Which revolver
- Thread starter SATX man
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MCgunner
Member
I've owned Rossi, not a thing wrong with 'em, but in a heads up comparison with an SP101, the Ruger wins hands down. It's one tough little handgun. I don't know if you'll get any Rossi votes in this one, not from anyone who's ever owned a Ruger. LOL The Rossi is a decent little very affordable handgun. It is reasonably accurate, has a reasonably smooth, if stiff, DA. It carries 6 rounds, but it is on a weaker frame design and, well, it just ain't an SP101.
<edit> I see SOMEone went for Rossi. I also see that you said .38 only. That tightens it up. The SP101 is a bit over-built for .38 special. I would still pick it, though, in steel guns. I prefer the alloy J frames and Taurus ultralites in .38 anyway. The SP101s are excessively heavy and strong for .38. I can carry a lighter gun in a pocket.
<edit> I see SOMEone went for Rossi. I also see that you said .38 only. That tightens it up. The SP101 is a bit over-built for .38 special. I would still pick it, though, in steel guns. I prefer the alloy J frames and Taurus ultralites in .38 anyway. The SP101s are excessively heavy and strong for .38. I can carry a lighter gun in a pocket.
wankerjake
Member
Ruger. It is worth the extra money and will shoot the pants off the Rossi. I have owned both, I just sold my Rossi and don't plan on getting another one. It was accurate but very finicky. No trouble at all with the SP101 so far, I love it.
MedWheeler
Member
You didn't ask which is the better gun (the Ruger would be); you asked which is "the better buy". That would depend on value of each compared to selling price...
Pistol Toter
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Ruger over the Rossi at twice the price.
jglcolosprgs
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You get what you pay for and I'd stake my life on the Ruger. I'd have to work with the Rossi a lot to get the same level of confidence.
Captain Kyle
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Ruger supports assault weapons bans!!!
I bet Diane Fienstein and Sarah Brady's favorite gun brand is Ruger.
NO RUGER FOR ME!!!!
Also take a look at Taurus CIA 650.
I bet Diane Fienstein and Sarah Brady's favorite gun brand is Ruger.
NO RUGER FOR ME!!!!
Also take a look at Taurus CIA 650.
JohnBT
Member
Bill Ruger died in 2002.
Sheesh.
John
Sheesh.
John
noskilz
Member
Puhleez . . .
On the other hand, I wouldn't be surprised is Feinstein's bodyguard has been instructed to carry a Ruger since she knows it will go bang every time.
I wouldn't buy a defensive revolver from Rossi. Yes, I know some of them work great, and I wouldn't discourage anyone who has one, and has put a bunch of rounds through it, from using it.
However, I wouldn't trust one until I'd put ten boxes of ammo through it. I haven't seen ten boxes of .38 or .357 other than what I've loaded myself, in about 5 months.
Ruger is DEFINITELY a better buy.
However, I wouldn't trust one until I'd put ten boxes of ammo through it. I haven't seen ten boxes of .38 or .357 other than what I've loaded myself, in about 5 months.
Ruger is DEFINITELY a better buy.
earlthegoat2
Member
Ruger SP101 38/357. For some reason this one is not in the poll.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Some Rossi revolvers are just fine, some are not. The fit-n-finish on a Rossi isn't what to should be but then again, you get what you pay for.
The Ruger is a heavy revolver for it's size. If that SP101 isn't a .357 Magnum I feel the additional weight can't be justified. If you are going to buy a .38 Special I would buy something lighter.
I can't vote because I would pass on both in favor of either a SP101 in .357 Magnum or a lighter and slightly smaller .38 Special.
The Ruger is a heavy revolver for it's size. If that SP101 isn't a .357 Magnum I feel the additional weight can't be justified. If you are going to buy a .38 Special I would buy something lighter.
I can't vote because I would pass on both in favor of either a SP101 in .357 Magnum or a lighter and slightly smaller .38 Special.
heavyshooter
Member
I was wondering about this myself.
MCgunner
Member
Apparently, the poster is looking at a used Ruger SP101 in .38 special. Although I agree with you 100 percent, I still voted.
You could fire .38s in an SP101 every day for a lifetime and not wear it out. It just begs for the .357 and I really thought it was weird when they released it in .38 Special, 27 ounces. However, the Rossi is a 24 ounce steel gun, so what's 3 ounces in the scheme of things? I've owned six Rossi revolvers. Two of 'em were .22s and danged neat ones. I bought the second when the first one got stolen and I missed it so much. I kept one 3" M68 that is amazingly well finished and fitted and quite accurate. Other Rossis I've owned lacked the fit and finish of that gun, tooling marks under the hammer (looked rough cut and tossed together) such as that. This 68 was bought in 1981 and if it didn't have Rossi stamped on it, I'd swear it was a Smith 36. The other guns I owned were late 80s, early 90s vintage. They all shot well, though, but they were NOT Rugers. Good guns for the money at the time. I gave a hundred bucks brand new for that 68 in '81 and it's still shooting 2" 25 yard groups.
I love that little 511 Sportsman .22, shoot it nearly every range trip. Its accuracy amazes me, a little Kit gun in stainless, very handy little .22 trail gun with accuracy enough to take rabbits and squirrels at iron sight ranges with, though my Mk2 outshoots it of course. It'll group about 1.5" at 25 yards, the Ruger cheats, has a 2x LER scope on it.
I got tired of looking for a Ruger and sucked it up and bought a Rossi model 351. It really is a nice little gun btw! I'm pretty sure this is a copy of a model 36 Chiefs Special back when the same company that owned S&W bought Taurus back in the '70s or '80s. Of course Taurus now owns Rossi and it looks the same as a model 85. I'm happy and have no regrets. X
CoRoMo
Member
Sorta like comparing apples & fighter jets.
Just buy the Rossi, and find out for your self.
And buy the way, put 300 round through it to make sure, before you spent $50-70 to send it back after spending $75 worth of ammo to prove it could have been reliable.
After that, take your loses and get a Ruger.
And buy the way, put 300 round through it to make sure, before you spent $50-70 to send it back after spending $75 worth of ammo to prove it could have been reliable.
After that, take your loses and get a Ruger.
searcher451
Member
I owned a Rossi once ... for about five days. I've owned Rugers for more than four decades, still own a number of Ruger handguns, and will doubtless add to my Ruger collection over time.
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I have never heard of a person stopping a threat due to the finish and fit on a gun.
You get Ruger lemons. You get Rossi lemons. Buying anything in 2009 is a 50/50 chance that you take.
Personally. I will not own a Ruger. Don't like them. I can't really tell you why, but it might have something to do with the former Ruger guy. Then again it might be that there single actions feel strange to me.
There is one exception. I like the GP100. It fees good in my hands, but I will not buy it. It is a Ruger.
I would go for the Rossi, and my wife loves the Rossi.
You get Ruger lemons. You get Rossi lemons. Buying anything in 2009 is a 50/50 chance that you take.
Personally. I will not own a Ruger. Don't like them. I can't really tell you why, but it might have something to do with the former Ruger guy. Then again it might be that there single actions feel strange to me.
There is one exception. I like the GP100. It fees good in my hands, but I will not buy it. It is a Ruger.
I would go for the Rossi, and my wife loves the Rossi.
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Well, the fit and finish on this Rossi 351 seems pretty good actually and I'd rate it just a hair below my old model 10. I've not opened it up to see the internals yet but other than a heavy DA I'm pleased. Seems like a decent value for $259. My 2cents. X
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