Is a Rossi 357 worth buying?

[delsol]

I have a good friend who ask me if I would be interested in buy his Dad's 357 971 Rossi revolver. He is asking $375.00 but I'm not sure if they even build revolvers anymore and if something broke would I be able to get it fix.
Would appreciate some feed back.

[Ferretboy]

They still make revolvers, I think they are owned by Taurus now. I passed on buying a 461 recently, but it was new and only $319. Ended up putting the money towards a Smith and Wesson.

[Scorch]

Sounds like a bit much for a Rossi revolver of any kind. Look at Auction Arms or Gunbroker for a reasonable value for it, then offer 10% less. If it were me, I would use the money for a Ruger, S&W or Taurus (in that order of preference).

[L_Killkenny]

Yep, too much money. At $375 your getting into used Ruger territory. IMO, the Rossi .357's are $200 guns used.

[Dave T]

Is a Rossi 357 worth buying?

Not to me but YMMV!

Dave

[Water-Man]

The Rossi is OK but the price is much too high.

[Onward Allusion]

I got one. Shoots wonderfully. The asking price is way too high. Should be around $250-$300.

[shouldazagged]

More of same...the only Rossi I ever owned was a nice M-60 clone, quite a good little gun for the money while I waited to acquire a Smith 640. Quality wasn't quite up to S&W but it was a good shooter. From all I hear from others who own them, they still turn out goods guns for the buck. But that price is high for a used one.

[delsol]

Sounds like my friend might be asking a little much for his Rossi. I only have one revolver, a 1968 single six Ruger which I love but I do like S&W & Rugers when it come's to revolvers. $375.00 didn't sound bad but I think spending a few more $ I might be able to get a much better gun.

[roaddog28]

Hi,
Do yourself a favor. For $375 a person can a used Ruger Police Service 357 magnum. Much better revolver. Also, if your don't need a 357, there are plenty of S&W model 10 38 specials used. Price from $300 to $400. Again much better better revolver.
Good luck

[Bamashooter]

I had a really nice Rossi .38spl with nice bluing and pachmayr grips and only gave $200 for it. I sold it 3yrs later for $200. It was a nice gun.

[mrray13]

Just for giggles, went to gunbroker, here's what I found, $396 for a 971 with 15 hours left.

I would pay around the $250-275 mark if it's in good shape.

[Kreyzhorse]

I would think that $275 would be more than generous for that gun. Personally, I'd steer clear of it no matter the price.

[Skadoosh]

Personally, I'd steer clear of it no matter the price.

After owning a Rossi levergun, I second that notion.

[old bear]

delsol, I think the old saw applies here. "With friends like that you don't need enemies." Pass on the Rossi at that price.

[shafter]

I'd pass on that price. You could find a Smith or Ruger for that money and be much better off. Not saying Rossi is junk, just that the price is pretty steep for what you get.

[Garycw]

Originally Posted by roaddog28

Hi,
Do yourself a favor. For $375 a person can a used Ruger Police Service 357 magnum. Much better revolver. Also, if your don't need a 357, there are plenty of S&W model 10 38 specials used. Price from $300 to $400. Again much better better revolver.
Good luck

What he said , except I'd recommend the security six. The model 10 also excellent choice

[JimmyR]

Originally Posted by delsol

I have a good friend who ask me if I would be interested in buy his Dad's 357 971 Rossi revolver. He is asking $375.00 but I'm not sure if they even build revolvers anymore and if something broke would I be able to get it fix.
Would appreciate some feed back.

I had a 971 that I paid closer to $250 for. It shot well, and never had any issues from it. I paid $395 after shipping and transfer fees for my Smith and Wesson Model 19. For the price your friend is asking, I'd look for a used S&W or Ruger. Pass

[SteelChickenShooter]

I would say no to Rossi based on my own limited experience: I've had the revolver in question in my drawer for years. Failed to find the correct part to replace a broken rear sight blade. This is one influence that caused me to avoid the Rossi brand. My working 357 Mags are S&W.

[delsol]

thanks again everyone for your input. I will see my friend this weekend & let him know that I'm not interested.

[gak]

I'm generally in the "for that kind of money....S&W or Ruger" group, but I'm not an automatic Rossi naysayer. I owned an older (pre Taurus/Braztech) 971 stainless for several years that was a great gun - just right (near K) size and no issues, but it went missing in a rough country/off trail hunting trek several years ago (probably still out there!). Because I could afford it later, I "replaced" with a 65 Lady Smith--best of the bunch IMO but scarce/pricey--but still sort of miss that 4" Rossi for its attributes too, cost being just one. Also, consider the Rossi snubbie .357 is one of the very few if not only small frame (a sort of "J+" or Colt D frame) 6-shot .357s out there any more (there are two or three .38-only 6 shot "D" frames out there--Armscor and Taurus come to mind)...and reviews have generally been good on. In a direct A-B at LGS with a later-model Detective Special, they were nearly identical, the Rossi sllightly beefier ahead of the cylinder as might befit a mag--it was obvious what Rossi was emulating. If you "need" new, then one of those close to $300 is one of the better buys out there. Good old-school hammer-mounted firing pin and Taurus "lifetime" warranty too, FWIW.
(Opposite experience with the one gent on the Rossi lever too, having had nearly a dozen of them--mostly pre 2006--over their 30+ years - zero issues. As someone said, YMMV - and apparently does in this case).

[Newton24b]

nothing wrong with a rossi just because of a rossi. now as to the price being high or low or ok.... well


its always averaged differently by geographic area. ive had to deal with that issue all my life. here i have to pay the manufacturers retail price plus sales tax. yeah if the sw website says 900, thats what i have to pay for it.
yet everyone else only seems to pay 600 for the same gun, after tax...

get it, be happy, use it. however dontreally uese heavy magnums in it. feed it like a k frame.

[TimSr]

I had two Rossi revolvers, really liked them both, quality guns of S&W style, but they don't very high on monetary value so I'd pass unless that price came down a lot.

[jmstr]

My 1980s Rossi works great, is smooth and accurate. I inherited it.

Again, you have two questions going.

1: is a Rossi worth buying.
2: Is $375 appropriate for THIS Rossi.

I think a gun is better than no gun.
I think a good gun is better than an average gun.
I am happy with my Rossi .38.
I shoot my Ruger more.


As to the price, it is higher than what I would pay for a used Rossi.
Is this a BrazTech Rossi? Or Interarms imported?

BrazTech is (i believe) the new parent company, which also owns Taurus. If it is Braztech, i believe it has the same lifetime warranty.

Interarms ones are no longer supported by warranty or parts.

My 80s Rossi is interarms. Take the warranty issue into consideration on any used Rossi purchase.

sent from tapatalk on Evo3G

[superspirit]

I owned a Rossi 357 once, it was a decent little gun but I only paid $125 for it from a pawn shop. I think the others are correct, your buddy wants way too much for that gun. and I've personally never found a decent price on gunbroker either. I can get a bnib at the local gun store for $100 less than they want on gunbroker. good luck on whatever you decide.