Unless you are purchasing a S&W made PRIOR to 1990 (18+ years ago), their quality is NO BETTER than Rossi OR Taurus. As a matter of fact, the MIM parts in SOME S&W firearms made after 1990 are much worse than the machined parts inside of either a Rossi or Taurus. I've disassembled enough of them to know.
We own both Rossi and Taurus. In .357 mag, both 2" and 4" revolvers. My wife is flat deadly with either barrel length. And it's quality is spot on.
Being a retired gunsmith, I can tell you the price they are asking is right on the money, FOR TODAY'S CURRENT FIREARMS CLIMATE. By that I mean, prices are through the roof. At the gun show I was working two weekends ago, for the first time in over 12 years the fire marshall closed the doors because we exceeded the building capacity. And people stood outside in a line that wrapped half way around the building, waiting patiently to get in. And they were buying almost everything not nailed down. I had a really good weekend and I was selling military surplus metal and plastic chests, not firearms.
Many places literally can't get firearms back in stock after selling their inventory. After speaking with a person I know in S&W customer service, they said they would run three shifts if they could get people who would put out good quality firearms. Apparently people who KNOW HOW to make firearms are becoming a hot commodity these days.
Buy the Rossi. You will NOT be disappointed. As a matter of fact, the prices quoted for S&W and Ruger are out of date.
If someone can pick up a S&W for $200, ask them WHERE YOU can get this firearm. You will hear a lot of hemming and hawing.
With every firearm going up exponentially in price since the election, trust me, jump all over this one. You won't be disappointed.
