Author Topic: Taurus vs. Rossi for concealed carry (Read 3294 times)

jeffcneal · « **on:** January 09, 2013, 10:56:43 AM »

I'm about to purchase 1 of the 2 for a CCW. The Taurus is $319 and the Rossi is $259. Both guns are NIB and current production 38 Specials with 2"barrels. Is there any "real world" difference between them? Also, both revolvers have standard configuration hammers.
thanks in advance,
Jeff

gstewart44 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 09, 2013, 02:23:04 PM »

which models Taurus and Rossi??? I have a Taurus 817 bobbed hammer that weighs about 21 oz. the fact that the cylinder holds 7 rounds of 38 +p makes the decision for me. If they are both the 5 shot models I would look at the trigger pull and weight of the respective models.

jeffcneal · « **Reply #2 on:** January 09, 2013, 06:30:03 PM »

gstewart44:
Thanks for your input. It's pretty much an "apples to apples" affair. Both revolvers are blue finished, 5-shot, 2" barreled 38 special revolvers with synthetic grips and standard hammers. Both have the Taurus Security Feature and there's not even any difference between them on the fit and finish. I certainly would'nt mind paying more if there's a quality issue, but I can't find fault with either after handling both $:-\$ .
regards,
Jeff

gstewart44 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 10, 2013, 02:03:20 AM »

what is the warranty on the Rossi? Taurus is lifetime.

gstewart44 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 10, 2013, 02:15:57 AM »

Just found out my own answer - - Taurus makes the revolvers for Braztech under contract with the same tooling they use for the Taurus revolvers. Braztech owns Rossi. So the Rossi and Taurus 5 shot .38s are almost identical twins except for the name stamping. Also - Rossi has the lifetime warranty.

jeffcneal · « **Reply #5 on:** January 10, 2013, 04:06:37 AM »

gstewart44:
Thanks for researching all of that. I did the same thing and came up with the same answers and conclusions. I don't want to scrimp on the revolver that I'll stake my familys life on, but I also need to save where I can. Obviously, it will be a pure defensive weapon. Subjected to 50 rounds of low pressure FMJ bi-weekly, thoroughly cleaned, and carried daily with the hottest defense loads I can find. The warranty clinches the deal, I'm going with the Rossi.
thanks again,
Jeff

oldhunter · « **Reply #6 on:** January 21, 2013, 12:19:55 AM »

Never owned a Taurus revolver but have owned two Rossi revolvers for at least 15 years. A model 88 .38 sp with 2" barrel and a 971 in .357 mag. with 6" barrel. Found both to be very good guns. The .38 is not rated for +p ammo but there is excellent regular ammo available.

jeffcneal · « **Reply #7 on:** January 21, 2013, 07:16:24 AM »

oldhunter:

Glad to here you've had good luck with the Rossis. So far, so good with the 1 I picked up. Practical accuracy is better than I expected and the gun feels better balanced in the hand than any other "J frame" style revolver I've ever held. I'm very happy with the purchase. My only complaint is that while on their web-site to register the warranty, they've tempted me with a lever action carbine

.

regards,
Jeff

damienph · « **Reply #8 on:** January 21, 2013, 10:56:33 AM »

Quote from: gstewart44 on January 10, 2013, 02:15:57 AM

Just found out my own answer - - Taurus makes the revolvers for Braztech under contract with the same tooling they use for the Taurus revolvers. Braztech owns Rossi. So the Rossi and Taurus 5 shot .38s are almost identical twins except for the name stamping. Also - Rossi has the lifetime warranty.

Actually, they are not even close to being identical twins. I have a blued steel version of both. A Taurus M85 and a Rossi M351. They have no interchangeable parts, including grips. I think that they are both decent revolvers for the money. Their shape is different enough that the Rossi will fit my Fobus S&W M60 holster but the Taurus will not.
Below is my Taurus, I guess I don't have a pic of my Rossi, I'll try to remember to take one.

gstewart44 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 21, 2013, 05:29:03 PM »

Quote from: damienph on January 21, 2013, 10:56:33 AM

Quote from: gstewart44 on January 10, 2013, 02:15:57 AM
Just found out my own answer - - Taurus makes the revolvers for Braztech under contract with the same tooling they use for the Taurus revolvers. Braztech owns Rossi. So the Rossi and Taurus 5 shot .38s are almost identical twins except for the name stamping. Also - Rossi has the lifetime warranty.

Actually, they are not even close to being identical twins. I have a blued steel version of both. A Taurus M85 and a Rossi M351. They have no interchangeable parts, including grips. I think that they are both decent revolvers for the money. Their shape is different enough that the Rossi will fit my Fobus S&W M60 holster but the Taurus will not.
Below is my Taurus, I guess I don't have a pic of my Rossi, I'll try to remember to take one.

what year is your Taurus? Taurus got the contract to manufacture Rossi revolvers for Braztech some years ago, and today Taurus makes 3 models of .38 Spl and 4 models of .357 on their own tooling for Braztech/Rossi. Below is a pic of the current Rossi 5 shot .38spl revolver. Other than the grip they look identical as would be expected of two guns produced on the same tooling. Spec sheets have them at the same weight.

jeffcneal · « **Reply #10 on:** January 21, 2013, 05:35:13 PM »

gstewart44:

My Rossi is the exact model as the 1 in the above photo you provided. Ironically, the Taurus I was considering was the exact version of the 85 in the photo provided by damienph.

regards,
Jeff

damienph · « **Reply #11 on:** January 23, 2013, 07:08:58 AM »

From the Rossi website; the Rossi revolvers are manufactured in a new Taurus facility using some original Rossi tooling and some new. Anyway, my revolvers are the same age, bought less than three months apart within the last 8 - 10 years and are BrazTech products.

They just don't look that much alike to me. Even the cylinders have different size and shape extraction stars. I cannot see any parts that are interchangeable. Both of these revolvers appear to be about the same as the ones listed on their current respective web sites. The difference with the new Taurus is some models no longer are ported and the shape of the cylinder release has changed to mimic the current S&W release. The new Rossi appears to be identical to mine.
As for which one I prefer, I really do like them both but if I was to keep only one, I prefer the feel of the Taurus. Quality seems to be equal. Can't explain the difference in price.

jeffcneal · « **Reply #12 on:** January 23, 2013, 10:45:24 AM »

damienph:

The photo of your pair without grips explains 1 reason why I went with the Rossi in the end. I've got large hands and the square butt grip just seemed a better fit. In the store, I really did'nt notice that the Taurus was a round butt.

regards,
Jeff

damienph · « **Reply #13 on:** January 23, 2013, 11:13:49 AM »

Jeff, I like them both. I think that for the money they are great little revolvers. Both have a very good fit and finish. The main reason that I would choose the Taurus over the Rossi is because I find it a little more controllable with the heavier barrel and the ports. But, I bought them both and plan on keeping them both.

jeffcneal · « **Reply #14 on:** January 23, 2013, 04:54:09 PM »

damienph:

I have to admit that had the Taurus I looked at been ported, I might have gone with it and an aftermarket grip. Also, I'm fond of the Taurus transfer bar safety. But, the Rossi satisfies my needs. Although, your posts have got me thinking that another 1 [... either of the 2... ] might be a good idea for stashing in the safe "just in case

"!

regards,
Jeff

oldhunter · « **Reply #15 on:** February 14, 2013, 02:24:01 PM »

Quote from: jeffcneal on January 21, 2013, 07:16:24 AM

oldhunter:

Glad to here you've had good luck with the Rossis. So far, so good with the 1 I picked up. Practical accuracy is better than I expected and the gun feels better balanced in the hand than any other "J frame" style revolver I've ever held. I'm very happy with the purchase. My only complaint is that while on their web-site to register the warranty, they've tempted me with a lever action carbine .

Follow up on that Rossi lever. A couple years ago I also bought aRossi 92 lever in .357/.38 with 20" barrel and found this to be an excellent rifle. Good wood in stock and I replaced the safety with a peep sight that was an improvement over original rear sight. Took buck with it at about 60 yards. Go for it.

Old hunterOld hunter

277284 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 15, 2013, 05:59:57 AM »

The Taurus M85 has a frame mounted firing pin, and the Rossi M351 has a hammer mounted firing pin and different types of hammer block on both.

jeffcneal · « **Reply #17 on:** February 15, 2013, 07:16:37 AM »

oldhunter:

Thanks for the positive feedback on the Rossi levergun. I've got a 38/357 with a 16" barrel on "eternal lay-a-way" at a friend of mines shop! Can't wait to take it out and see what it'll do.

regards,
Jeff

jeffcneal · « **Reply #18 on:** February 15, 2013, 07:18:18 AM »

Quote from: 277284 on February 15, 2013, 05:59:57 AM

The Taurus M85 has a frame mounted firing pin, and the Rossi M351 has a hammer mounted firing pin and different types of hammer block on both.

Thank you for clearing that up for me, it's good to know.

regards,
Jeff

corbanzo · « **Reply #19 on:** February 22, 2013, 10:29:55 AM »

Quote from: jeffcneal on January 23, 2013, 10:45:24 AM

damienph:

The photo of your pair without grips explains 1 reason why I went with the Rossi in the end. I've got large hands and the square butt grip just seemed a better fit. In the store, I really did'nt notice that the Taurus was a round butt.

regards,
Jeff

In regards to CC, one of the reasons I really like my taurus 605(357 version of 85) was because of the small grip. I also have large hands, and it feels like the banana is gonna slip out of the peel if you know what I mean! - But that small round butt end fits really nicely in the pocket and doesnt get caught on jackets.

When I shoot the pinkie curls under the bottom of the grip, it is definitely something you have to get use to, but it's not made to be a plinker! Some newer versions of the 605/85 do have a bit of a longer grip, I know the synthetic frame versions do. I also do wish I had those porting on my .357, feels like getting smacked with a yard stick in the palm with full house loads!

damienph · « **Reply #20 on:** March 05, 2013, 04:52:16 AM »

Quote from: corbanzo on February 22, 2013, 10:29:55 AM

Quote from: jeffcneal on January 23, 2013, 10:45:24 AM
damienph:

The photo of your pair without grips explains 1 reason why I went with the Rossi in the end. I've got large hands and the square butt grip just seemed a better fit. In the store, I really did'nt notice that the Taurus was a round butt.

regards,
Jeff

In regards to CC, one of the reasons I really like my taurus 605(357 version of 85) was because of the small grip. I also have large hands, and it feels like the banana is gonna slip out of the peel if you know what I mean! - But that small round butt end fits really nicely in the pocket and doesnt get caught on jackets.

When I shoot the pinkie curls under the bottom of the grip, it is definitely something you have to get use to, but it's not made to be a plinker! Some newer versions of the 605/85 do have a bit of a longer grip, I know the synthetic frame versions do. I also do wish I had those porting on my .357, feels like getting smacked with a yard stick in the palm with full house loads!

The ports do make a difference. Many don't like them, but I don't mind them at all. They really do help controllability and follow up shots.

Ladobe · « **Reply #21 on:** March 18, 2013, 06:22:38 AM »

No experience with Rossi revolvers, but a 62SA bought in the mid 80's was a really great firearm then at least.

The last two carry revolvers I bought were both Taurus, back in the 90's. A 606 ported 357MAG 2" and a Taurus 431 44SPL 3". Exceptional, both of them, very easy to handle, could easily handle full house loads, the ported LOUD.

bubbinator · « **Reply #22 on:** April 13, 2013, 08:10:47 PM »

Back when I was reloading for my S&W M15 4" USAF issue carry gun, with 125gr Sierra JHC bullets over a Speer #8 Manual Carryload usinf SR4756 I was happy with it.It expanded well, killed wild dogs, and did what a bullet needed to do. One of my coworkers wanted to sell his Rossi 2" 38 and asked for some ammo. As he rode with me at times, he had some of my goodies. I gave him some factory SWCs to shoot for the demo, but the dumbass put some of the "duty loads for the S&W M15" in the Rossi and blew it up! I have shot multiple 100s of this load thru 10+ S&W guns over 3 decades and 1 Rossi failed in the 1st cylinder. Get a clue.

Graybeard · « **Reply #23 on:** November 26, 2019, 04:49:52 AM »