Younggunner
Member
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- Aug 12, 2009
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- 88
There is one of these rossi's at academy (my closest sporting goods store) for $370. does this seem like a deal? or should I save a little more and go for a ruger?
Rossi 6 inch 357 magnum reliability
- Thread starter Younggunner
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frankiestoys
Member
I dont own one, but fired one years ago while i was shopping for a target revolver.
Mind you this was a range gun, with i dont know how many rounds fired through it, the finish was still fair (ss) the grip well worn yet it still hit the target with 2 to 3 inch groups (25 yards) .
I then rented a taurus tracker, not so good.
Last but not least I rentd a Ruger gp 100 6'' ss th gun was as tight as a new , the range instructor said it was the oldest and most rented gun in the display.
Later that week i ordered one just like it.
The Rossi was ok but i knew after fireing several used revolvers there was no doubt
wich one was going to last.
IMO save a little more and buy a Ruger.
Mind you this was a range gun, with i dont know how many rounds fired through it, the finish was still fair (ss) the grip well worn yet it still hit the target with 2 to 3 inch groups (25 yards) .
I then rented a taurus tracker, not so good.
Last but not least I rentd a Ruger gp 100 6'' ss th gun was as tight as a new , the range instructor said it was the oldest and most rented gun in the display.
Later that week i ordered one just like it.
The Rossi was ok but i knew after fireing several used revolvers there was no doubt
wich one was going to last.
IMO save a little more and buy a Ruger.
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MCgunner
Member
The Rossi is a fantastic shooter for the money. Check it out before you buy as you would any revolver. Make sure of the timing, gap, end shake, etc. I had a 4" that was a favorite trail gun, more accurate than my Ruger Security Six and it was lighter on the hip for hiking. I love the frame size, sorta half way between J and K frames, light, but still rugged.
I had a firing pin breakage problem on mine and it's not the only one I've heard of doing that. My local gunsmith fixed me up after it went back to Interarms, came back and snapped on the second shot.
He said something about fitting it properly. I don't know, but 30 bucks to my smith and I never had a problem with it after that. I had probably around 4K through the gun, a hand full of rabbits in the field and a javelina that's hanging on my wall, when I traded it for a .45 Colt Ruger Blackhawk. Great trade, but I sorta miss the Rossi. I have a really fantastic shooting nickel Taurus 66 for a trail gun now that puts 'em into an inch at 25 yards, .38 or .357, so I don't miss it all THAT much even if the Taurus is a few ounces heavier.
I had a firing pin breakage problem on mine and it's not the only one I've heard of doing that. My local gunsmith fixed me up after it went back to Interarms, came back and snapped on the second shot.
He said something about fitting it properly. I don't know, but 30 bucks to my smith and I never had a problem with it after that. I had probably around 4K through the gun, a hand full of rabbits in the field and a javelina that's hanging on my wall, when I traded it for a .45 Colt Ruger Blackhawk. Great trade, but I sorta miss the Rossi. I have a really fantastic shooting nickel Taurus 66 for a trail gun now that puts 'em into an inch at 25 yards, .38 or .357, so I don't miss it all THAT much even if the Taurus is a few ounces heavier. Eightball
Member
Seems expensive for being a Rossi; for a hair more than that you can get a new Ruger or decent Smith.
Or, for ~$200, you can get a .38 model 10 on gunbroker. While I think that Rossi's expensive....without knowing your intent for owning the firearm (range toy, house gun, farm gun, etc), I would say to get a nice used option for less money, or save up a slight bit more coin for a significantly better new option like the Ruger or some S&Ws.
Or, for ~$200, you can get a .38 model 10 on gunbroker. While I think that Rossi's expensive....without knowing your intent for owning the firearm (range toy, house gun, farm gun, etc), I would say to get a nice used option for less money, or save up a slight bit more coin for a significantly better new option like the Ruger or some S&Ws.
Younggunner
Member
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2009
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- 88
It would be my side arm when I'm hogg hunting... Maybe the ruger seems like a better deal.
MCgunner
Member
I prefer my .45 Colt Blackhawk for a hog sidearm. I did used to carry a .357 and used it on one wounded hog, head shot, the .45 pushing a 300 grain XTP at 1120 fps from a 4 5/8" barrel is a little more gun for a big hog. .357 will work, though, 'cause it worked for me. I'd stay with the 6" barrel in the caliber, better ballistics. I have a 6.5" Ruger Blackhawk that's pretty awesome.
The price does sound a bit much, but hey, everything's going up so fast I can't keep up anymore. I saw a Ruger LCR yesterday in a gun shop for 659 bucks! They smoke crack in that place, I'm convinced. Academy has the same gun for 475. I ain't lookin' that just caught my eye. I was looking for an NAA mini master at the time, actually.
The price does sound a bit much, but hey, everything's going up so fast I can't keep up anymore. I saw a Ruger LCR yesterday in a gun shop for 659 bucks! They smoke crack in that place, I'm convinced. Academy has the same gun for 475. I ain't lookin' that just caught my eye. I was looking for an NAA mini master at the time, actually.
LeverGunJunkie
Member
I have a Rossi M971 4" .357 I bought in 1993 for $179 NIB. Still carry it as back-up when hunting. Great no-frills and reliably shooting gun. Works well for my purposes. My only complaint is the rubber grips on mine will not permit the use of a speed loader. They may have modified that in the last 16 years.
Now I feel old.
Now I feel old.
weregunner
Member
I'll let the Rossi owners tell the tale of the 971.
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=22079.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=10329.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=6754.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=10221.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=10468.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=15716.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=1187.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=800.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=15921.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=6411.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=6408.0
That's the short version.
Yes,there is a lot to go through. This is your money and research will help you out here.
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=22079.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=10329.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=6754.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=10221.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=10468.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=15716.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=1187.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=800.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=15921.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=6411.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=6408.0
That's the short version.
Yes,there is a lot to go through. This is your money and research will help you out here.
MCgunner
Member
Hmm, did you have the rubber finger grooved grip of the wood? I remember using speed loaders with mine. It was well relieved, the rubber style grip. I can't recall having modified it. I remember my M88 Rossi, I had to put a bevel on the thumb cylinder release button 'cause it'd block the speedloaders. I had a Pachmayr Compac on that gun.
LeverGunJunkie
Member
MCgunner: Mine had rubber grips. I only tried speed loaders once or twice. I was new to the whole revolver thing at the time, and it may have very well been an "operator head space & timing issue." I had a friend with the same revolver mention he had a similar issue as I.
I may give it another shot. Not that I found it to be a big issue. Normally only used it with snake loads when afield, or the occasional finishing shot on a downed critter.
I may give it another shot. Not that I found it to be a big issue. Normally only used it with snake loads when afield, or the occasional finishing shot on a downed critter.
MCgunner
Member
I may have beveled the grip in that area with a dremel. I remember doing that to something, but it was a while back and I forget. I bet it was that Rossi to allow access for the speed loader. A 10A HKS worked fine, BTW, but I think I did modify that grip with a dremel now that I think about it. I do remember using the speedloaders for my M10 Smith and Wesson with it. Those are 10As, too.
BTW, the stock grips got in the way of the speedloader on the Smith. I had a pachmayr gripper on it for years which allowed the speedloaders. I shot that gun a lot in revolver competitions and used speed loaders with it. I have a Hogue on it now which works great. Unfortunately, with the Rossi, the Pachmayr Compac is the only aftermarket alternative I know of. I took the Compac off my M88 Rossi (5 shot .38) and put 'em on the 971 a few times and they work great, but looked a little stupid with a 4" barrel. They are easier to conceal under a T shirt, though. They will allow a speedloader to be used.
A 10A HKS worked fine, BTW, but I think I did modify that grip with a dremel now that I think about it. I do remember using the speedloaders for my M10 Smith and Wesson with it. Those are 10As, too.BTW, the stock grips got in the way of the speedloader on the Smith. I had a pachmayr gripper on it for years which allowed the speedloaders. I shot that gun a lot in revolver competitions and used speed loaders with it. I have a Hogue on it now which works great. Unfortunately, with the Rossi, the Pachmayr Compac is the only aftermarket alternative I know of. I took the Compac off my M88 Rossi (5 shot .38) and put 'em on the 971 a few times and they work great, but looked a little stupid with a 4" barrel. They are easier to conceal under a T shirt, though. They will allow a speedloader to be used.
Confederate
Member
I expect that you could find a good used Ruger Security-Six for roughly the same money, and those things will shoot forever.
I've owned Rossis and Tauruses over the years and the Rossis have always been the better guns. The Rossi line was never quite as beautiful, but they always worked, were always reliable and were always accurate. That said, the Rossi will not stand up over time to relentless magnum shooting (125gr JHP) like the Rugers, but what gun will? You'll find, I think, that they'll be fine if they're anything like the ones I've owned.
I've owned Rossis and Tauruses over the years and the Rossis have always been the better guns. The Rossi line was never quite as beautiful, but they always worked, were always reliable and were always accurate. That said, the Rossi will not stand up over time to relentless magnum shooting (125gr JHP) like the Rugers, but what gun will? You'll find, I think, that they'll be fine if they're anything like the ones I've owned.
MCgunner
Member
I cannot say my Rossis were better than my Tauri. I much prefer my two 66s and my 85UL. I sold a Rossi 88 when I got that 85 because it was so much better, lighter for carry and the trigger is just awesome, better than any Smith and Wesson I've ever tried or owned, best out of the box DA on the market at the time. That don't mean the Rossi is a bad gun, just that I like my 3 Taurus revolvers better.
The 971 I had would out shoot my old Security Six six ways to Sunday. It'd keep most loads into under 2" at 25 yards off the bench. The Security Six was accurate with a 140 Speer magnum load, but not with much else. Even a .38 wadcutter, accurate as hell in most .38s, went over 3 1/2 inches at 25 yards from a bench in that gun, pathetic. That's why I got rid of the Ruger. Also, felt recoil was terrible in that thing with magnum loads. The Rossi was much easier in recoil even though it was lighter. As a back packing and hunting side arm, it far out shined the Security Six. I traded that Security Six off for a Blackhawk that's much more accurate and much stronger never looked back. The security six was beginning to shoot a little loose, anyway, and that blackhawk had maybe a box through it when I traded for it.
Some folks seem to think the security six is fantastic, but I didn't really like the thing. The Rossi was a much better gun for what I used it for, don't care if theoretically it wasn't as strong. It shot better, it carried easier, and after 4K or so rounds, it was still tight. In the end, I traded it off, too, on another blackhawk, this time in .45 Colt. I like blackhawks.
For a K frame sized 4" .357, I now have a nickel Taurus 66. It out shoots my old M19 Smith, my Security Six, and my 971. It'll put 6 rounds into an inch from the bench at 25 yards with its favorite .357 OR .38. Awesome. It's a little heavier than the Rossi, but it shoots a bit better. It also has a frame mounted firing pin with a transfer bar action, a little bonus after that broken firing pin on the Rossi. The Taurus is a stronger gun in the forcing one area than was the Smith K frame, though the Ruger is a stronger design. But, I expect it'll last til I'm dead. I don't shoot it all THAT much. I gave $197 plus tax at a gun show used for that Taurus. One of the better deals I've ever done on a firearm.
The 971 I had would out shoot my old Security Six six ways to Sunday. It'd keep most loads into under 2" at 25 yards off the bench. The Security Six was accurate with a 140 Speer magnum load, but not with much else. Even a .38 wadcutter, accurate as hell in most .38s, went over 3 1/2 inches at 25 yards from a bench in that gun, pathetic. That's why I got rid of the Ruger. Also, felt recoil was terrible in that thing with magnum loads. The Rossi was much easier in recoil even though it was lighter. As a back packing and hunting side arm, it far out shined the Security Six. I traded that Security Six off for a Blackhawk that's much more accurate and much stronger never looked back. The security six was beginning to shoot a little loose, anyway, and that blackhawk had maybe a box through it when I traded for it.
Some folks seem to think the security six is fantastic, but I didn't really like the thing. The Rossi was a much better gun for what I used it for, don't care if theoretically it wasn't as strong. It shot better, it carried easier, and after 4K or so rounds, it was still tight. In the end, I traded it off, too, on another blackhawk, this time in .45 Colt. I like blackhawks.
For a K frame sized 4" .357, I now have a nickel Taurus 66. It out shoots my old M19 Smith, my Security Six, and my 971. It'll put 6 rounds into an inch from the bench at 25 yards with its favorite .357 OR .38. Awesome. It's a little heavier than the Rossi, but it shoots a bit better. It also has a frame mounted firing pin with a transfer bar action, a little bonus after that broken firing pin on the Rossi. The Taurus is a stronger gun in the forcing one area than was the Smith K frame, though the Ruger is a stronger design. But, I expect it'll last til I'm dead. I don't shoot it all THAT much. I gave $197 plus tax at a gun show used for that Taurus. One of the better deals I've ever done on a firearm.
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