Rossi RP63, 357 Magnum, Notes, Thoughts, Basic Tuning and Grip Options

[Sharps40]

New. Solid. I'll have to measure, seems about the same size as the Taurus 856. Under $340.

Mean heavy trigger, but smooth.

Same sight height as the Taurus 856 so the Ameriglo tritium from shop Taurus for $30 should fit.

Guts are Smith derived, different than current Taurus. Should respond to similar tuning.

No safety. MIM internals.

There are no spring sets for this and a wolf/Taurus 10 lb rebound was too weak to reset the trigger. For now 2 coils clipped off the factory rebound spring shaved 1 lb from the trigger pull. Now 4 lbs SA and 8 million DA.

There are no grips for this yet but a light reprofile may allow use of all factory and aftermarket Taurus small frame grips, (and the Rossi factory grip) we'll have to see. Hopefully 856 grips will fit as I really like them.

Firing pin in hammer. Hammer block action.

Shooting soon. More to follow. Should make a good partner to my R92 357 rifle.

 

[Sharps40]

Familiar Smith style action. All parts and recesses smoother than expected.

 

[Sharps40]

Since no specific springs are yet available and a 10 lb spring was too light, 2 coils were clipped from the rebound spring. SA pull reduced from 5 lb to 4lb. DA pull still well over my 8 lb trigger gauge.

Right bump on rebound slide had a sharp edge impeding trigger return and hammer kick back. The edge was rounded with a diamond hone and polished bright.

Do not lower the bump, it risks locking the firing pin in the indented primer and locking the gun or breaking the tip. The factory controlled parts won't be made available to you for a quick fix.

 

[Sharps40]

Proving that 90% of your pull weight is in the rebound spring only, I changed the factory main spring to a 9 lb wolf/Taurus spring. (Factory spring weight is about 11 to 12 lbs). SA pull only dropped to 3 lb 14 oz. We need to see if it'll reliably pop hard cci primers. And will need to try other rebound springs to find a reliable and lighter rate cause that DA pull remains mean. (Don't know if J/K/L frame rebound springs will fit, the Rossi Rebound slide will not accept a spring over diameter of about .190 inches, so I'll root in the spares box for something that looks/feels/works right.)

 

[Sharps40]

Cylinder latch sits .085 proud of the frame. Just cosmetic but a few swipes on the legs and it sits a prettier .025 off the frame.

 

[Sharps40]

This one will also receive (though a touch more involved) a Taurus/Ameriglo orange.

 

[Sharps40]

Settled the action work. Off to test fire momentarily.

Factory heavy mainspring for reliability of ignition.

Factory rebound spring (.180 dia by .038 wire) replaced with a spring with more coils but .175 dia by .030 wire.

DA trigger pull dropped from the Stratosphere to 8 lbs, 12 oz.

SA trigger pull settled in at 3lb 4 oz.

That's consistent with where I like them all to be, regardless of brand.

 

[Sharps40]

Success. Reliable. Easy to shoot with 38s and still easily controlled with hot Underwood 158g bonded jhp.

All shots double action for the weakest primer strike.

8 federal 125g +p 38s, 12 yrs old and multiple trips thru the washer and dryer resulted in 2 dud primers. These 6 hit right on the sight at 7 yds. Much less kick than an LCR shooting +P 38s.

Sight is harrrrrrrd to see.

15 heavy handload with 125g xtp ran perfectly. 7 yds impact was 2+ in high.

5 ea heavy Underwood 158g bonded ran perfect. 7 yds impact was 2+ in high. Extraction was very slightly sticky. Polishing chambers should resolve that. These won't be used much except on deer. A stout load but very controllable in this platform. They do not sting my hand or tear meat off my thumb like the LCR 38 does.

Grip is very serviceable and controls the gun but I think I'll see about modding for the shorter but hand filling Taurus 856 grip.

 

[Sharps40]

Evidentially laundering your EDC ammo is a bad idea.

 

[Sharps40]

Why Rossi? Because not everyone needs a $1000 revolver they are afraid to take out of the box.