why is Rossi so underrated

Im considering a Rossi 462, because no one else currently makes a small frame-6 shot .357 snub.

Why does only one revolver manufacturer offer a small 6 shot 357 ?
 
Like I said--my Rossi carbine works great now--but it required do-it-yourself modifications to get that way. You'll read of ones that right out of the box shoot well--but the mere fact that a guy makes his living by offering post-purchase mods should tell you something.

But here are some of the things myself and others have run into:

The wood used can be very inconsistent in quality and hardness. Mine came with a very soft stock material that I did trust to hold together. Their way of holding the magazine to the barrel with a mag cap screw is prone to failure and also can distort alignment of the barrel. They make every part--including the screws, which have their own thread pitch--so if you break or lose that screw--the entire weapon goes back to Brazil. I doubt their US customer service is anything more than a business office (Braztech) in FL that ships weapons back and forth to Brazil--but I could be wrong and it sure would be informative if someone actually stopped in and checked them out.

Even though they are "budget priced" compared to say S&W, Marlin etc. I think they are still a bit overpriced for the quality of what you get--and they simply are adding a premium for the "cowboy action mystique." The only reasons I have this gun is because it weighs under 5 lbs and can handle the hottest 44 mag loads I whip up, and admittedly is tremendously fun and useful as a target and woods hunting gun--I can't think of anyone else that makes a lever gun like quite like it.
 
Taurus is already considered the budget revolver. Now Rossi is the "budget budget revolver"? As for reliability, how many rounds until you consider it reliable? 300? 500? That's not a lot.

For ME, I think confidence in a gun is very important. I just wouldn't have it in a budget gun. I've heard good things about the Hi-Point. The Louisiana movie theater shooter successfully used one to murder 2 people, wound several others, and then shoot himself. So did the Colombine shooters. So I guess the Hi Point worked well enough.

Doesn't mean I'd strap one on as my daily carry piece. And the fact that the guns are made in Brazil just turns me off. What kind of workers does a poor country employ? How well trained are they? Dedicated?

For me, in a new revolver, I'd get a Ruger. Less expensive than Smith, made in America, fantastic customer service, no key hole in frame.
 
I have owned two Rossi revolvers for about 25 years. First one is a model 971 .357 with 6" SS barrel. The other is a model 88 .38sp with 2" SS barrel. Both have been shot at least a 1,000 times with never a mishap. Quality is good and compares with Taurus or Charter Arms. Recently gave the 971 to my son but still shoot the .38 a couple times a year. Also own S&W and Ruger handguns and prefer them to a Rossi but feel Rossi long ago moved out of the Saturday Night Special comparsion. In addition to the handguns, I have a single shot Rossi .410 shotgun used by grandchildren as a learning tool and short range rabbit or squirel gun. Best of all is a Rossi model 92 lever with 20" barrel in .357/.38sp. This rifle shot very accuratly right out of the box and took a buck at 60 yards with one round the first time hunting. I also own many other firearms made by Winchester, Remington, Ithaca, Savage, Mossburg, Marlin, Springfield Armory, H&R, etc. and my Rossi guns have a place in my gun safes with these other fine guns.
 
I have a couple of Rossi revolvers. The older one has a thin finish and is a bit loose on the lock-up. Shoots pretty much POA but definitely a tier 3 gun. I also have a newer 971. Surprisingly the finish is on par with the rest of Taurus guns and lock up is a lot tighter. The crazy thing is that it shoots around 3" at 25 yards which is pretty good for someone who usually shoots 2" at 10 yards on a normal day.
 
At one time, I had a little Rossi .22 pistol that my Grandfather had confiscated off some bad guy.
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In what jurisdiction are police allowed to confiscate property and convert it to their own use? Is that not ceasing property without due process of law? I thought there was an amendment that dealt with that.
 
In what jurisdiction are police allowed to confiscate property and convert it to their own use?
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Like I said, he retired in 1974. Started walking a beat in WWII. Totally different world today than back then.
 
I have an M355 Interarms Rossi in 38 Special. Basically a great copy of the Chiefs Special. It's a pre-Taurus piece and I haven't had any problems with it. I bought it used a couple years ago and have run everything from powder puff loads to heavy hitting hand loads with no problem. All the parts look original and it appears to have been carried quite a bit and shot little.

I have been tempted to buy a newer Rossi a couple times but am honestly hesitant because of Taurus's involvement. I'm just not sure about the quality of their new stuff. If I could find enough positive reviews about current production, it would definitely sway me.
 
Why does only one revolver manufacturer offer a small 6 shot 357 ?
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A good point. People always look at the price of a Rossi as the defining example of quality. What they don't take into account is options in many models of guns cost money. Example: S&W offers many models to choose from which means there is much more cost associated with the many different makes. Rossi on the other hand offers a pistol chambered in 2 different calibers and 3 barrel lengths. That is it. They don't offer a weight saving option in a five cylinder gun either. That means parts are mass produced and cost much less. They have a cheaper labor rate and less over head in doing business outside the United States. Therefore, the gun has a much cheaper price. It doesn't cost less because it is cheaply made in quality. It cost less because it is made cheaper.

I love Ruger revolvers. They are the best of the best. I'm sure others here consider that title to belong to S&W. But, A Rossi is a fine pistol. I base my opinions on owning a few of each brand. I know that you have your choices that are free from mine. I also not dumb enough to not realize that most are basing this inferior thought process concerning a Rossi on not actually having that experience. Mileage will vary. But, these guns I own and, the others of them I have handled, simply say It just ain't so. Am I to believe that I'm so fortunate to have never experienced a bad one? Nah. I believe that most repeat what they hear. Not what they know. God Bless
 
I had a Rossi for a while, an almost LNIB Interarms M68 in nickel with a 3" barrel and wood grips. Beautiful gun. It appeared to be very solid and well made. I think it was a newer old one because of the AA... serial number.
 
I bought a Rossi 720 .44 Special at Southwest Shooters in OKC back in 90-91. On sale for $206. Still have it, still shoot it, still totally solid. That one is the one with adjustable sights. Later on I bought the fixed sight version on GB. It was ok... too heavy for me to CCW though so I eventually gave to a gunsmith friend who had done a lot of free work for me.

Gregg
 
I do commend Rossi for offering reasonably priced steel revolvers in popular calibers and barrel lengths. For instance, I would love to have a K-frame S&W Model 48 (.22 Magnum). But if you can find one, it will cost you $800 - $1200.

Rossi makes the Plinker in .22 Magnum now. It's an 8-shot revolver with 2", 4", or 6" barrels available. Should retail for about $350, and I wouldn't worry about taking it into the Florida swamps.
 
Obambulate said:
I do commend Rossi for offering reasonably priced steel revolvers in popular calibers and barrel lengths. For instance, I would love to have a K-frame S&W Model 48 (.22 Magnum). But if you can find one, it will cost you $800 - $1200.

Rossi makes the Plinker in .22 Magnum now. It's an 8-shot revolver with 2", 4", or 6" barrels available. Should retail for about $350, and I wouldn't worry about taking it into the Florida swamps.
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I can't find a Rossi .22 revolver, not local or online... You know something I don't? Because I would love to own a 6" plinker.
 
And the fact that the guns are made in Brazil just turns me off. What kind of workers does a poor country employ? How well trained are they? Dedicated?
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As far as Taurus the brand is concerned, I have no horse in this race, but just to point out that I think the workers are a)probably more dedicated to their jobs than those were of the Soviet Union and b) paid more than those of the Soviet Union yet no one knocks the build or reliability of Makarovs from then or now.
Ever heard of the BRICS emerging economies? Well Brazil is the B. It's not some country stuck in the stone age.

I just don't think that one can automatically equate a countries GDP with the dedication of its workers nor the quality of its private companies' products, as a general rule in the same way that I don't believe that products from a developed western economy are automatically good.

That said, if cars are anything to go by, it's a shame that Japan don't make revolvers. They'd probably be rather reliable...
 
Took my new Rossi R46102 Model 461 6RD 357MAG/38SP +P 2 out for a spin today with my GP 100. I have pics of the accuracy but can't figure out how to upload to this Forum. The Range Master had a big smile on his face. Seems he has bought many Rossi guns over the past 25 yrs. "Rock Solid was his statement. Also, when I loaded the chamber there was not one sound. I shook it pretty hard but no noise and no shakes!!!!
I used Speer 38 P+ 135 grains and Hornady 357 mag 125 grain FTX. Not as smooth as my Ruger, but darn close. The SA is the easiest I've ever shot and the DA was slightly harder than my Ruger. In all, If I didn't know I was firing a Rossi I would never been able to say if it was a Ruger/Smith or etc.
I don't expect to fire thousands of rounds thru this. It's use is strictly for SD.
 
Indie rocker,

The Plinker is very popular, the 6" use to be readily available but that doesn't seem to be the case any longer. I had purchased my 4" through GrabAGun by having them notify me when one was available. It took a couple of months but it was worth it, they really are fun, good looking and feel well built. Solid lock up on the cylinder, good sights, good trigger etc..
 
I don't know why they're "underrated" other than the fact that I just don't see them all that often. In fact, I don't know that I've ever seen a NIB one at any store, but then I don't shop at many stores, and I don't look for NIB guns very often.

Yesterday, I stopped by "Ali-Babba's House O Guns" and they had a really nice Rossi 851 in the case. Stainless steel, about the size of a K-frame, maybe a little smaller, vent rib, full underlug barrel, six shots, target sights. Locks up tight as a tick. Price is less than a Model 10, or even a Taurus.

So I put it on layaway. It's going to be a range toy, so I don't have much to lose. I like to try different things.
 
What kind of workers does a poor country employ? How well trained are they? Dedicated?
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I have some news for you: Brazil has the seventh largest economy in the world. Larger than, say, Canada, Russia or Austraila.
 
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