[bernielink]

I'm going to buy a 357 revolver and want to spend about $400. I've been looking at the Rossi 972, 6", 357, ss, new, for about $425.

Also looking at the Taurus 66, 6", 357, ss, new for about the same price.

Before you say it: I know that S&W (have the 22a), Ruger (have the SR9), and many other $600 to $900 revolvers are the best. I also know that a Cadillac is a better car than my Honda CRV. What I'm saying is I'm wanting the best revolver THAT I CAN AFFORD and these were the right price and feel pretty good in the gun store. I don't sell guns and seldom trade them and I don't care if (when I die) my kids get a dime out of them. So with that in mind, what's your take on my choices? Also, I live in Roswell, NM (about 50,000 population), 2 gun shops that want an arm & a leg for there guns, seldom a gun show, and never a revolver advertised in the newspaper, so I have little choice but the internet. I've had advise to look for a used S&W or Ruger on the web but all I can find are guns that look like they're worn out for the price I want to pay. I'm open for suggestions! Thanks, Bernie

[danf_fl]

My pecking order would be Taurus first, then Rossi.

[ninjatoth]

I owned a Rossi .357 and a Taurus .22 revolver,so it's not a totally fair comparison,but I really thought the Rossi was a better gun than my Taurus,too bad you aren't where I live,the Ruger GP100s go for $480 round here.

[jca1]

Hold that $400 for now and add to it whatever you can every week. Soon "what you can afford" will be a S&W 686, Ruger GP100, etc. In the end you will be a happier owner. My personal "gun fund" grows by about $10/week(I too am not made of money). Any extra money earned goes in when it can as well. I let it build up until I have enough to buy a really good/better version of what ever I want.

[orangello]

Weren't Rossi & Taurus swapping spit on some of their models for a while there anyway?

[Bigcat_hunter]

I think Taurus owns Rossi.

[G8R8U2]

I've had a Ruger GP100, and really liked it; but recently bought a Taurus 617, 7-shot snubbie .357, and it's a great gun. I've had several Taurus handguns over the years, and I've never had any trouble with any of them.

I'm aware that some folks try to say they're "inferior", but they're usually either just repeating what they heard about the guns from decades ago and/or have no actual personal experience with them.

In fact, Taurus has long been associated with 2 of the finest firearms manufacturers on the planet, having been a part of the same company as S&W in the '70's; and then buying the manufacturing plant, the tech specs and drawings, the tooling, and the even the employees of Beretta's Brazilian branch. I had Taurus' copy of the 92C 9MM in stainless that is identical to Beretta's, and it was flawless.

If I'm not mistaken, the 66 also has a 7-shot capacity, and you should be pleased with it. I'm not familiar with Rossi handguns; never owned one. Hope that helps.

[spittinfire]

My dad has a Rossi and it runs like a champ. I had a Taurus that I ended up selling because if you tried to feed it magnums the cylinder would lock up. I personally wouldn't own either even though my dad's has been trouble free and accurate. I've known enough of other people who have had trouble with Rossi to buy one.

[Byrdguy]

I have a Rossi .38 spl. small frame 3" bbl. looks like a S&W 60. My dad gave it to me in the mid 70s and the quality is excellent. I haven't fired many rounds through it, but it is very accurate. I don't know about the modern Rossis, but if they are built like mine, no worries. i'd buy one.

[CourtJester]

Never shot a Rossi but Valentino Rossi won today so it must be good.