the business end. The R95 Triple Black is easy to move with and shoot, and is a serious upgrade for whatever your arsenal size may be.
Above all, she’s a beauty, Clark. Full stop.
Learn more about the Rossi Triple Black in .45-70.
About the Author
Ian Richardson is a devoted father, husband and English teacher in Missouri. He was an infantryman in the U.S. Army and remains a staunch advocate for gun rights and outdoor pursuits.
As an English teacher, Ian has a love for tying in literature to real-world situations and passions, often incorporating his own experiences as a father and husband to enrich old stories.
Ian enjoys the company of his wife and 3 young children and enjoys the prospect of passing on a deep understanding of nature, marksmanship and the craft of hunting.
Ian shapes and edits the Project ChildSafe contract at “Women’s Outdoor News,” has written for “Shooting Illustrated” and has done content creation for many firearm and outdoor-focused companies.
