Rossi 97104

[meatballs]

Hello. I was wondering if anyone has a Rossi 97104? What are your thoughts on this revolver? I have a Rossi 46202 that I'm happy with, and was considering a 97104. Thanks for your input.

 

[franco45]

Hey meatballs, I don't have the model you are asking about but I just ordered the 46202. I was hesitant to order it after a negative experience with a 38 spcl. Rossi years ago. I read that dry firing the 46202 is not advised. Is there anything else I need to know about the gun?

 

[Waveski]

I handled another Rossi 357 in a LGS about a year back. 6" stainless . Don't remember the model designation. Lock up was fair at best , but what really got my attention was --- when I rotated the cylinder play in lock up , trigger held back , the trigger waggled side to side. Lot of play for a new revolver.....

I have Smith & Wesson revolvers aged over 100 years that lock up better that that.

 

[meatballs]

Hi franco45. Dry firing is not advised as the firing pin is in the hammer. Just like the old Smiths. However, with snap caps you should be fine. So far my 46202 has been great. Plus, they are backed by a warranty, so if you have an issue, just send it in.

 

[Jim NE]

I have probably 15 old vintage Smith and Wesson revolvers and 7 Rossi revolvers, and generally, the Rossis lock up as tight if not tighter than the Smiths. I just checked the trigger for "waggle" on the .32 Rossi revolver I'm carrying right now, and it's as solid and stable as a trigger can be (and it's from the 1960's...which aren't the quality of the more recent Rossis.)

Smith and Wesson revolvers are better quality than Rossis, generally speaking, but Rossis tend to be good solid weapons, and any gun can leave the factory with problems.

I can't speak to the 971, but I have a 351 (my only Rossi from the Taurus era) and it's excellent. Good luck.

 

[franco45]

Thanks Meatballs.

 

[Jim NE]

I can't speak to the 971, but....

Oh wow... I can speak to the quality of the 971... I just went through my inventory last night, and it turns out I actually own one! I think I have too many guns.

To be fair, my 971 is an older Interarms version, so it's different from the new version in that it's stainless and has a 3" barrel. But it is an outstanding gun. The only issue is that, as with some Rossi and Taurus revolvers, the cylinder gap is a wee bit too close, so I wipe off the the forcing cone and cylinder face every 12 rounds or so. Taking down the forcing cone a little will fix the issue permanently. (It's currently about 3 and 1/2 thousandths.) A very solid and accurate gun...

..at least my old Interarms version.