First Rossi.....Anyone have any experience with them?

[Gator]

Just got a used Rossi (Interarms) revolver from a local shop. I have never owned one before but this one looks pretty well made. The fit and finish are fine, the lockup is tight, and the timing is right on; it even has a pinned barrel like the older Smith's. The trigger pull is even good. It is used but looks almost new and came with the original box and paperwork. Best of all it's in my favorite wheelgun caliber .44 Spl. The last two digits of the serial number are "44" too! For $200 out the door I had to have it.

Any comments on Rossi quality?

 

[MICHAEL T]

Ive owned 3 pistols ,2 38s and at present a 357 snub. Ive never had any real problem other than I couldn't stand the factory grips on the 357 so went to pacs feel better and less felt recoil. Its a sometime CCW, . Shoot yours and enjoy that what its for.

 

[SpiderJohn]

SWMBO had to have a model 720 (that is what yours is, BTW)after shooting one a friend of mine has. She loves it.

So, yes I am familer with two of them. One with a fluted cylinder and plastic front sight, and one with a non fluted cylinder and a metal front sight.

Many hundred of rounds through each, and they both are still great.

You have a great gun there, that never got the attention it deserved.

 

[461]

I bought a Rossi .38 for my wife about ten years ago, shot the heck out of it and sold it to a friend who is still a friend. The are a fine revolver, smiths don't like to work on them as the inner parts are a bit soft for custom work but then again that's not what they are about. Shoot and enjoy.

 

[Okiecruffler]

I have an old M88 That has literally thousands of rounds thru it, mostly light charged WC's, but also alot of reloads that were probably abit too heavy. Still tight as ever and one of my most accurate snubbies.
Dad has a 971 that has become his truck gun and occasional carry piece. The rear sight cracked at one time, but other than that no problems.
And then there's the elusive Cyclops that I'm always looking for, maybe some day.

 

[Trempel]

I still have my Rossi M-68, .38Spl with a 2" barrel. It's was my first gun, and before somebody told be that snubbies are not supposed to be shot a lot, I went ahead and put somewhere in the vicinity of 5K-6K of ammo through it. Even after this supposedly high round count, it shoots as if it was new. Still very tight, accurate and goes bang every time. I don't shoot it as often anymore, but when I do, I have full confidence in it.

 

[Diamondback]

I have two of the last of the Interarms Rossi imports......both 3" five shot pinned barrel 38 Special. One is a stainless M88 and the other a nickel M68 ( with a blackened trigger and hammer.....looks sweet against the nickel ! ). Both revolvers have over 5K rounds through them ( some +p ). They lock up tight, are accurate, and have never given me reason to doubt their quality. I have one of each NIB ( sometimes I will buy in pairs if I can get a deal and the price is right ) still sitting in my safe that I plan on giving to my neice and nephew if they want them.

-regards

 

[Red_SC]

My carry gun is a M88 in .38 special. It's a sweet pistol. It has a very nice trigger and is tight and accurate. It will really surprise those who think a snubby is doing good to group in a man-sized target at 7 yards! I'm sure you will be pleased with it.

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

My wife has a 2" Rossi stainless steel model 88 in .38 Special.
Grant it, it ain't a Smith, Colt, or even a Ruger; but its a neat
little firearm that has given her absolutely NO trouble at all.
She gave $208 + 8% sales tax for it in late 1994.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[sadp40]

i have a fluted metal sight 720

and i love it my 12 yr old loves it, everyone who shoots her loves her. i have shot everything from light cas loads to hot corbons thru her for the last 5 yrs or so what a well built fine weapon. i put a spring kit in her and lightly stoned the action and boy is she smooth at least as good as my model 27 smith. be safe and enjoy her for years to come.

 

[Pebcac]

I've had three, though I don't remember the model numbers. Two of the .38 2-inchers, one stainless and one blued, and a .357 stainless. Never had any problems out of any of them. They all shot well enough, and at the price I bought them, I'd sure like to have at least one of them back.

 

[WTM]

First revolver I owned was a Rossi 971. I had no problems with and can't understand why I traded it. Very accurate. I could get 3" groups at 25 yds. Which was much better than the S&W Model 15 I bought a few years later. WTM

 

[SpookyPistolero]

Gator,

I'm steaming with jealousy! I've been looking for a Rossi in .44 spl for a long while now, just like what you've got! Try and post a range report sometime if you get the chance, I'd love to hear how it handles. Also (forgive my ignorance) what is the model number?
In my humble experience the Rossi's are great guns. A friend had a .38 that he loved, and my sister's bedside gun is a non-fluted .357. Both had way better than average triggers, actually one of the few revolvers I can shoot well.
Take care, and watch your six!

-Spooky

 

[SpiderJohn]

Spooky,
That is a model M720.

You should be able to find them in the $225 to $275 range.

 

[Gator]

Hi Spooky!

I got it to the range last weekend. Its a darned nice little gun and suprisingly accurate....I was able to keep them in a 10" circle if I did my part. Now, a 10" group may not sound very good but considering this is from a three inch snubby at 50 yards it made me very happy.

This ones a keeper!

Good luck with your search.

 

[tulsamal]

I started out with the adjustable sight 720 and liked it so much I picked up a fixed as well. The only reason I actually carry the S&W M296 is weight. But I still use my adjustable. That's my ranch killing gun for large animals. I worked up a load with the Sierra 180 grain JHC bullet that shoots very well. If I have a Boer goat or other large animal that needs to be killed, I go get that gun. Cock the hammer and aim right between the eyes. Works every time and doesn't cause the huge mess a .44 Magnum would.

And the first time I took mine to the range I thought it had to be a fluke. That little gun shoots like a target pistol! It will just keep laying round after round right on top of each other. Mine aren't for sale either!

The only photo I have is with the 296 so you get to compare them as well!

Gregg