huskybiker
Member
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2011
- Messages
- 51
Rossi Revolvers?
- Thread starter Kiln
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jahwarrior
Member
Sorry to necropost, but Huskybiker, where'd you get those grips? I recently acquired a RYW, and while it's a solid shooter, I'm not fond of the grips.
hAkron
Member
I have a thing for Interarms era late 1990's Rossi revolvers. I have a 6" 986 (cyclops), a 720 (3" 44 special), and a 6" 971. They are all decent cheap revolvers. The cyclops has a scope and is fun to shoot, but the grips are junk and fall apart. The 720 is a great design (think 3" k frame smith in 44 special), but it leads pretty badly...probably undersized cylinders...the 971 stainless hasn't been shot yet, but it feels very light for its size. They are just all cool cheap quirky revolvers.
I have three, a 51 6" 22, a 357 with built in comp, and a 972 44 I inherited from my brother. All have good actions, shoot accurately and are reliable. No, they aren't Smith's or rugers and they are my "fun" guns. All are from the 70's and are way better than the stuff they are sending us for the showcase today. Still better than the sister Taurii.
Deltaboy1984
Member
I sold one like that and still regret it.I have a .38 special M68 3" circa 1981...no pic currently available to link on this computer.
Here's my late 80s .22 caliber M511 sportsman. I LOVE this thing, extremely accurate. It has fired untold numbers of 550 round bulk pack Federals and still puts 'em under 2" at 25 yards. The new Federal "Auto Match" Walmart carries now will go into an inch for 6 shots at 25 yards. Amazing little kit gun and all stainless.
orionengnr
Member
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2005
- Messages
- 5,709
I wish they'd had the internet back when I had a Rossi revolver. I would have sold it to one of you guys, instead of throwing it in a lake... 
Mine was an M69 (IIRC). Blued, 5-shot snub, wood grips. Bought it at an Estate Sale back in 1983 or so. Looked like it had never been shot. Don't recall what I gave for it, but it didn't seem like that much. Of course, everything was a bunch cheaper back then.
Okay, when I took it to the range, I could fire one shot, and under recoil the cylinder would un-latch and open about 1/8 inch. Not enough to be obvious, but just enough that when I attempted to move the trigger again...nothing. I figured it out quickly, slapped the cylinder closed, and squeezed off another round. same thing. And again.
I took it home, cleaned it (again), verified that the thumb latch was not sticking. The ejector rod was not bent or sticking, and was square at the rear end. I fiddled around, tried it again, same thing.
Took it to a gunsmith who advised me not to waste my money on crap. Basically said it would cost more to fix it than it was worth. I took his word on that, although that experience soured me on revolvers for the next 20 years.
I found a 4" S&W M-66 on GB for something absurd, like $250, in 2004. Bought it, and since then I have bought and sold a bunch of used S&Ws. None of them have given me the first moment's trouble.
Long story short, I hope your experience is different (better) than mine, but I know where I'm spending my money.
Mine was an M69 (IIRC). Blued, 5-shot snub, wood grips. Bought it at an Estate Sale back in 1983 or so. Looked like it had never been shot. Don't recall what I gave for it, but it didn't seem like that much. Of course, everything was a bunch cheaper back then.
Okay, when I took it to the range, I could fire one shot, and under recoil the cylinder would un-latch and open about 1/8 inch. Not enough to be obvious, but just enough that when I attempted to move the trigger again...nothing. I figured it out quickly, slapped the cylinder closed, and squeezed off another round. same thing. And again.
I took it home, cleaned it (again), verified that the thumb latch was not sticking. The ejector rod was not bent or sticking, and was square at the rear end. I fiddled around, tried it again, same thing.
Took it to a gunsmith who advised me not to waste my money on crap. Basically said it would cost more to fix it than it was worth. I took his word on that, although that experience soured me on revolvers for the next 20 years.
I found a 4" S&W M-66 on GB for something absurd, like $250, in 2004. Bought it, and since then I have bought and sold a bunch of used S&Ws. None of them have given me the first moment's trouble.
Long story short, I hope your experience is different (better) than mine, but I know where I'm spending my money.
Wow, you threw a gun in a lake because a "Gunsmith" told you it wasn't worth fixing?
All it required was a stronger replacement cylinder latch spring.
At the very most, replacing the cylinder bolt.
Both jobs can be done in less than an hour and the cost would have been a tenth of the guns value.
Rossi would have fixed it for free at btheir repair center down in Florida though the turn around was pretty slow.
Now they are part of Taurus and getting repairs is a bit easier though just as slow.
BTW Most S&W parts can be fitted to Rossi guns.
I always thought them to be a sound value & kind of sad to see them go as I haver never felt quite the same about Taurus.
All it required was a stronger replacement cylinder latch spring.
At the very most, replacing the cylinder bolt.
Both jobs can be done in less than an hour and the cost would have been a tenth of the guns value.
Rossi would have fixed it for free at btheir repair center down in Florida though the turn around was pretty slow.
Now they are part of Taurus and getting repairs is a bit easier though just as slow.
BTW Most S&W parts can be fitted to Rossi guns.
I always thought them to be a sound value & kind of sad to see them go as I haver never felt quite the same about Taurus.
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rswartsell
Member
I think it depends on what you want and the habit of "proofing" your guns.
If you want the highest quality available (and are willing to pay for it), Rossi will never be your answer in revolvers. My experience causes me to rate them a bit above Taurus though. I realize they are essentially the same company but far too often the Taurus nameplate would either get a bit too ambitious or more lax in quality control.
If you are looking for a budget revolver that will simply do it's job and you are willing to sufficiently test before you count on them, you could do a lot worse than Rossi.
That's pretty much it in a nutshell.
If you want the highest quality available (and are willing to pay for it), Rossi will never be your answer in revolvers. My experience causes me to rate them a bit above Taurus though. I realize they are essentially the same company but far too often the Taurus nameplate would either get a bit too ambitious or more lax in quality control.
If you are looking for a budget revolver that will simply do it's job and you are willing to sufficiently test before you count on them, you could do a lot worse than Rossi.
That's pretty much it in a nutshell.
RealGun
Member
My Taurus 430 and my Interarms Rossi 851 are earlier vintage. I think they are both fine guns. My more recent Taurus Judge 2 1/2" cylinder, 3" barrel, SS looks and shoots like a fine gun too.
I looked at a new Rossi 851 and wasn't inspired to buy it. I wanted a 4", .38 Special, preferably with target sights, which does not allow many choices in my preferred stainless finish.
I looked at a new Rossi 851 and wasn't inspired to buy it. I wanted a 4", .38 Special, preferably with target sights, which does not allow many choices in my preferred stainless finish.
I have a 1993 model 720 (44 Special) It is an awesome weapon. Got it new. Best handgun Rossi ever made. Todays Rossi is not a weapon I would consider. The 720 has never let me down, or wanting. The trigger is super crisp, as good as any S&W. It is more accurate then I can shoot it. I carry it daily as my ccw.
I had a model 971 blued (357 magnum) Bought it new in 1998. I gave to my son. Never a problem with it. So I would say from the early 90s to the end of the 90s is what I would look for in Rossi.
I had a model 971 blued (357 magnum) Bought it new in 1998. I gave to my son. Never a problem with it. So I would say from the early 90s to the end of the 90s is what I would look for in Rossi.
palmetto99
Member
I have a M518 .22 revolver. Great little revolver. It was also imported by Interarms.
Another vote in favor. I bought a 462 (2" ss 357 mag)last April. I never imagined I would like it as much, or shoot it as much as I do. Functions great. It had a small burr on the firing pin bushing I filed off. No problems since. Breaks clay pidegons at 20 yards no problem. I have prolly put 300 .357's and double that amount of 38's thru it. My brother has an SP101, and we shot them side by side. Although Rossi cannot match Rugers quality, we both prefered the Rossi to shoot, and shot it better.
I ended up getting a Rossi R44102. With .44 mag the recoil is unbearable. Drop a couple rounds of .44 Special in that baby though and it is a sweet gun. Very large frame though, not really practical for anything but still fun.
If this experience is normal I wouldn't hesitate to grab another Rossi product.
If this experience is normal I wouldn't hesitate to grab another Rossi product.
RealGun
Member
That's a long way from looking at a .38 Special.
If I may offer a thought...I think you will do better to have a need or purpose in mind rather than impulsively grabbing whatever comes along because it's cheap or more toward what you want to afford. Now, I wouldn't be the first or last to be impulsive when something nice comes along, but I try not to fritter away money on stuff with zero collector value or that would take a big hit in resale.
Also, I have few that I wouldn't consider for CCW, hunting, home defense, or calling on in a crisis. Nothing wrong with a fun or range-only gun, but it wouldn't be a .44 Magnum that I don't like to shoot. That gun is primarily a reloader's gun.
IMO one who wants to shoot .44 Special should buy one scaled to that caliber only. It is a great carry gun in a dedicated caliber, medium size, but not the pussycat one finds when fired from a big frame, heavier than necessary, .44 Magnum. The .44 Special is appreciated more fully when it is the primary caliber in its own special design and appropriate weight.
If I may offer a thought...I think you will do better to have a need or purpose in mind rather than impulsively grabbing whatever comes along because it's cheap or more toward what you want to afford. Now, I wouldn't be the first or last to be impulsive when something nice comes along, but I try not to fritter away money on stuff with zero collector value or that would take a big hit in resale.
Also, I have few that I wouldn't consider for CCW, hunting, home defense, or calling on in a crisis. Nothing wrong with a fun or range-only gun, but it wouldn't be a .44 Magnum that I don't like to shoot. That gun is primarily a reloader's gun.
IMO one who wants to shoot .44 Special should buy one scaled to that caliber only. It is a great carry gun in a dedicated caliber, medium size, but not the pussycat one finds when fired from a big frame, heavier than necessary, .44 Magnum. The .44 Special is appreciated more fully when it is the primary caliber in its own special design and appropriate weight.
Sock Puppet
Member
Here's my old .38 Spec. Interarms imported Rossi M68:
Blade First
Member
The 720 variants are perhaps the best revolvers Rossi ever built. I have owned them in all sight and hammer versions and still retain one...the 720 Covert...with 3" barrel and no-snag hammer which makes it an outstanding carry choice given the caliber.
Bit of a bother finding after-market grips, [nothing from the factory but those tacky rubber finger-grooves which scream CHEAP!] but I managed to fit some S&W factory J-frame square-butt grips which absolutely transformed it as a carry piece.
Given the frame size and 5-shot capacity in .44 Special [use the Blazer 200g load] you'll be satisfied.
... Mr. O
Bit of a bother finding after-market grips, [nothing from the factory but those tacky rubber finger-grooves which scream CHEAP!] but I managed to fit some S&W factory J-frame square-butt grips which absolutely transformed it as a carry piece.
Given the frame size and 5-shot capacity in .44 Special [use the Blazer 200g load] you'll be satisfied.
... Mr. O
I got a Rossi 971 from a friend in need that had the rear sight blade (plastic) broken. Couldn't find a supplier, but found that the S&W "J" frame sight works, just a tad shorter. Got one off "E"Bay and cleaned it up, and the action is as smooth as butter. It compares equally with any Colt or S&W revolvers I own. Now to shoot it.....
Sock Puppet
Member
Recently picked up this M88 and finally got around to taking a picture. I haven't had a stainless Rossi since I (unfortunately) sold a .357 back in the 90's, and this one is in fine shape.
RealGun
Member
You're really workin' that sub-$500 range there. After an $800 gun or two, you won't look back.
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