The Rossi's loading gate means you're not muzzling yourself any time you reload, and you can quickly top off the mag in the middle of shooting.
Also: How many of y'all who've had issues with Rossis have had them with recent production models? I haven't handled that many of the newer ones, but the few I have handled have all had excellent actions. The older ones have been very hit-or-miss, so I definitely wouldn't chance buying one over an auction site.
I've had no problems with the plastic follower or factory springs in the rifle I bought. My only complaint is that the follower is yellow and so looks... wrong. But I don't have to look at it very long at a time.