Smith and wesson .38 or rossi 357?

[Younggunner]

Hello,
I'm pretty new to the area of handguns, I've handled them but only shot an old taurus 22 revolver. I use rifles and shotguns more. My question is should I get a smith and take a less potent caliber or get a lesser revolver and a have a 357? Is a 38 really that inadequate? And does rossi make reliable guns? It's a revolver so what can be the biggest problem?? The smith is $220 without tax the rossi is $370 without tax... What would you do?

 

[ArmedBear]

Get the Smith for $220.

I wouldn't feed a Rossi a steady diet of magnums anyway, and the Smith is a nicer gun for less.

Dry fire both in Double Action at the shop. The decision will be an easy one.

 

[bja5006]

Definitely the Smith.

I have a Rossi 461 (.357). The extractor spring collar broke, cylinder release spring broke, all within the first year. It still functions, but isn't worth much anymore. It never leaves my nightstand now.

Bought a S&W 442 (.38+P) and carry it all the time, shoot it often, no problems.

Sounds like you're getting a REALLY good deal on a Smith, especially these days.

.38 spl is NOT inadequate. Everyone would carry a .500 mag in a perfect world.

 

[Younggunner]

Ok it's a 4 inch and it's double action only, but I like that, it looms a little more modern to me.

 

[MCgunner]

I've owned a handful of Rossis and they're all decent guns. I still have two that I like. I don't care for Smith's lock design and the Rossi has no lock, but .38 is PLENTY for self defense and there's lots of effective ammo out there. The Rossi .357 M462/461 is all steel and kind of heavy. The 642 is the perfect pocket revolver for self defense, light for pocket carry and easily carried all day long. Between the two, excluding that the Smith is generally a slicker gun, better trigger, I'd give the nod to the 642 for carry and it's about the most affordable Smith in their line. Yes, Rossi does make reliable guns, but at full price, around 400 bucks, the Smith 642 is a better deal, really, for a carry gun IMHO. At the price you're quoting, it's a steal. I can still buy a 462 Rossi for around 300 bucks at Academy, so I think that Rossi quote is too high. Get the Smith. Check it over real good for timing and looseness, follow the sticky on revolver check out, but if it checks out, it's by far the best deal and the best carry gun of the two IMHO.

 

[MCgunner]

BTW, I don't see a model number on the Smith and Wesson of which you speak. You're saying the Smith is a 4". Might be a M10, great hardware, but not real concealable compared to the 642 of which I speak. I think I'd shop on, myself. I have a Rossi I really like, good gun, but that price is high. I'm assuming concealed carry, though. If you're not going to carry it often, get the Smith and live happy cause no matter what the model number, that's a killer price.

 

[Jim K]

Get the S&W.

Jim

 

[Younggunner]

Mcgunner the model is the model 64 and I can choose between a hogue grip or a wood grip. I'd like the hogue though just because it feels more comfortable.

 

[Oro]

Get the Smith for $220.

+1. I think you see the trend here. That's a great deal on an S&W .38 in good condition, regardless of model (and a screaming deal on some).

 

[Dr_2_B]

Yeah, Smith.

 

[Iggy]

Another vote for the Smith.

 

[pharmer]

Even if the S&W was $370 and the Rossi $220 (which is how I read it the first time) I'd get the S&W. Joe

 

[frankiestoys]

38/357

I own two smith's, good reliable guns iv'e never had a problem with any of them.
Never owned a Rossi ,not my first choice, maybe for the right price and function.
A 38 is more then enough for HD,drop in some hollow points.
Look at a Ruger before you buy, IMO they rule.

 

[wnycollector]

+1 on the S&W .38. Since it is a 4" barrel, feel free to load it with ANY manufacturers 158gr +P LHP. Georgia arms makes a nice inexpensive version of this classic load (its been stopping bad guys for 50+ years). By buying the .38 you can save $150 and spend it on as much range ammo and targets as you can afford. Then go out and PRACTICE!

 

[content]

+1 for the S&W the price is great // get model number and serial number and check back for DOB first/// buy some 38special 125gr. FMJ blazers and have a blast.

 

[weregunner]

It's Rossi time!
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=20474.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=12417.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=1187.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=9149.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=7534.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=6792.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=7536.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=3639.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=1801.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=8593.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=247.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=8696.0

I do own a 462. Cylinder lock up is tight, timing is excellent, no end shake, and the 158 grain rounds, either magnum or in .38 Special, hit to point of aim at 15 yards.

I like the 6th shot over the 5 shot snubbies.

There is also the Taurus new 856B2 six shooter to consider. Not the magnesium model of it as it is not +P approved. Then again, there are those who choose not to go +P for medical or other reasons.

 

[C-grunt]

Smith for sure.

 

[sidheshooter]

I own both a 4" DAO S&W model 64 (ex-NYPD) and a Rossi .357 (742, an older 6-shot interarms gun from the 90's).

I have shot both a lot, and both work. That said, since I have exemplars of both guns myself, I feel fairly qualified to say this:

Step away from the computer! Go buy the S&W! Now!

That's a great deal for what is probably a very serviceable weapon. You can load it up with buffalo bore 158 gr LSWCHP +P and have as much punch as anyone really needs out of that 4" tube. I have shot bowling pins with my 64 and the old cor-bon version of that hot BB load, and it smacked 'em right off the table.

For $220, you could pay extra to have a decent gunsmith slick the dickens out of the action and still*come out ahead, IMHO.

 

[kanook]

Get the Ruger. (just kidding) The price of the Smith at $220 is a steal. It might be easier to sell the Smith if you decide and you will probably get all your money back, the Rossi might be a harder resale to recoupe all your investment.

 

[MCgunner]

Mcgunner the model is the model 64 and I can choose between a hogue grip or a wood grip. I'd like the hogue though just because it feels more comfortable.

A, STAINLESS M10. And, for $220? I'd have not been able to get my wallet out fast enough, personally. Buy it on credit if you have to. LOL You can buy a carry piece that's a little easier to tote, later, if that's what you're really looking for, but I don't like passing up killer deals like this, myself. It may not be the perfect carry, but would be OK IWB if you needed and a super home defense revolver and a lot of fun and, well, for $220, if it's in good shooting shape, get it. I like the Rossis, too, just 370 is too much for one, I can get one for quite a bit less, and that's just a killer deal on a Smith 64.

Oh, you're right on Hogues. I love Hogues on most revolvers and even my Ruger P series pistols. I have Hogues on my 4" M10 Smith and my 3" M66 Taurus .357 carry. They feel awesome and natural in my hand.

 

[skoro]

Go NOW!

That S&W Model 64 for $220 is an unbelievably good deal. Buy it this morning, if someone else hasn't gotten it first.

 

[weregunner]

Price being the overall factor here the S&W product gets the nod.

This would be more in line for a Rossi in .38 Special.
Rossi 851, 4in Barrel, 38Spl, Rubber Grips, Blued $295.00 new - BudsGunShop.com

Not 370 smackers.

It's about $335 for a Rossi in .357 magnum.

 

[weregunner]

There's nothing wrong with saving up for a .357 magnum in Rossi or Taurus guise. Just that are you able to shoot .357 mags reliably and well.

For some people the .357 magnum is a bit much. Especially if used for a home protection gun. The noise factor and the fireball indoors can become debilitating.

The .357 magnum revolver is more versatile than a .38 Special one, but the .38 Special in 158gr. lead semi-wadcutter hollowpoint, Speer 135gr +P Gold Dot, and other fine rounds have been getting the job done well for decades.

Not everyone needs the extra power of the .357 mganum.

Short shot to shot recovery time,ammo cost,easier to become more proficient with a revolver, and less muzzle flash and recoil make the .38 Special an excellent choice.

 

[Homerboy]

Model 64 DAO? Sounds like a cop gun. NYPD maybe? We used to carry those.

 

[ArmedBear]

I don't care for the finger-groove Hogues on a square butt gun (or a square-butt style grip). They work fine on a round butt, IMO, but on the square butt, they force my fingers into odd angles.

I replaced the factory Hogues with Ahrends tactical no-groove wood grips on my 686, and both I and my wife, despite different-size hands, prefer the wood grips.

YMMV