Yeah, you are right. They do cost less. I am not against Rossi, but for the extra few bucks I decided on going with H&R, and I am happy I did, they have some nice perks. Rossi was going to implement a barrel program like NEF but it has been in the works for a while and no one knows if it's ever going to materialize. Plus the Handi rifles do have a better fit and finish made to them. And to a lot of people it's a big deal that they are made here in the USA instead of Brazil. I like the heavy barreled ones, but I think all the other models look kinda ugly. To each his own. Over at the Rossi forum there are several people getting great accuracy with them.
