Snub Nose .357mag

[DAVIDSDIVAD]

I can personally attest to this gun's decent quality.

It actually has a pretty nice trigger on it. A little heavy, but very nice.

[ circular logic LULZ]

Pfft, to everyone advocating S&Ws, just forget about regular S&W revolvers.

You need to get a Performance Center Snub nose if reliability is important to you.

I mean, if you buy a regular S&W you're just skimping when you could save up and get something that you can trust.

[/circular logic]

 

[Clarence]

I shopped a little and picked up my 642 slighly used (less than 50 rds) for $335

 

[DAVIDSDIVAD]

Whoa, that's a pretty sick deal you got there, clarence.

When was this?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Yet another reason why I don't like S&W, the fanboys

captainofiron,
Since you posted that below a quote from me I'm guessing you were referring to me. I fail to see how anything I said would make it seem like I'm a S&W fanboy. I even said, "Good luck with your revolver. I'm sure you will enjoy it..." yet you still chose to act like you did. I said nothing about the Taurus/Rossi product, I only addressed two statements I thought were incorrect in which you said something bad about a company, not I.

IMO that's really not a good way to act when you are new to a forum but that's just me I guess...

 

[captainofiron]

captainofiron,
Since you posted that below a quote from me I'm guessing you were referring to me. I fail to see how anything I said would make it seem like I'm a S&W fanboy. I even said, "Good luck with your revolver. I'm sure you will enjoy it..." yet you still chose to act like you did. I said nothing about the Taurus/Rossi product, I only addressed two statements I thought were incorrect in which you said something bad about a company, not I.

IMO that's really not a good way to act when you are new to a forum but that's just me I guess...

dont get your panties in a knot, I was referring to everyone

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Not even here a week and already making friends..... Well done.

 

[MCgunner]

I figured the Taurus/Rossi bashing would start. The Rossi is a decent gun for a real decent price. The Victoria Academy has 'em for that price, too, their regular price on the gun. The stainless version is only about $290.

I had an SP101 for a while and wouldn't mind another one, but this time with a 3" barrel. The SP101/Rossi weight guns are about the lightest .357s I wanna fire much. Neither is light enough for a pocket, so I have a Taurus M85UL stainless for carry as well as a little Kel Tec P11 and I carry them all year in a pocket. I rarely wear anything more'n a T shirt for a cover garment, even a vest can be too much. If you are in Corpus, you know why, even this time of year. Pocket carry suits me the best.

I haven't replaced that SP101 because I found a great used Taurus 66 3" at a gun show some time back for $180. The Smith and Wesson snobs have run the price of used K frames out the roof and, frankly, I prefer the Taurus 66's beefier frame in the forcing cone area and ROUND forcing cone. I've had a K frame crack a forcing cone before. I also prefer the frame mounted firing pin to the hammer mounted. I've had a hammer mounted pin break before on a Rossi 971. Also, my two Taurus 66s are more accurate than the two K frames I've owned, a 19 and the 10 I still have.

I don't know about comments that the Rossi won't last. I have a M68 that's fantastic, great shooting gun, tight as a drum, perfect timing, and I bought it in 1981. It seems to have lasted quite a while. This one particular gun is of very high quality fit and finish which Rossi seemed to get lax on in the late 80s, early 90s, but has come back lately. Smith and Wesson has had its ups and downs over the years, too. Right now, IMHO, it's down.

Anyway, don't let the Smith snobs pee in your Cherrios. It's a good little gun and will serve you well. Most of the people that bash Taurus and Rossi have no clue, have never owned one, would be below them to do so. Might have to get their noses out of the air and face reality. I've gotten completely away from Smith and Wesson, stupid pricing. Back when I could get a 642 for $305 less than a decade ago, I thought about getting one, lock and all, but my Taurus 85 is a better gun for me. I prefer the hammer spur and prefer the smoother, lighter DA trigger it has to any J frame I've ever handled. My Rossi trigger is smooth, but stiffer. That Taurus is budda, a real pleasure to shoot DA and very accurate. Frankly, it's a better gun for less money than a 642. If you refuse to believe that, it's your prerogative. We've been down this road before in every Taurus/Rossi thread that has ever been created. I don't go into 642 threads and bash 642s, but then I have some manors and ain't so pissy.

 

[captainofiron]

Yea I know exactly what you mean man.

Im originally from West Texas, so the humidity and just plain year round summer heat kills me. (I usually laugh when I see people in thick jackets when it gets down to like 60 degrees)

Since I have moved down here, I am pretty much in cargo shorts year round, so I wanted a little pocket gun with some balls, which is why I wanted a snubby that could handle a full strength 357, ALTHOUGH, my wrists probably wouldnt last so long doing that with a snub nose.

All I had before was a shoulder rig for my Jericho, because pretty much every night you need at least a light jacket , even if it was 110 degrees during the day, at night it would always drop down to around 40-50 degrees.

We've been down this road before in every Taurus/Rossi thread that has ever been created. I don't go into 642 threads and bash 642s, but then I have some manors and ain't so pissy.

Exactly the problem, people like to take a crap in other peoples threads but dont call them on it or they get their feelings hurt

 

[Guillermo]

all of this "brandism" is kind of fun to watch.

I have owned several revolvers...Tauruses (Tauri?), a Ruger, as well as Smiths and Colts.

Had a bad Taurus experience and a good one.

Had one bad new Smith experience (although they fixed it immediately) and have a buddy that had two.

Two used guns, a Smith and a Ruger, have needed attention too (The manufacturers fault? In one case probably yes, the other case probably no)

I have never had a moments trouble with either of my Colts. (a python and the DS that is on my hip as I write)

All of this is to say that no company is perfect.

Good luck with your Rossi

 

[seeker_two]

In my experience, it pays to pay a minimum for certain guns. I have a tuned up Taurus 605, which I like, my 642 is just better. I've had my first Taurus fail on me after 100rds and I had to send it back to Taurus, & I've seen more than a handful of Rossi snubs have problems. My S&W, if it ever were to have a problem, I can just take it to any of a choice of gun smiths around here who I trust.

Out of curiosity, why couldn't your gunsmith work on the Taurus?

IMHO, I'd rather spend my money locally than give it to FedEx and wait for Taurus to get around to it....

 

[DAVIDSDIVAD]

Out of curiosity, why couldn't your gunsmith work on the Taurus?

IMHO, I'd rather spend my money locally than give it to FedEx and wait for Taurus to get around to it....

The one time I had a Taurus fail, they paid for me to ship it to them in florida, and they paid for the return shipment.

no money out of my pocket

 

[scottishclaymore]

I think you will find that the recoil of the .357 Magnum rounds out of your Rossi will not be anything difficult to handle. Like I said before, I have the same gun, but blued. Mine actually has a very nice trigger on it.

I will admit all of the brand-bashing here seems a little silly to me. My experience with Rossi's thus far has been that they are good guns that do the job for a lower price than you'd have to pay for the same thing in another brand. But I've had positive experiences with Smiths, too.

Seems to me if you found something you like and are comfortable with, you've done well. Personally, I have found the grip on my Rossi to be one of the best I've handled.

 

[Interceptor_Knight]

I use a Rossi with a ported snub barrel and love it.

 

[saltydog452]

capn, if youre willing to broaden your ideas as to what is/isn't a 'snubby' to include 3" barrels, you'd have more choices.

Fewer real good ones though.

salty

 

[captainofiron]

yea, actually I was looking at some 3" models too, but the 2" fit in my cargo pants pocket easier, so I decided to go with it instead.

plus, this city where I am living right now is like the arse hole of Texas, there is nothing, I have never seen such a backward and undeveloped medium to large city in my life.
So when I see a good deal I take it.
Because I dont have the luxury of using an online store.
I tried once and a few of the local shop owners wanted to charge me 100 bucks for an FFL transfer.
I hate South Texas, seriously

 

[glockman19]

if quality and dependability are important................

S&W 642
S&W 640
S&W 649

I would NOT trust a Taurus or Rossi firearm as a CCW weapon.

 

[BlayGlock]

My brother-in-law has that Rossi, its has been a great gun for him and is his everday carry gun. I like it personally as well.
I also have 4 Taurus revolvers, and have not had a probelm with any of them. The Taurus 605 .357 mag snub is the best bang for your buck IMHO. You can still get them around $300-325 NIB.
I agree with the Capn that S&W fanboys can be insufferable at times, especially when they havent ever shot a anything else and have no experience to back up thier opinions.

 

[doc540]

go to www.gunbroker.com and use their "find FFL" search feature.

That might help.

And I haven't read every post and might have missed it, but I strongly recommend you shoot a .357 snub before you throw the cake down for one.

 

[earlthegoat2]

maybe getting the gun you want irregardless of the grip type then put a 3 finger grip on it.

 

[rswartsell]

I went back and reread the original post to see what the OP wanted from this thread he clearly asked for opinions on Taurus and Rossi and preempted advice on S & W unless they could be had for Taurus and Rossi prices (fat chance of that).

OK, they are cheap guns. Not junk but cheap guns, you will get what you pay for. That is an opinion on Taurus and Rossi that you wanted. If you want me to be more specific I don't feel that fit, finish or accuracy will be in the league of more pricey revolvers. I think the Taurus has a slightly better chance of having good accuracy and a much better chance of heading back to the factory shortly for an initial quality/function issue. Most reports I have heard tell me you will not like that experience. I have owned a Rossi and shot Taurus and have had close gun buddies that owned Taurus. I would not depend on the longevity of either under heavy use. I would call a Rossi a reasonable choice for a cheap CCW that is not shot much, but don't want to spin the big wheel on the reliability of a Taurus for a CCW SD weapon.

If you are looking for someone to stroke you by saying how smart you were to avoid the cost of a S & W, welll..don't get your panties in a knot and scratch my nards.

 

[george29]

^ exactly. I for one have owned Taurus & Rossi which is why I am a gun snob. I won't touch a Colt revolver either, they are not made with combat use in mind IMO. Even my 642 needed to be taken apart and cleaned up in the inside before it became smoother. If it's mechanical, it can fail. The one Taurus that worked very well for me was a 905, but the moon clips were just so flimsy that they kept loosing rounds.

And please dont come in here and tell me to buy a S&W, unless its under $450 NIB like these two revolvers.

For the price you are searching for you can find a good S&W M10 that The Rabbi is selling here (if he still has any).

 

[280shooter]

big frame snub nose and ported.

[/IMG]


heres a snub nose..its been to the Smith a few times..I changed grips now..went to the grippers.

 

[TexasRedneck]

Personally, I think it behooves all of us to recognize that budget constraints must be taken into consideration. The OP politely stated specific constraints, and given that, we would've been better served (IMO) to have focused on that alone.
Given that, I'll say that between the two, I'd have likely have gone with the Taurus - but that's me. There's also the consideration of which one feels best in the hands of the shooter.
I happen to collect Randalls, and have always found them to feel better in my hand than any of my Colt 1911's... Then I happened upon a killer deal on a Double Eagle a few weeks back. Took it out to the range - gotta tell ya, it's a STRONG contender to be my primary carry when I can wear clothing to conceal it. I was nailin' the x-ring on the first shot, and seemingly nothing I could do would change that - it simply goes where I want it. Best part was, I snagged it for $325 - it's only about a 90% gun, but since I was interested in it only for the fun of it, aesthetics didn't matter. Having found what it's capable of, I'm even happier, since most carry guns tend to get banged about anyways.
Bottom line guys - let's try a bit harder to be considerate of others, eh? While it may not be OUR gun of choice, when someone specifically asks about something with budget constraints, let's respect that and help 'em best we can. If you feel THAT strongly about another gun - then offer to sell 'em one of yours for their price.

 

[Gunz]

A man buys what he can afford, at the time he wants or needs something.

Sometimes, the BEST gun the the one a person actually HAS with him.

Most gun buyers never really shoot the guns as much as gun enthusiasts. Ammo and range fees cost money.

Nothing wrong with a Rossi if he shoots it, proves it works, and he carries it with him.

That Rossi may be worth a lot more than a Performance Center Smith, or some fancy ultra-tight-and-finicky Custom 1911, when you have it on you instead of sitting at home.

I am fortunate enough to have different types of guns at various price ranges.

Oddly enough, I like this little cheapie EAA Windicator 357 with a 2in. barrel. It has 6 shots and a great little rubber grip. Finding a 6-shot j-frame steel revolver is unusual. The trigger is not slick like a Smith, nor is the blueing something special. It DOES hold 6 rounds, of 125gr JHP, and it does work, and I carry it with me more often than I thought I would. Strange how things work out some times.

 

[jl1966]

I have owned S&W, Ruger, Taurus and Rossi revolvers. If you want reliability and durability get a ruger. S&W makes a nice slick actioned gun. I feel taurus and SOME Rossi guns are as durable and dependable, just not as slick. Rugers are heavy guns, but you could build a wooden box using the ruger as a hammer, put all the others in it and nail it shut, then go shoot the ruger for the rest of your life. I have a Rossi that I have carried since the mid nineties, never babied it, throw it in a pocket or in a bag and go, only problem I ever had was when I first got it the ejector rod unscrewed itself and locked the cylinder shut. I got it open and screwed the rod in tight, and have had no other problems in last 15 years. Recently picked up another Rossi same m68 model but newer, I do not feel this one is as well made. If I were looking for strictly target gun such as for PPC or silhouette, definitely a S&W. I would not depend on one for long term rough service though. Most people who are honest about it will tell you that a model 19 or J frame Smith will not stand a long diet of heavy loads. It all depends on your pocketbook and what you want from the gun.