Well, I am dipping my toe into the waters. Picked up a 461 from my dealer after the obligatory 10 day California wait. 2" snubby .357 that will be used with .38 Specials only.
First impressions. Well, it isn't a Smith, Colt, or Ruger, but it isn't bad either. Far from it actually. The polish is well done, the blueing is even. Inside the frame the cylinder window appears to have the texture of a cast part, but these are supposed to be forged. I assume Rossi doesn't polish the inside of the frame as a cost saving measure, but it cannot be considered rough, more of a heavy beadblast. In fact, rubbing my hand over the whole revolver reveals no sharp or rough edges save for the hammer spur (which will be gone tomorrow). Crisp edges aplenty, and a few that may be too crisp for long term comfort, but nothing to draw blood. The basic shape is slightly off from what my eyes expect, no doubt due to many years of looking at Smith and Colts, but it grows on you when you realize just how compact it is. It is indeed a Colt DS sized gun, which I still think has a viable place in the snubby market. I would have radiussed a few thing differently, but it is not bad overall. If the California DOJ thought we were grownups and allowed us the option of the SS version (R462), I would be out in the garage now reshaping a few things, but since mine is blued, well.....
The DA pull is a bit heavier than I care for, but extremely smooth, which surprised me no end as I have yet to clean the factory grunge from the innards. What completely blew me away was the SA pull. I keep reading comments from folks who say it will not have a Smith quality trigger, both here and in other threads, but this one has a trigger that any Model 14 Masterpiece would be proud to boast of. In fact, I have had a Smith or two that was not as smooth as this, although it didn't take a lot of work to improve those dramatically.
Once I pull the side plate and clean out the interior, I plan on using something like Action Lube or Action Magic from Brownells. If I notice any rough edges, a very careful stoning will also be performed, taking care not to change any angles or dimensions, but just relieving burrs. I will not toy with the springs whatsoever.
A left handed Ray's Shado clamshell was in the holster box, meant for a J-frame. Works as though it was made for this exact gun, and will get soaked and boned to perfect what is already a great fit.
Of course the proof is in the actual performance, so it will get stretched out this weekend at the range. After that? If it survives 500 rounds over the next couple of range trips, it will be deemed good enough for a backup house weapon. Reason being I can lock it up easily with the Taurus style hammer block to protect it from the inquisitive hands of our ever more rambunctious 2 1/2 year old.
This kid is into everything, and if you are foolish enough to allow him a glimpse of where dad keeps his keys, phone, tacticool flashlights, etc, he is right there! We solved the flashlight problem by giving him a plastic AA LED light of his own. The keys and phone are stored up high on hooks, as this little snubby will be, but the lock is the insurance, along with the key on a cord around my neck. When the boy gets older, we can start with instructions, but for now "This is daddy's toy, not yours" seems to be only a momentary deterent. Thus the appreciation of the hammer lock Any other suggestions would be appreciated, and a mini handgun vault is due via UPS any day now. Not a battery operated model by the way.
Hmm, thread drift. Okay, thus far the R461 gets a provisional nod as being built okay.
