is Rossi a good gun?

They are very in expense revolvers. Try to have someone who knows revolvers go with you to help you check out the revolver. The quality of Rossi is below Smith and Wesson or Ruger. Rossi is on the same level as Taurus. Either you get a good one or one with issues.

Hope this helps,
Howard

I have a snub nose Rossi 38/357, the stainless steel rubber grip version, since 1997. I have fired hundreds of rounds through it since plus qualified with it with .38 for my CCW. A very accurate handgun and very reliable. I always cleaned it right away after practicing with it at the range and have had it checked periodically by a gun smith.
When I qualified with it for my CCW with a target 15 feet away I had all my shots in the center bull's eye.
Though I own two semi autos the Rossi has a special place with me because it is dependable and very accurate. It looks brand new today.
Yes, there are many nice weapons out there-I like the S&W 638 5 shot .38, it is a lot smaller, but pricey at $549 at Gander Mountain, and over $600 at another local gun store.

I would like to add that I carry my Rossi quite often.

For $200I'd look for a used S&W model 10.

It'll hold it's value better too.

Rossi's have had their ups and downs in quality. Honestly I have no idea as their current quality, but for that price...

Since September of 2008 Rossi is Taurus.

Damn the man who says another man hadn't ought to be able to defend himself and his family! If that's what you can get without waiting a long time and/or having to deal with shipping and transfer fees- then by all means, take along a friend and check all of them they have in stock and pick the best one. I hate to hear aobut your run of bad luck and pray things get better for ya soon! My opinion is that if you go with the Rossi- and get a good one- it'll do what you ask of it. Now if you were of the notion to expend thousands of rounds through it- well, that's a mute point. Realistically, you'll be wanting some familiarization ammo and some decent quality SD ammo and then the rest of your focus will be on food, shelter, and getting back on yer feet. That said, go for it man, and keep you and your family safe.

You can always trade up when times get better.

I have had one for about 10 years and it has ran flawlessly.

10-96 said:

Damn the man who says another man hadn't ought to be able to defend himself and his family! If that's what you can get without waiting a long time and/or having to deal with shipping and transfer fees- then by all means, take along a friend and check all of them they have in stock and pick the best one. I hate to hear aobut your run of bad luck and pray things get better for ya soon! My opinion is that if you go with the Rossi- and get a good one- it'll do what you ask of it. Now if you were of the notion to expend thousands of rounds through it- well, that's a mute point. Realistically, you'll be wanting some familiarization ammo and some decent quality SD ammo and then the rest of your focus will be on food, shelter, and getting back on yer feet. That said, go for it man, and keep you and your family safe.

You can always trade up when times get better.

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Great post.

Either you get a good one or one with issues.

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^^^ Much truth in that nutshell ^^^


Here's a post from someone who didn't like his:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=507800&highlight=academy

Rossi = Taurus

I am sure the newer Rossis are better than the old ones.

The one I had about ~25 years ago (M68 .38 Spl) was pure junk, and has been residing at the bottom of a lake since 1985 or so. You won't find another in my safe or on my hip.

More recently I had a Taurus M441 (3" blued 44 Spl), and it worked just fine. The difference in quality between the Taurus and an equivalent S&W was evident.

Lots of good used stainless S&W M-64s out there for $200-250.
Fize you, I'd be looking at one of them. There are just way too many negative experiences with Taurus out there. The link in the above thread is a good example. A quick search will turn up enough to keep you busy all weekend...and I imagine you have better things to do.

To everyone who says he can get a Smith for $200 in his area, tell him where. I've been to a lot of gun shops lately and I haven't seen any for less than $400, and none suitable for carry. Sure, if he shopped around for the next six months he might find the model he needs, (after spending a lot of money on gas) but he needs some protection now.

Have a knowledgeable person check out the Rossi if you're unsure, and remember, they do have a warranty.

Here's one that sold, I assume, in the OP's neck of the woods this past summer... (found it with no gas!)
http://www.theoutdoorstrader.com/showthread.php?4179-S-amp-W-model-10-5-.38-special

Gun shop prices will be higher... and should have more of a selection. Anything in the Ruger 6 series is another good option and may open up some more possibilities if ya gotta have it now.

New or used, and regardless of make, the advice to have it checked out by a knowledgeable person is on target.


BTW Vanguard7, how long have you had your carry permit?

I'm new and don't know where to start.

My father in law has an old 44 caliber revolver and I'm trying to find out it's worth and exactly what he has.

It's got a 6 inch barrell. The letter TAC are in a circle with Trade on top and Mark on the bottom. Under the handkle it has A18730 Some other writing is TAC Revolver and For specialized U.S Service CTG.

It has what he calls a left hand wheel

Can anybody help, or perhaps point me in the right direction?

Thank you

I looked at 1 just like that at my local pawn shop & could`nt figure how in the world they could sell em that cheap $259.00 , felt solid & lock up was`nt vault tite but ok , timmin was dead nuts !! All looked straight & square !!

The 1 I looked at had adjustable sites though .

Perfect truck gun/night stand gun !

Yeah, cheap S&Ws are incredibly uncommon...I knew of one 38spl about a year ago that sold for 280, but only because some fool that owned it in the past tried to use steel wool to clean it and scratched the blue off of that one side.

That was the best Deal I saw in a long while on a smith.

To everyone who says he can get a Smith for $200 in his area, tell him where. I've been to a lot of gun shops lately and I haven't seen any for less than $400, and none suitable for carry. Sure, if he shopped around for the next six months he might find the model he needs, (after spending a lot of money on gas) but he needs some protection now.

Have a knowledgeable person check out the Rossi if you're unsure, and remember, they do have a warranty.

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http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=6900696#post6900696

Post 20



Doesn't take that much 'Shopping around'

For that price, you can't go wrong. Someone said get a S&W 10...used. I don't know where you could get a used 10 that cheap and still be able to see any blue.

I have a number of Rossis, and unlike the Taurus revolvers, they're accurate and are great.




.

Yeah, cheap S&Ws are incredibly uncommon...I knew of one 38spl about a year ago that sold for 280, but only because some fool that owned it in the past tried to use steel wool to clean it and scratched the blue off of that one side.

That was the best Deal I saw in a long while on a smith.

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A year ago (And more reciently) J&G was selling model 10's for $155 shipped.
(Mighta been $10 more reciently)

I bought 'several' (all 4 inch, both HB and skinny)

It's pretty common (Still) for a 'rent a cop' agency to sell off... that's what these were. NYPD guns, by way of a rentacop company.

Over the last 20 years, I've owned about 10 Rossi revolvers in .22, .38sp, .357 and .44sp, and I've had exactly one that ever gave me a problem, and that was a .22 that the screw that holds the cylinder crane in the frame would work loose and fell out twice until I put a tiny trace of nail glue on the threads.

I've got a 971 about 10 years old that's a virtual knock-off of the 686. I find the Smith to be of slightly better quality, but I use the 971 4" for IPSC. Reliable and accurate. Tack driver.

Maybe I just got a good one, I don't know, but it's a great firearm and I've won rounds with it.

Nomad said:

A year ago (And more reciently) J&G was selling model 10's for $155 shipped.
(Mighta been $10 more reciently)

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Yeah those model 10s were a great deal ... best deal they have right now are model 64s for $249 (so with shipping and transfer you're still looking at under 300...however if your budget is 250 you either need to wait a while or go for the Rossi).

Read this thread here before you go look at any revolver...
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=1430

Also I found a Charter Off Duty for 220 about an hour and a half from you on Armslist (which is kinda like Craigslist for guns). Of course that begs the question; is Charter a good gun?

vangard7 .......

I must be in an elite group like shockwave?
I see all the negative comments regarding the Rossi and Taurus and I have had a few Rossi 22, .38, & .357 ( Have NOT had a bad one in the ones I had 8 for 8? )
My two favorites were .357 Revolver and I had a Puma Lever action rifle.


Taurus Revolvers & Autos ( Have had and still have numerous calibers in this Brand )
From some of the first in the late 80's to present....Love the 9mms, Love the PT58 .380, Love the Tracker Series Revolvers, have never been disatisfied with any Taurus Purchase. The quality, feel, and finish has changed & improved over the years, BUT I always felt that I got my moneys worth and done its intended duty.

I like you on most of the purchase had a budget for what I was after....The Rossi fit the bill and its what i took home.

So to answer your question ??? Are Rossi's Good guns? My opinion to your question is Yes! they are good guns, read the owners manual, fill out the warranty card and dont shoot +p ammo in it if the manual says not to and I believe you will be happy.

I will close by saying this...when I say that they are GOOD guns, I say it with personal conviction that I believe they are good guns for the price! They may not be GREAT guns, but they are not priced or marketed as such! I never had to use there warranty nor have I needed to use a Taurus warranty.

I have had complications with the following GREAT gunsand they were not cheap)
Browning 9mm
Beretta Auto
Kimber Auto (especially not cheap)

***NOTE*** BY NO MEANS AM I SAYING THE ABOVE ITEMS WERE BAD FIREARMS!
Just when i got them i did not even think about needing a warranty. The mfgs were great and repaired all of the above satisfactory!

And I got a used S&W for GREAT price from gun store once,....later realized that the backstrap on it was actually bent causing it to shave lead! (gunsmith said someone had shot extreme HOT loads in it. It was unnoticable to the eye, but the lead spray was not fun! Store gave me back my money and gave me another sweet deal on a new Taurus .357 and I was happy ever after.

Academy runs those .38 5 shots on special about every 3 to 4 months for $209 or $199. I am sure it will do what a .38 with a 3" barrel is made to do if it is called upon.
10-96 makes probably the best gun post I have read in a long time. I agree with that post 100%.


There is a post on thehighroad that describes how to check revolvers for quality. Print it, memorize it, or write it down. Take it with you to the store, and examine the firearm. Keep an open mind regarding the finish of the revolver.. Your looking for protection not a competition gun. Correct?