Heritage Roscoe tempting?

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Grimjaws

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Okay I know it’s a Taurus and would only be a range gun but darn if I wouldn’t mind checking out the 3” model and price from my FFL would be under $300 before tax.

I gave my nickel 3” 36-1 to my son so this would be a cheap
way to get back into a 3” j frame size revolver.

i’ll have to see one before purchase of course

Anyone else tempted?
 
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I might consider one for a young shooter in training. I've bought a couple Heritage revolvers and they all shoot just fine for $150 guns. My grandson loves shooting his (that I keep here.) Are they DA/SA? I'd have to look at one closely 1st. For less than $300, if looking for one, sure! Why not?!
Let us know how it runs when you get it.
(Now, this is coming from someone looking at the Ford Maverick 'cause my wife thinks they're cute, and her lease is up soon.)
 
Grimjaws said:
Okay I know it’s a Taurus and would only be a range gun but darn if I wouldn’t mind checking out the 3” model and price from my FFL would be under $300 before tax.

I gave my nickel 3” 36-1 to my son so this would be a cheap
way to get back into a 3” j frame size revolver.

i’ll have to see one before purchase of course

Anyone else tempted?
Click to expand...

Yep. I just learned about ol' Roscoe a couple of days ago on this forum.

I've had a few Taurus over the years and never a problem.

Besides, who wouldn't want a gun named "Roscoe"?
 
I would not personally buy one for the simple reason that I have enough S&W and Colt Revolvers to satisfy me. I also have enough spare parts for Smiths to replace or repair pretty much anything that breaks. Therefore I would not buy a revolver at this point I could not easily fix or repair myself. Shipping guns out for repairs is getting ridiculous between the wait times, round trip shipping and actual repair costs!

For someone who is just starting out and would like a J frame sized revolver but without the big expense of a new S&W or Colt, I guess the gamble of $300 isn't that big of a chance to take. While I am no Taurus fan (don't own any), I have heard their quality has improved a bit.

For someone who can afford a premium model, I'd recommend looking at the new Colt Cobra and other Colt models - they are excellent quality and have great fit and finishes if new is what you wanted. Used S&W J Frames are still easily gotten however the buyer must be physically present and educated on what and how to properly check them out before pulling out the wallet. Vintage Smiths are now aging & wearing and while many parts are still available they are getting a little harder and more expensive to get. Properly inspecting and checking them out is key!
 
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I bought 2 of them. A 2” and 3”, waiting for me at the LGS. Hopefully, pick them up tomorrow. $263 puts it at about $305 OTD, including transfer. That was a deal I couldn’t pass up.

Plenty of j-frames in the safe along with Cobras. I expect the Roscoes to be a fun range gun and a familiar feeling desk-drawer/nightstand option as I feel very comfortable with the Taurus model 85s.

Would love to find some more Speer 135gr Short Barrel for the 2” but it’s become a unicorn. Will try Silvertips or Fed Hydra-Shoks.

If the Roscoes handle as well as my model 85s (with that beautiful, polished deep blue/black), I will consider it money well spent with a smile on my face.
 
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I don't care much for J-frame size revolvers, but I do have a 3" Taurus 327 that I like enough that it has become my EDC. I might could be tempted by a 38 version of basically the same gun (I guess it is anyway) but with what appears to be a nicer finish.

So, I guess I'm a definate maybe.
 
alwslate said:
Not tempting at all when Rural King periodically has the S&W 642 on sale for around $350-375.
Click to expand...

The only comparison to the deep blue finish and wood grips of these new SA/DA Roscoes is a S&W model 36 Classic at an avg price of $829.
 
This was from two months ago. I actually paid $237 with the veteran’s discount. I had some grips and a Pachmayr grip adapter in the box o’ stuff.

I see the no-lock 442s all the time for under 4 bills.

I love cheap guns. I just want them to be good cheap guns.
 

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sigp220.45 said:
This was from two months ago. I actually paid $237 with the veteran’s discount. I had some grips and a Pachmayr grip adapter in the box o’ stuff.

I see the no-lock 442s all the time for under 4 bills.

I love cheap guns. I just want them to be good cheap guns.
Click to expand...

"you dun good son", as I used to hear in Tennessee all the time.

PERFECT little carry gun that will last two lifetimes...The grips and adaptor you put on there are perfect...You changed it from a $230 gun to a $600 gun with just the turn of a screw and some parts.

I like cheap guns too.
 
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Any new wheelgun with a polished, shiny blue finish is worth my money nowadays IMO. Taurus has been steadily improving in the quality of their products; I had an 856 Executive model that was surprisingly nice, and the new Rossi revolvers made by them appear to be quality pieces.

I intend to try to locate a Roscoe in a local store and might very well take the plunge on a 3" model for the novelty.
 
I had a beautiful Taurus 85 once. I bought a Heritage birdshead a couple years ago.


Both inexplicably developed light strike issues.



I think I'm good. :) But best of luck!
 
alwslate said:
Really? So you think the Roscoe has the same mechanical integrity as a S&W model 36?
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No. I expect it to perform and function as a Taurus 85 with a nicely polished deep blue finish. Not going to shoot competition with it and it’s not a safe queen, not a collectible, not looking to get a set of Culinas for them.

Probably shoot a few hundred casual rounds through it at the range for fun. Keep it in the desk drawer or the car. Leave it in a nice retro Galco holster. Admittedly, I don’t get to the range much these days because of health reasons.

I’ve only had 2 model 36 RBs that were sold off years ago. One, because it spit lead. The other was a “Classic” with a muddy finish that could only roughly be called blueing… and that built-in safety feature in the side plate, for the discounted price of $789. I wasn’t enamored with either one.

Plenty of other j-frames in the collection that have performed flawlessly along with my 642s, 637s, 360J, 442, 340PD and MP340.

PS: Here’s a shot of my newest purchase. Have to say that you guys succeeded in making me feel pretty poorly about sharing it here. Used to be a lot more gentlemanly conversation and camaraderie here.

0Hdz55g.jpg
 
Ignore the naysayers

That’s the exact model I’m getting the 3”! I had some 36-1 square butts.

I sold my 36-1 blue one to a friend
Gave my 36-1 nickel to my son

Recently been introducing some younger people to shooting and everyone preferred the 3” .38 with wadcutters once they moved up from my 18 .22

This will be a cheap replacement
 
I have the 2" and it shoots well above it's price point. Let the naysayers stay away. I'll pick up a 3" as soon as I can find one. I shot mine versus my 642 and both shot to the same point of aim. Nice trigger and the speedloaders hung up half the time as with the 642. It is a fun gun to shoot and no issues in 300 rounds. Wooden grip fits my hand well. I thought I'd need a Tyler T but won't. Enjoy it. I am.
 
MarkAlt said:
0Hdz55g.jpg
Click to expand...

That bluing looks excellent for the price point, and even pretty nice compared to some of the more premium options out there right now. It's leaps and bounds ahead of the matte blue/black finishes that seem to be commonplace these days.
 
NY-1 said:
That bluing looks excellent for the price point, and even pretty nice compared to some of the more premium options out there right now. It's leaps and bounds ahead of the matte blue/black finishes that seem to be commonplace these days.
Click to expand...

Nice looking revolver!
 
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