Rossi M88 3" Barrel and Federal 125 gr Nyclad and 110 gr Hydra-shok

Southern Shooter · December 7, 2011, 04:37 PM

Recently, I picked up an Interarms imported Rossi M88 with a 3" barrel in stainless to keep as a truck gun. It looks just like this one Rossi M88 3 inch barrel.jpg.

I know, before you start, it is NOT in the league of my S&W, Ruger, or, Dan Wesson revolvers. But, it is very tight. The metal and wooden grips are in great condition. And, at 10 yards it hits point of aim. Perhaps, $200 was too much for the gun but, it met the needs in mind and is a pleasure to grip...it just felt right.

Anyway, I am loading it with Federal 125 grain Nyclad and Federal 110 grain Hydra-shok Low-recoil.

Did I waste my cash??

Thanks

Walklightly · December 8, 2011, 05:12 AM

Either is fine. I like a heavier bullet, so the 125.

shurshot · December 10, 2011, 12:11 AM

I had one of those in 1985, brand new. I think I paid $179.00 + tax. Nice guns, but they ARE NOT +P rated. Stick to reg. .38's, wadcutters, LSWC, etc. and you will be fine. No, they are not S&W or Colt, but still nice little frigging guns anyway you slice it. I should have kept mine.

Stumper · December 10, 2011, 01:38 AM

I've logged many miles with a 3 inch m88 on my hip and have put well over a thousand rounds through mine. No they aren't +P rated...but +ps won't blow them up. Mine is still tight and accurate after lots of shooting including a few +ps. (And BTW the internal lockwork is S&W rather than Taurus' sloppier adaptation-Not Trashing Taurus but they do sometimes have issues.)

Southern Shooter · December 15, 2011, 09:31 AM

Thanks for the input, folks.

I wonder how old the little gun is.

I understood when I bought it that it was not +P rated. But, with the Federal 125 Nyclad back on the market, the Federal 110 Hydra-shok Low Recoil, and the newer Hornady 110 non+P Critical Defense .38 Special ammunitions...I figured the gun would still be a serviceable defense weapon that would require very, very little maintenance and could be locked in the truck dash ready to be used IF ever the the need arouse.

As tight as the lock-up is now, practicing with generic wadcutters and periodically with a box or two of the standard pressure defense loads, the gun will hopefully remain mechanically snug for a long time to come.

Thanks

Southern Shooter · October 29, 2012, 04:27 PM

FYI
Shortly after this thread I had decided to place a small gun in my 72-Hour Kit. This little stainless gun came to mind. So, I bought a nylon holster and stuck it in my kit.

BINGO !!! It really is perfect for my need, here. It is not a cannon. But, it does provide protection that may be needed if some sudden crisis occurs and I cannot get back to my home.

December 7, 2011, 04:37 PM	#1
Southern Shooter Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2005 Location: central Louisiana Posts: 372	Rossi M88 3" Barrel and Federal 125 gr Nyclad and 110 gr Hydra-shok Recently, I picked up an Interarms imported Rossi M88 with a 3" barrel in stainless to keep as a truck gun. It looks just like this one Rossi M88 3 inch barrel.jpg. I know, before you start, it is NOT in the league of my S&W, Ruger, or, Dan Wesson revolvers. But, it is very tight. The metal and wooden grips are in great condition. And, at 10 yards it hits point of aim. Perhaps, $200 was too much for the gun but, it met the needs in mind and is a pleasure to grip...it just felt right. Anyway, I am loading it with Federal 125 grain Nyclad and Federal 110 grain Hydra-shok Low-recoil. Did I waste my cash?? Thanks __________________ "My plea is that we stop seeking out the storm and enjoy more fully sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life we accentuate the positive. I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment and endorse virtue and effort." Gordon B. Hinckley

December 10, 2011, 01:38 AM	#4
Stumper Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 437	I've logged many miles with a 3 inch m88 on my hip and have put well over a thousand rounds through mine. No they aren't +P rated...but +ps won't blow them up. Mine is still tight and accurate after lots of shooting including a few +ps. (And BTW the internal lockwork is S&W rather than Taurus' sloppier adaptation-Not Trashing Taurus but they do sometimes have issues.) __________________ "Let us speak courteously, deal fairly, and keep ourselves armed and ready." Theodore Roosevelt "If only God has magic, how does Santa get down the chimney?" Natalie Peters age 4

December 15, 2011, 09:31 AM	#5
Southern Shooter Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2005 Location: central Louisiana Posts: 372	Thanks for the input, folks. I wonder how old the little gun is. I understood when I bought it that it was not +P rated. But, with the Federal 125 Nyclad back on the market, the Federal 110 Hydra-shok Low Recoil, and the newer Hornady 110 non+P Critical Defense .38 Special ammunitions...I figured the gun would still be a serviceable defense weapon that would require very, very little maintenance and could be locked in the truck dash ready to be used IF ever the the need arouse. As tight as the lock-up is now, practicing with generic wadcutters and periodically with a box or two of the standard pressure defense loads, the gun will hopefully remain mechanically snug for a long time to come. Thanks __________________ "My plea is that we stop seeking out the storm and enjoy more fully sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life we accentuate the positive. I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment and endorse virtue and effort." Gordon B. Hinckley

October 29, 2012, 04:27 PM	#6
Southern Shooter Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2005 Location: central Louisiana Posts: 372	Found a nice nitch for it...72-Hour Kit Gun FYI Shortly after this thread I had decided to place a small gun in my 72-Hour Kit. This little stainless gun came to mind. So, I bought a nylon holster and stuck it in my kit. BINGO !!! It really is perfect for my need, here. It is not a cannon. But, it does provide protection that may be needed if some sudden crisis occurs and I cannot get back to my home. __________________ "My plea is that we stop seeking out the storm and enjoy more fully sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life we accentuate the positive. I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment and endorse virtue and effort." Gordon B. Hinckley Last edited by Southern Shooter; October 30, 2012 at 07:45 AM.

December 8, 2011, 05:12 AM	#2
Walklightly Junior member Join Date: September 28, 2011 Posts: 985	Either is fine. I like a heavier bullet, so the 125.

December 10, 2011, 12:11 AM	#3
shurshot Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2006 Posts: 712	I had one of those in 1985, brand new. I think I paid $179.00 + tax. Nice guns, but they ARE NOT +P rated. Stick to reg. .38's, wadcutters, LSWC, etc. and you will be fine. No, they are not S&W or Colt, but still nice little frigging guns anyway you slice it. I should have kept mine.