Rossi 720 44 Special

Tytan01 · Feb 9, 2021

Me239 said:
Hey everyone! Been awhile since my last post, but I thought you guys might appreciate my latest purchase, a Rossi 720! Bought this as a broken gun for $200 from a local gunshop, as the cylinder couldn't spin freely and was a bear to swing in and out. Turns out all it needed was a little acetone and a toothbrush to get it back into shape! Took it out with some HSM 44 SPL Cowboy loads and packed a great whallop against steel targets out to 50 yards. Now all that brass is loaded back up with 7.2 grains of SR4756 under a 240 grain plated bullet, waiting for its next trip to the woods.

I've been curious about owning a 44 SPL only revolver ever since I learned about Skeeter Skelton and Elmer Keith's work with them, but could never find anything besides expensive old Smiths and Charter Arms Bulldogs. I have a beastly 9.5" Ruger Super Redhawk in 44 MAG, but something about having this little revolver that I can quickly aim and fire definitely beats that heavy thing when hiking.

Anyways, I'd love to hear what 44 guns you have and your favorite loads (magnum and special). I'm looking to get a mold for 44 bullets in the near future, so any advice on that is also welcome!

I recently got a hold of some of that HSM Cowboy Load 44 Spec and spent an hour at the range shooting my Rossi 720C and a 24-3 Lew Horton prepped S&W.

The Rossi has gutter sights and a bobbed hammer but it shot just as accurately as the 24-3 with it's adjustable sights. Both being shot double action out to about 40 feet.

Jon651 · Feb 9, 2021

Let me pile on here...

Ours is DAO with a spurless hammer and low profile sights. Great for concealed carry. It's loaded with Hornady Critical Defense rounds and recently bought two extra speed-loaders for it.

Double-O-Dave · Feb 9, 2021

I've owned a "Covert" (I've also heard it referred to as a "CIA" model) version of the Rossi Model 720 for a number of years. It's a revolver that has an almost cult like following. You've already received some excellent advice regarding either the Covert or adjustable sight versions of this revolver including don't try to "hot rod" the piece (stick with standard velocity .44 Special ammo), and please don't dry-fire the piece. I've heard multiple accounts of fracturing the hammer nose from dry-firing. It's got some very desirable features including a 3.0 inch long pinned barrel, and a lot of gun packed into a small space. Mine takes J-frame sized grips, but the frame size is actually between that of a J-frame and a K-frame. It's hard to find leather holsters for it - I've had better luck with generic fit nylon belt holsters, or IWB "sticky" type holsters. I've included some poor cell phone photos of my Model 720.

Regards.

Dave

Grayfox · Feb 10, 2021

Anyways, I'd love to hear what 44 guns you have and your favorite loads

Well, you asked for it.

The .44 Special is one of my absolute favorite cartridges. I have quite a few revolvers chambered for it. Mostly S&Ws. I have 1st & 2nd Model .44HEs, all three barrel lengths of the Model 24-3. a 696 no-dash and there is a Charter Arms Bulldog in there.

About a year ago I picked up this 1950 Military and its fast becoming my favorite.

My pet load is a 240gr LSWC over 6.0grs of W231. I find that this pretty much duplicates the original factory loading clocking right at 800fps and is very accurate in all my guns.

OP, you did very well on your Rossi. If I was to come across one, especially at a deal like you got, I'd probably own one of those as well.

Roofer · Mar 18, 2021

I've got a 696 no dash which may be my favorite revolver. I'd have to drag a bunch of guns to the range to really decide. Alas in this guns and ammo ridiculousness, that ain't gonna happen for awhile.

I also have a Rossi 720c. It doesn't quite have the trigger of my 696 or 66-4, but it is much smoother than my modern Rugers.

I discovered 357s when I was a kid. Then 44s. I didn't really learn about 44 specials until my 40s. What the heck was I thinking?

I've been meaning to learn to reload. Clearly now isn't the time. But, someday.

Me239, you enjoy that beauty.

MP-5 · Mar 19, 2021

Smoking deal on your Rossi 720. I paid $400 used for mine and it was well worth it for me. I did a trigger job and wow Do they smooth up! Basically a Brazilian copy of S&W “lock works” but just shy of a Smith smoothness but very close. Uses a coil mainspring instead of a leaf spring mainspring. The ejector rod design is a little thin but functional, and the plastic front sight leaves something to be desired however, it shoots very accurate. I use Bullseye and 180gr Hornady lead round nose out of it but I keep the loads light. If you have binding issues Power Custom makes cylinder endshake washers for S&W revolvers that are compatible with the Rossi. With the trigger job and endshake washer upgrade the Rossi is an awesome package. My handload of a light charge of bullseye and lead bullets are a dirty combination, no.... filthy combination but the Rossi eats them and asks for more. A beefy revolver, it can probably take a heavier load than any Charter Arms variant although as mentioned you probably don’t want to feed it a steady diet of hot loads. And I would recommend you purchase some 44 snap caps so dry firing is a non-issue. A great hiking or “walk in the woods” gun. Rossi 720 definitely a cult following.

VictorLouis · Mar 23, 2021

covert is my fave between them

Roofer · Mar 17, 2022

My local LGS has one with adjustable sights. I may pick it up, so my 720c doesn't get lonely.

VictorLouis · Mar 18, 2022

Good Thread-surrection

ACORN · Mar 19, 2022

I too have a 720 Covert. I think I paid around $250.
It’s funny up until a few years ago I could tell you exactly how much I paid and where I bought every gun I own.
I guess Father Time is catching up on me.
Anyhow, the 720 is a nicely made, sturdy revolver. Mine has some little nicks, but I bought it used so I can’t blame the factory.
Although Rossi and Taurus are now the same company, back then Rossi’s was a separate company. Rossi was imported by the now defunct Interarms.
I’d like to see Taurus reintroduce the 720 in there new facility in the US with proper attention to QC.
I think it would be a home run.
I know I’d consider one.
I’m always in the market for another .44.
Currently I have said 720C, a Charter Bulldog, a Taurus 445UL, and a S&W 624.

Mike SC Hunter · Mar 19, 2022

681ismyfavorite said:
if Rossi still offered service or at least parts for a real gunsmith to replace worn parts.... I'd still have mine. I can't upload pix anymore, says security token is missing?

A good gun seldom if ever requires parts and service. I have guns that are over 100 years old that I still pull the trigger on. I'm not worried about parts and service.

Mike SC Hunter · Mar 19, 2022

Mine. The first 720's were made with and unfluted cylinder. All The later ones were fluted. The 720 preceeded the S&W 696 by several years. I bought both when each was first announced

Mike SC Hunter · Mar 19, 2022

taurus RUINED Rossi(like everything else they touch) when they bought them. First thing they did was dropped the 62.

Tony Tiger · Jun 11, 2025

I have a 720 purchased down from the Bob Baer estate after his passing. It shoots well to POA and the action is smooth. Bob Baer is known for his ****hing. There was another one with adj sights and longer barrel but buddy sold it before I decided to go for it too. The one I have is the gutter sight and fluted cylinder

.

ACORN · Jun 11, 2025

Mine has the fluted cylinder, spurless hammer and fixed sights.
I bought a hammer and trigger on EBay I think will fit but I haven’t cracked it open yet to see.

Mike LaNier · Jun 11, 2025

I truly like .44 Special revolvers... I have a couple (a Pre-24 and a 24-3) but lost one of those neat 5-shot Model 696 'L' frames, a Charter Bulldog and a Colt Single Action in our wildfire, which broke my heart...particularly the Smith. The 696's are very nice guns, and hard to find. With the 3" barrel they were great carry guns, and handloading was easy. I personally liked WW 231 as a pistol powder, but to each his own...

Glenn R. McMannly · Jun 12, 2025

Junky guns. These don’t stand up to any amount of shooting before loosening up badly.

Stickgunner · Jun 12, 2025

Great score, especially with it just needing a good cleaning.

Mike SC Hunter · Jun 14, 2025

Glenn R. McMannly said:
Junky guns. These don’t stand up to any amount of shooting before loosening up badly.

NOT TRUE........When I got my 720 I kept a round count to 738 rds. to see when it would die.........That was 28 years ago.........It hasn't died or or come loose........Mine shown with a 696.

Tony Tiger · Jun 14, 2025

Tony Tiger said:
I have a 720 purchased down from the Bob Baer estate after his passing. It shoots well to POA and the action is smooth. Bob Baer is known for his ****hing. There was another one with adj sights and longer barrel but buddy sold it before I decided to go for it too. The one I have is the gutter sight and fluted cylinderView attachment 766090.View attachment 766075

Supposed to read "known for his gunsmithing".

Rossi 720 44 Special

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