Rossi M971 VRC .357 magnum

[spyder1969]

A friend I work with wants to trade his Rossi for my S&W 642 38spl +P. His Rossi has a ported barrel, adjustable rear sight, and a high viz front sight. I never use the S&W (I carry a Ruger SP101). I think it would be just interesting to have another .357, especially with 6 shots. Would be a keep at home gun. Just do not know if I should trade a S&W for a Rossi?

 

[Mooseman]

I wouldn't, the S&W is a much better made gun. I'm not knocking the Rossi, I own one of the stainless steel .357s myself but they are a cruder firearm IMHO. I would look up the blue book value for what they both are worth. You could probably sell the smith and buy a better revolver.

 

[goodtime]

I agree with Mooseman. Think of the trade in these terms --

Assign a dollar value to each, and you'll find that the S&W is worth significantly more. So, you could sell the S&W, use the proceeds to purchase a similar Rossi, and still have a nice piece of change left over.

 

[fireside44]

I would in a heartbeat provided the Rossi checks out. The Rossi is a better gun. Aluminum vs. steel. I would consider it ripping him off. Glory doesn't belong to the clueless.

Besides, it ain't like you can't get another airweight Smith. The Rossi is probably of greater or equal value than the Smith in terms of used cost. The ported barrels are pretty scarce.

 

[Hondo 60]

I think the Smith is worth MUCH more than a Rossi.
I personally would not do the trade!

 

[fireside44]

You can get an aluminum smith for $350 all over gunbroker, never mind your local shop and used.

The Rossi is the rarer gun, and worth approximately the same used as the Smith new and as time passes it's value increases unless you shoot it out. An aluminum Smith won't increase. If it checks out, it will be a serious upgrade. You could always squeeze him for a few extra bucks on top of the trade, hey, "it's a S&W".

 

[HelterSkelter]

rossi is a nice manufacturer, my friend pat has one that was a range gun and it still shoots fine. however any smith and wesson is better than a rossi, they are just better made guns and they are almost all worth more than a rossi. like the other guy said, you could sell your smith and wesson and get a new rossi with a ported barrel or have it done and still have money left over for ammo.

 

[spyder1969]

Thanks for the input!