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S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 3-Screw PINNED Barrel SWING-OUT Cylinder Hand Ejectors WITH Model Numbers


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Old 01-11-2017, 08:21 PM
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Default In 1990 I did not buy a Chiefs Special, but...

Friends, please don't linch me from the nearest tree.

In 1990, I went to my local gun store (LGS) to buy a S&W Model 36 "Chiefs Special." I had owned a sweet "Chiefs Special" in the early 1970's and let the gun go...to my regret. So in 1990 I went to my LGS to buy another Model 36 "Chiefs Special." My local LGS had told me over the phone they had one, and I had the money to buy it. But I walked out of the LGS with a Rossi M885 revolver because the Rossi had a much better action.

Now friends, I'm a strong S&W fan and currently possess five excellent S&W revolvers. But that 1990 experience has aways left me perplexed. In 1990, I found the new Rossi M885 had a much better action than the new S&W Model 36.

I've always wondered, why was the Rossi's action superior to the beloved S&W?

Please understand, I'm not dissing all S&W's. I love my S&W revolvers as the pinnacle of all revolvers. I just never understood why the S&W wasn't the revolver I walked out with.

Help please me understand???

God bless,
Birdgun

Last edited by Birdgun; 01-11-2017 at 08:29 PM.
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Old 01-11-2017, 08:22 PM
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Someone get a rope.
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Old 01-11-2017, 08:31 PM
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Someone get a rope.
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Old 01-11-2017, 08:37 PM
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Dang!! I think I've got a problem!


God bless,
Birdgun

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Old 01-11-2017, 09:10 PM
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Someone get a rope.
Eggzactly what I was going to say.


Maybe somebody worked on the action on that Rossi. Boggles the mind, but who knows.
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Old 01-11-2017, 09:18 PM
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John do Rossi's have coil springs--that is the only thing I could think of? I know that the first time one dry-fires a new coil spring action on a J frame that it can feel heavy.
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Old 01-11-2017, 09:27 PM
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Just in case anyone is interested, the word is spelled with a y (lynch).

And it does not mean "to hang by the neck until dead." It refers to a mob taking a person from legal custody (usually by force) to carry out "mob justice." In the 19th Century it usually ended in a hanging, but the hanging itself is not "lynching."
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Old 01-11-2017, 09:40 PM
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I'm not sure if I'll find a lot of comfort to being "LYNCHED" as opposed to being "linched"...

Mercy please!!

But, maybe 6518John is on to something. The "other" revolver does have a coil spring (I just checked). I would like to understand why the "other" revolver had a better action while in the LGS. Both were brand new revolvers. And, I had the cash in hand to buy either revolver. I suspect I was just dumb. Ya think???

God bless,
Birdgun

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Old 01-11-2017, 10:59 PM
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I wonder what they bought instead of a Smith??
Must have been a package deal!
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Old 01-11-2017, 11:50 PM
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Back in 1994 I bought a Rossi model 68 which is identical to theSmith model 36, both 2" blued. The Rossi was and still is superior in finish and action to any model 36 I've handled. They were imported by Interarms back then and were quality guns. The blue finish on mine rivals my Python.
Modern day Rossi's not so much since their Taurus connection.
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Old 01-11-2017, 11:54 PM
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Quote:
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That's not a rope! It's a line by US Navy standers...
Keel Hauling may be what you think should be the punishment!
LOL!
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Old 01-12-2017, 12:00 AM
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Originally Posted by STCM(SW) View Post
That's not a rope! It's a line by US Navy standers...
Keel Hauling may be what you think should be the punishment!
LOL!
AAAARRRRRRVVVVVVVVV, AYE!
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Old 01-12-2017, 12:03 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Birdgun View Post
Friends, please don't linch me from the nearest tree.

In 1990, I went to my local gun store (LGS) to buy a S&W Model 36 "Chiefs Special." I had owned a sweet "Chiefs Special" in the early 1970's and let the gun go...to my regret. So in 1990 I went to my LGS to buy another Model 36 "Chiefs Special." My local LGS had told me over the phone they had one, and I had the money to buy it. But I walked out of the LGS with a Rossi M885 revolver because the Rossi had a much better action.

Now friends, I'm a strong S&W fan and currently possess five excellent S&W revolvers. But that 1990 experience has aways left me perplexed. In 1990, I found the new Rossi M885 had a much better action than the new S&W Model 36.

I've always wondered, why was the Rossi's action superior to the beloved S&W?

Please understand, I'm not dissing all S&W's. I love my S&W revolvers as the pinnacle of all revolvers. I just never understood why the S&W wasn't the revolver I walked out with.

Help please me understand???

God bless,
Birdgun
Prolly get a pirmanent BANNDERED form this hire Fourem!

Though I do find their Winchester 92 copies to be quite attractive???
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Old 01-12-2017, 12:33 AM
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My goodness! This is one tough bunch of hombres. I'm diving into my bunker!

God bless,
Birdgun

Last edited by Birdgun; 01-12-2017 at 12:48 AM.
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Old 01-12-2017, 12:46 AM
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Originally Posted by STCM(SW) View Post
That's not a rope! It's a line by US Navy standers...
Keel Hauling may be what you think should be the punishment!
LOL!
As an old Army guy, which is quicker??

God bless,
Birdgun
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Old 01-12-2017, 12:53 AM
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As an old Army guy, which is quicker??

God bless,
Birdgun
Do a Google search and tell me...
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Old 01-12-2017, 12:55 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by saemetric View Post
Back in 1994 I bought a Rossi model 68 which is identical to theSmith model 36, both 2" blued. The Rossi was and still is superior in finish and action to any model 36 I've handled. They were imported by Interarms back then and were quality guns. The blue finish on mine rivals my Python.
Modern day Rossi's not so much since their Taurus connection.
Thank you! Thank you, Jaguar lover.

There's room in my bunker for you!!

Still folks, was S&W not doing a good job in 1990? I was genuinely surprised that the "other" revolver was nicer.

Hope someone can explain. I do feel terrible!

God bless,
Birdgun
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Old 01-12-2017, 07:08 AM
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Don't feel terrible. You got a superior product and almost 30 years of use out of it for less money. That's a win.

You're letting the name brand and the fact that your Rossi is probably worth, what, $100 less now than the 90s Chief you would've bought that day, cloud your thinking.

Sometimes, you find a good gun, regardless of the name on it. Enjoy it.
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Old 01-12-2017, 10:56 AM
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Well, Mr. Birdman, in order to help you understand I will need you to step into my office and make yourself comfortable on my couch. Just lie back and try to relax. We will start by asking you a few simple questions about your relationships.........
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Old 01-12-2017, 11:30 AM
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Well, Mr. Birdman, in order to help you understand I will need you to step into my office and make yourself comfortable on my couch. Just lie back and try to relax. We will start by asking you a few simple questions about your relationships.........
Whoa!! Yesterday I got talked into doing just that at a local doctor's office and today I have one less molar in my mouth.
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Old 01-12-2017, 11:38 AM
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Yes, the "early" Rossi's were very smooth, but felt delicate because of the weight.
Women loved them for this, until they fired it.
Lightweight meant more abrupt recoil.
Women did not like this.
Sold my last Rossi 3" 38 Special last year at a gun show.
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Old 01-12-2017, 11:53 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mrchuck View Post
Yes, the "early" Rossi's were very smooth, but felt delicate because of the weight.
Women loved them for this, until they fired it.
Lightweight meant more abrupt recoil.
Women did not like this.
Sold my last Rossi 3" 38 Special last year at a gun show.
That 2" Rossi .38 Special of mine is a stainless steel model that does have some heft. But, in regards to lightweight J-frame type revolvers, my wife did like the way her 2" Taurus Ultra-light .38 Special felt in her hand but found out it bites when fired. Her night stand gun now is a Model 15-4.

Last edited by Birdgun; 01-12-2017 at 11:56 AM.
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Old 01-12-2017, 11:55 AM
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There was a short period where Rossi made a fairly nice gun, but they never were the quality of a S&W as far as ability to fire thousands of rounds and keep on going, and retain their value and grow in value. Occasionally I get a S&W that has an ordinary trigger pull, and it can be improved easily. I recently had a friend bring a Rossi 38 Special, about J Frame size. He was taking a CCW class and it wouldn't fire more than 2-3 rounds per cylinderfull without locking up. When checked it out I found the cylinder face out of square and the rear of the barrel also out of square. It would carry up on one side but soon would get to the narrow part and lock up. I told him to send it back and get fixed. I did a lot of stoning and got it to at least fire 6 rounds without locking up. I advised him to either get it fixed right or sell it and get something you can rely on.
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Old 01-12-2017, 12:03 PM
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Back in the early eighties when revolver quality was still very good, I could still buy Smith and Wesson P&R revolvers new in the box. They were a little pricey back then relative to salaries and cost of living scales. Every time I purchased a new S&W, my friend would buy a clone from either Taurus or Rossi or what ever other manufacturer was cheaper. Most of the time the S&W was superior in fit and finish, but there were some times the clone revolver would be equal to mine in quality. The OP may have just fallen into that slot, and maybe at that time, in that shop the Rossi was a superior product. All of those revolvers I bought back then are long gone, replaced by plastic fantastics. I have since been reversing those bad choices.

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Old 01-12-2017, 12:09 PM
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Do you still have the Rossi and does it shoot as well or better or worse than a Smith and Wesson?

I took a Taurus M 85(?) .357, 2 1/2 inch BBL in trade some years back as partial payment for an old rifle I was selling. It was Stainless Steel with 6 ports on top of BBL. I gave it to my son and when we shot it, which was often, I found it to be a very quality gun with no negative issues.
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Old 01-12-2017, 12:24 PM
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Do you still have the Rossi and does it shoot as well or better or worse than a Smith and Wesson?
I do still have the Rossi and it's certainly not better than any of my current S&W revolvers, but it still has a nice action. The Rossi spent many years riding in my pickup.
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Old 01-12-2017, 02:19 PM
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I have a Rossi Model 720 chambered in .44 Special. It has the coil mainspring like a J-frame, and some J-framed grips fit it, but it fits in K-frame sized holsters. The Model 720 came in two different versions - the "Covert" model (mine) has fixed sights, and is DAO. The "Target" model has adjustable sights and is SA/DA. One warning I have received from gunsmiths is not to dry fire the piece as the hammer has been known to fracture, and replacement parts can be difficult to find.

Regards,

Dave
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Old 01-12-2017, 11:28 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by STCM(SW) View Post
That's not a rope! It's a line by US Navy standers...

Keel Hauling may be what you think should be the punishment!

LOL!


Yeah, well, the Navy's a weird bunch.

They measure speed & distance in something called "knots" and call the ******* a "head."
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Old 01-15-2017, 12:39 AM
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In the early to mid 1990s, EVERY Taurus, Rossi, Colt, and Ruger small frame .38 I owned, shot, and/or fondled had a MUCH better action than EVERY J frame snub I shot and/or fondled.
Every J frame I tried back then, had absolute garbage DA pulls.

BTW, all of these guns were either brand new or used, and all were unaltered.
Back then, I really wanted a 36 and a 40. The horrid actions convinced me to spend my money on other brands.

Fast forward nearly twenty years, and I ended up with a bunch of Smiths.

My 36 and 31-1 have very good actions for such a small revolver.
Then again, they were made in the late '60s-early '70s.
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So, you remember the Chief's Chief's Special... squidsix Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Pistols 11 04-12-2012 12:03 AM

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