New Acquisition - Rossi M88 Revolver

I just picked this one up today, a Rossi M88 snubbie in excellent condition with original box, manual, etc. I had been eyeballing it for several months now at a LGS and just didn't get up the gumption to buy it until today when I found out that it was slated to go to a Gun Show next week so I jumped on it knowing there was a chance I would never see it again. I feel I got a good price on it considering the condition.

I was guessing it was early 80's vintage and I was right, the manual is dated 1981. It's in overall excellent condition, cylinder has decent lock up and spins smoothly and the ejector rod is straight and runs smoothly. Hammer is firm and tight when cocked in SA.

This thing must've had a trigger job at some point as the trigger is amazing, like butter. It puts to shame the out of box trigger on my newer model 642. I can tell when a revolver trigger isn't great if it's fairly easy to make it lock up and I couldn't make this one lock up, it runs smooth as can be.

The grips, surprisingly, fits my hand quite well just as they are. I have handled S&W's with the old round butt type grips that did not fit me well at all and were crying out for a Tyler-T insert but these are working out for me so far. No need for a Tyler-T here.

The only flaw is the front sight which is off center to the left and is not symmetrical with the barrel. I didn't notice this right away at the LGS until I got it home and noticed that the adjustable rear sight is canted all the way to the left to make up for the flaw. I am assuming this is the correct position for accuracy but I have yet to take it to the range to find out. It may take further adjustments. My fault for not checking it over more clearly and being used to Smith & Wesson quality.

I was carrying it today loaded up with 148gr. Magtech LWC (an appropriate Brazilian made load for this Brazilian made gun) in my Blackhawk #6 IWB holster which fit the M88 perfectly with my new DeSantis Second Six speedloader pouch. This is the first time I carried the DeSantis Second Six and the combo carried on my body comfortably (for those of you who haven't tried the Second Six it looks to be a real winner).

Now I need to take it to the range for a few rounds of ammo testing and to see how accurate these sights are.

The one I owned, and carried for a couple of years, twenty years ago was a nice M60 clone. Fit and finish were almost to S&W standards. It had a quite decent trigger, which got better when I had a smith polish the innards. Dependable, plenty accurate for defensive carry, and under $190 brand new in the box.

I wish I had kept it as a backup, but I sold it to a friend.

EDITED: Mine must have been what was then called an 87. It didn't have adjustable sights. Might not have bought it if it had, because I intended to pocket carry it.

I have the M68 and the M88. They are clones of the S&W model 36 and model 60. They were actually made as clones while S&W and Rossi were under the same parent umbrella.
The triggers are excellent and both have been flawless. The 68 was LNIB for $185 back in the late 80's and around $200 for the 88 around 2010.

I like those adjustable sights. I've been looking for a Rossi 8 shot 22 revolver. They make a SS model with 2 inch barrel and adjustable sights. They are always out of stock when I look for them.

Very nice.

I inherited my Dad’s Model 68, the blued version. It is a well-made little gun.

I only have one Rossi. A 971 which is a 6 shot 357 with a 2-3/4" barrel.
A buddy shot it one time and the first thing out of his mouth was "that's a ROSSI?"
Then he asked me who did the trigger job on it.
I told him that as far as I know it has never had one.
He couldn't believe it was a factory trigger.