Smith and wesson .38 or rossi 357?

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Ok, like I said, I'm new to handguns so I have a question about the revolver itself...
Why is there only a front sight on the gun? I know it's not a sniper rifle but does this affect the accuracy of the gun at all? Does it really matter of is it just a different design? Because I know the rossi does have a rear sight.
 
Every M64 I've seen has a notch rear sight in the frame backstrap just like the M10 blued variant. No, I wouldn't want a gun without sights, though some have been made. Even an NAA mini has SOME kind of sight, tiny as it may be. Pick it up and sight down the top strap and see if the front sight doesn't all into a notch. I guess it COULD be machined out, but I'm not sure why anyone would do that if they could. I could understand removal of the front sight (more anti-snag) quicker and that would be a lot easier to do.
 
The model 64 has fixed sights. The notch in the rear is the rear sight. I have it's brother the model 10. the gun shoots great. It's a steal at that price.
 
What I was trying to say. It's not an adjustable, but it will shoot straight, probably regulated for 158 grain. Fixed sight guns are desirable for carry as the sight can't be broken off or can't hang on clothing on the draw. The 64's front sight is very smooth ramped for snag free draw, too. Some front sights with a more target partridge profile present a sharper angle, can catch and grab on things if used for concealed carry.
 
Oh,trust them indeed. Not necessarily. Had to go there,eh?

http://www.firearmsid.com/Recalls/FA_Recalls 5.htm
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/indexphp?topic=8478.0

There's that S&W superiority again. Take a loooong look at the recalls in the link.

That and the fact that S&W was sued over the SIGMA by Glock and Glock won.
Those links can be brought forth if needed.

Since the Taurus users actual use trumps others who have no Tauri then anything else written about them would seem irrelevant.

S&W builds good guns. They do not have the corner on the market for overall assumed superiority.-------------------------------------------------------

The above is from another thread at TFL forum. This is from a dredged up ancient thread about a year old that some one felt obiliged to add their 2 cents worth to. Why after almost a year the advice was tacked on we can only guess at.

The OP had or would have made his choice long before that. Nor did he say which way he did choose. We wish him the best on which ever choice he made.

The same thing happened there as here.Those who had little or no direct experience with the product were either saying something else was superior when that was not the proven case. No hard data don't you know. Or the "anointed ones" who feel they are superior to everyone were to take their word as gospel over the owners who actually used the product and it ws found satisfactory by the msjority of users.

Rossi builds good ones,too. Their users have the actual experience with the guns. No one else does.

So look all the evidence over that is put forth and then decide wisely.

What ever fiits you and your needs better is the one to pick.
 
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If you can find a Rossi Model 68 in .38 Spl. for around $200 I would say that is a better deal than either of the other two. Best revolver Rossi ever made.

I've got a model 68 that I bought new back in the mid-80's. It hasn't been shot TOO much, but it's a nice, tight little gun with excellent fit and finish. Not rated for +P though.
 
If the Smith is in good condition get the Smith. If the Rossi is in good or bad condition don't get it. Or in other words, don't buy any Rossi in any condition, at any time or any place. I have a Rossi 357 I bought new and I can assure you that you don't want one. I also recommend you pass on any Taurus. Stick with Smith or Ruger.
 
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

youngunner...............i hope you are NOT still THINKING about it.:confused:

go out NOW and get it and don't look back. you will not regret it.:)
 
I've got the Rossi .38 5 shot and love it. All steel, plus P rated and it was $259. Passed on the S&W. X
 
SW will most likely hold value better. I had a Rossi 357, yoke screw fell out after about 300-400 rounds. I ordered a couple of replacements, but they kept sending the wrong one then amazingly the range guy found it and we locked it in. Gun was still shooting well and tight - sold it shortly after.
 
J&G Sales has loads of these model 64's with bobbed hammers from $220 to $250.

Tempting...
 
J&G Sales has loads of these model 64's with bobbed hammers from $220 to $250.

I saw those too. I hate bobbed hammers though. I wonder if a new regular hammer would be a drop-in fit and what a hammer would cost. Might be a worthwhile project.
 
Rossi may be owned by Taurus, but the two Rossi's I have purchased have both digested over 1,000 rnds of .38 and .357 ammo with NO PROBLEM.

The ONE Taurus (model 66) I bought went through almost 100 and broke. The timing was off and one of the rnds slammed into the forcing cone seizing up the gun. I took it back and exchanged it for the Ruger.

Rossi's I trust. Taurus are hit an miss.
 
Is a 38 really that inadequate?

That question cannot be answered because use of the word "that" presumes that a .38 IS inadequate. Since a .38 is NOT inadequate in the least for self-defense, it cannot be "that" inadequate.

If it's a pre-lock Smith, get the Smith, bigtime. If it's a lock Smith, then meh, either/or.
 
I saw those too. I hate bobbed hammers though. I wonder if a new regular hammer would be a drop-in fit and what a hammer would cost. Might be a worthwhile project.

No, I believe the hammers are fitted parts, and the DAO models might require a new trigger as well (another fitted part).

Still tempting...
 
The question is like asking do you want a Lexus or a Yugo ???

Dump the Rossi idea and get the Smith. Smith and Wesson have been making pistols since ..... 1888 ??? They have it down pat and their products are excellent. If you want a .357, S&W make lots of different models, and their re-sale vale is excellent if you decide in the future to unload it.
Ohio Rusty ><>
 
Smith and Wesson have been making pistols since ..... 1888

1854, although their original design evolved into the Winchester rifle.

S&W re-formed their partnership in 1856, when they made their first revolver.

The first modern-style revolver was introduced by S&W in 1899 (DA Hand-Ejector design). Every DA revolver since has been based on this design.

That said, Mssrs. Smith and Wesson died a long time ago, and there have been some truly excellent revolvers made by other companies. Rossi isn't among them, however.
 
I just picked up a Rossi 461 2" .357 mag. I am impressed with the fit and finish of the parts. I assumed Rossi was a junky brand. It turns out the gun is made of forged steel from a design pre dating the merger with taurus.

So far my only concern is the relatively heavy DA trigger pull, SA is beautiful.

Compared to the quality of machine work within s&w ppk/s, I will take this rossi.

Mrs Smith&Wesson didn't have a keyhole in the side of her head back in the day either, since being purchased by saf-t-lock inc. They are guilty until innocent in my book.

I am going shooting soon, will shoot 125gr magnums and 140gr .38. If it turns out to be junk I will say so. For now, I have this tingly pride of ownership feel going on.
 
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