As a brazilian I had trully forgotten that Rossi made real guns, because they aren't that popular here anymore. Recently their compressed air carbines and airsoft guns have been getting more attention than their new firearms out here. Back in the days everybody had a Rossi, but nowadays people stick with Taurus way more. Great video as always, greetings from Brasília, capital of Brazil!
Thanks TUFAB, Once Taurus bought Rossi, they didn't continue their revolvers long after that. I guess it competed with the Taurus revolver line. They have really stepped up their quality the past few years.
As sootch00 said, once Taurus bought Rossi they stopped making them. You also won't find them in the used market because people who have them won't sell. Taurus will relaunch one Rossi model this year, we just don't know wich one.
Rossi were a famous revolver manufacturer, I remember my Old Man and his friends talking about them. In that time, in Brazil, revolvers had a top brand: Rossi. Nowadays, after Taurus bought Rossi, revolvers still in production, and I have a model 88 in 3in barrel. Still an excepcional firearm, reliiable accurate, well made, and an excellent finish. By the way, the front side of sights has an red insert to increase the contrast were you aiming to shoot. Rossi still a very famous brand in Brazil, and attracts a lot of firearms collectors abroad. I have to agree with TUFAB about your videos, your reviews are great. God bless the freedom
I had this Rossi Model 88 2 inch, 38 spec. Very good quality, its a copy of the S&W 68, the Rossi was much cheaper and it was the same good quality like the S&W, i never had any Problems with it, the Ruger Model what i bought later Was not a good quality, 2 Times i had to bring it for repair. I was very disappointed about Ruger, it have a super Reputation made in USA, i was shocked what Bad quality the Ruger had. I would buy any Rossi firearm with pleasure again. Thanks alot for uploading. Best regards from Austria 🇦🇹
After Interarms stopped importation, later on Rossi Revolvers were brought in by Braztech, which was owned by Taurus. Also, the Model 88 later became the Model 351 and available in two and three inch barrels and also rated for +P. A few years back, I inherited a two inch Rossi 351 in blued finish and was quite impressed by it. I don't shoot it very often, but enjoy shooting it, when I do.
I own the Model 68 3" my grandfather left me when he passed away along with a couple other guns. I have so much fun shooting it, and my kids enjoy it too. I have no idea how many rounds it's fired, I'm sure at least a couple thousand, mostly from me. Lock up is still tight and it's pretty accurate.
Sootch, I really enjoy your reviews. All of them. I think you give a very complete and unbiased look at any weapon that you review and I always learn something. Been handling firearms for many many years, but never too old to learn. Thanks!
Very true and very well said. I've always thought the same thing about this channel and like you, I've been around guns my whole life and still learn new things and I love that! I'd never claim to know it all. I love learning new things!
Another great production. Much appreciated Sootch. All of us, here in America, have the right of self-defense but not all of us or few of us can afford the $500-1000 for a new Smith, Ruger or Colt pistol. Taurus, Rossi and a few other names, mentioned on your programs, Sootch, seek to fill that niche with good quality, reliable and, very importantly, affordable pistols and revolvers. Although I own pistols and carry them often, I prefer my revolvers for outdoor activities because of the versatility of cartridges available for them. For example, during of months off from hunting season, I can often be found carrying a very similar revolver to the one featured here, a Taurus 85UL in 38 Special. It is very low mass and weather proof and can handle most 38 Special cartridges including target loads which I use to dispatch wounded and dying livestock and snake shot rounds from CCI which are, in conjunction with the target loads, very useful for pests and dangerous snakes. If I am not mistaken, both 38 Colt and Long Colt can also be chambered in the 38 Special adding to its versatility and +P rounds can be very effective against predators, 2 or 4 legged, and small or medium game alike. At least here in the lower 48, a 38 special revolver like this Rossi and similar can be an outdoorsman's best friend and a home owner's best and most reliable self defense.
I found a Rossi Model 94 Blued( Great Bluing by the way👍) 3" 6 shot .38 special it was from an estate sale and had barely been fired. As far as I can tell this model was produced from 1985 -1988 it has a full underlug that runs the full length of the barrel and protects the ejector rod. I just love this gun, it's the same size as the chief special but has the 3" barrel and full underlug & 6 shot (which I love) the old Rossi's are great guns!!
I own many guns from all of the popular manufacturers, but this Rossi 88 is one of my favorites. Scootch00 did not mention how amazingly accurate it is. It will put five rounds into a torso sized target at 50 feet all day.
I have a Rossi 88 and its a goid, solid gun. Its not rated for +P but I ran everything else through it including a lot of my reloads. It has the wood grips and its still my bedside gun.
The Model 68 was the first revolver I ever purchased nearly 30 years ago for about $160 at a gun show. Never a problem. The rubber grips make a huge difference.
Agreed. I bought mine new around the same time, but mine came with the wooden grips. About a year or so ago I purchased a factory set of the rubber grips off eBay, and it was a game changer.
I've got a nice Rossi 88 2", just like this one. I picked it up a few years back. Gave $300 for it- complete with 300 rounds of assorted ammo and 2 holsters. I'm a S&W guy, but honestly, my 88 seems to be built even better than my newer Smiths. Mine is a late 90"s model. One of the last Rossi models before Taurus bought the company. I carried it just last weekend on a trip out of town I took. Just a sweet 38 ! I have heard that these should not be dry-fired, as it can damage and even break the firing pin. So to be safe, I don't dry-fired mine. I do fire only standard velocity ammo in my 88.
For that reason alone I wouldn't waste my money for one!! Plus I don't agree about New S & Ws note being a better quality gun! At least you can find grips for one!!
@@enricomandragona163 I'm a Smith guy myself. And I really like them. But I tell you what, when I lay them side by side, the Rossi 88 sure seems at least as good as my newer Smiths. The 88 is built like Smith used to build their revolvers. And it is also advised to not dry fire the older Smiths that have the firing pin on the hammer. And I've found several sets of grips for the model 88 Rossi. E-bay has tons of grips for it. But the oversize factory rubber grips that come on the gun are just perfect for me. And about usingPlus P ammo in the 88, it is a solid stainless steel revolver. Frame and all. The general agreement is firing a few plus P's through it isn't going to hurt the gun. Most owners fire a few of the hotter rounds to make sure it functions good with their preferred defensive ammo and to get the feel of it, and see where those bullets hit on the target. Then, use the standard velocity rounds to plink with. Which is what is recommended for all little 38 snub revolvers. But many individuals, myself included, are just fine using standard loads for plinking and defense. Plus P Ammo is going to cause more wear on any small revolver. And their are many standard velocity cartridges that are just fine for defensive carry.
@@enricomandragona163 Luckily, I seen this ammo shortage coming. So I stocked up accordingly. And like I said earlier, I got 300 rounds of 38 special with my Rossi 88 when I bought it. Now that ammo is worth what I paid for the gun. I've seen these revolvers going for up to $450 on different gun selling sites. 38 ammo is still around my area. But it's going for up to $40-$50 a box of 50. And that's standard pressure lead and FMJ loads. I did pick up an RIA model 200-38 Special 4 inch revolver a few months back at Academy. They sold me 1 box of American Eagle LRN 158gr for $20 since I bought the gun from them.
Well done Sootch!! I had a Rossi Overland 12ga coach gun with hammers chambered for 3.5 inch magnum shells and just bbn over 18 inch barrels. The weapon broke completely down quite easily and would fit in a book bag no problem. My cousin fired both barrels on it with 3.5 inch 000 buck magnums and literally blew a tree in half. It was a solid, well made, good looking, and very serious coach gun. Rossi is tops in my book but you're right, not many people are even aware of their quality. Thanks again for all your work!!
Both of those little Rossi's are beautifully finished revolvers. I should know, own both of them. My 3" has full shroud under ejector rod and barrel is not pinned, neither is my 2". Thanks for the video, great to know someone else out there likes older Rossi's.
I bought a nice Rossi 2" Brazilian made Blue Steel .357 Magnum I actually shoulder holstered when I first joined the Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton. Of course, that was back when California was, *California!!*
@@elvispresley2284People I know that left California now call it "Commiefornia"!! So many people here listened to the mainstream media and lies put on President Donald J. Trump from the fake news media here in the U.S. that are controlled by the Democrat Leftist/Socialists and this is the result. EVERYTHING they accused President Trump of criminally is what Joe Biden is actually GUILTY of hands down!! What's worse is those people that provide the most evidence of this are subject to censorship by these people. So many people flee persecution in their homelands only to find out what they're running from is the very thing that's now being pushed in America. And it's only getting WORSE. Don't produce the TRUTH and you may not be persecuted by the Left. *Let's Go Brandon!!*
You said you could use +P in them, but the owner's manual specifically states they're not +P rated. I've read of people shooting +P out of them with no problem, but if a company from a developing country tells me their product isn't rated for them... I'll trust their word. 😁 I bought mine new around 95/96, and I love it. I still use it as a summer carry.
I really like the Rossi revolvers but buyer beware some of their more recent offerings are NOT drop safe and there's a recall on them but not all gunbroker sellers are forthcoming. On a more positive note thanks for doing what you do Sootch!!
I got my 2" stainless with wood grips a couple years ago and love it. Manufactured in November of '89, it feels like it was meant for me! The hard trigger pull does take some effort, but the "fun" outshines! Wahi' Valleys
Recently I bought my first .38 snubby, a Taurus model 856. Gotta say that while the trigger isn't great, it is a tight shooter with 158 LSWC HP +P Ammo and is reliable as all get out.
I really love your Rossi rubber grips. Nice! Some people said not to dry-fire them. Have you heard that? Also, my 3-inch stainless Rossi has adjustable sights (sort of). It has windage, but no vertical sight capabilities. My Pachmayr grips are round and the ones on them are square and I prefer them. I've never fired mine. I had a previous model I did fire and it was great. I don't need the internal firing pin, though it's nice. I also like the ejector shroud, but since I don't beat crooks with my barrel, that's also not really necessary. As for dropping my gun, I'm 70 yrs old and have never dropped a gun of any kind (not a camera), it's not an issue. Years ago, I took a date to Washington D.C. event. Afterwards, after a little too much chatting, we went back to the parking garage. There was only one other car parked and about six guys were sitting on it. They clearly were predators and after chatting amongst themselves a moment, they got up and started towards us. Before leaving that night, I went to my car, then returned to my apartment and grabbed my Rossi 3-inch. I put it in my pocket and returned to my car. This was back when D.C. had really severe penalties, but something told me to take it. Now I'm glad I did. As the six guys got close to me, I pulled the gun out of my overcoat just enough to let them see it. And it had the desired effect. They didn't lose a step, they just did a U-turn and went back to the car! As I unlocked the door, my hands were shaking so much I could barely do it. But I've always been glad I had it!
Hmmm...I've had several Rossi M88s since the 80s and I have a 3-incher I've never shot. And if someone offered me a S&W 36, I'd tell them to move on. I've checked all the tolerances on these guns and, unlike Taurus revolvers, they've all been spot on. I shot occasional +P rounds with one of my early ones and it was still tight when I sold it. (And when it was gone, I regreted selling it, so I bought another!) That's why I tell people to buy guns, but never sell them, ’cause once the money is spent, it's gone. Anyway, this is a great gun. If you have one, don't get rid of it.
I purchased my Rossi M88 new for about $200 back in the mid 80s. It was my first gun I bought on my own. I just had it on the range today and can confirm that it is more accurate than my LCP2 (especially in single action) and also softer on the recoil thanks to the nice grip. Very fun and easy to shoot. I like it more every time I shoot it and am impressed with the quality and finish. I’ve decided to go back to using it as my daily carry gun over the LCP, even though it’s heavier. I can also confirm that the HKS 36 speedloader works perfectly with this revolver. Thanks for the great review and information!
Great video! Thanks Sootch! I've had a Rossi 971C, stainless 4" .357 for years. Great gun! Fed everything from light .38 special to heavy .357 hand loads.
I predict a flush of Brazilians popping into the comments writing about how great Rossi was. Nope, Rossi in Brazil was always sub standard. People who say great things about Rossi is due emotional attachment, because someone on their families had one. First of all, it was only in 1957 that Rossi started making revolvers, so the 1889 date means little actual experience. It was a copy of the S&W Ladysmith, called Rossi Princess. The legislation back then didn't even consider it a real gun. Someone could just enter a hardware store, buy one and bring it home. It sold well because it was cheap and easy to buy. Only in late 60s Rossi started to make "real" revolvers aiming to sell them as Saturday night specials in the US. Unfortunately for them, the Gun Control Act came by and they were barred from it. If they wanted to sell in America they had to make good enough guns to compete in something besides price tag. Until then, they would still be a manufacture for people who couldn't afford a Taurus. The real advantage they had was the slimmer profile for concealed carry. The lack of real selling points is backed by the fact that every model they produced, except for the later cyclops, was to be sold cheaper than it's Taurus counterpart. In late 80/early 90s they modernized all their production lines to export. At the time they already produced good guns, but for a long time, the production for the USA was one, and the Brazilian production line another. Obviously, it was the first one where all the attentions was focused on. So, Rossi "Brazilian" revolvers are good guns, yes. But only those which were made for the American market or those of the final years of the company in Brazil. A Brazilian made for Brazilian market is usually not something to write home about.
People usually liked the Taurus more, but one thing I can grant you is: people liked the Rossi for more than affordability, they weren't as good as the ones made for the USA, but they were still good enough to be operated even by some police forces in safer, rural areas of the country, I talk this out of experience since I'm brazilian. But yeah, I would choose a Taurus six shooter over all
Sootch, my rosi grew legs and ran away.. I found it hiding in my wife's nightstand.. she won't give it back..it has the original wood grips, ( it's an old one) .. some day it might come home to papa
Thanks for this great video! Information on Amadeo Rossi SA during this era is hard to find. They were founded in 1889, based in Sao Leopoldo Brazil, and were a small manufacturer of rifles, shotguns that grew substantially from the 1960s through the 1990s. By the late 1970s, they were manufacturing rifles, shotguns (including several "reverse-engineered" versions of popular western models), as well as a line of decent quality affordable revolvers (some sources say using machinery licensed from Smith & Wesson) that were exported to the U.S. from 1978 through 1998 through the International Armament Corporation (Interarms) based in Alexandria, Virginia. The model 88, introduced in 1993, is a stainless steel version of the earlier model 68, which is based on the Smith & Wesson J-frame Model 36 Chiefs Special. Both came with either 2” and 3” barrels. The M88 was discontinued in 1998 after Interarms went out of business and Amadeo Rossi SA began its decline at that time. In 1995, Forjas Taurus purchased the rights & equipment to manufacture Rossi revolvers, in large part to add capacity to its South American manufacturing facilities and supply it's own growing exports. The story of Interarms is fascinating. The founder, Samuel Cummings, worked briefly for the CIA between 1950 and 1953, then started his own company, the International Armament Company (Interarms) and used some of the contacts he had made to build a huge private arms sales business buying and reselling vast supplies of surplus WWII armaments to the public and foreign governments (much to the chagrin of U.S. arms manufacturers who felt this large surplus market cut into their business). The U.S. gun control act of 1968 banned surplus weapons imports and Interarms diversified. They became the U.S. franchise holder for Walther and had a plant in Alabama where they manufactured the PPK. They also had factories VA and England for other brands and were the primary distributor for Mauser, Rossi, Astra, and Star, among others in the United States, in addition to Walther. Cummings suffered a couple strokes and died in 1998 and the company was sold the following year. While Wikipedia has some information, search "Interarms and Samuel Cummings by Robert Adair" for a more detailed history. You can find scanned digital copies of the old Interarms catalogs at cornellpubs dot com, search "Interarms catalog". While the catalog scans are for sale, the table of contents is generally shown which provides a lot information.
Thanks for the wheel love, Don. Just picked up a Taurus 856 Defender three inch black matte finish stainless steel to replace my Taurus 85 stainless that belonged to my mom and it went to my sister after my mom passed away. I like the 856 and I looked that revolver over for a couple of days before I bought it. I had seen some at other dealers that had timing problems and passed on them. The Taurus autoloaders made in the US have better quality control than the imported Brazilian revolvers. So my particular 856 has no timing problems after making sure there were no defects or damage. Nowadays I physically and visually inspect any new or used gun no matter what gun company before I buy. I have seen bad Rugers and Smiths among others so its not just Taurus.
Good video, on a really nice wheel gun. Rossi did produce some fine revolvers. Have owned a SS 3" for decades in .38 spl. six shot. Mine is a bit more refined with an adjustable rear sight, and high visibility orange insert on the front. Ejector rod is shrouded, and yes it does have an actual firing pin on the hammer. I have carried it fully loaded as a camping, trail gun for years.If you take notice the firing pin doesn't rest on a loaded chamber, it only drops upon trigger pull. After the gun is fired the hammer pops back a bit so it's never resting on a loaded primer.
This beauty was used by lots of people here in Brazil, many people had one and they liked them, Rossi and Taurus were used by many police forces and citizens. I personally like the .38 because of tradition, my great great grandfather and all the ones after him, including me, carried an six shooter. Greetings from Brazil, São Paulo
I bought my wife one in the early 90's. Great little revolver. Best story. I misplaced ours once and after Looking around found it at the bottom of the hot tub. Fished it out, Took it apart, dried it out, lubed it And no problem. What good are guns if you don't have them handy when you need them, right?
Great video. I have a Rossi / Interarms era .357 stainless 971 4". Also has a non-fluted cylinder which I don't see very often. Bought it brand new and was my first firearm. Always liked the fact I could shoot cheaper .38 and still have the stopping power of the .357.
Don- Check the grips on the Rossi 88 2". Looks like it's loose. On another note, I'm still kicking my butt for selling the 3" Mod.88. Love your vid's, keep up the good work putting out informative video's.
I think we got into the shooting game at roughly the same time. I'm with you on the occasional snub-nosed carry - old reliable! Enjoy your videos and that you're a fellow "Carolina boy!"
A most excellent little firearm, I used to carry one the only one I’ve ever carried appendix, when I was in my swim shorts and swimming, stainless steel, drill a couple of holes in it and make the internal parts stainless, and it’s a Go 👍 👍
As a bit of a tip. On the m68 you can fit stock j frame springs to lower the pull. Should also work on the m88 in 2”. Can’t use the Wilson spring kit because the j frame hammer spring is shorter by a smidge than the m68, and the Wilson hammer spring is shorter than the j frame. So the Wilson spring is shorter than the Rossi spring by a good bit. Butttt, the stock j frame hammer spring and the Wilson rebound springs work on the m68 (probably also the m88 with 2” barrel). So if you have a j frame also you can upgrade both at the same time with 1 kit
I have a Rossi 461 (blued) 6-shot, .357 magnum. Very comfortable gun to shoot. It does have an inconsistent trigger pull when shooting with single action; very light at times… so light that a deep breath could set it off… but no issues on double action.
I have a model 68. The bluing is very good but like you say, not as good as Smiths’. Bought at Pawn shop, don’t think it was ever shot. Good quality pieces for sure and the price is right.
Just remember not to drop it! I have the same 2" Rossi and I also have an 851 4". Apparently both of them, and every Rossi revolver made from 2005 to 2017 is recalled due to apparently firing when dropped..
I bought my M88 "Lady Rossi" in 1994 for $202 out the door. The "Lady Rossi" was a limited round butt version which aids in concealment. I cannot count how many rounds I have shot through it in training and practice, and it was my only handgun for those first 16 years of carry. After many years of carrying everything one can think of in handguns the old Rossi is now only one of two handguns I conceal carry. A 2" S&W model 10 round butt is my usual belt gun but, the Rossi is my deep concealment AIWB with a t shirt and a pocket option in pants and coat pockets( I did purchase a parts gun so I could bob a hammer without altering the original hammer and its always good to have parts if you carry a discontinued handgun model, although I have yet to need any repairs). I would put my old Interarms imported Rossi up against any revolver made it has been that solid for the last 28 years. By contrast my S&W 642 only made it 4 years before it started to fail (light strikes, I believe from frame stretching) and S&W called it "normal wear and tear" and would not warranty the gun. I realize it is an alloy frame and not steel like the Rossi but, I will never buy another new S&W revolver although I love the pre 80's guns as I said I carry a late 70's S&W model 10 almost daily.
I almost bought a Rossi back in the late 80s, but the shooters I knew were into S&W so I saved up for a S&W 686. I have always been happy with it, but it was a long time before I bought a snub nose 38 special, so I think back to that Rossi I passed on. I notice the stock grip. Back then I had to buy a Packmeyer or Hogue grip to drop the wood grips from the factory which I never liked. I should sell my wooden grips, they are in perfect condition, never used.
I just got a new to me Rossi 88 2” and took it straight from picking it up from my LGS to the range. It is hitting almost in the exact same location yours is at 7yards. Small sized cluster of holes but approximately 2 1/2 inches left at seven yards and approximately 6 inches left at fifteen yards. Is there any solution for this since the sight are not adjustable?
Hey just bought one from my buddy today for 225 with a holster and a box of 38 hollow points. Didn't tell him I have 1000 38 rounds! I shot it just now it's a good shooter man it really is a pretty gun!
I have this exact gun, just had it on the range yesterday. I run into issues with the cylinder locking up, seems to happen on two of the chambers. Not sure if I just need to clean it or what, but thanks for this video, it's the most in depth of the few I've been able to find on this firearm. Guess I'd better clean mine. It's my only revolver and I'm getting better with accuracy, but I definitely need to put some paint in the front sight, it's hard for me to see easily. When aiming, is the top of the front post supposed to be even with the top of the trench sights? Or should there be a little extra height to help see where it is? I think it's the former, I've had better results that way but I'm not sure. Again, paint would help.
I'm guessing that the 351 replaced the Model 88 because my 351 looks almost identical to this Model 88. My 351 which I bought in 1999 has a "Hillary" safety screw and its does not have the "hammer serrations".
I was at a range recently, and pretty much every rental gun was checked out except one of these and a Taurus. I don't remember the model number, but it was a 2" 5-shot in .45 Colt. I loved both, especially the Taurus. Sadly, the range wouldn't sell me either. Gotta start checking Gun Broker I guess. LoL.
