While I enjoy a good semi-auto or bolt-action, there’s something undeniably satisfying about single-shot rifles. A streamlined, almost non-existent action results in a lightweight package, ideal for long treks or managing weight in a multi-day pack. These uncomplicated single-shooters can be summed up in one word: “handy,” serving as a versatile solution for various needs. Rossi USA elevates this concept with the LWC (Lightweight Carbine), a compact rifle designed for modern hunting at an incredibly affordable price—so low, in fact, that you could easily keep one in every vehicle you own.
This has been a landmark year for Rossi, with the introduction of three firearm families based on this action. The LWC is the largest of the trio, yet it still measures only 31.5 inches from end to end. The rifle achieves its featherweight feel through the extensive use of polymer. A hollow stock connects to a minimalist steel receiver, also polymer-coated, providing enough rigidity for full-power centerfire cartridges while offering a thick protective layer against the elements and rough handling. Beneath the receiver is a polygonal trigger guard made of the same lightweight material, and just forward of that is a grooved and textured fore-end. Interestingly, this fore-end is what holds everything together as it locks the barrel to the receiver once secured in place. This simplicity is achieved through a forward sling swivel with a knurled knob, enabling tool-free assembly. Although this setup suggests a switch-barrel firearm, the LWC is currently only available in single-barrel packages.
Loading and firing the LWC is straightforward. It starts by pressing the action release button on the right side of the receiver. I appreciated that this control is nearly flush, preventing accidental openings from rubbing against your body or anything else in the woods. Rossi also made it tactile so you can find it without any trouble when loading before first light. The action opens just enough to reveal the chamber and extractor, leaving you a free hand to handle ammunition. After placing a round inside, simply snap it shut and cock the hammer to fire. If you’re not ready to shoot, a transfer bar ensures safe carrying with an uncocked hammer. For those who prefer “cocked and locked,” a cross-bolt safety is also included. After firing, opening the action extracts the round but doesn’t automatically eject it, letting you keep your brass and avoid littering. This manual extraction also helps keep the price down while adding a touch of Old World charm.
Rossi invested some weight in the barrel. While a pencil profile might seem more fitting for a “lightweight” rifle, the designers chose to beef it up slightly. This choice allows for a threaded muzzle without stressing the barrel by thinning it behind the threads. Even with this decision, my .300 Blackout test sample still weighed less than 6 pounds, making the added weight negligible. Rossi threads these barrels to industry standards, and since mine is a .30 caliber, it came with ⅝-24 TPI threads, which perfectly matched the Nosler SR-30K suppressor I had. This suppressor is also lightweight and compact, so attaching it added only 5.5 inches and half a pound of weight. Given that this was a .300 Blackout, the “K” configuration provided ample volume to make the cartridge hearing-safe, making it an excellent choice for this setup.
The LWC doesn’t include iron sights, which I believe is an oversight, especially for a rifle that emphasizes simplicity. However, there’s enough barrel thickness for a gunsmith to add some if you’d rather have them. On the bright side, it does include a pre-mounted Picatinny rail, making it easy to add an optic. For testing, I attached a Steiner H6Xi 2-12x scope. While a red dot might be a better fit for this rifle, I wanted to see just how accurate it could be.
The .300 Blackout cartridge offers a choice between zippy supersonic loads or stealthy subsonic ones, depending on your application. For deer and other single animal hunts, supersonics are your best bet. However, when you need to take multiple animals without scattering the pack, subsonics are the way to go. I chose Sierra’s 125-grain GameChanger load with its Tipped GameKing projectile for supersonic testing. For subsonic practice, I used Federal’s 220-grain American Eagle ammo, an affordable offseason plinking option. I also tested Black Hills’ 198-grain Dual Performance round, featuring a monolithic copper bullet that meets lead-free requirements. With everything in hand, I headed to the range to warm up the barrel and see what the LWC could really do.
I started by establishing a zero from the benchrest before shooting for accuracy. I did this without the suppressor to see how it performed right out of the box. For a short rifle, I was impressed. The manual of arms was pleasant, and with the scope mounted, I could fully utilize the included hammer extension, making cocking effortless. The .300 Blackout chambering was an excellent choice for this package, as recoil was minimal, making the entire process enjoyable. Off the bench, the rifle’s true utility shone, as freehand shooting required little effort. Keeping rounds on a 6-inch gong at 100 yards was easy, a crucial quality for a rifle designed for rapid deployment. Mounting the suppressor only enhanced the experience, with no noticeable impact on my zero or consistency, showing how well Rossi and Nosler thought through their designs.
I ended my day after firing more than 150 trouble-free rounds through the LWC. In a single shot, the gun barely got warm during the process, which in itself has fun value, as there weren’t any significant breaks in the shooting action (there’s probably a bad dad joke in there somewhere). If hunting with a single-shot isn’t quite your flavor, this reason alone is enough to consider grabbing one: Some even say that knowing they don’t have a follow-up shot makes them better marksmen. Aside from that, having a conveniently staged carbine around ensures that you always have a capable firearm at hand, which could make all the difference when defending the homestead. Typically, we refer to rifles like this as “truck guns,” but to be fair, the LWC would be perfectly comfortable in a Mini Cooper.
Technical Specifications
• Type: single-shot centerfire rifle
• Caliber: .300 BLK (tested), 350 Legend
• Barrel: 16.5"; alloy steel; medium profile; hammer-forged; 1:8" RH twist, 5 grooves; threaded ⅝-24 TPI
• Trigger: single-stage; 6 lbs., 8 ozs. pull weight
• Sights: none; Picatinny rail included
• Safety: two-position cross-bolt
• Stock: straight comb; molded cheek riser; polymer; black; 14" LOP
• Metal Finish: black oxide
• Overall Length: 31.5"
• Weight: 5.25 lbs.
• Accessories: none
• MSRP: $333.99; rossiusa.com
