I have a M971 - same frame with a slightly shorter barrel and 6-shot 357 cylinder.
I took it to a range cleanup/shooting event last year and a buddy of mine shot it a couple of times and asked incredulously...
"That's a Rossi? Who did the trigger job?"
He could hardly believe it when I told him it hadn't had a trigger job as far as I know.
I also have a Rossi 44102 - a more modern 2-1/2" blued 5-shot 4 magnum. It is almost as slick and smooth as the old M971.
Never have figured out why the haters hate the Rossis. They seem to be good guns and their prices are quite attractive. That amounts to good value IMO. Maybe I've just been lucky?