Rossi Cracked frame

OldFart2 · 02-28-2009, 02:42 PM

I just bought a Rossi .38 Special ser # 302493 at a gunshow.
I didn't have my glasses with me and didn't notice a crack in the frame that runs from the hammer to the cylinder.
I am wondering if this makes the gun unsafe?
Comments?

K75RT · 02-28-2009, 06:42 PM

Not trying to be crass but a crack ususally indicates that something went wrong. Too much pressure, obstructions..etc

bluelightem · 02-28-2009, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K75RT

Not trying to be crass but a crack ususally indicates that something went wrong. Too much pressure, obstructions..etc

... But if possible post a pic and we can get a better idea of what we're dealing with. Cracks are never good though...

OldFart2 · 02-28-2009, 09:32 PM

I'm attaching a picture. I put the gun on my scanner and scanned it. If you open the attachment and blow it up you can see the crack.
Thanks.

bluelightem · 02-28-2009, 09:38 PM

Is it just me or are there two cracks? I see the one you are talking about but I think I see one running from the grip to the trigger guard... I could be mistaken though.

.22guy · 02-28-2009, 11:50 PM

God, I hope you didn't pay too much for it.

Do not fire it, I would try to contact the seller and see if you can get a refund or exchange (doubt it) otherwise take it to a reputable gunsmith.

Dakoma · 02-28-2009, 11:52 PM

Looks like a side plate to get into the internals.

OldFart2 · 03-01-2009, 09:34 AM

That thought occurred to me as well. The more I look at it the more it seems like it IS just an inspection plate. I'll have a gunsmith look at it before I fire it. Thanks for all the feedback from everyone.

nathangdad · 03-01-2009, 09:52 AM

For this type crack to occur it is highly probable it suffered loads beyond the pressures for which the gun was designed.

Get your money back if you can but please do not fire or sell this gun.

Cracks in the metal are a very good indicator a major break in the metal is on the way.

patrickw · 03-02-2009, 10:07 PM

I see something like a jagged scratch, plus a curved line that runs from the hammer to the back of the cylinder. If the curved line is what is in question, that isn't a crack, that's the side plate of the revolver and is normal. Might be a bit more of a gap than you'd see on a higher priced gun, but it's a side plate for sure.

privateer · 03-03-2009, 01:39 AM

I agree with Dakoma - from this picture it looks like a side plate. I would pull the grips and unscrew her and pop that plate off and see for sure.

John

Dakoma · 03-03-2009, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldFart2

That thought occurred to me as well. The more I look at it the more it seems like it IS just an inspection plate. I'll have a gunsmith look at it before I fire it. Thanks for all the feedback from everyone.

My verry first pistol was a Lama .22 cal. Revolver and was cleaning it before shooting and noticed a crack or what I thought was a crack.It was brand new so took it back to the store,the fellow looked at it and said it was a sideplate to get into the internals,it was just a hairline crack all the way around the sideplate,it was kind of funny I did'nt notice it and had showed it to my Dad and some friends,they all thought it was a fracture.I still have the pistol and it shoots dead on.I shoot it sometimes but like my Ruger MK2 auto alot better.

Bought it back in 1971 for$75.00.

OldFart2 · 03-03-2009, 07:02 PM

Thanks Dakoma and to all who replied. I took the gun to a gunsmith and Dakoma (and others) was right. It isn't a crack at all, but a line where the inspection plate attaches to the rest of the frame. The gunsmith looked it over carefully and assured me that the gun is safe to fire. I bought a box of WIN 38 SPL and took the gun out and fired it. Can't hit s**t with it but it shoots safely enough. At 15 ft. I missed a Pepsi can twice. Maybe I'm just getting old (????) (Don't agree with me!!!!)
Thanks again to all who repied.

the_civilized · 03-11-2009, 08:22 PM

get rid of it this a gun that was made to kill !!
it is not a toy even a small malfunction could be fatal,
dont ever use it ,
and buy a new one

OldFart2 · 03-12-2009, 07:29 AM

Aren't all guns made to kill? The gun is perfectly safe. What I had thought was a crack is NOT. Why should I get rid of it? I bought the gun for private protection. With the economy going south and burglaries and home invasions on the rise, I'm keeping it!

sunwheel29 · 03-12-2009, 08:10 AM

Years ago, one of my shooting buddies bought a five shot, two inch Rossi snub.
Of course my other shooting buddies made fun of it....

Until we found out that it outshot our Taurus and Smith and Ruger .38 snubs, LOL.....

In the old days, everybody was familiar with the sideplate on revolvers.
Back then (early 80s) some Chairborn Ranger would buy a new wheelgun, then he would give in to the siren call of the gun magazines and gun books to take that sideplate off and polish up the internals.....

This of course led to the "Baggie Gun" phenomenon, when, the next day said victim of marketing showed up at the gunshop with his new K frame in a paper bag to be reassembled by the gunsmith or sent back to the factory.

Never let anybody but a gunsmith under your sideplate.

nathangdad · 03-12-2009, 08:11 AM

by all means keep the gun, practice with it, and have it handy in case of need.

samuel · 03-12-2009, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_civilized

get rid of it this a gun that was made to kill !!
it is not a toy even a small malfunction could be fatal,
dont ever use it ,
and buy a new one

We get one like you every now and then and really appreciate your input.Thanks for reminding us why we love firearms and do so much shooting.(to be sure we are efficient at hitting what we shoot at,so it doesn't suffer unnecessarily.) sam.

OldFart2 · 03-13-2009, 08:06 AM

My second try with this gun was a little better. At 20 feet I put 5 out of 5 in a circle about 6" in diameter. Guess I'm not getting old after all!!!
The gun shoots good and I intend to keep it, at least until I can afford a better one.
(OldFart2)

dmsbandit · 05-12-2009, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldFart2

My second try with this gun was a little better. At 20 feet I put 5 out of 5 in a circle about 6" in diameter. Guess I'm not getting old after all!!!
The gun shoots good and I intend to keep it, at least until I can afford a better one.
(OldFart2)

Don't ever get rid of it. He who dies with the most toys wins.

02-28-2009, 02:42 PM	#1
OldFart2 Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 9	Rossi Cracked frame I just bought a Rossi .38 Special ser # 302493 at a gunshow. I didn't have my glasses with me and didn't notice a crack in the frame that runs from the hammer to the cylinder. I am wondering if this makes the gun unsafe? Comments?

02-28-2009, 06:42 PM	#2
K75RT Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Litchfield County, Connecticut Posts: 625	Not trying to be crass but a crack ususally indicates that something went wrong. Too much pressure, obstructions..etc __________________ 'Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not.'

02-28-2009, 09:32 PM	#4
OldFart2 Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 9	Cracked Frame I'm attaching a picture. I put the gun on my scanner and scanned it. If you open the attachment and blow it up you can see the crack. Thanks. Attached Thumbnails

02-28-2009, 09:38 PM	#5
bluelightem Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 464	Is it just me or are there two cracks? I see the one you are talking about but I think I see one running from the grip to the trigger guard... I could be mistaken though. __________________ Thomas "If you find yourself in a fair fight... your tactics SUCK!"

02-28-2009, 11:50 PM	#6
.22guy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,220	God, I hope you didn't pay too much for it. Do not fire it, I would try to contact the seller and see if you can get a refund or exchange (doubt it) otherwise take it to a reputable gunsmith. __________________ My first priority will be to reinstate the assault weapons ban as soon as I take office.

02-28-2009, 11:52 PM	#7
Dakoma Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Southeast Tennessee Posts: 1,135	Looks like a side plate to get into the internals.

03-01-2009, 09:34 AM	#8
OldFart2 Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 9	Side Plate That thought occurred to me as well. The more I look at it the more it seems like it IS just an inspection plate. I'll have a gunsmith look at it before I fire it. Thanks for all the feedback from everyone.

03-01-2009, 09:52 AM	#9
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 5,164	Do not fire this gun For this type crack to occur it is highly probable it suffered loads beyond the pressures for which the gun was designed. Get your money back if you can but please do not fire or sell this gun. Cracks in the metal are a very good indicator a major break in the metal is on the way.

03-02-2009, 10:07 PM	#10
patrickw Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 7	I see something like a jagged scratch, plus a curved line that runs from the hammer to the back of the cylinder. If the curved line is what is in question, that isn't a crack, that's the side plate of the revolver and is normal. Might be a bit more of a gap than you'd see on a higher priced gun, but it's a side plate for sure.

03-03-2009, 01:39 AM	#11
privateer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Anchorage , Alaska Posts: 879	I agree with Dakoma - from this picture it looks like a side plate. I would pull the grips and unscrew her and pop that plate off and see for sure. John

03-03-2009, 07:02 PM	#13
OldFart2 Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 9	Crack is not a crack Thanks Dakoma and to all who replied. I took the gun to a gunsmith and Dakoma (and others) was right. It isn't a crack at all, but a line where the inspection plate attaches to the rest of the frame. The gunsmith looked it over carefully and assured me that the gun is safe to fire. I bought a box of WIN 38 SPL and took the gun out and fired it. Can't hit s**t with it but it shoots safely enough. At 15 ft. I missed a Pepsi can twice. Maybe I'm just getting old (????) (Don't agree with me!!!!) Thanks again to all who repied.

03-11-2009, 08:22 PM	#14
the_civilized Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 69	get rid of it this a gun that was made to kill !! it is not a toy even a small malfunction could be fatal, dont ever use it , and buy a new one

03-12-2009, 07:29 AM	#15
OldFart2 Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 9	Made to Kill Aren't all guns made to kill? The gun is perfectly safe. What I had thought was a crack is NOT. Why should I get rid of it? I bought the gun for private protection. With the economy going south and burglaries and home invasions on the rise, I'm keeping it!

03-12-2009, 08:10 AM	#16
sunwheel29 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 502	Years ago, one of my shooting buddies bought a five shot, two inch Rossi snub. Of course my other shooting buddies made fun of it.... Until we found out that it outshot our Taurus and Smith and Ruger .38 snubs, LOL..... In the old days, everybody was familiar with the sideplate on revolvers. Back then (early 80s) some Chairborn Ranger would buy a new wheelgun, then he would give in to the siren call of the gun magazines and gun books to take that sideplate off and polish up the internals..... This of course led to the "Baggie Gun" phenomenon, when, the next day said victim of marketing showed up at the gunshop with his new K frame in a paper bag to be reassembled by the gunsmith or sent back to the factory. Never let anybody but a gunsmith under your sideplate.

03-12-2009, 08:11 AM	#17
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 5,164	If it is indeed just the sideplate then by all means keep the gun, practice with it, and have it handy in case of need.

03-13-2009, 08:06 AM	#19
OldFart2 Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 9	My second try with this gun was a little better. At 20 feet I put 5 out of 5 in a circle about 6" in diameter. Guess I'm not getting old after all!!! The gun shoots good and I intend to keep it, at least until I can afford a better one. (OldFart2)