Rossi 38 Snubbie. Opinions

Confederate · Jan 8, 2010

The .38 Spc. has a 3-inch barrel.

The .22LR one shown with the .38. Both are outstanding guns.

CajunBass · Jan 8, 2010

This is the internet. You won't catch me carrying a gun, any gun, that I didn't spend at least $1,000.00 for and then have lovingly tuned by at least one well known pistolsmith, and then put at least 1,000 rounds of the best ammo through as a checkout.

In the real world, I'm a lot less pickey.

ASCTLC · Jan 8, 2010

I have a pre-Taurus Rossi 971 .357 mag stainless. Only internet claims tell me it's not possible it can be reliable, that I should hate it, and it's barely worth the energy to throw it in the river. Mine performs great.

Another site I frequent is virtually over run with the type of members CajunBass points out. I suspect the majority of them either are full of it and have never actually owned the gun they whine about or I seriously question their handling of said pistol. I have yet to actually meet anyone who's had such bad luck with these, only "internet claims" of such.

I'll qualify that though of the people who buy first generation pistols then the table's turned. Who the hell in their right mind can state - with a straight face - that they aren't actually pleasantly surprised that a first gen, of any mf, is problem free??? Blind faith in a mfr and their first gen anything is putting one's head in the sand and criticism of a first gen failure is as much, or more of, a first gen failure as it is a mfr failure.

The "bought a used xxxxx and it was a piece of crap" claims are especially priceless when the poster has no idea which gen pistol they bought.

my 2 cents on the subject,
Andy

camsdaddy · Jan 8, 2010

I have a 351 that we have had for years. My wife bought it as her first gun and then I later traded her a 3913 TSW S&W for it.

. Oddly I am carrying it today which is rare normally its a Glock 26. For some reason carrying this revolver just seems right. I have my eye on a Ruger SP101 or a S&W 642. I cant decide if either is signifigantly better than the Rossi. My only complaints are you cant find springs for it if you are trying to smooth it up (just tinkering its fine stock) and I wish I could find smaller grips. Rossi/Taurus customer service was about as helpful as our fed gov when I tried to order springs. I guess S&W and Keltec customer service has me spoiled. I have found some pachmayers I may try but wish I could find maybe wood. We have had this gun for 7+ and never even a hic up.

camsdaddy · Jan 8, 2010

Can anyone tell how the 351 compares size wise to the 642 and SP101.

ATAShooter · Jan 8, 2010

You guys will love this.... My wife is an avid shotgunner (Trap). She just can't grasp the concept of pistol or rifle sights for some reason. She had me have a rib and shotgun beads ( front and Mid, just like her shotgun ) put on her Rossi 68. She can shoot the hell of that thing. I can't hit jack with it. I guess to each his / her own...

fireside44 · Jan 8, 2010

You guys will love this.... My wife is an avid shotgunner (Trap). She just can't grasp the concept of pistol or rifle sights for some reason. She had me have a rib and shotgun beads ( front and Mid, just like her shotgun ) put on her Rossi 68. She can shoot the hell of that thing. I can't hit jack with it. I guess to each his / her own...

Haha, you are right, that's awesome. I should do that for my old lady, she has the same problem. Sounds like a good excuse to buy another Rossi, wouldn't want to modify her model 10.

weregunner · Jan 8, 2010

Big Bill · Jan 8, 2010

Here's the deal:

ROSSI HISTORY AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Rossi revolution of firearm design and manufacture started with the founding of the company in 1889 by Amadeo Rossi. Over the last 115 years, that tradition has grown along with the company and the Rossi Family. The Rossi name represents a piece of firearm history and a tradition of excellence.

Over the years, Rossi firearms has led the way in design and engineering. At the same time, it has always been important to produce an affordable product without sacrificing any quality or accuracy.

In December of 1997 BrazTech International L.C. was created as the exclusive importer of Rossi firearms in North America.

Previously, Rossi firearms were distributed by Interarms of Alexandria, Virginia. Rossi manufactures its classic rifles in a plant in Sa Leopoldo, Brazil and will continue operations there, selling many firearms outside the United States and North America.

At the same time, Forjas Taurus, S.A. purchased the rights and the equipment to manufacture Rossi handguns. Taurus manufactures three models of .38 Special revolvers and four models of .357 Magnum revolvers under contract with Rossi. Revolvers sold by BrazTech with the Rossi name are manufactured in a brand new facility owned by Taurus in SaoLeopoldo, Brazil. Much of the tooling and many of the machines were acquired from Rossi during negotiations between the companies.

Today's Rossi is still run by the same family and they put the same dedication and innovation into every firearm. At Rossi, it is more than just building guns...it is a family's history and tradition.

http://www.rossiusa.com/history.cfm

MCgunner · Jan 8, 2010

Confederate, your 88 is an older one. Can tell from the rear sight, actually I believe it might be windage adjustable with a tiny screw driver just looking at it, never tried. The 88 I bought in the very early 90s had a fixed sight cast/machined like most snubs, didn't have the little blade. My 68, bought in 1981, has a sight just like yours. My early 90s 88's finish was pretty rough, tooling marks, bad under the hammer. I polished the marks out of the hammer. Fit and finish was a might lacking. Timing was good, but on one cylinder the latch locked almost too late, just did make it. I mean, was well timed, just could tell one cylinder locked in a little later in the hammer throw than the others. My 68, early 80s vintage, is near Smith and Wesson quality fit and finish, VERY nice, timing is impeccable, very tight lock up, and it's very nice. The blade sight might be considered a little more fragile, but it don't stick out like an adjustable. I kinda like it.

That gun is nice lookin' in stainless. My 68s blue is very deep and well done, though. I do prefer stainless for carry. I think the older ones like yours and mine seem to have had more attention paid to them. I've seen several other examples. The newer post Taurus ones are also well finished, the one's I've looked at.

MCgunner · Jan 8, 2010

Can anyone tell how the 351 compares size wise to the 642 and SP101.

The SP101 is tank strong, but heavy, about 4 or5 ounces more. The 642 is a lighter gun, about 7 ounces less. All are about the same size. The Rossi is the spittin' image of a 36 Smith, the older ones, anyway. The 642 is the best for a pocket. The SP101 fires a hotter round. The Rossi splits the difference. My 68 has a 3" barrel on it and that really helps with the longer sight radius. If I get another SP101, it'll be a 3"er.

Confederate · Jan 8, 2010

Yes, mine are the Interarms models. Interarms imported some great guns in its day, but some manufacturers cut corners on tolerances. The Virginia Dragoon, for example, was an astounding gun in fit and finish, but the chambers were just sort of drilled through...no real throating. I had two that couldn't hit the broad dide of a barn -- but they were gorgeous. Had a couple of Taurus 66s back in the 80s that also had bad tolerances. I could drop .358 lead bullets into each chamber and they would fall right on through, so it was no mystery that JHPs were all over the paper.

But they were purty. My Rossis have been closer to S&W in performance than any other gun I've tried.

usa59 · Jan 22, 2010

Rossi 38/357

I have a rossi 38/357 that i purchased about two yrs ago. Sent it back twice for broken firing pin and a third time for a twisted loose barrel. And still unable after all this time ti find a nicer after market set of grips.

nicksterdemus · Jan 22, 2010

FWIW, I e-mailed Academy Sports and asked about the +P or not on their distributor special 35103. I had called Braztech in Miami and they asked for the serial number and then said yea. The sales clerks at Academy said nay.

It's getting high unto a week since my e-mail.

I've shot a recent Rossi lever mod 92 carbine 44 mag and it was sweet. Well made and looked good. Lever action rifles are fairly labor intensive.

Anything could break and folks generally only holler on the net when there's a problem.

I'm still kickin' myself for not buying the 35103, pre-blk Friday sale @ $199.99.

Now, that was a bargain.

Oddly enough the regular price is 249.99, yet the 35102 is 259.99.

I don't get it coz they charge an extra ten spot for 1" less barrel.

Mr. Whimsy · Jan 22, 2010

I echo your sentiment about the grips on these guns, very ergonomic.

These guns will get you through the night.

My example was a 462 .357 and was a fine revolver with a low round count because frankly I was afraid it would break eventually. This is just my personal theory re: Taurus/Rossi durability, that they just won't hold up under heavy use without parts breakage. Since Taurus service is for masochists, I would prefer to just use these guns lightly in the first place.

If I wanted another snub (I don't because I can't hit with those sights), I would cheerfully buy another Rossi. I actually preferred it to Ruger/S&W products in that category as far as ergonomics, trigger pull, and finish (it was pimp shiny SS, which I like).

brianr23 · Jan 24, 2010

Just picked up a Rossi 352, stainless 2" barrel in great condition. A little dirty but I only paid $125 for it. At that price it can ride in the car, on belt or hunting with no worries. Haven't taken it to the range so I still have some testing to do.

shockwave · Jan 24, 2010

In IDPA competition, I've found the Rossi 6 Round 357 Remington Magnum w/4" Barrel/Rubber Grips in stainless to be easier-firing, smoother, and more accurate than the S&W 686. Rossi makes excellent guns and although I haven't shot the snubbie, I'd buy a Rossi firearm with confidence. I've got thousands of rounds through the Rossi and a simple cleaning at the end of the shooting day is all you need to do. I'd trust my life with it.

fireside44 · Jan 24, 2010

If you guys keep talking these guns up, it will ruin it for all of us.

I hate my model 720.

MCgunner · Jan 24, 2010

Yes, mine are the Interarms models. Interarms imported some great guns in its day, but some manufacturers cut corners on tolerances. The Virginia Dragoon, for example, was an astounding gun in fit and finish, but the chambers were just sort of drilled through...no real throating. I had two that couldn't hit the broad dide of a barn -- but they were gorgeous. Had a couple of Taurus 66s back in the 80s that also had bad tolerances. I could drop .358 lead bullets into each chamber and they would fall right on through, so it was no mystery that JHPs were all over the paper.

But they were purty. My Rossis have been closer to S&W in performance than any other gun I've tried.

I've got a late 80s 3" Taurus 66 that will put 6 shots into 1.5" at 25 yards every time I set it on sand bags. It's a favorite CCW belt gun. My early 90s transfer bar pre-lock 66 4" will put 'em into an even inch at that range. I don't know about the cylinder dimensions, but they beat up on my old Security Six and S&W M19 for accuracy hands down, and my old Rossi 971. I've found Taurus to be one of the most accurate revolvers around, at least my 3 and I hear this from others. My 85UL is why I sold my Rossi 88, didn't need it anymore. But, that 3" 68 is just plain cool. It's easier to shoot with the extra sight radius and is quite accurate, about 2" at 25 off the bags, accurate enough to carry for rabbits while hiking or deer hunting.

I think of it as a .38 kit gun. It is as accuate as that 4" 971 was and it's lighter, but of course, it won't shoot .357s. No real problem with that, though. When I'm deer hunting, I don't really need a .357. And, I don't live in bear country.

shockwave · Jan 24, 2010

I was cleaning both guns today, the Rossi and the S&W 686, and they really are identical. The Rossi having smoother action. Hate to say it, but the Italian model is really superior. I didn't want that. Smith and Wesson has a great heritage and this gun was not cheap to buy.

During the cleaning, the Rossi barrel slides better from side to side, the action feeling more solid, more solid state. Snaps right in. The 686 is a bit more stiff.

MCgunner · Jan 24, 2010

but the Italian model is really superior.

Uh, hate to say it, but that'd be a Brazilian model....

Confederate · Jan 24, 2010

I think the older ones like yours and mine seem to have had more attention paid to them.

Yes, I agree. I've never heard anyone complain about firing pin breakages on vintage guns; however, it's possible on any gun where the steel isn't properly heat treated or the spacing isn't just right. The good thing is that almost anyone could make a new firing pin if the company went under -- or use a S&W pin modified for use with a Rossi. It would be much tougher to manufacture the right springs for an auto pistol which no longer are made. (That's onr reason I got rid of my beloved Star BM...parts just were destined to dry up after they went out of production.)

Is pin breakage a big problem with later Rossis? Two-hundred and fifty rounds ain't much before breakage, though.

MCgunner · Jan 25, 2010

I broke one in my 971 bought about 1991 or somewhere there bouts. I sent it to Interarms, came back, broke on the first cylinder full, second shot IIRC.

I had a smith fit one and it never gave me a problem again. Hmmm.

I haven't got more'n 1000 rounds through my old 68, don't shoot it that much. I bought it for my step dad in 81 when my grandpa died and left me his M10 Smith. I wanted that M10 from him and he needed a gun for the house. He fired a box or two and it sat all those years until he died about 4 years ago and I got it back. It's a lot better fitted than those early 90s guns I had, no tooling marks and such, seems more attention to detail. But, I can't yet say the firing pin is better, LOL. I had a couple thousand rounds though that 971 before it broke. I now have a distrust for hammer mounted firing pins.

I hear about busted firing pins occasionally on the new ones, too, so I don't know that Rossi ever addressed this problem. That sorta keeps me from carrying mine, good as the little gun is, as a defense gun. Shooting at rabbits is one thing, but I need it against an attacker, then's NOT the time for a busted firing pin.

Rossi 38 Snubbie. Opinions

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