Smith 696 clone question...

[spistols]

I have a Rossi M720, made by Amadeo Rossi, imported by Interarms, all pre-Taurus ownership. From the info I found online, of course, it is a copy or clone of the Smith 696. Also, some articles say it was built on the same tooling as Smith's 696 in Brazil. Not sure if this is true or not.

What I am trying to find out is from those who have/had both, are the guns extremely close or are there any minor differences to note? I am still on the lookout for a 696, but was just wondering what are the differences, if any that really jump out?

So far, the M720 is an excellent handling and shooting .44 special. I can only imagine the 696 being equal if not a whole lot better.

 

[Dobie406]

The M720 is one of two non S&W revolvers I own(the other a Blackhawk, both 44 Spl). can't compare as I don't have a 696, but the Rossi is a darn good shooting gun.

 

[ken158]

Think about it... how can a Rossi be built in Brazil on the same tooling S&W has in Massachusetts? No, it’s just a copy.... I had my one and only Rossi many years ago.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I have a Rossi M720, made by Amadeo Rossi, imported by Interarms, all pre-Taurus ownership. From the info I found online, of course, it is a copy or clone of the Smith 696. Also, some articles say it was built on the same tooling as Smith's 696 in Brazil. Not sure if this is true or not.

What I am trying to find out is from those who have/had both, are the guns extremely close or are there any minor differences to note? I am still on the lookout for a 696, but was just wondering what are the differences, if any that really jump out?

So far, the M720 is an excellent handling and shooting .44 special. I can only imagine the 696 being equal if not a whole lot better.

The Rossi 720 PRECEEDED the Smith 696 by about 3 years. Your qouted articles are very wrong. I have both. Had had the Rossi long before the 696 was announced. Kept a round count on the Rossi to 740 rds. to see if it would break......It didn't. Lots of misinformation out there.The Rossi was made in DAO(bobbed hammer), fixed sights, adj. sights, unfluted cyl's(early versions) and fluted cyl's. Also it is slightly smaller than the 696.

 

[6actual]

I have both, a DAO Rossi 720 and 696-1 they are pretty dissimilar except for 5 round each and the same general size. Both are much fun to shoot

 

[spistols]

Good information. Interesting that the M720 preceded the 696, and is a little smaller. Does this mean S&W copied the M720?

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Good information. Interesting that the M720 preceded the 696, and is a little smaller. Does this mean S&W copied the M720?

No.........