My dilemma: revolver or semi auto? The answer: revolver wins!

**AMF** · Posted On: 3/07/2010 3:17pm

Well as of today I am the proud owner of a stainless steel, Rossi 6" .357 Magnum revolver.

My rational?

Easy; COST!

I had $500-$600 to spend on a hand gun; I could have gotten a used basic Milspec model Springfield 1911 .45 and gone over the allowed budget for $636 after taxes from a guy locally.

OR,

Went for a 30 min drive and got for under $500; the pistol, 2 boxes of ammo, and a very nice split grain leather holster.

In this day and age saving the money made sense and earned points with the missus. (I will cash in on those points later on my next fire arm purchase)

I would have preferred the .45, but all of the gun shops I went to had the high-end Kimber models starting out at around $960, too rich for my blood. And additionally I needed something to pull triple duty; home defense, hunting, and predator defense while hunting in the deep woods.

Anyhow I am going shooting Tuesday and will write a review, so stay tuned!

**Vorpal** · Posted On: 3/07/2010 5:25pm

Nothing wrong with a .357 revolver (I always liked the S&W 3"HB #13) but I've never been a big fan of Rossi. I always thought Taurus gave better bang for the buck for the budget minded. It's also been a good 13 years or so since I sold guns for a living so it's possible they've done some quality control since then. Good luck with it.

**Jim_Jude** · Posted On: 3/07/2010 5:28pm

Originally Posted by Vorpal

Nothing wrong with a .357 revolver (I always liked the S&W 3"HB #13) but I've never been a big fan of Rossi. I always thought Taurus gave better bang for the buck for the budget minded. It's also been a good 13 years or so since I sold guns for a living so it's possible they've done some quality control since then. Good luck with it.

Smith first, then Ruger, then Taurus, Charter, then Rossi. I'd never buy a Rossi if I had the money to get anything else.

**AMF** · Posted On: 3/07/2010 5:34pm

I found out prior to purchasing that Taurus bought out Rossi and all of the places I went didn't have anything over 4", I was looking for at least 5". The next thing they had under the glass was a S&W, but again 4" vs 6" and the price was significantly more.

**Brian R. VanCise** · Posted On: 3/07/2010 5:36pm

Congratulations! I hope you enjoy the new toy!

**Jim_Jude** · Posted On: 3/07/2010 5:57pm

Originally Posted by AMF

I found out prior to purchasing that Taurus bought out Rossi and all of the places I went didn't have anything over 4", I was looking for at least 5". The next thing they had under the glass was a S&W, but again 4" vs 6" and the price was significantly more.

well, take it all apart and clean & polish everything. Put it back together & have fun!
BTW: good choice on the 6" for .357, you don't really get any performance from the .357 over .38+p w/o being at least 4", better 6". Definitely a good choice, you can hunt small stuff and train with .38, hunt big stuff & self defense with .357

Next time you have some cashola, check out the Ruger SP101. They have some sweet little 3" .357mag revolvers that just will... not.... QUIT!!!!

**pauli** · Posted On: 3/07/2010 6:03pm

when the question is ".357," the answer is "yes."

i love my 4" model 13.

**Lord Skeletor** · Posted On: 3/07/2010 6:06pm

My Taurus 650CIA hammerless FTMFW. I take it everywhere and it shoots like a champ. If I lose it...I'm out like $200. Who gives a damn? It's still a good shooter.

**Jim_Jude** · Posted On: 3/07/2010 6:12pm

Originally Posted by Lord Skeletor

My Taurus 650CIA hammerless FTMFW. I take it everywhere and it shoots like a champ. If I lose it...I'm out like $200. Who gives a damn? It's still a good shooter.

$200!?!

fuckin' cop discounts... :cwm10:

**Emevas** · Posted On: 3/07/2010 7:02pm

I just picked up a S&W 686 for $500, and can't wait to take it out for a test. If you're still looking for a 1911 for cheap, check out what Rock Island has to offer. I got mine for $400, and it shoots great from my experience.