I know that I ONCE bought a Rossi SS .38 Snub nose cuz it really did "look better made" to me than the S&W sitting beside it for close to twice the price of the Rossi. NEVER NOT ONE SINGLE TIME did that gun ever make it all the way around a cylinder double action without locking up and stopping to function. I bought it as a self defense concealed carry gun and it was TOTALLY UNRELIABLE for that use.
I've not bothered to pick up to even look at one since but I've heard similar tales from others who have owned them. In fact there is one on one of the forums now about one that even after coming back from Rossi functioned no better than before it was sent in. Rossi is a part of Taurus these days and their customer service and quality seem to have hit rock bottom.
I personally would not even consider one of either brand for a self defense gun and bet my life on it. Maybe for a hunting gun where if it fails you only loose the head of game you were gonna shoot and have to wait for another chance but never ever where life or limb would be at risk. That's my opinion of them.
