Decision, inexpensive .38 special or .357 mag snubbie. Armscor or Rossi or Other?

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indie

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I would like to take my CCW class soon and apply for my permit.

I have narrowed down what type of gun I ideally want to carry, and how I want to carry. I would like to pocket carry a snub nosed revolver. I prefer a six shot and I understand that the "Colt D Frame" sized revolver most adequately fits the bill.


My objective was to try to spend under $250. I want it to handle at least .38sp +p ammo.

My main consideration has been between the Armscor 206 colt detective clone and Rossi 461 or 462 357 mags.

My major concern with the rossi has been a few forum reports here and on taurus armed of lockup and screws falling out? With the armscor 206, i havent heard many opinions about it, but what i have heard has been pretty good.

I would like any input, or suggestions anyone could provide. I would like to buy this weekend if I can make up my mind on something and take the plunge.
 
When considering your own personal safety I find it hard to recommend anything without the strength or reliability of a Smith, Ruger, or possibly Colt. Try for a used one of those.

Or maybe a Taurus?
 
Used Ruger or Smith. You might have to spend more that 250 bucks, maybe around 300. Eat Ramen for a few weeks and get a better quality revolver :).

Just my .02,
LeonCarr
 
My scale of revolver quality is:

1. Ruger, S&W, Colt. All pretty much equal (I prefer Ruger and S&W). Ecah has it's own good points.

2. Taurus. I know start an argument but I have Taurus' I consider equal to a S&W. They get listed below the other 3 as I don't think they generally have as nice a trigger action. Not that the trigger is horrible but the top threes are better. I do carry a Taurus as a SD weapon at times. A 6 shot M66 among them.

3. Rossi, although most Rossi's I've seen developed timing problems way too early in their lifetimes.

I have no experience with Armscor and really can't make a valid recommendation or condemnation.

I'd wait and save a little more for a new Taurus or Ruger (both usually less expensive than a S&W) and your Taurus 66 in the mean
 
You should be able to find an old Colt Police Positive for around that much but I wouldn't shoot +P in it. Spend a little more and get a used Smith, Ruger, or newer Colt. It will serve you much better than those others and if you decide to sell it, you'll get more of your money back.
 
Actually, the Armscor 206 isnt a bad gun. Guy at our range had one and it wasnt different than a Colt's Detective Special. Wasnt as smooth in finish, however, the construction was awesome and had a better trigger than the Colt.

Rossi's to me are a little bulky for my liking. I will probably be ordering a Armscor 206 here soon to add to my collection.

I can hear a stampede of people coming up to tell you that you can get a model 10 for next to nothing. You can. However, the luck in finding them unless you find one online or in a pawnshop is very slim.

For a defensive piece of weapon, I would trust myself to the Armscor as I have seen it and fired it. Its not bad. A little ugly, but not bad. STAY AWAY from Comanche! People often compare Comanche and Armscor. They are not the same gun and they have VASTLY different quality.

Lots of folks will tell you what to buy. They will tell you "what is your life worth"? Unfortunately for some, we have BUDGETS that we have to conform to and have little disposable income (really, that is what it comes down to). If you find a used Smith or Ruger, TAKE IT. But if you cant find one that fits your budget, look into the Armscor.
 
i thank you all for your suggestions so far.

My 250 budget is for many practical reasons. Concern of theft or losing the gun, low disposible income, wife who doesnt understand ... etc lol

But as you can see from my two modest guns in my signature, I have stayed budget conscious in my selections so far, and have been more than satisfied.

People told me to save up and get smith/ruger, and i bought a 7 shot taurus. I have put about 1000 rounds through it and i love it.

People told me to save and get a beretta storm, and i got a high point, which i have REALLY enjoyed taking to the range, but i have been able to afford to customize and use it to the point i feel that it makes a fine home defense gun.

I paid a total of about $350 for both. And i feel that if i had spent more..i still couldnt be any more satisfied.


I really wanted 6 shots in a carry revolver, and i have decided to pocket carry, but i feel like i would need to compromise a chamber and pay more to get a revolver that doesnt quite fit what i want, when there are a couple of choices that fit my needs and are within my budget

BattleChimp Potemkin, i have been looking into all of the "value priced" brands, and of them all i narrowed it down to Rossi and Armscor and possibly Taurus and CHarter Arms, because those are the guns that will be found within my budget.


Of the few armscor 206 owners /shooters ive read opinions from, they all have said that it is a great buy and is essentially a rough around the edges, beater colt detective. For the price, i can pretty much buy the gun new and take my CCW class within my budget.

I started considering rossi when i saw one for about 220 with case, speed loader and holster. And with it being 357 magnum and reading that it was 6 shot in the D frame comparable size. It peaked my interest as well, and i thought it was worth considering before it gets away.

Right now im leaning towards the armscor because i intend to carry the FBI load and not a 357 load and because of the few complaints ive read on the rossi's
 
In general, when someone asks "Should I get X or Y?," I try to stay on topic. This time, I have to violate that common courtesy. A cheap revolver potentially cancels out the snub's biggest advantage (it will always go bang 5-6 times).

I realize that times are getting tough. (I just got hit with somew unexpected medical bills, I know.) That said, I can guarantee you will be happier in the long run if you come up with another $100 or so and get a Ruger or S&W. (Getting a good deal on a Colt isn't that realistic in these parts.)

There are a lot of reasons:

1) I don't know if this is true or an old wives' tale, but a lot of older people claim that Rossi and Charter Arms snubs go out of time quickly if pocket carried. Honestly, that sounds sort of exaggerated to me, but I do know my S&W 638 has stayed tight and in time after four years of daily pocket carry.

2) Rossi, Armscor, Charter Arms, etc. guns have little resale value. If you change your mind, you definitely would have been better of with a Colt, Ruger, or S&W. If you are stubborn enough, I don't think it is even possible to lose money on a Colt revolver right now!

3) Ruger and S&W are considered the very best manufacturers in terms of customer service. If not for the 1911, S&W revolvers would have the best aftermarket support of any handgun(s). Compare this to Taurus, much less Rossi, Armscor, etc.

4) Not to be a jerk, but if you don't reload, how can you afford to shoot? Seriously, decent .38 Special practice ammunition is well over $10/box. If the difference between a Rossi and a S&W is going to break you, how are you going to afford to shoot?

Every time I find myself about to settle for my second choice in a firearm, I come back to these basic points. I reload myself, but I still always arrive back at the "buy what you really want" position. In the long run, you will end up doing it anyway, so waiting another few months and avoiding the time, trouble, money, and effort of a "cheap" gun is well worth it.

If I have offended, I apologize. I just hate to see people make what may be a mistake. YMMV. Consult your doctor or mental health care provider, etc.
 
Unlike most posters on this and similar threads, I understand the problem. I was shiping for the same thing and I have settled on the Rossi 462. It is waiting for me at my dealer.

Two points to all of the peanut gallery who always chime in with "buy a smith or ruger!"

1. Read the post. He is looking for a small, pocketable six shooter and doesn't want to loose a round. You show me a small pocketable six shot ruger (in .38)and ill pay you $1000 for it. Even a speed six is about half a pound heavier and two inches longer than either of the guns he mentioned. Smith's smallest six shooter is a 2.5 inch 686 that is freaking huge for a snubbie.

2. Those $200 smith model 10s everyone recomends are far from being a CCW gun. A revolver designed to be a holstered duty weapon worn on a belt loaded with equipment does not translate to an easily carryable CCW for the average civilian. Try slipping that model 10 into your pocket. Plus, in seven years of gun shopping I have never seen one. I have seen a few for around $250 but the were obviously run hard and put away wet.

Why to people insist on comparing apples and oranges?

"I need a shotgun for skeet shooting"
"well you should just buy an AR 15"

"what do you guys think of the Seecamp .32?"
"well for that price you can get a Ruger Alaskan"

Come on guys, answer the question asked.

I settled on the Rossi not because I am broke (although I often am) but because the bigger American firms won't build a comparable product. The Detective Special filled a niche and now that it is no longer made, there is a market vacuum. Don't knock the budget manufacturers for filling it.
 
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I have a Rossi 462. One of reasons of getting it is that I have a 20+ year old Rossi 971 4". I have not had problem one with it. I have put over 500 rounds through the 462 with no problems. I really like the little weapon and yes I trust it with my life.
 
1.Go take your test.
2 Rent an auto from the person giving the test if you don't hve one.
3. It will take 3 or 4 months to get the actual license so save your money and buy up as suggested.
 
People told me to save up and get smith/ruger, and i bought a 7 shot taurus. I have put about 1000 rounds through it and i love it.

People told me to save and get a beretta storm, and i got a high point,
Click to expand...

So if you haven't listened to anyone's advice so far, why keep asking!! Go get yer armscor, take pics, and post a range report already!!!:neener:
 
So if you haven't listened to anyone's advice so far, why keep asking!!
Click to expand...

I'll second that. I hate it when ppl are like "What should I buy?" Then turn around and ignore experienced advice givers and get what they planned on to begin with. Really, why ask?:scrutiny:
 
i would go with the taurus first.

next would be the rossi.

and also the charter arms arent terrible revolvers.
 
I've had a LOT of heavy rounds through my old M971 with no timing or any other problems. I'd not hesitate to buy an EIGHTH Rossi. I have 2 revolvers at the moment, a .22 M511 and an old M88 that is very well made/put together. Fit and finish on this gun, bought in 1981, ware way ahead of those built around 1990 that I've owned. However, since the Taurus acquisition, they've gotten back to building really NICELY put together and finished guns. The price is, frankly, hard to believe, the quality is so good.
 
My objective was to try to spend under $250. I want it to handle at least .38sp +p ammo.
Click to expand...

used gun. Locally a new Rossi .38 snub is $300.

Armscor 206 colt detective clone and Rossi 461 or 462 357 mags.
Click to expand...

Looked at an Armscor a year or so ago. That particular specimen was pretty rough looking.
 
Academy sports and outdoors has the Rossi 461 blued snubby .357 six shot for $245. Bout 25 bucks more for stainless, the 462. I've been thinkin' about it. They are a handy sized gun, but really, I have other guns that work as well. One's a 3" Taurus M66, just a little larger square butt frame, but it's pretty light and compact IWB and quite accurate.
 
I picked up a nice Rossi 2.5" Mod. 68 in perfect condition for $185. It has been perfect so far.
 
Quote:
Taurus. I know start an argument but I have Taurus' I consider equal to a S&W

Are you serious? As for Ruger rating higher in quality then S&W..again..are you serious?

Please read my post. I said I consider Ruger the equal of Colt and S&W in quality. I have never had or seen a Ruger revolver break but I've seen a lot of broken S&Ws. Not the norm but I do have "a" Taurus 85 that I would equal to a S&W. I didn't say Taurus.
 
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