Opinions regarding Rossi (Interarms era) M971 .357mag

[RHGregory3]

Hey guys,

Does anyone here own one of these / have owned / fired etc? I have the 2" .357 model stamped Interarms, VA. It looks IDENTICAL to a K frame.

I picked one up last week due to rumors of it being made on S&W K frame machinery? Apparently the Brazilian government forced the S&W facility workers to leave the country and seized the factory. Personally, I think this sounds like total bull&$!@ but I figured someone may be able to confirm fact or rumor.

Secondly, anyone fired one? I fired 50 rounds 130gr very comfortably with respectable accuracy at 10 yards - then moved on to 10 rounds of .357 golden saber. Very happy with its performance and it's defenately safe to say it exceeded my expectations for what I spent. I shot it to test function and will likely find it's way to my carry rotation.

[Menandros]

I have about 450 .357 Magnum and 800 .38 Special rounds through my 971. I've had no problems and the accuracy never fails to impress for the $180 I paid to get it. The only issue is that the cylinder sticks when I fire Hornady Critical Defense through it. The cartridges also made my friend's Ruger GP100 stick a bit so I figure it was more the ammunition than the revolver.

I have found endless amounts of rumors and contradicting anecdotes about the piece online - I've opted to dismiss the most of it.

[RHGregory3]

I have about 450 .357 Magnum and 800 .38 Special rounds through my 971. I've had no problems and the accuracy never fails to impress for the $180 I paid to get it. The only issue is that the cylinder sticks when I fire Hornady Critical Defense through it. The cartridges also made my friend's Ruger GP100 stick a bit so I figure it was more the ammunition than the revolver.

I have found endless amounts of rumors and contradicting anecdotes about the piece online - I've opted to dismiss the most of it.

I agree, $180 well spent. I think after tax and PICS I was just short of $190 but still very happy with the accuracy/reliability its displayed .. Don't know why I've gotten the wheelgun bug as of late!

My cyl got sticky on the last four rounds (.357) but still fired - I let her cool down after that. I figure it was the previous 56 rounds in less than 5 minutes that was the cause.

[knight0334]

The Brazilian government didn't kick S&W out. That matter was a private business thing.

While Rossi's aren't S&W in quality, they certainly aren't junk either. I cant remember S&W's full involvement with Rossi, but I think the "borrowed" design is legitimate. Just like it is with S&W versus Taurus.

The Interarms era Rossi's were great. Even the Taurus production line of Rossi are still good. Again, they aren't S&W but I wouldn't hesitate to buy another. All manufacturers puts out lemons. But of course, we all only remember the lemons.

Your 971 is based on the K-frame as you have deduced. And in some respects it is a better design that the S&W. Watchout using powerhouse loads, and avoid the 125gr JHP's. The forcing cone is rather thin on K-frames. The hot little 125gr's are known to beating the forcing cone up, even on brandname S&W guns.

[TJB63]

I owned one years ago - 4" Stainless, I sold it when I 'Upgraded' to a Ruger Police Service Six. Never had a problem with it from I remember, Back in those days I was short on accessible cash, So I sold it to take the sting out of buying the Ruger.

I remember comparing them side by side and the Cylinder walls being a lot thinner on the 971, But then Ruger always tended to Overbuild their revolvers back in those days anyhow.

Glad I got the Ruger, But still wouldn't mind having my 971 back.

As far as I'm concerned, They are Good guns, They just aren't top of the line.

TJB

[cdi]

Quality is fairly low on them. I have seen a boat load of broken/non-functional examples pass through here over the years.

[c45man]

Quality is fairly low on them. I have seen a boat load of broken/non-functional examples pass through here over the years.

Were most of these unfortunate examples made before or after the taurus takeover? I am not a cheerleader for rossi, but there could be a quality difference between the pre and post taurus era.

[cruzans]

Can't speak to the 971, but I have a 462 ( 357 mag ) and have not had any issues with it. I changed out the grips to wood, and bobbed the hammer for the fun of it on mine. For the money, a nice pistol !

[cdi]

Were most of these unfortunate examples made before or after the taurus takeover? I am not a cheerleader for rossi, but there could be a quality difference between the pre and post taurus era.

I could not say- I am not very up on which company is making which.
I would say I have seen problematic guns since around 1986- I remember the first one it was a .38spl marked gun that was bored to accept .357 mag ammo.

[electro916]

I have a stainless M971 with a 6" barrel. I was new to revolvers and this was for sale used....and I thought the price was fair....looked like it was never shot much, the cylinder locked up fine, and it had great balance and I loved the feel.

I have over 1000 rds down the pipe, 600+ .38 and 300+ .357.

It is still to this day the best $225 I spent.