Gun Purchase: Braztech/Rossi R461 .357 Thoughts??

Me ^ | 10/18/2001 | Solson

[Solson]

I am seriously considering the purchase of a Braztech/Rossi .357 Revolver for home protection. Ya ya, I know the debate about handgun versus rifle and semi-auto versus revolver. I prefer a revolver and I prefer .357.

That said, I am interested in thoughts/opinions on Braztech/Rossi quality and any other recommendations for similar priced models. I have used GalleryofGuns.com to locate and price. The best deal I am currently considering is $265.00. The gun can be found at RossiUsa Guns. This is the pic...

Thanks in advance.

[Solson]

thoughts?

[OHelix]

For home protection, I think a shotgun is your best bet. Less likely to penetrate walls, and less need to be presice when aiming. Also, the really cool click sound the pump actions make are an extremely effective psychological deterant... That sound may be enough to make the bad guys decide to run away...

[2Am4Sure]

I like my Ruger SP-101. If you live in a state that let's you carry, it fits nicely in a shoulder holster or a pocket.

[El Gato]

While the Rossis are probably fine, Taurus, also of Brazil, is generally thought to produce higher quality firearms. Don't know about relative cost, but in general you do get no more than you pay for, although often you get less.

[D2BAH]

If you wanna shop some more afore the final decision. . .check out the most incredible firearm website I've seen (so far). . .www.gunsamerica.com Gun fans can sit at the computer, ooh, ah, drool and dream for hours.

[donozark]

Can't help you with Rossi. I'm a COLT and S&W man myself. Ya, I know both Corps have broke it off in us. But mine were purchased long ago. My PYTHON is to die for. 6 inch barrel. Mepro-Light sights. Pachmyar grips. Very accurate. Down side? $$$$$

[Robert357]

Rossi, especially of recent vintage are just fine. Many many years ago there was a question about the quality of metal they used. I have a stainless Rossi 38 special from my late father-in-law. It works very nicely.

Personally, I prefer Taurus revolvers, but Rossi has good prices. 357 is a good all around cartridge with both stopping power and the ability to digest 38 special ammo.

I would strongly recommend that whatever pistol/revolver you purchase, you get one with adjustable sites and at least a 4 inch barrel. This will allow you to do some reasonable target practice so that you will learn how to use the handgun.

If you are hooked on a revolver (which I am) you need to understand that hot, high pressure gas comes out from between the cyclinder and the barrel. If you are not careful you can hurt yourself or others from the blast of hot gas. Purchase hearing and eye protection and a cleaning kit for your revolver. You may also wish to consider going to a gun show. If nothing else they are a great place to buy inexpensive ammo.

I suggest that you get some instruction or at least ask someone who has done lots of shooting to take you to a range. Remember to practice and I strongly suggest that you invest in some kind of locking device for either the revolver or ammo. Now go get it and enjoy!

[The KG9 Kid]

Excellent pistol. Great caliber.

[Gordian Blade]

I recently got a Mossberg 500 pump shotgun with a pistol grip. Holds 6+1 shells. Ugly looking, but compact and gets the job done. The gun shop owner who sold it to me made the same comment as a previous poster about the sound of the action being an unmistakable deterrent. A nervous voice saying, "I have a gun!" doesn't cut it. Also, you can load it with ammo that will take out a person on the other side of the room but will not go through a wall with force enough to hurt an unintended person seriously.

I'm currently looking for a long gun to polish my marksmanship. 9mm semiauto looks like the right choice for me. Again, I don't want the bullet to carry too far for safety reasons. Another consideration is that my spouse needs to be able to fire the weapon with confidence, and 9mm doesn't kick back very hard. The ammo is also reasonably priced.

But in the end, you have to go with what is confortable for you. Is there any way you can try it on a range before buying, or get a trade-in guarantee if you don't like it?

P.S. It's pretty difficult to get a pistol permit where I live.

[g'nad]

I have a Rossi 971, a .357 w/4" barrel...Put over 10,000 rounds through it. Reliable and accurate. Cost me $189.00 back in '94. It's my wife's preferred handgun. All in all, I'm extremely satisfied with it.

[MindBender26]

Shotgun absolutely, and forgot about 00 buckshot unless you live in a rural area. You want a shell that will be deadly to edge of your dwelling, then disipate rapidly these after. I use #4 buck. Up close they would put a huge hole in perp. At greater range, they would still be deadly, but by the house next door, all I'm going to have to do is buy some windows.

Good handgun shooting resuires constant practice. They are not for amatures. Shotguns are pull the triger, go the the mop. Yes, you need initial training with any weapon but a shotgun is much more instinctual and user friendly.

You also need to make decisions now. If someone is coming to kill you or rape the wife, in the house, sure, kill them. But what about the 12 year old who is in your house to get your TV set. Most states would allow you to kill him, but would you? Take a course in firearms safety. Speak to a lawyer. Practice and know your house in the absolute dark. Learn where you can shoot and where, if you shoot, rounds will go through a wall and kill your child! Teach your wife and adult children how to use the gun.

Get a burglar alarm. You will not hear that mysterious noise of someone breaking into your house and get up to shoot them. It would be very embarassing to have a burglar steal your gun.... and it happens all the time. Get a cell phone sho you can call 911 when the perps cut your phone lines. Call them before you move from your bedroom. If it's a false alarm, you can always call them off. And when you call them, tell them you are armed. You don't want a cop shooting you, thinking you are the perp.

Instruct your family what to do re: your and your gun. The last thing you want is some kid wandering around the house if you are trying to get a perp.

Again, take a firearms course, both safety and defensive oriented, now!

[The KG9 Kid]

"... Rossi, especially of recent vintage are just fine. Many many years ago there was a question about the quality of metal they used."

Right. I saw a Rossi .357 about ten years ago that had some pretty wicked top-strap cutting in it, and the owner said it blew out of timing. The owner said that he'd shot thousands of rounds through it before it went that way, though, which is as good or better than S&W quality, IMHO.

[mercy]

1. Buy American.

2. If you are not VERY proficient with guns in general ... stay away from handguns untill you take a good class and shoot several thousand rounds.

3. If you have kids the only safety is the same as when you have a pool ... teach them to swim.

4. If a woman is involved ... stick with the double action revolver.

5. If home protection is your goal ... get a mean dog as well as the gun.

6. If walking around protection is your goal ... get a big mean dog as well as the gun.

[DWSUWF]

"...I like my Ruger SP-101. If you live in a state that let's you carry, it fits nicely in a shoulder holster or a pocket..."

The SP-101 is a gem.

And it carries just as well in those states that are in rebellion against the Bill of Rights.

[ar10]

The eternal debate, shotgun or handgun? Buy both, don't be cheap about it. Remember it's your life versus theirs. Two hundred bucks more is well worth it, get the Smith and Wesson 38 special. The Mossberg 500 shotgun would also be fine.

[mrgolden]

I've owned and shot many fine pistols of Colt, SW and Ruger. I recently bought a Taurus Titanium in .45 colt. It is by far the finest I have ever shot. Dead on accurate with extremely tight groups. Moderate recoil with the titanium. Excellent power with the large caliber. My pistol of choice.

[chnsmok]

With my husband the question is "Which gun NOT to buy?". Narrows the the field somewhat. Home protection = shotgun...I am a terrible shot!

[Robert357]

Buying both is a good point. You can purchase a used 12 guage pump shotgun at a Gun Show for a really good price and they hardly ever wear out. A nice used Remington, Mossberg, Winchester, Ithica pump will last a few lifetimes.

Again, Solson, I would advise you to practice with it by taking up trap shooting or something.

[dbbeebs]

Home protection = shotgun...I am a terrible shot!

FWIW, something I learned in a shotgun course: It's not a magic
death ray, the shot spreads only a few inches at 10 yards.

[LibTeeth]

Shotguns fired from the hip usually go high without practice and the narrow spread you mentioned doesn't compensate much. Shotguns are also hard to operate with one hand. Mas Ayoob recommends them as a good safe room gun, but if you have to move and be armed, the handgun has advantages. Of course, a tac-sling on any long arm is essential. But one of its main uses is to be able to drop and retain the long arm while transitioning to the sidearm. One good thing about the shotgun is that it is lower pressure and less destructive to hearing when fired inside.