Current Rossi VS Current Taurus--same quality??

[Southern Shooter]

I have been looking for a couple of "inexpensive" revolvers to keep in my gun cabinet for sudden SHTF situations. I was looking at some Rossi .38 and .357 for a little over $200 a piece NIB. I know they are NOT S&W or Ruger level guns. I know Rossi is owned by Taurus. At this time I own a Taurus 905 9mm and 85ULSS .38 Special and have enjoyed this guns greatly. They have given me no problems even with 400+ rounds through the 905 and 125+ through the 85 ultra-lite.

My questions are these:

Would others feel comfortable with current production Rossi revolvers used in such a role? Are the Rossi revolvers on the same level as Taurus? Will the Rossi .38 Special handle frequent +P rounds? And, any other input from the board would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[smooth operator]

I've got a Rossi 461 357 mag & it's an OK gun. I've had the hammer bobbed & a new spring it installed. Shooting 357's out of it can be pretty wild.
Jerry

 

[HighVelocity]

I'd go with the Taurus over the Rossi if those were my only two choices. Taurus has really stepped up their quality and Rossi, well...
As far as ammo goes, Taurus makes some really strong wheelguns but I wouldn't feed a steady diet of +P to a Rossi.

Imho, you get a little bit better gun for your money with the Taurus.

 

[Ala Dan]

Only Two Choices

Greeting's All-

I would take a Rossi .38 caliber snub over the Taurus M-85. Reason being,
I like the Rossi's grip a lot better. The M-85's short grip seems awkward
when compared to Smith models 637 or 642. My wife has an old Rossi
model 88 (stainless .38 Special snub) that has proven to be reliable
and accurate. Hers has the walnut (square butt) wooden grips, and
was bought NIB in November of 1994~!

 

[TonyB]

Smooth operator:what springs did you use?I have the same gun and emailed Wolf,and they said they don't carry any Rossi springs.....the trigger did lighten up with use though.Mine's a 2" and is very accurate.

 

[LeonCarr]

If you shop around, for around 250 you can find police trade-in revolvers, S&Ws and Rugers, with much better quality and almost as good a price.

I saw a good condition used model 19 this past weekend for $219.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[charby]

+1 for LeonCarr

I picked up a nice condition S&W M36 for $235
Bought a lightly used GP-100 for $300

Charby

 

[Vern Humphrey]

From www.gunsamerica.com:

S And W Nickel 38Spec - AAB
GA# 976336210
$250.00
Smith And Wesson OHLOB(331)Nickel 38 Special Five Inch Tapered Barrel, Double Action Revolver. Hand Ejector Model With Worn Presentation Pachmayr grips. Includes After Market Padded Zipper Case. $250 OBO. Buyer To Pay $20 Shipping And Insurance To Your FFL. Lay Away And Monthly Pay Out Available On Request. I Will Ship To Your Dealer As Soon As I Receive Your FFL And Cashiers Check.
Seller: IMHOTEP
FFL Dealer: Yes Area Code: 281

GA# 976406840
$250.00
S&W model 19 .357 magnum 4 inch bbl. Light holster wear at muzzle. Front sight insert missing. Looks like some very small rust spots starting to develop. Overall condition is pretty good. Will ship to FFL only. No California sale.
Seller: CROWN CITY LOAN & JEWELRY
FFL Dealer: Yes Area Code: 626

Model 10-6
GA# 976417580
$239.00
S&W Model 10-6 Heavy Barrel (4 inches, pinned); .38 Special; excellent condition; mint bore; re-imported from England, 6 crown proof marks on the cylinder.
Seller: CHARLES CAIN
FFL Dealer: Yes Area Code: 734

10-5
GA# 976431276
$184.00
Smith and Wesson model 10-5 with pinned barrel. Shows a little wear on the cylinder and barrel end. Still a nice piece.
Seller: MITCH'S GUN SHOP
FFL Dealer: Yes Area Code: 662

MODEL 67 COMBAT MASTERPIECE
GA# 976437276
$287.00
MODEL 67 COMBAT MASTERPIECE (stainless version of Model 15); .38 Special; 4 inch barrel; adjustable rear sights; red ramp front; mint bore; Pachmayr grips; excellent overall. $297.
Seller: CHARLES CAIN
FFL Dealer: Yes Area Code: 734

Now, you'll have to add shipping (about $20) and dicker with your local FFL-holder to do the paperwork for you, but you can find some great deals on really first-class used guns with a little shopping.

 

[magsnubby]

I have a 461 (blued 2 1/2" .357) and it seems like an okay gun. I bobbed the hammer and converted it to D/A only. I've only run about 500 rounds through it, mostly .357's and .38 +p's, but that and dry firing it about 500 times smoothed up the trigger a little, although it's still pretty heavy. I couldn't say about it's long term durability.

I bought it because the price was right, and i wanted to add it to my small snubby collection. So mine is basically a range gun.

But for around the same price, or maybe a little more, you could find a used S&W K frame or a Ruger GP100 or a Security Six. Check out Shotgun News. They usally have adds for LEO trade ins. I've saw some really good deals on Ruger GP100's and K frame S&W's.

 

[Skofnung]

I've a Rossi 851 that I find to be better quality than any Taurus that I have ever held. It shoots as straight as any of my S&Ws and is my Girl's favorite handgun, mostly due to the grip shape.

I may have just gotten a good one... Who knows?

 

[Tropical Z]

The new Rossi's are every bit as good as a Taurus.My 972 is great.You'll gain nothing by buying an old S&W with 22,000 rounds through it.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

The new Rossi's are every bit as good as a Taurus.My 972 is great.You'll gain nothing by buying an old S&W with 22,000 rounds through it.

You're kidding, right? A Smith with that much use is just getting broken in.

I'd go for a Smith or Colt, and check it out -- following the sticky that heads this forum. If it checks out, it's a great gun.

 

[BullRock]

I know they are NOT S&W or Ruger level guns. I know Rossi is owned by Taurus.

They aren't yet Tauri level either. The two Rossi's I mistakenly bought were both junk. If you want a Taurus, buy a Taurus.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

They aren't yet Tauri level either. The two Rossi's I mistakenly bought were both junk. If you want a Taurus, buy a Taurus.

If you want to buy a Taurus, get a real good used Colt or Smith and Wesson.

 

[BullRock]

Vern Humphrey

Well I have a Colt Python, Lawman, and Trooper. For Smith's I have a 29-2, 629MG, 625JM, 586-7, 686, 66-2, 34, and a 19. For Rugers I have a GP-100, Blackhawk, a Security Six, and a Vaquero. For Tarus I have a Model 689,.455 Ti, M85UL, M85, 3" and a PT-92AR.

I think the Post was...

I was looking at some Rossi .38 and .357 for a little over $200 a piece NIB.

The Trooper and Lawman in 95% condition will cost over $300.00. The Smith 66 is between 4 & 500.00. The 19's are over $400.00. And, $200.00 will get you someone else's junk in the used market...

A NIB Taurus M85 will cost around $280.00 Used around $200.00. Check the auctions. You may find a good used Ruger Security Six in .357 for a little over $200.00

or

Southern Shooter
Armscor is putting out a pretty good Colt clone for about $210.00.

Check it out...

 

[Vern Humphrey]

From www.gunsamerica.com

Trooper MKIII
GA# 976644638
$275.00
Colt Trooper MKIII 357 mag. revolver, blue, 6" barrel. Condition is very good, although it shows some holster wear on muzzle and minor grip wear. Mechanically excellent.
Seller: STONEY POINT GUNS
FFL Dealer: Yes Area Code: 570

66-2 Stainless 6"
GA# 976646493
$345.00
- SALE PENDING IN TX - This is a real nice Smith & Wesson Model 66-2 Stainless Steel, 6" revolver in 99% condition. Pachmayr "Grippers" added. Sorry, original grips are not available. Comes in a Non-Original Box. Satisfaction Guaranteed.
Seller: RODNEY A. HERRMANN
FFL Dealer: Yes Area Code: 724

You have to shop around, but they're there -- and I think the quality justifies spending a bit more.

 

[SpecialForces]

New Rossi Revolvers Made by Taurus

I recently bought a Rossi 357 mag new and it is made by Taurus. I have not fired it yet. Is the Taurus made Rossi quality the same as the Taurus?