Quality or Crap?

more_bullets · January 22, 2013, 08:51 PM

Is a Rossi revolver chambered in .357 mag. With a 6" barrel going to hold up and be reliable? I saw one today for $400 and wasn't sure if I should buy it...i looked them up online and the most resent news on them was from 2008...not very helpful! Could anyone provide me with some more recent info? Thanks, Erik.

Pahoo · January 22, 2013, 08:53 PM

JMHO but for this money, pass .....

Be Safe !!!

bigghoss · January 22, 2013, 08:58 PM

When it comes to DA centerfire revolvers stick to Ruger, Colt, or Smith & Wesson.

L_Killkenny · January 22, 2013, 09:18 PM

There's a whole bunch of shades of grey between quality and crap but for $400 I'd pass. Better guns for cheaper.

BoomieMCT · January 22, 2013, 09:36 PM

Had a Rossi. It was crap. Never again.

Kreyzhorse · January 23, 2013, 08:11 AM

Take a pass. That is a lot of money for a gun of questionable quality.

model18 · January 23, 2013, 08:28 AM

+1 what BiggHoss said. That way you can always get your $$ back out of it if you want something different. No Rossi or Taurus for me!

CajunBass · January 23, 2013, 08:35 AM

Nothing against Rossi, but for that kind of money I'd pass.

Newton24b · January 23, 2013, 09:13 AM

its a clone of smith and wesson technology circa 1940. its not bad. each one will be better or worse then everything else coming off the assembly line. a revolver still uses alot of parts that need to be hand fitted.

may not hold up as long as some but treat it like a k frame, standard 38+p with 357 when needed

Gdawgs · January 23, 2013, 09:16 AM

I generally don't announce it here for fear of beatings, but I have a Rossi 357snubby. I've put a lot of rounds through it and have never had a problem with it. The fit and finish are great and it has a sweet trigger(better than Rugers out of the box). I really like it. But I think it only cost $250 new a few years back.

However, for $400, you would be better off getting a used Ruger or Smith. Or spend a little more and get a new one. They will have a much higher resale value and they will tend to be more reliable. If ever needed, getting warranty work done on them is much easier and quicker. I have heard many nightmares about Taurus/Rossi warranty work.

**Tom Servo** · January 23, 2013, 01:50 PM

My concern with Rossi is with quality control. They can make a good revolver. The problem is, they often turn out bad ones as well.

Fact of the matter is, it's not up to the quality of a Smith or a Ruger, but if it passes the check, it should be decent shooter.

chiefr · January 23, 2013, 02:44 PM

My experience with Rossi has been negative. Excessive trigger pull, timing, finish issues, extraction problems and poor resale value. If you doubt me, try to sell one at a gunshow. Play it safe: Ruger, Colt, or S&W.

shootniron · January 24, 2013, 12:36 AM

Pass.

Ozzieman · January 24, 2013, 07:14 AM

I have never owned a Rossi handgun but recently I purchased a lever action hog leg which is sold as a pistol. Right now I have close to 300 rounds of 44 mag through it and I have been impressed with the gun. The fit and finish is about average to my Marlin.
But as others have said, I think I would pass on that and add a couple of hundred and get something better. You’ll be happier in the long run.
You can see what other are asking for their Rossi’s below.
http://www.gunsamerica.com/Search/Ca...-Revolvers.htm

JimmyR · January 24, 2013, 07:18 AM

I owned a model 972 .357 4" stainless for a while. It shot great, and handled the 38 target ammo i fed it well. I did end up trading it for a M-N m44, but mostly due to what I had available. I have since added a S&W Mod 19, and must say it definitely is a better weapon. I spent roughly the same amount on both guns, minus shipping and transfer on the Smith. As others have said, if you just ABSOLUTELY need a revolver, an older Rossi will serve you pretty well, but at $400, you can do better (Ruger Security Six, Smith Model 19, etc.)

threedogdad · January 24, 2013, 10:29 AM

I have a Rossi revolver and I really like it. Had it since the late 80s and it's been a real pleasure to shoot.

Having said that, no way would I give $400 for a used one today. No way.

Mr. Whimsy · January 25, 2013, 05:16 PM

Well I bought one of their 92 rifles last summer that was an ever-loving piece of crap, so no more for me.

orionengnr · January 25, 2013, 09:57 PM

My experience exactly.
My conclusion exactly.

HawkeyeNRAlifer · January 25, 2013, 11:30 PM

I'd papass on thahat one because of the $.. Then I think every gun oout there is overpriced..

Been around too long, II guess.

That said, My Rossi 720 44 special came out of the box with a better trigger than any stock Smith or Colt i've ever owned. Luck of the draw.

savit260 · January 26, 2013, 06:05 PM

Do Rossi revolvers really sell for $400 these days?

wap41 · January 26, 2013, 07:51 PM

not in the same ball park as S&W,Colt or Ruger

pete2 · January 26, 2013, 09:23 PM

I think 400.00 would be high for a new Rossi. Used, I would offer 150.00.

roaddog28 · January 26, 2013, 11:58 PM

For $400 dollars a person can get a Ruger Security or Service Six. One of the best buys around. And if one gets lucky a S&W K frame magnum. I bought a S&W 66-4 4 inch for $300 dollars one time. You don't have to settle for a cheap revolver.
Good luck,
Howard

Deaf Smith · January 27, 2013, 12:01 AM

Exactly roaddog28.

And 6 inch Security Six's go for less than the 4 and 2 3/4 inch ones.

Deaf

hAkron · January 27, 2013, 12:05 AM

$400 bought me a 98% S&W model 19-5 a week ago. With the box and a set of Pachmayr presentation grips (along with the standard targets).

January 22, 2013, 08:51 PM	#1
more_bullets Member Join Date: January 10, 2013 Posts: 27	Quality or Crap? Is a Rossi revolver chambered in .357 mag. With a 6" barrel going to hold up and be reliable? I saw one today for $400 and wasn't sure if I should buy it...i looked them up online and the most resent news on them was from 2008...not very helpful! Could anyone provide me with some more recent info? Thanks, Erik.

January 22, 2013, 08:53 PM	#2
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 4,504	Pass JMHO but for this money, pass ..... Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing.

January 22, 2013, 08:58 PM	#3
bigghoss Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2006 Location: Pueblo, Colorado Posts: 2,623	When it comes to DA centerfire revolvers stick to Ruger, Colt, or Smith & Wesson. __________________ I don't collect guns, I accumulate them.

January 23, 2013, 08:11 AM	#6
Kreyzhorse Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2006 Location: NKY Posts: 10,856	Take a pass. That is a lot of money for a gun of questionable quality. __________________ "He who laughs last, laughs dead." Homer Simpson

January 23, 2013, 08:35 AM	#8
CajunBass Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2005 Location: Chancellorsville, Virginia Posts: 3,130	Nothing against Rossi, but for that kind of money I'd pass. __________________ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

January 22, 2013, 09:18 PM	#4
L_Killkenny Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2007 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,577	There's a whole bunch of shades of grey between quality and crap but for $400 I'd pass. Better guns for cheaper.

January 22, 2013, 09:36 PM	#5
BoomieMCT Senior Member Join Date: August 5, 2010 Posts: 210	Had a Rossi. It was crap. Never again.

January 23, 2013, 08:28 AM	#7
model18 Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2006 Posts: 372	+1 what BiggHoss said. That way you can always get your $$ back out of it if you want something different. No Rossi or Taurus for me!

January 23, 2013, 09:13 AM	#9
Newton24b Junior member Join Date: February 10, 2009 Posts: 974	its a clone of smith and wesson technology circa 1940. its not bad. each one will be better or worse then everything else coming off the assembly line. a revolver still uses alot of parts that need to be hand fitted. may not hold up as long as some but treat it like a k frame, standard 38+p with 357 when needed

January 23, 2013, 09:16 AM	#10
Gdawgs Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2009 Location: Hutchinson, MN Posts: 470	I generally don't announce it here for fear of beatings, but I have a Rossi 357snubby. I've put a lot of rounds through it and have never had a problem with it. The fit and finish are great and it has a sweet trigger(better than Rugers out of the box). I really like it. But I think it only cost $250 new a few years back. However, for $400, you would be better off getting a used Ruger or Smith. Or spend a little more and get a new one. They will have a much higher resale value and they will tend to be more reliable. If ever needed, getting warranty work done on them is much easier and quicker. I have heard many nightmares about Taurus/Rossi warranty work.

January 23, 2013, 01:50 PM	#11
Tom Servo Staff Join Date: September 27, 2008 Location: Foothills of the Appalach Posts: 7,344	My concern with Rossi is with quality control. They can make a good revolver. The problem is, they often turn out bad ones as well. Fact of the matter is, it's not up to the quality of a Smith or a Ruger, but if it passes the check, it should be decent shooter. __________________ In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer. --Albert Camus

January 23, 2013, 02:44 PM	#12
chiefr Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: AR Posts: 820	My experience with Rossi has been negative. Excessive trigger pull, timing, finish issues, extraction problems and poor resale value. If you doubt me, try to sell one at a gunshow. Play it safe: Ruger, Colt, or S&W.

January 24, 2013, 12:36 AM	#13
shootniron Senior Member Join Date: April 16, 2011 Posts: 1,147	Pass.

January 24, 2013, 07:14 AM	#14
Ozzieman Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Northern Indiana Posts: 4,384	I have never owned a Rossi handgun but recently I purchased a lever action hog leg which is sold as a pistol. Right now I have close to 300 rounds of 44 mag through it and I have been impressed with the gun. The fit and finish is about average to my Marlin. But as others have said, I think I would pass on that and add a couple of hundred and get something better. You’ll be happier in the long run. You can see what other are asking for their Rossi’s below. http://www.gunsamerica.com/Search/Ca...-Revolvers.htm __________________ “Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading.” – Thomas Jefferson. Politician's are like dipers. You need to change them often,,,,, for the same reason!

January 24, 2013, 07:18 AM	#15
JimmyR Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2012 Posts: 348	Rossi 972 I owned a model 972 .357 4" stainless for a while. It shot great, and handled the 38 target ammo i fed it well. I did end up trading it for a M-N m44, but mostly due to what I had available. I have since added a S&W Mod 19, and must say it definitely is a better weapon. I spent roughly the same amount on both guns, minus shipping and transfer on the Smith. As others have said, if you just ABSOLUTELY need a revolver, an older Rossi will serve you pretty well, but at $400, you can do better (Ruger Security Six, Smith Model 19, etc.)

January 24, 2013, 10:29 AM	#16
threedogdad Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2011 Posts: 520	I have a Rossi revolver and I really like it. Had it since the late 80s and it's been a real pleasure to shoot. Having said that, no way would I give $400 for a used one today. No way.

January 25, 2013, 05:16 PM	#17
Mr. Whimsy Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2010 Posts: 148	Well I bought one of their 92 rifles last summer that was an ever-loving piece of crap, so no more for me.

January 25, 2013, 09:57 PM	#18
orionengnr Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2004 Posts: 4,879	Had a Rossi. It was crap. Never again. My experience exactly. My conclusion exactly.

January 25, 2013, 11:30 PM	#19
HawkeyeNRAlifer Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2007 Location: Iowa Posts: 193	I'd papass on thahat one because of the $.. Then I think every gun oout there is overpriced.. Been around too long, II guess. That said, My Rossi 720 44 special came out of the box with a better trigger than any stock Smith or Colt i've ever owned. Luck of the draw.

January 26, 2013, 06:05 PM	#20
savit260 Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2006 Posts: 558	Do Rossi revolvers really sell for $400 these days?

January 26, 2013, 07:51 PM	#21
wap41 Member Join Date: August 3, 2009 Posts: 54	rossi not in the same ball park as S&W,Colt or Ruger

January 26, 2013, 09:23 PM	#22
pete2 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 465	I think 400.00 would be high for a new Rossi. Used, I would offer 150.00.

January 26, 2013, 11:58 PM	#23
roaddog28 Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2009 Location: Fallbrook, CA Posts: 848	For $400 dollars a person can get a Ruger Security or Service Six. One of the best buys around. And if one gets lucky a S&W K frame magnum. I bought a S&W 66-4 4 inch for $300 dollars one time. You don't have to settle for a cheap revolver. Good luck, Howard

January 27, 2013, 12:01 AM	#24
Deaf Smith Senior Member Join Date: October 31, 2000 Location: Texican! Posts: 2,726	Exactly roaddog28. And 6 inch Security Six's go for less than the 4 and 2 3/4 inch ones. Deaf __________________ "The government has confiscated all of our rights and is selling them back to us in the form of permits."

January 27, 2013, 12:05 AM	#25
hAkron Senior Member Join Date: March 31, 2011 Location: Akron, Ohio Posts: 175	$400 bought me a 98% S&W model 19-5 a week ago. With the box and a set of Pachmayr presentation grips (along with the standard targets).