Your opinion of Rossi revolvers?

[Patriotme]

Gander Mtn. has a pretty good sale on Rossi .357's this week. I haven't thought about the brand for years. I've always thought they were "OK" or "Meh." I've shot some about a decade ago but haven't really paid any attention to the brand since Taurus bought them out.
A friend was asking me about Rossi handguns after seeing the sale flyer.
My question is how are they today? Has Taurus brought their issues to the brand? Are they no longer worth a look as a budget gun and are they made in house at Taurus (as Remington and Bushmaster now together) or still in their own facility? If they're made alongside the Taurus handguns I'll probably give them a pass.
Thanks in advance.
BTW, this is intended as a budget gun for a friend that is counting every dollar. $350 for a 6" stainless steel .357 Magnum seemed like a good value if it's not a complete POS.

 

[wheelgunslinger]

Meh is a good way to describe them. Ok quality. Ok function. Some regular problems. Mostly ok.
He can take that 350 bucks and buy a used Smith, Ruger, or Dan Wesson in 357, after doing the revolver checkout stickied in the revolver section, and have money to buy ammo or speedloaders or a holster.
Revolvers can rely as much or more than pistols on quality of machining, since they're basically a Victorian clockwork device for shooting bullets downrange. Don't go cheap, but do go inexpensive, if you're on a budget.
I've seen Smiths with the lawyer lock for as low as 250 in great shape.
There's really no point in buying 2nd or 3rd tier makers when the better quality stuff is so cheap 2nd hand.

 

[frankmako]

they are ok, some what. but at that price i would look for a used s&w and/or ruger.

 

[Patriotme]

Good points.
I've seen used S&W Highway Patrolman .357's for $300-$350 now at then at local gunshows. That might be the way to go.

 

[BCCL]

Over the last 20 years or so, I've owned at least around 8 Rossi revolvers from .22 -.44 special, from snubs to full size, and actually shot them a lot.

I've had exactly 1 problem, with a .22 that one sideplate screw would not stay tight.

 

[wheelgunslinger]

I blew one nearly apart with magnum handloads that my smiths handled just fine. All the clearances started spreading progressively.
Probably it would have done fine with 38's.

 

[ball3006]

I have one I bought last fall. It looks nice, workmanship is fine and shoots just great. The double action trigger pull is a bit heavy but the single action trigger pull is real nice. I consider it money well spent......chris3

 

[gmh1013]

After problems with the firing pin breaking on the 3rd shot new ....sent it back to Rossi and four weeks later got it back......so far so good.
Ive fired maybe 400 rounds of non +p in the little 38.....mine is a 38 snub but I dont think I would trust .357's even if it was made for.

 

[bigtubby]

Wish I could find those used smith's for $250.00 to $350.00

 

[MtnSpur]

It's a budget gun and, IMHO, not worth the money. You can find a GOOD used S&W for the same money that'll shoot fine, have a much better trigger and the craftsmanship is top drawer.