Rossi firearms

[vivaknoxvegas]

Are these guns junk or decent? Made by Taurus who themselves seem to be a budget brand of gun.

[Texan]

I have a Rossi .38 5 shot revolver that has never failed. It's a comfortable, solid weapon.

[Horny Toad]

From what I've read they seem like a decent, budget line of firearms.

[Stinsok]

Did you have a particular Rossi in mind?

[Mike N]

Originally Posted by Texan

I have a Rossi .38 5 shot revolver that has never failed. It's a comfortable, solid weapon.

Revolvers rarely fail.

[burk48237]

Originally Posted by Mike N

Revolvers rarely fail.

I work part time at the gun counter of a large gun shop. We have had several Taurus/Rossi's returned (mostly Judges) with frozen cylinders or bad timing. Two were frozen with ammo in the chambers. We've also had issue with light primer strikes from the hammers. All in all, Taurus/Rossi (counting all sales), account for less than 10% of our sales but about 70% of our returns. I would not trust on for self defense. 9 out of 10 times you'd probably get a good gun, but if my life's on the line I like better odds than 9 out of 10.

[Ryan L.]

I looked at one (a .357) when I was shopping last fall. I also looked at a Smith & Wesson 686 Plus, and a Ruger GP100.

I walked out with the Smith & Wesson 686 Plus, and my second choice would have been the Ruger. The Rossi just "felt" inferior in my hand. The S&W was twice the price, but everything about the gun felt better.

The salesman at Gander Mountain (who I have dealt with before, and trust quite well) pretty much told me the same thing that burk48237 said---they have seen quite a few of them returned. That alone was enough for me to pass on it.

[frootbooty]

I've never had any problems with my Rossi .357

[Webtroll]

Originally Posted by burk48237

less than 10% of our sales but about 70% of our returns.

That's all I'd need right there. Save your money and buy a Behringer product.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by vivaknoxvegas

Are these guns junk or decent? Made by Taurus who themselves seem to be a budget brand of gun.

Decent for what? I'd think of it as a fine plinker but I would not ever consider it as a defense piece.

[sloasdaylight]

I have a Taurus 1911 in .45ACP that's jammed on me twice in the two years I've owned it, and both times were due to faulty, reloaded ammo. Personally I'm a fan of the brand, and actually prefer my 1911 to my Dad's Kimber. So does he.

[Texan]

Originally Posted by Mike N

Revolvers rarely fail.

True, but as burk48237 stated, the cylinders can freeze and there can be light strikes with the hammers.

The operative word is "rarely".

[vivaknoxvegas]

Originally Posted by Steve

Decent for what? I'd think of it as a fine plinker but I would not ever consider it as a defense piece.

Carry, personal defense.

[Mike N]

Originally Posted by Texan

The operative word is "rarely".

Which is why I used that word versus "never."

[Mike N]

Originally Posted by Ryan L.

I walked out with the Smith & Wesson 686 Plus, and my second choice would have been the Ruger. The Rossi just "felt" inferior in my hand. The S&W was twice the price, but everything about the gun felt better.

I also have a 686. My Dad has owned more Ruger wheel guns than I care to remember and I've never found them to feel as balanced as a S&W does.

[vivaknoxvegas]

Originally Posted by Stinsok

Did you have a particular Rossi in mind?

Yes, the model R46102 .357