MYBABYISA44MAG
Single-Sixer
Saw an ad today at LGS for Rossi 357 snub nose....for 279.00 what the heck is that? they any good?
Rossi 357 snub
- Thread starter MYBABYISA44MAG
- Start date
contender
Ruger Guru
While a few folks "enjoy" owning a Rossi,,most of us prefer an American made Ruger. Especially for that amount of money,, you can add a small amount & get a quality Ruger,,,!
OP
MYBABYISA44MAG
Single-Sixer
Oh don't get me wrong....I don't want one.....
FergusonTO35
Hunter
With all due respect, around here you can't spend a little more and get a Ruger- used or new. Ten years ago, yes you could. Last summer I chose my Charter Police Undercover over the Taurus 856 because the former is made in the states. Both of them cost the same.
The Rossi's .357's are decent revolvers as are their .38 snubs, which have been imported longer than many folks around this fire have been alive. They were giving acceptable service when I first fired one, 40 years ago, and some of those guns are still providing security in somebody's nightstand or glove box.
I've had wide exposure to 'second string' snubs for a good many years and seen a bushel basket of them on the LE ranges I ran. While Taurus snubs were going down like Bangkok hookers, I never once saw a Rossi that wouldn't fire. I rate the Rossi a better gun based on that experience.
No, they're not a Smith or Ruger. A lot of folks just need a simple snub that works and don't cost a hat full of money. The Rossi will do that.
I've had wide exposure to 'second string' snubs for a good many years and seen a bushel basket of them on the LE ranges I ran. While Taurus snubs were going down like Bangkok hookers, I never once saw a Rossi that wouldn't fire. I rate the Rossi a better gun based on that experience.
No, they're not a Smith or Ruger. A lot of folks just need a simple snub that works and don't cost a hat full of money. The Rossi will do that.
tookalisten
Blackhawk
My daughter carries the Rossi .38 snub and she speaks very highly of it. I have only shot it a few times so cannot make an experienced opinion of it; but it functioned well and I did like the stock grips on it.
pisgah
Buckeye
For a practical "using" gun, a Rossi represents a good deal. The biggest disadvantage they have versus an S&W is that they do not hold their value as well. Long ago, I owned one of their "K-frame-size" .357s, and it was quite a decent gun. After I had it a few years I gave it as a birthday gift to a friend who had admired it. He still has it today, and it still shoots fine.
Interestingly, I was just posting about my Rossi in another thread. Not in so much detail. Here's sort of a range report:
I have the stainless 46 series in .357. I'm pleased with the value. I think I spent just a few dollars under 300, ordered NIB, from a distributor (pre-Obama). With an MSRP today of $450 or so, one might expect to pay about $100 less, new.
It's a full six-shooter, with a nice heft to it, so Magnums are a handful, but not quite stunning. The contoured rubber handle is confortable, grippy and compact enough for carry. When I do my part, it fills my targets with holes I can cover with my two balled up fists (remember how you learned to estimate the size of your own brain?). This, at about 7-9 paces.
One can't say too much about a stainless finish, but it is a smooth, bright metal that's developing a pleasing patina as I use and wear it. The Rossi/Taurus/Braztech (and accompanying data) billboard, and the lawyer lock aft of the hammer, are a little unsightly, but easily enough ignored.
The SA trigger is actually quite nice, if a little heavier than necessary (still trying to decide on a good smithy to do the work for me). The DA trigger requires my Jeep with a tow cable and winch, but it has distinct stages that I can control for accuracy shooting at the range.
Overall, everything is tight and close. It's a good gun, considering what I paid for it. It generally just rides quietly at my hip, and I suspect that's how it's best put to use. I have no fear of a malfunction, but then it's not my only gun, so I don't put thousands and thousands of rounds through it.
Finally, this one has an odd little peculiarity with the cylinder timing: It breaks from lock with the hammer at rest and can rotate about an eighth-inch backward. However, in action, it goes back where it should and locks up good and strong. It's never given me a bit of trouble, aside from that one little thing being somewhat of a chin scratcher... I'll have the gunsmith who does the trigger take a look at it.
All that said, the old Rossi's, I understand, are a whole nuther animal.
Either way, good gun, but definately not a Ruger Security Six. :)
-S
I have the stainless 46 series in .357. I'm pleased with the value. I think I spent just a few dollars under 300, ordered NIB, from a distributor (pre-Obama). With an MSRP today of $450 or so, one might expect to pay about $100 less, new.
It's a full six-shooter, with a nice heft to it, so Magnums are a handful, but not quite stunning. The contoured rubber handle is confortable, grippy and compact enough for carry. When I do my part, it fills my targets with holes I can cover with my two balled up fists (remember how you learned to estimate the size of your own brain?). This, at about 7-9 paces.
One can't say too much about a stainless finish, but it is a smooth, bright metal that's developing a pleasing patina as I use and wear it. The Rossi/Taurus/Braztech (and accompanying data) billboard, and the lawyer lock aft of the hammer, are a little unsightly, but easily enough ignored.
The SA trigger is actually quite nice, if a little heavier than necessary (still trying to decide on a good smithy to do the work for me). The DA trigger requires my Jeep with a tow cable and winch, but it has distinct stages that I can control for accuracy shooting at the range.
Overall, everything is tight and close. It's a good gun, considering what I paid for it. It generally just rides quietly at my hip, and I suspect that's how it's best put to use. I have no fear of a malfunction, but then it's not my only gun, so I don't put thousands and thousands of rounds through it.
Finally, this one has an odd little peculiarity with the cylinder timing: It breaks from lock with the hammer at rest and can rotate about an eighth-inch backward. However, in action, it goes back where it should and locks up good and strong. It's never given me a bit of trouble, aside from that one little thing being somewhat of a chin scratcher... I'll have the gunsmith who does the trigger take a look at it.
All that said, the old Rossi's, I understand, are a whole nuther animal.
Either way, good gun, but definately not a Ruger Security Six. :)
-S
Bear Claw Chris Lappe
Bearcat
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2008
- Messages
- 54
I've had a Rossi R46202 2" .357 for a few years now,and it's an excellent gun. Not one problem, and very accurate for a snub.
FergusonTO35
Hunter
The really old Rossi's were pretty cheap and didn't hold up too well with alot of shooting. The newer ones seem to do quite well. They are a very faithful copy of the older Smiths complete with hammer mounted firing pin and surprisingly handsome metal finish.
+1 to the positives. Have a friend who has one just as pictured and loves it. Like someone said, shoot mostly .38s and +Ps in it, as one might in a 2" snub anyway, but *can* go magnum if called upon. Best value in a "new" gun out there, if one is in that (new) mode but on a budget. Not mentioned (though full 6 shots was) is that it's--oddly--the only new *small* frame 6 shot .38/.357 class out there (exc the fairly new Taurus .38) and a .357 to boot...and has been for quite some time--unchallenged. I A-B'd one with a like-new, late-model (full shroud) Detective Special at a store last year. Remarkably close to the "D"-frame (or a J+1/2?) in all regards except for some extra beef in the Rossi ahead of the cylinder below the barrel line. The store owner is a trusted one and says they're quite popular and he has not had one come back. I had a "K-ish" pre-Taurus/Braztech 971 4" stainless and it was a great, no-issues gun, til lost in a rough country hunting trek (cheap holster I will not repeat). There have been some bbad-experience reports, but from what I've seen, the good have way outnumbered.
Hugh
Buckeye
Interesting you should say that about the Rossi. Of my Sixes and SP-101 my 4" stainless Service Six is the same way. With any of the others, including the SP-101, I can have two shots off in the time it takes to get one out of the 4" Service Six. That critter is at my local Smith to have that issue addressed. I definitely don't want a hair trigger, but would like to pull it a little faster.
FergusonTO35
Hunter
The Rossi five shot .38 I once had gave you a real workout in DA but not as bad as the SP101 did.
piratedude
Single-Sixer
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2008
- Messages
- 105
I've never owned a Rossi revolver, but I bought a Rossi 92 awhile back in .44 mag, and it has been really sweet. I think the guns are actually made by Taurus now.
M'BOGO
Buckeye
A few years ago I picked up a like new 3", 5 shot, stainless Rossi for $70 or $75. I've been happy with it.
M'BOGO
Buckeye
A few years ago I picked up a like new 3", 5 shot, stainless Rossi for $70 or $75. I've been happy with it.
TinStarFirearms
Single-Sixer
Do a search for an article by Massad Ayoob in the 2003 American Handgunner magazine. The store was "Beverly Hills Jewelers" and the owner reportedly purchased eleven Rossi .38 special revolvers for his store. He placed them around his shop and when two thugs tried to rob him, he and his employees worked from one gun to the next, dropping the spent ones without reloading for a fresh one.
Rossi can do the work.
Andrew
Rossi can do the work.
Andrew
5of7
Hunter
I have a Rossi model 720 in 44 Special that I consider to be a good gun for the money.
This gun is about the same size as a K frame smith, so it is a little small for a 44 Sp., but it has held up well to some fairly hot loads that I have fired in it.....like 240 grain cast bullets at 1000 fps.
It is now my bedside companion loaded with 180 gr. Remington bullets loaded to ~900 fps., which is more than adequate for any night time emergency.
This gun is about the same size as a K frame smith, so it is a little small for a 44 Sp., but it has held up well to some fairly hot loads that I have fired in it.....like 240 grain cast bullets at 1000 fps.
It is now my bedside companion loaded with 180 gr. Remington bullets loaded to ~900 fps., which is more than adequate for any night time emergency.
DanChamberlain
Single-Sixer
If they make one that starts with a .4, it will be interesting. I've heard the .44 Special is...special.
Dan
Dan
contender said:
Not really a small amount to get a Ruger, have you proced them lately?
I used to own a couple of Rossis and I was very happy with them. I had a .38 and a .32. I traded the .38 for something I wanted more, but my oldest daughter still has the .32 and it is still working after about 25+ years.
Now for a real shocker...I open carry an Armscor M206 everyday. It cost me $230 and goes bang with every pull of the trigger.
