Rossi M68

[John]

A friend has a 10 year old Rossi M68 .38 SPL, blued with 2" barrel, that he got from his father. He doesn't think it has ever been fired and appears to have the original oil coating in the barrel, zero rust and excellent bluing. I may pick it from him as a future trade item. He thinks his dad paid about $200 new for the gun, and it's never been fired.

Any thought on Rossi? I know nothing about the brand except that it is stamped Interarms and says made in Brazil. I know Interarms was once the Beretta importer in the USA.

Any thoughts appreciated. The firing pin is on the hammer, so i'm thinking saturday night special.

[TxFire]

I've got a stainless compensated .357 model that I have had about 11 years and $200 is probably close for a blued model. I believe I paid around $250. I keep it around because my wife is not as intimidated by it as she is the Glock. Though they are both point and click simple. As far as the quality goes, I have had no issues with mine. But I do not punt many rounds through it either. Accuracy wise almost any gun is more accurate than I am at combat range, so no issues for me.
I say get it. It is a decent CHEAP pistol for fun or an extra house gun.
Now lets hear from the more experienced members.

[txinvestigator]

A friend has a 10 year old Rossi M68 .38 SPL, blued with 2" barrel, that he got from his father. He doesn't think it has ever been fired and appears to have the original oil coating in the barrel, zero rust and excellent bluing. I may pick it from him as a future trade item. He thinks his dad paid about $200 new for the gun, and it's never been fired.

Any thought on Rossi? I know nothing about the brand except that it is stamped Interarms and says made in Brazil. I know Interarms was once the Beretta importer in the USA.

Any thoughts appreciated. The firing pin is on the hammer, so i'm thinking saturday night special.

Rossi's are low end guns. TxFire is right, it is cheap. However, having the firing pin on the hammer is not an indicator of Saturday Night Special.

[John]

Thanks guys... and i understand that it is not a SNS. It actually feels pretty nice for an inexpensive revolver.

[longtooth]

Agree w/ both the above. It is not a competition gun. I would have no problem w/ it for a house gun, range gun, something for new shooter to handle & learn on as a revolver. Plenty decent price.