Old Rossi 38 Special

[ga4boats917]

A while back, I picked up an old Rossi 38 special with a 3 inch barrel. It is pre Taurus and pre Interarms. It was imported by Garcia, which I am told dates somewhere from 68 - 72. When I got it, it shot pretty well, but the hammer was broken off leaving a rough nub. Rather than bobbing it and limiting the gun to double action only, I found a NOS replacement hammer from a guy who previously worked for Interarms. I had a gunsmith install it and then, it seemed to be out of time. I went back and spoke with the gunsmith and he said the best he could do was to put the old hammer back in. I also had him bob the old hammer. After this the gun seemed to be in time, but it suffered from frequent light primer strikes. I went to another gunsmith and showed him the gun and the NOS hammer that previously didn't work. For some additional coin, he said he could properly install the new hammer. Here is my question, the gun locks up tight and seems to be in time. It shoots perfectly in single action. However, it has intermittent light primer strikes in double action. Can anyone tell me why it may be doing this? I am reasonably sure the second gunsmith knows what he is doing, as the shop is well respected and old school.

On a side note, I bought some 158 grain Perfecta ammo from Wally World for the second guy to test fire when he installed the hammer. When I picked the gun up, he told me the Perfecta was really hot ammo. I tried it out and then shot it back to back with some Remington UMC 158 grain LRN ammo. I must say the Perfecta has a bit of a kick compared to the Remington. Anyone else experience this?

[ojisan]

In double action the hammer spring is not compressed as much as when cocked in single action.
So, the hammer strike is lighter.

Fix: stronger hammer spring.
If a coil spring type, preloading the spring a little should fix it.
If a leaf type spring, a new one or shimming it might work.

[JTROKS]

The hammer spring may need replacement. It's hard to find parts for old discontinued guns. Depending how much clearance you have between coils when spring is compressed at single single action mode you might be able to use a cheater ring to compress the spring even more.

Also wanted to add there are some coil springs that might work available from brownells.

[Che762x39]

A while back, I picked up an old Rossi 38 special with ... hammer was broken off ...

Don't spend a lot of money on a Rossi. #1 it will never be an everyday shooter. #2 a used and unabused S&W will be a better value.

[Win231]

As stated above by Che762x39, you're wasting your money that could be better spent on a decent gun. You've already spent more on gunsmithing than the gun is worth. And after you continue to spend, you still have a very poor-quality gun. Look at a used Ruger or S&W revolver.

[ojisan]

Never let an old gun die!

[ironhorse1]

I have a Rossi 88 and the quality is very good. Never had a single problem and have fired some pretty stout loads.

I believe I have read about broken hammers previously.

Just because there are some with problems does not mean all of them are poor quality.

The S&W's have their share of quality issues especially with the newer guns.

The Rossi's are basically S&W clones and I'm happy to have a good one.

To the OP what model Rossi?

irh

[ga4boats917]

Thanks for the comments and potential fixes. Yes I am shall we say upside down on $ spent vs value, but purchase price was only $100. I was told it was a model 58, but looking at pictures it also could be a model 31. As to quality, I heard some of the old Rossi's are decent quality. Nevertheless, I recently scored a K Frame, pre model 10, for a very good price. The Smith appears to be hardly used, but someone improperly stored it and some of the blueing got messed up. It has an awesome trigger. I love wheel guns and now have these two plus a used Single Six and a Rough Rider (bought new and for under $150). Next on my list is a used, but not used up, 357 with a 3 or 4 inch barrel. GP100, SP101 and 686/586 are on the list, but are there any other less thought of hidden gems to consider?

[BigPimping]

Do not throw good money after bad.

[RedFord150]

...purchase price was only $100. ...

^^^You paid $50 too much before you did any work on it.

Rossi is low quality. No matter how much work you put into it, it is still a low quality gun.

The gun buy-backs will at least insure you get your original investment back. I doubt you will find someone to pay much more, even in perfect condition.

Put your money into your S&W or your Ruger. It will be much better spent. Than again, Ruger and S&W rarely need anything.

[ironhorse1]

I'm assuming that the gun is a five shot.

Even as late as 1975 the Rossi was selling for less than $100.

If it is the same size as a S&W J frame, with a coiled hammer spring, then maybe you could order a spring for a Smith model 31,36 to replace yours.

If your looking for better guns the S&W 13,14,15 and 19 models are all very good in the K frame size.

irh

[nickel plate]

Could be that the lighter bobbed hammer has less primer strike inertia than the heavier stock hammer.

[JTROKS]

If the gun was given to you by a family member definitely spending a little money to have it in 100% working is understandable. A Rossi will never fetch what you put into it. If you're looking for a cheap fix I'd say look for a new hammer spring.