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Rossi .38 SPL revolver

mohawk600

SS, 3 " barrel, the Import mark is "FIREARMS INTN'L CORP." ......."WASHINGTON D.C.". Serial # is 550xx

Can anyone tell me what it is that I have here? Early? Rare? Good/bad?

Came with a basket weave "Alamo Leather Goods Co." holster made in San Antonio, TX...... Stamped with #362 and a 12 round leather belt ammo holder stamped #838. No maker mark on the belt ammo holder but I assume that it is the same leather maker. They are both black and in excellent condition.

Came with 33 rounds of older ammo mostly RNL and some wadcutter.......Remington

Any info appreciated.

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Comments

15 comments

Date Votes
  • Toolman286

    I'm not sure about the import marks but a 3" ss 38 rossi was a common offering.

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  • roswellnative

    I like rossis over Taurus. They were well made but plentiful. My 420 in 44 spl is hands down a basic powerful revolver

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  • Ditch-Runner

    I had one years ago kept in my car all the time was handy little gun at the time I thing it was about 125.00 to 150.00 if I remember . I have no idea now what they would sell for check the auction side would be my suggestion if your going to sell it I never had any issues with mine but I did not shoot the crap out of it . it is one of the guns I wish i had hung on to over the years it just made a good carry car / truck gun I keep thinking I wanted one in 44 spl just because bigger is better LOL . I doubt If I get one now but never say never

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  • nmyers

    Rossi made utility grade guns for many years, generally rough copies of Smith & Wessons. FI Corp imported guns for many foreign makers. Rossi's work OK, but not the quality of Ruger, S&W, or Colt; certainly not considered rare, or even collectible.

    More than 20 years ago the Rossi name & company were bought by Taurus. Rossi parts & service are provided by Braztech, but only for guns that Braztech imported. If not stamped Braztech, they won't touch it. Your gun is now an orphan. But, stick to .38 specials, & it should last for many years.

    Neal

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  • varian

    i have one of those. mine marked a model 88. plenty of info on the net about it. one thing i found out is not to dry fire it much, seems the firing pin nose will break. you can get a new one made with a more suitable steel and pin from Jack First at a very reasonable price. seems to be a well built little pistol.

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  • drobs

    Depending on the condition $250 to $350, maybe $375 is perfect.


    Completed auctions on Rossi 38spl revolvers listed by bid count. 1 or more bids = a good chance the gun sold.

    GunBroker.com - Login
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  • Grasshopper

    F.I. Importers go way back to the 60's and i believe you have one in that era. As above, ok to use. Have had several with no issues but were not used much.

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  • mac10

    better than taurus of the time

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  • dreher

    I managed to get a SS Rossi snubbie in a 38 special for a little bit of nothing probably 20 years ago. I got it so cheap I figured there was something wrong with it other than what the guy said about needing the money. I took it out to where I shot back then. Put five rounds in it, stepped back 25 feet, used a tree to brace my arm for better accuracy and shot the five rounds.


    I couldn't believe it. At 25 feet, shooting 125 grain HPs those fixed sights were set so that Rossi poked out the center of that target. It might have been the nicest snubbie I ever shot.


    So a woman I knew asked if she could borrow it because of an abusive boyfriend of her daughter who had moved back in with her.

    It got swapped for drugs. I can be so stupid. 😕 😥😣

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  • chiefr

    May not be able to stand the answer but IMHO Rossi revolvers are cheap junk.

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  • select-fire

    Not the first choice for a snub nose but they do work

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  • savage170

    The Rossi's from the 80's were decent revolvers they were all probably pretty good until Taurus took them over in 2008


    Your gun I think is probably late 60's Firearms International was an importer in Washington DC. Taken over by Garcial Sporting Goods around 1970.

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  • mohawk600

    I appreciate all of the input. I know it is not high quality, but it has some sentimental value to me.

    I moved from Amarillo to Austin before my senior year in high school, and in Austin I became friends with a classmate. I ended up being even better friends with my classmate's dad, and he became my "gun guru". He steered me toward the military.

    Anyway, the summer after I graduated from high school, I decided to drive from Austin to Amarillo to see my best friend, before I set off for Basic Training. My "gun guru" thought that I should have some defense during my travel..........and he loaned me one o these Rossi .38 Spl revolvers to take with me. I thought it was awesome at the time. I made my trip without incident and returned it to him. He now has dementia and is in a VA memory care facility. Buying this gun was a bit of nostalgia for me...............

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  • varian

    i for one dont seem to have as many problems with guns as others do and dont consider as many as being "junk". that being said even if it breaks in half you still own both pieces and it still will have value to you.

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  • mohawk600
    varian: 31151516824731/comments/31151557736347

    i for one dont seem to have as many problems with guns as others do and dont consider as many as being "junk". that being said even if it breaks in half you still own both pieces and it still will have value to you.

    WTF????????????

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