Cold Steel
Active Member
As the moderately oblivious owner of a S&W 60 (square butt), S&W 36 (round butt), and a Rossi M88 3-inch, I'm curious. When I compare the Rossi M88 to my S&Ws, the only real difference I can see is the extractor rod. The lock ups, trigger pulls, sights and so forth are about the same.
I've never fired the M88, but I owned one just like it before and I occasionally shot +P 110gr JHP through it with no difference in lock-up detected. Both M88s were exceptionally tight and they both were 3-inchers. Both S&W revolvers are 2-inchers.
I can't see any tool marks on the M88. Both guns looked perfect. Even the screws were perfect. The screws on the Model 60 were some I ordered from S&W, and though new, they don't look as pristine as the Rossi M88 screws, which I removed to swap the trigger return spring.
The only two things, minor things, I don't like on the Rossi are the aforementioned ejector rod and the hammer and trigger, both of which are stainless steel (very well done, though). I'd prefer they be flash chromed MIM parts. But those are inconsequential differences. One other is that the firing pin has been known to fail on some M88s if dry fired a lot, but I've heard the same on some 36s. Mine was manufactured in 1968. My father bought his/my Model 60 years later, and I don't think he ever fired or dry fired it.
My question is this: I know the S&W revolvers are most likely made using better craftsmanship and parts. I just wonder if the S&Ws are better able to withstand +P ammo than the Rossis and what other differences might be.
Every Taurus revolver I ever owned manifested huge differences almost immediately, and it's why I don't own any Taurus revolvers to this day (though I love the Taurus PT-92 AR stainless autos more than any Beretta I've ever owned).
I like the 3-inch barrel on the Rossi better than the 2-inch barrels on the S&W revolvers. I know the 36 was made with a 3-inch barrel variant, but I never saw one on a dealer's shelf (of course, I never saw a 36/60 in any variant, either). In the 80s, seeing a Model 60 on a dealer's shelf was like seeing a Sasquatch in New York City. Only cops could get them.
S&W 60
Rossi M88
I've never fired the M88, but I owned one just like it before and I occasionally shot +P 110gr JHP through it with no difference in lock-up detected. Both M88s were exceptionally tight and they both were 3-inchers. Both S&W revolvers are 2-inchers.
I can't see any tool marks on the M88. Both guns looked perfect. Even the screws were perfect. The screws on the Model 60 were some I ordered from S&W, and though new, they don't look as pristine as the Rossi M88 screws, which I removed to swap the trigger return spring.
The only two things, minor things, I don't like on the Rossi are the aforementioned ejector rod and the hammer and trigger, both of which are stainless steel (very well done, though). I'd prefer they be flash chromed MIM parts. But those are inconsequential differences. One other is that the firing pin has been known to fail on some M88s if dry fired a lot, but I've heard the same on some 36s. Mine was manufactured in 1968. My father bought his/my Model 60 years later, and I don't think he ever fired or dry fired it.
My question is this: I know the S&W revolvers are most likely made using better craftsmanship and parts. I just wonder if the S&Ws are better able to withstand +P ammo than the Rossis and what other differences might be.
Every Taurus revolver I ever owned manifested huge differences almost immediately, and it's why I don't own any Taurus revolvers to this day (though I love the Taurus PT-92 AR stainless autos more than any Beretta I've ever owned).
I like the 3-inch barrel on the Rossi better than the 2-inch barrels on the S&W revolvers. I know the 36 was made with a 3-inch barrel variant, but I never saw one on a dealer's shelf (of course, I never saw a 36/60 in any variant, either). In the 80s, seeing a Model 60 on a dealer's shelf was like seeing a Sasquatch in New York City. Only cops could get them.
S&W 60
Rossi M88