I wrote this on another gun board and just pasted it here.
If I knew then, what I know now.
From Brian 8-21-07 from another gun board.
Word to the "cheap"
My "NEW" (Purchased 4/26/07) 461 .357 2" Revolver has broke and or failed for the second time .:confused:
I didn't really want a cheap gun, but I didn't want to fork out big bucks either, on a gun I wasn't going to shoot as much as my others at the range (Shoot the good guns instead, and keep the cheap one for a back-up. That's not an "oxymoron", is it?).
So I did a little research and found a gun page that has almost all current models and current prices. I ran across the Rossi 461 and found every body on that page said it was a great gun.
So I looked it up, and found a gun store on-line. The Rossi sale spiel was....
"The Rossi Model R461 in blue steel and R462 in stainless steel are snub nosed revolvers in .357 Magnum long regarded as the perfect round for self defense. This little giant carries 6 rounds and is as reliable as the day is long. The R461 is approved on the roster of handguns certified for sale in California. The Model R971 features adjustable rear sights, four inch barrel, six round magazine capacity and is covered by a lifetime repair policy. The R971 is approved on the roster of handguns for sale in California. The R972 has a 6 inch barrel for long distance accuracy and features adjustable rear sights. As with all Rossi revolvers, the 972 is covered by a lifetime repair policy."
"is reliable as the day is long"
"is reliable as the day is long"
"is as reliable as.............
"is as.....
"is...
So I bought one thinking, it's got to be "OK"
We'll folks, the World is coming to an end.
Long story longer? I shot a few hundred reg .38s through it with no problems. And finely decide to shoot just one (uno) .357 through it. Just one. That's when the poop hit the fan.
First the centerfire cap was breached and it tacked the shell to the frame like a mini weld. I finally got it broke lose, carefully mind you. And all seemed fine, until I tried to shoot it again. Gun seemed fully functional and the hammer came down, but it didn't fire. After looking over the gun, I realize the tiny spring that holds the pivoting hammer firing pin had went into space or it might as well have. I ended up getting a spring and repaired it. (By the way the springs are on back order and have been for over a month)
After reading other gun pages, I found a lot of negative comment's. So just in case, I bought a Ruger SP-101 for carry. And I'll keep the Rossi and see if those na sayers are correct and shoot the gun for practice and fun. FYI, I did like the gun. "Did"
So to make a longer story even longer. Now I'm in at about $800 now.
So I head out to the range a few more times but only shoot and will shoot .38 and .38 +p through it.
Anywho, I went out to the range last night and was shooting the Ruger with .mostly 357s and the Rossi only with .38s. I had ammo out for both of them. So I go to load up the Rossi unknowingly I'm putting .357 in it (oppps!), thinking they where .38s, and KABOOOOM! Something tiny smacked me in the face. "What the....!!!!!!" Oppps, I put .357 in my ".357." Why the heck did I do something stupid like that?
We'll now the hammer will not stay back when cocked, but still functions in DAO. Or does it?
Nope, gun won't shoot either. I guess the spring popped out again. Yep it sure did. That must of been what hit me in the face. (Kids wear your eye protection)
Now I have a nice paper weight, a $310 paper weight.
I hate dogging a company, or a gun without a proper explanation. I now hate that gun, and love my Ruger even more now.
I will never, ever, buy, or promote a Rossi, or another cheap gun, ever again. Leason learned, the hard and expensive way.
OUCH!
We'll I guess I have only one thing to do now, is of course, send it back, and wait tell it rains in Vegas again.
Sorry to say, and regretfully so.
End of another Rossi story.
Brian
PS, Looking forward to getting my CZ semi.
