Rossi RP63 3” .357 Mag

[bullsi1911]

Like a battered wife coming back to the abusive husband… “it’ll be different this time!”

I have never really been silent about my feelings about Taurus guns. I have had a bunch of them a while ago, and probably spent more money on shipping them back to Taurus to get fixed than I did in buying the damn things. BUT… I came across a screaming deal on the Rossi RP63 (made by Taurus) a few days ago, and I have been wanting a 3” revolver… so I picked it up.

IMG_0291.jpeg (2.44 MiB) Viewed 2248 times

It is a really handy little gun. Size wise, it’s about halfway between the J-Frame and the K-Frame, and can use k-frame sized speedloaders. It fits in a coat pocket really well, has decent sights, and a fairly comfortable grip.

The one I picked up has a really tight lockup, and a really nice DA trigger. SA is heavy, but crisp enough.

But the real question is, will it #%!$&ing break on me? I took it to the range and ran about a hundred rounds through it of mid-range and full power .357, and it performed pretty well. I was not really trying to shoot tiny groups, but I got a few 3” 6 round patterns at 7 yards. But it was shooting like 4” high. These were 158 grain rounds, so I will try some lighter ones next time and see if that brings the POI down.

IMG_0292.png (3.06 MiB) Viewed 2248 times

By the way, a 3” 357 makes a hell of a flash with heavy loads

[bullsi1911]

Size comparison:

IMG_0293.jpeg (4.4 MiB) Viewed 2247 times

From bottom to top: Charter Bulldog, Rossi RP63, S&W 66 (k-frame), S&W 686 (L-Frame).

The Rossi is just a hair bigger than the Charter, and can almost use its holsters. But it definitely feels more solid and has a MUCH better DA trigger than the Charter.

[shotgunshooter3]

Not a bad find. I have heard internet rumors lately that Taurus has upped their QC significantly. Of course, I feel like we have been told that before...

[rberg]

Will be interesting to find how it does, I have a 38sp 5 round Rossi pre Taurus and like it very much. Have shot many boxes of both handloads and factory through it without a hiccup.

[sakodude]

3" revolvers are probably my favorite, perfect combination of function and portability in my opinion. Hope it works well for you.
I had a 6" Taurus .357, 80's production and probably comparable to a K frame smith. Was my dad's and he shot it plenty. Came to me and I shot it a bunch, it belongs to my SIL and he's shot a a fair bit. No issues whatsoever.

[Elk Creek]

Nice revolver! Keep us informed on the longevity. I too like the 3” revolver, I’ve been thinking I need a 357 3”…..Gp100

[sakodude]

Nice revolver! Keep us informed on the longevity. I too like the 3” revolver, I’ve been thinking I need a 357 3”…..Gp100

That would go very nicely with it's big brother

[Admin]

Not a bad find. I have heard internet rumors lately that Taurus has upped their QC significantly. Of course, I feel like we have been told that before...

Well, they couldn't make it any worse.

[Admin]

Nice revolver! Keep us informed on the longevity. I too like the 3” revolver, I’ve been thinking I need a 357 3”…..Gp100

I was seriously considering an SP101 in 327 Mag, but this deal popped up.

[Admin]

Will be interesting to find how it does, I have a 38sp 5 round Rossi pre Taurus and like it very much. Have shot many boxes of both handloads and factory through it without a hiccup.

Both my mom and my sister have Pre-Taurus Rossi J-frame size .38s that have been solid guns. I am hoping this one follows that track.

[Wambli Ska]

Outstanding grab! Hope she’s all you want her to be

[Elk Creek]

Nice revolver! Keep us informed on the longevity. I too like the 3” revolver, I’ve been thinking I need a 357 3”…..Gp100

That would go very nicely with it's big brother

Yup!

[Wambli Ska]

I think bream has a .357 Rossi that he’s had for a long time.

[breamfisher]

I have an Interarms Rossi .357. The timing is off due to parts wear, but it was my first handgun. I dry fired it... a lot.

[CPJ 2.0]

I HAD a Rossi 38. Shouldn’t have sold it. It was a pre-Taurus, so it worked. Wasn’t half bad really.

[bullsi1911]

IMG_0310.png (5.06 MiB) Viewed 2020 times

IMG_0309.png (5.96 MiB) Viewed 2020 times

Last weekend of hunting, so I took the new little blaster to the makeshift range with some lighter weight slugs (Hornady 125 grain XTPs), and it lots pretty much at point of aim. Fired about 100 more rounds through it of heavy and mid range loads. Still seems to be lacking up tight and shooting real well. Plus, the effect on target - a 16 oz miller lite- was pretty damn impressive.

Testing will continue