Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
The Rossi RP63 357 Magnum revolver checks all the boxes for an EDC gun: Large sights, good trigger, comfortable grip even when shooting 357 Magnum ammo, 6-round capacity, and light weight at 27 ounce so it is easy to carry. The cost is also very affordable. There is a lot to like about the Rossi RP63.
Table of contents
Is A 357 Magnum Good For EDC?
In a defense situation you want a fast ending in your favor, and the 357 Magnum cartridge provides more velocity and energy than a 9mm. They both use similar sized bullets, but the 357 Magnum holds more powder which means it generates about 30 percent more muzzle velocity and depending on the bullet weight about 70 percent more muzzle energy. Call it ballistic superiority, the 357 Mag reigns over the 9mm. The trade off with the 357 Magnum is more recoil and less capacity. The 357 Mag is also versatile. Both 38 Special ammo and 38 Special +P ammo can be fired out of a 357 Magnum revolver to lessen recoil when training.
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S&W Model 13 Deja Vu
The RP63 debuted in 2023 and while it is new it uses older technology. For instance the firing pin is built into the hammer instead of being built into the frame like they are with many more modern revolvers. The RP63 is equipped with a hammer block so it can be safely carried fully loaded and no worries about an accidental discharge if dropped on the hammer. In hand it has nice balance. In fact, the RP63 reminds me of the old FBI 357 Magnums issued in the 1970s.
Those old FBI guns were S&W Model 13s built on a round butt K-frame with a 3-inch barrel, making them ideal for concealed carry. They were chambered in 357 Magnum and had a six-round capacity. The RP63 is nearly the same. It is built on a frame that Rossi calls small, which is actually smaller than a S&W K-frame but larger than a S&W J-frame. It is similar in size to a Taurus 856. The RP63 points nicely in hand and is compact for a six-shot revolver.
Rossi RP63 Details
The RP63 is a DA/SA revolver so it can fired in either double action or single action. The hammer spur has a checkered texture for cocking ease when shooting single action. The trigger surface is smooth and wide which disguises the trigger pull weight making it feel much less than the 15 pounds it measured. The DA trigger pull is surprisingly smooth. The trigger did stack in DA mode, which is not optimal, but not unexpected in a revolver in this price range. The SA trigger pull measured 4.4 pounds. Not the best trigger, but serviceable.
The 3-inch barrel has a full under lug for more heft and it houses a full length ejector rod, so empties eject with more authority. The front edge of the lug is tapered for easier holstering.
The finish is a satin stainless with a bright chrome finish on the cylinder latch, hammer and trigger. The revolver is manufactured of stainless steel.
The snag free, low profile sights feature a serrated black ramp front sight that is pinned into the barrel. It could be easily swapped out with a large fiber optic or tritium dot if you want the front sight to pop more for target acquisition. The rear sight is a groove machined into the top strap. The rear portion is cut into the frame to reduce sun glare.
The grip is pebble-textured rubber with finger grooves. It is slightly longer than a compact grip and offers a good compromise on concealability and shooting comfort.
On The Firing Line With The Rossi RP63
For ammo, 38 Special, 38 Special +P, and 357 Magnum was run through the Rossi. For full-house 357 Magnum loads I used Aguila 357 Magnum loaded with 158-grain SJSP bullet. Moving down the power ladder, for 38 Special +P, I used Blazer 38 Special +P loaded a 125-grain JHP. Finally in the 38 Special strata of power I had some old Speer Gold Dot 38 Special with a 125-grain GDHP. I would use any theses cartridges for self-defense. As you can imagine, recoil ranged from heavy with 357 Mag ammo to light with 38 Special.
For accuracy testing I fired the RP63 in SA mode using my range bag as a rest at targets placed at 15 yards. The smallest group was with Speer Gold Dot 38 Special, which grouped five of those 125-grain GDHP bullets in a cluster that measured 0.99 inches. The second best group was with Aguila 357 magnum with a group that measured 1.37 inches. The Blazer 38 Special +P had a best group that measured 1.24 inches.
The overall average across all ammo provided a decent of 1.70 inches. Not bad for a gun at this price. Recoil was tolerable even with hot 357 loads. That’s due to the grip which fills your hand and makes the RP63 feel like a large size revolver. The grip is wide where it needs to be so recoil is spread into the palm of your hand, not concentrated in one part.
Speed Shooting
For speed shooting, I used IPSC/USPSA targets at seven yards and fired fully loaded cylinders as fast as possible in DA mode while trying to keep hits in the center mass. The sights are large and are made for fast shooting. The heavy DA trigger pull means it takes work to keep all six shots in center of mass at seven yards in rapid fire, but it is very doable.
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The trigger could be staged, meaning pressed back in DA mode just before the trigger break. You can use this method of loading the trigger in DA to be more surgical with your shots. A short press after staging the trigger in DA will fire the revolver. I used Tuff Products Quickstrips to reload the Rossi. I also carry one loaded Quickstrips when I conceal carry a revolver as since it lays flat in my pocket.
Is the Rossi RP63 Worth It?
Between the accuracy, street price, and the ease of use, the RP63 is worth the cost. If you are on the fence about a 357 Magnum/38 Special, the RP63 is an inexpensive option to get into a 357 Magnum for EDC. For around $400 I’ll deal with the heavy trigger.
Specifications: Rossi RP63
- Action: DA/SA
- Caliber: .38 Spl +P / .357 Mag.
- Frame Size: Small
- Barrel Length: 3 in.
- Frame/Cylinder/Barrel Material: Stainless steel
- Height: 5.20 in.
- Width: 1.46 in.
- Overall Length: 7.95 in.
- Sights: Fixed rear sight, removable fixed front sight
- Cylinder Capacity: 6
- Barrel Grooves: 6
- Weight Unloaded: 27.30 oz.
- Finish: Satin stainless steel
- Safety: Hammer block
- MSRP: $460.99
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What am I missing, the article is about the Rossi but all the pictures are of a Taurus?
Taurus owns Rossi.
This revolver looks nearly identical to my (five shot) Ruger SP1010 3″ .357. Main visual difference is the cylinder release.
I jumped on this the day I saw it in the cover of Handguns magazine. Had my shop get me one in less than a week. I agree with this entire article. I have small hands and the one thing I dislike is that the trigger guard beats up my middle finger knuckle. Wish there was more space between it and the grip. Not sure how those with fatter fingers will like that?