deputy125

was at Academy Sports again the other day and fondled a 3" rossi 38 spl revolver. little 5 shot job that sort of reminds me of a smith "j" but with the handle of a colt detective.

the little sucker felt good and Academy's everyday price is $229.99.
Turns out that rossi produced this 3" version just for Academy. Checking it a bit further over on the taurus board which has a dedicated rossi section, these 3" wonders seem to be well liked by the mases as in their fixed sight regulation is purty much spot-on and they are +P rated......lifetime warranty.....never had to use a gun warranty however and don't want to have to start........

Was a few reported issues of broken firing pins on the hammer but heck,i've seen that in a model 19 smith before.

just wished it was in stailess......with a ruger sp101 coming it at close to $500.........and a smith model 60 breaking $625, i can see why these are selling.

i ain't buying another gun this year......just enjoy window shopping.

on one hand...life is getting short and one should not have to settle for 2nd best since the gun will be with you until you die......a smith or ruger are things of beauty and pride.

on the other hand, saving three or four hundred dollars means more cash for other endevors such as ammo and components to shoot and enjoy the thing instead of staying home admiring the gun and moaning you can't afford to go shooting since the gun cost too much........

think i'll window shop a bit more.......there's always the used market but even the old smith blue 3" 36's are bringing more than a new taurus stainless 3".

JOHNNY WACKO

I think the Rossi is a good revolver,thow when i posted my 38 they booed me rite out of the gun a day post.

sheepdog

...worst thing about Rossi is Taurus owns 'em and handles the repairs...my son has a Rossi 88 that is just like a 3" Chief...Packy Compac grips on it and it shoots like my 2" Bodyguard...but I'd pay a regular gunsmith if it broke...wouldn't send it back...since about '85, their quality has been on a par with Taurus...

gunman42782

The only Rossi handgun I ever owned had a miss-machined ejector star. Had a burr on it, and the cylinder did not want to turn. It turned fine when empty, but loaded it would drag, that is why I did not notice it until after I bought it. Promptly got rid of that one. And although most of the Taurus guns I have owned have been OK, I must honestly say we get more Taurus guns back at the gun shop with complaints than all the other guns combined. I have seen a Taurus Judge that when you opened the cylinder, you could pull the cylinder off the frame! Lots of the Judges don't want to chamber all the .410 ammo out there too. But, the worst problems with the Taurus seems to be their polymer framed semi autos. Lots of feeding problems with them. The most trouble free Taurus guns seems to be their Beretta copy, the PT99.

Bountyhunter

I've never owned a Rossi, but have owned 2 Taurus guns. A 2" snub in 357 and the 1911. I never had a problem with either. I really miss the snub. I used to carry it in my pants pocket a lot. 5 shots of 357 goodness. My local always has used 38's for cheap, but I've never seen another 357 in there.

sheepdog

...I have two Taurus revolvers now...both function fine and I'm glad...don't even plan to send them to Taurus if they develop problems...

I wouldn't trade my SP101 for a trunk load of rossi/taurus revolvers.

when I bought a NIB rossi carbine that had the wrong front sight installed at the factory and they (rossi/taurus) wouldn't honor the warranty because it was from before the merger.screw them.
pete

Bountyhunter

Apparently that's something you never quite got over.

I guess so I am big on your word being worth something.don't put a warranty card in a box with a new carbine then have a problem with their product and they say no parts and they don't care.

S&W lifetime warranty,ruger lifetime warranty,SA lifetime warranty and ditto with T/C no questions asked.to me thats worth the extra money.

pete

Bountyhunter

I agree. That's one reason why I stick with SA 1911's.

and XD's

sheepdog

...I'm glad Pete had that bad experience...sure do love my 431!!! He's right about their customer service sucking big, though...

deputy125

that does seem to be a factor that keeps coming up here and there is customer service, be it rude or extensive in time......

like i said, never had to use a gun company warranty that i can remember..........

think i'd probably be best off with a used smith............

sheepdog

...in revolvers...Smith first, then Ruger and Colt...then Taurus...but in .44, the only option was Taurus with iron sights...had a Smith but just couldn't abide adj. sights...

deputy125

the sad thing is smith builds only two "j" frame 3" revolvers at the moment.......

a model 60 with adj sights......
and a nother model i can't recall.......but its one of them scandium framed revolvers and i don't know how to take them....

both of them are down right proud in price compared to a ruger.....and i think the smiths will carry a bit easier iwb. Heck, they might carry nice with barami hip grips which is one thing the ruger can't do........

but holsterless carry with adj sights on a mdl 60.....might be painful....

there was a few square butt old model 34's on gunbroker.......

sheepdog

...a round butt Model 10 or 64 2" would give you more of a pawfull and still fit a pocket well...6 shots and a more natural pointer than a J...worth looking into...I wouldn't recommend a Model 12 Airweight EXCEPT to my worst enemy, though...it'll kick yer butt shootin' it...

deputy125

back in ancient history........i had a model 12 but when i got it i did not know it had a hairline fracture in the frame.........fortunately the guy took it back.......been told they can;t handle plus p's.......

my buddy i think wants to trade me now a colt cobra old style for my 640 but i think i'll pass......from what i found out the cobra is subject to problems with +p's with frame stretch.......and i don't really knowthe history on this old cobra......

i do know i loved the feel and trigger though in that cobra.....

sheepdog

...saw a Generation 3 Det Spl 2" blue in Midlothian...$600...knew what he had!!! I've heard they made a few Dick Spls in SS before they quit...that would be a nice 6-gun to pocket....never seen one...

deputy125

oh i was in serious drool mode over this old cobra.......shame colt abandoned the market...........

sheepdog

...I loved the look/balance of the old style...they were the elite snubbie!!! the new ones weren't so classy and the trigger sure wasn't as smooth...betcha a few here could post some Cobras, Agents, Dick Spls....I liked the Police Positive...they weren't head-beaters but they sure would shoot...