Help me I.D. this Rossi .38 snub. (no pic)

[Pond James Pond]

It is a 2" snub or there abouts. It had a dark bluing, an 5-shot unfluted cylinder and a rather blocking, angular barrel and lug. It has a hammer with integral firing pin that has been rolled-pinned in place, as opposed to being part of a single piece hammer, IYKWIM.

I tried it in the shop. Used with visible play in the cylinder, once the hammer has dropped and the trigger still pulled back. The trigger however, does seem very smooth and not very "staged".

I doubt it is better quality than my Astra 680 and has one shot less, but I was still drawn into having a closer look: the unfluted cylinder caught my eye and then I just got curious!

 

[lee n. field]

What's it chambered for?

Any markings, including anything stamped on the frame inside the cylinder crane?

A bit of googling indicates that the Model 971 could be had with unfluted cylinder sometimes.

 

[Pond James Pond]

.38 Spl is the calibre. No discernible markings other than the brand, serial number and Made in Brasil....

It was a chunking looking snub with a very low profile front ramp sight.

I'll look at the 971 to see if it fits. They had two in the shop so it wasn't a one off...

 

[JAREDSHS]

sounds like the makins of an excellent every day pocket carry that you would not have to feel remorse if you had to turn it in after a deadly self defense use. I personally have seen some Rossi 38's that looked very well made. If the price was agreeable I would be purchasing. Rossi's are well made firearms---just not quite a S&W,---But neither are some of the new S&W's if you get my drift.

 

[lee n. field]

No discernible markings other than the brand, serial number and Made in Brasil....

Like I said, roll the cylinder out, and check for a number there. Right now, Rossi is owned by Taurus, and that's one place to look for that information in a Taurus.