44 mag deal

[cruzans]

What do you think - great deal or sketchy. Found place that is selling Rossi 44 magnums with 2" snub for $340. Story is ( and they say it is just their theory ) they were imported as 3" revolvers because govt wouldn't allow 2" to be imported. Rossi or importer cut them down to 2" but screwed up so they had to counter bore them a bit. They say they are unfired, and the odd counter bore is the only "flaw". Several pics and they look great, here is the barrel. What do you think - a steal or a pass?

[dkf]

Story is ( and they say it is just their theory ) they were imported as 3" revolvers because govt wouldn't allow 2" to be imported.

If that is true how can they get the other 2" revolvers they sell in other calibers into the country?

The $340 doesn't seem like a bad price compared to what the .38 and .357 Rossi go for however I would not buy a .44mag with a barrel shorter than 4". A 2' barrel will really neuter the velocity.

[knight0334]

If that is true how can they get the other 2" revolvers they sell in other calibers into the country?

The $340 doesn't seem like a bad price compared to what the .38 and .357 Rossi go for however I would not buy a .44mag with a barrel shorter than 4". A 2' barrel will really neuter the velocity.

It is true. It was the Gun Control Act of 1968 that created all sorts of handgun importation regulations. The guns have to go through a point system where things like safeties, weight, barrel length, caliber, types of sights, types of grips, action type, and a few other things. Handguns must score so many points before it can be imported

Show me a foreign made handgun under a certain barrel length... Other companies get their 2" revolvers into the nation by making them here. A revolver must score 45 points, and a pistol must score 75 points, to be imported.

II. Firearms Laws
G. Federal Firearms Laws
6. The Points Systems of GCA '68
by Larry Cipriani (lvc@lucent.com)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Factoring Criteria for Weapons

Note: The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms reserves the right
to preclude importation of any revolver or pistol which achieves an
apparent qualifying score but does not adhere to the provisions of
section 925(d)(3) of Amended Chapter 44, Title 18, USC.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

PISTOL

Prerequisites

1. The pistol must have a positive manually operated safety device.
2. The combined length and height must not be less than 10" with
the neight (right angle measurement to barrel without magazine
or extension) being at least 4" and the length being at least 6".

Individual Characteristics Point value

Overall Length
For each 1/4" over 6" 1 pt

Frame Construction
Investment case or forged steel 15
Investment case or forged HTS alloy 20

Weapon Weight w/Magazine (unloaded)
Per ounce 1

Caliber
.22 short and .25 auto 0
.22 LR and 7.65mm to .380 auto 3
9mm parabellum and over 10

Safety Features
Locked breech mechanism 5
Loaded Chamber Indicator 5
Grip Safety 3
Magazine Safety 5
Firing Pin Block or Lock 10

Miscellaneous Equipment
External Hammer 2
Double Action 10
Drift Adjustable Target Sight 5
Click Adjustable Target Sight 10
Target Grips 5
Target Trigger 2

Qualifying score is 75 points

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Revolver

Prerequisites

1. Must pass safety test.
2. Must have overall frame (with conventional grips) length (not diagonal)
of 4 1/2" minimum.
3. Must have a barrel length of at least 3"

Individual Characteristics

Barrel Length (Muzzle to Cylinder Face)
Less than 4" 0
For each 1/4" over 4" 1/2

Frame Construction
Investment Cast or Forged Steel 15
Investment Cast or Forged HTS Alloy 20

Weapon Weight (Unloaded)
Per ounce 1

Caliber
.22 short to .25 acp 0
.22 LR and .30 to .38 S&W 3
.38 Special 4
.357 mag and over 5

Miscellaneous Equipment
Adjustable Target Sights 5
(drift or click)

Target Grips 5
Target Hammer and Target Trigger 5

Safety Test

A Double Action Revolver must have a safety feature which automatically
(or in a Single Action Revolver by manual operation) causes the hammer to
retract to a point where the firing pin does not rest upon the primer of
the cartridge. The safety device must withstand the impact of a weight
equal to the weight of the revolver dropping from a distance of 36" in a
line parallel to the barrel upon the rear of the hammer supr, a total of
5 times.

Qualifying score is 45 points.

ATF FORM 4590 (7570.5) (10-77) Edition of 5/74 may be used

[USMC3531]

I had a Rossi 357mag with 2" barrel and it was stamped "made in brasil for taurus"

[raxar]

To the OP, nothing sketchy about it, the above posts are correct in the import laws/cutting down barrels.

The reason it's cheap is because A)it's not a "name brand" gun and B)it's a 2" barreled .44 mag, that is not an easy sell

I had a Rossi 357mag with 2" barrel and it was stamped "made in brasil for taurus"

that's because taurus owns rossi.

[dkf]

I know about the points system. That is why certain models Glocks have the grooved trigger. Rossi has other 2" revolvers that are sold here is what I was referring to. I believe they are made in Brazil and look a lot like the Taurus revolvers. They may get them into the country the same way Taurus does.

[cruzans]

I'm ok with Rossi - I have a ss 357 mag snub and have never had any issues with it. I was just thinking this was a good price for a 44 mag "hand cannon" !

[knight0334]

I had a Rossi 357mag with 2" barrel and it was stamped "made in brasil for taurus"

Imported with 3"+ barrel and cut down just like the 44 Rossi.

It is completely illegal to import a <3" revolver regardless as to how many points it hit.

[cruzans]

Imported with 3"+ barrel and cut down just like the 44 Rossi.

It is completely illegal to import a <3" revolver regardless as to how many points it hit.

Learned somthing new. I bought my Rossi 357 mag years ago and never knew or was told when I bought it new that barrel was cut - huh. Thanks!

[USMC3531]

wouldnt it be easier to import them without barrels then install them here?