Author Topic: Handi/Rossi? (Read 1333 times)

Donaldo · « **on:** September 18, 2004, 11:17:05 AM »

Went to a gun show today. One of the dealers had a bunch of Handi's in several models and some Rossi's. I said something about them looking a lot alike. He said they should, they are made by the same company. I said, I thought the Rossi was made in Brazil. He said it is but it is assembled in Florida. It had "Made in Brazil"stamped on it. But it also had some place in Florida stamped on it also. I said, well the Handi is made in Gardner, Ma. He said no, it is only assembled there, it is manufactured in Brazil. Now that is news to me, anyone ever heard this before, or did I just get a load of BS. I spent a while looking at each rifle and danged if they don't look just alike. Slightly different barrel contour, but the receivers look almost identical. In fact, it seemed to me the Rossi locked up tighter than the Handi. Are we shootin "BRAZILIAN" rifles? Has anyone actually been to the Gardner plant and seen them making receivers and barrels?

MGMorden · « **Reply #1 on:** September 18, 2004, 11:22:07 AM »

They're not the same. Actions are different. H&R, NEF, and Marlin are all the same company and are made in Massechutsetts. Rossi, Taurus, and Braztech are all the same company, are are made in Brazil (IIRC, their distributor is in Florida, and that's where they're imported).

quickdtoo · « **Reply #2 on:** September 18, 2004, 11:52:58 AM »

If anything, they are copycats. The same thing occurs with Spanish and Italian blackpowder "hawken" style rifles, they are clones of TC hawkens, right down to screw styles and internal lock design.

safetysheriff · « **Reply #3 on:** September 19, 2004, 12:20:47 PM »

I admit I have never tried a "RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRo.....RRRRRRRRoooo.... :eek: :eek:
whatever, it is....but I'd almost bet that it isn't worth a gamble -- just for the difference in price -- to go with a RRRRRRRRRRRooooo....... :eek: :eek:

Take care.

mjbgalt · « **Reply #4 on:** September 19, 2004, 01:31:37 PM »

the one 12 gauge rossi i held in kmart looked like it was made by a "defferently abled" retarded class. i wm not kidding, the wood didnt fit the metal, the metal wasnt finished, and it had a weird fit when i shouldered it.

i thought it was a rip off at $89 when i can get the same type of 12 gauge single shot from NEF that is eons better. go pick up a rossi and see what i mean. i actually WANTED to buy a shotgun that day and i couldnt talk myself INTO buying it. you know how you just hold a gun and you instantly want one? well the rossi had the same strength of effect on me but it was a strong repulsive feeling instead.

Mitch in MI · « **Reply #5 on:** September 19, 2004, 02:44:12 PM »

If I could have gotten one of those $125 closeout .357 or .44 Rossis earlier this year, I would have grabbed it. But looking at Walmart prices, for the difference between a $157 Rossi and a $187 Handi, I'll take the Handi every time.

Brett · « **Reply #6 on:** September 19, 2004, 03:02:14 PM »

Quote from: MGMorden

They're not the same. Actions are different. H&R, NEF, and Marlin are all the same company and are made in Massechutsetts. Rossi, Taurus, and Braztech are all the same company, are are made in Brazil (IIRC, their distributor is in Florida, and that's where they're imported).

MG's answer is on the money. The guy you spoke with at the show is either misinformed himself or was intensionally being deceitful. Either way I'ld look for another dealer or you may as well buy from Waly-World because that's the type of info I would expect from them not a dealer who is charging near or at suggested retail.

Donaldo · « **Reply #7 on:** September 20, 2004, 06:26:27 AM »

Well this is pretty much the way I had it figured also. I thought from the way the guy approached me he thought I was some dumb dude that didn't know a rifle from a shotgun. But all in all, the Rossi's I looked at actually looked as good as the Handi's. I am basically talking about the receiver and the way the barrel locked up. The barrel lug on the Rossi actually fit snug in the receiver. My Handi has from 0.018" to 0.022" side clearance between the lug and the receiver and the firing pin strikes the primer off center. I just love my 223UVarm with the lam stock, but the workmanship looks like third world. I know if they made it look like a Ruger #1 it would probably cost like one, but come on factory, you could do just a bit better. And no I was not shopping for one just looking, but they better not bring one out in 6mmBR or I might just be a customer.

Brett · « **Reply #8 on:** September 20, 2004, 07:18:27 AM »

At the risk of taking some razzing I'll admit that I think some of the Brazilian made stuff isn't bad for the money, keeping in mind you get what you pay for of course. I have a Taurus revolver that I purchased over a decade ago that is a S&W clone. It may not have the 'polish' of a S&W but I've put a countless number (several hundred at least and probably over a thousand) rounds threw it without a hitch and it cost about half what the equivalent S&W would have at the time. I'm as patriotic as the next guy and will buy American whenever I can, but money is often a factor I must consider. If it boils down to buying a foreign made product or none at all at least I'm helping the American gun dealer I bought it threw and the American company which imported it into the US.

gwhilikerz · « **Reply #9 on:** September 20, 2004, 07:44:40 AM »

Brett no doubt you will take some razzing but not from me. I own a couple of Rossi guns and am quite happy with them. In fact my carry gun is a Rossi 38 special w/2" barrel. I have carried this gun daily for over three years. When I first got this revolver I shot 7 boxes of ammo thru it the first day getting to know it. I shoot 50 rounds per month with it, just for practice and it has never once failed. I also have a 223/20ga. Rossi that works like it is supposed to. I suppose you do get what you pay for. The fit and finish on the 223/20 is not all that great, but I didn't buy it to admire in the gun safe.
I like my NEF guns a lot or I wouldn't be on this board talking about them. But I will not put someone else's gun down simply because it isn't a H&R or "American made".
LOL, with my Rossi 38, Pardner 20ga, and SKS rifle I actually don't need my other guns that much. But you can never have too many guns! :grin:

kjeff50cal · « **Reply #10 on:** September 20, 2004, 09:10:41 AM »

gwhilikerz,
What does your Rossi .223/20 Combo (I feel like saying with a side of fries

) .223 barrel shoot well? I mine likes the Win. 45 grn white box (1/2" to 3/4" @ 100 yards). Haven't reloaded for it yet but I have about 400 empty Win. cases with a few dozen Remington to make it interesting. If it makes those who buy American comfortable.... at least the Rossi/Taurus is made in America.... South America

.

kjeff50cal

gwhilikerz · « **Reply #11 on:** September 20, 2004, 10:35:43 AM »

I get good groups with both the white box Winchesters and American Eagle (Federal) 55 gr. fmj boat tail. These are the only brands I have tried and I have not started reloading 223 yet.

Brett · « **Reply #12 on:** September 20, 2004, 10:51:29 AM »

I've handled a few of the Rossi single shots and I thought the barrels were too light and the gun did not balance well for me, but I'm used to my 26" barreled .280 Rem. Handi. As far as materials and quality of workmanship goes I'ld have to say it's six of one half a dozen of another. I've seen samples of both that looked great and samples of both that looked horrible. The other consideration is where do you have to send them for warrantee work, Mass. is a lot closer than Brazil. :eek: Have any of you guys with the Rossis ever had to send a gun back for warrantee work? If so what was your experience?

Uncle Ji · « **Reply #13 on:** September 22, 2004, 08:33:24 AM »

I own both Handis, and a Rossi, and I see no differance in quality. My Rossi is the R357S Stainless Steel .357 Magnum Rifle. The only gripe I have is the rear sights which are lame unadjustable plastic, but a quality adjustable rear sight from a T/C Contender fits perfect, and cost $5.00 on ebay. This is my ideal boat/truck gun. As far as warranty work is concerned it's all handled at the Florida Headquarters, and not sent back to Brazil. The Rossi fills a nitch the NEF lacks in, and that's a light weight (weighs a pound less than a NEF of same caliber) stainless steel pistol caliber rifle at a decent price. High powered centerfires i'll stick with NEF/H&R.

JimIowa · « **Reply #14 on:** September 22, 2004, 09:13:40 AM »

Since I reload I don`t like to hunt for brass.
The Rossi has an extractor instead of an ejector.
However when I got my hornet it only took a few rounds to learn to hold my left palm behind the barrel when the action was opened to keep the case from flying over my sholder.

v8r · « **Reply #15 on:** October 21, 2004, 07:17:43 AM »

Ihave a Rossi .22 mag rifle.It is very accurate,and light weight to carry around the woods.It is a stainless steel model.

BIGBOREFAN · « **Reply #16 on:** October 21, 2004, 07:52:15 AM »

I still have my Rossi 357 magnum that I reamed to a 357 maximum. It is as accurrate as my Handi 357 max was. The Handi is a better made but the Rossi is two pounds lighter. So they make a good inexpensive truck gun.

BBF

Greysky · « **Reply #17 on:** October 21, 2004, 07:52:26 AM »

I once purchased a new Braztech single shot rifle in .357 magnum caliber. It wasn't long before the metal around the firing pin started chipping away. And while my handloads were loaded to perform well in a rifle barrel, they should not have been responsible for this cratering effect.

Anyway, I traded my Braztech for a used .243 Handi, and, now, I always leave the range with a smile on my face.

No, I'll never buy another Braztech.

single shot shooter · « **Reply #18 on:** October 21, 2004, 08:11:37 AM »

Hello,
I'm new here and own a few rossis. Me and a friend thinned and reshaped the stock and forends to my likings and now looks better than any factory rossi. I will admit, the 20 and 12 ga framed rossis are quite ugly and crude but they are well made. Mine started off as a 22/.410 youth combo. I had the .410 bbl chopped and choked and bought another .22 bbl off the net and chopped and crowned it. I eventually bought a .44 mag, wich i had cut and crowned and swapped stocks and added a but plate. a bushnell 1.5-4.5x32 rides on top of weaver bases in weaver rings on both my .44 barrel and one of my .22 barrels. i used iron sighters so i could use the remington mod. 700 iron sights i had installed on the .44 barrel and i could reach the hammer comfortably on both the .22 ad .44 bbl. I soon intend to buy a nef 45/70 handi only becuase rossi dosent make one. It too will be customized. barrel cut and crowned stock and forend thinned and maybe re-shaped and a compact scope on it. all my rossis shoot great and will put meat in the pot, so thats all that matters to me. plus it looks good doin it . Soon as i get some spendin cash i'm a buyin me a 45/70

Rogmatt · « **Reply #19 on:** October 21, 2004, 11:39:49 AM »

To all you Rossi guys, I have a Rossi 28" 20 Gauge barrel 3" chamber mod choke. Never been fired. It will fit your centerfire or shotgun recievers. Will ship it for 50.00 total. PM me if you are interested.