Rossi R351 38 Special DA/SA Police Trade-In Revolver

If you have been browsing police trade-in options for a reliable, no-nonsense wheelgun, the Rossi R351 38 Special DA/Sa Police Trade-In Revolver deserves a long look. These are the real deal—former service revolvers that have seen actual duty use, then were cycled out for newer sidearms. What you get is a revolver that was built to a price point but maintained to a standard. It shows honest wear, carries a bit of character, and still locks up tight. For someone who wants a functional .38 Special without paying new-retail money, this trade-in is a solid choice.

Overview

The Rossi R351 38 Special DA/SA Police Trade-In Revolver is a six-shot, double-action/single-action revolver chambered in .38 Special. It features a 4-inch barrel, fixed sights, and a blued carbon steel finish. These revolvers were originally purchased in bulk by law enforcement agencies for training, backup, or patrol use. After years of service, they were returned to distributors, inspected, and graded as trade-in condition. Expect holster wear, some finish loss on the cylinder and barrel edges, and possibly light surface scratching—but the mechanical function is typically sound. This is a working gun, not a safe queen.

Features & Specs

Let’s break down what you are actually getting with this Rossi R351 38 Special DA/SA Police Trade-In Revolver. The specs are straightforward, and the features reflect its police-service origins.

• Caliber: .38 Special (not compatible with .357 Magnum)
• Action: Double-action/single-action with a transfer bar safety
• Barrel Length: 4 inches, pinned front sight
• Capacity: 6 rounds, swing-out cylinder
• Finish: Blued carbon steel, showing holster wear and honest handling marks
• Grips: Checkered wood or rubber (may vary by individual gun), typical of police trade-in inventory

These revolvers were made by Rossi in Brazil and imported under the Rossi brand. The DA trigger pull is serviceable—not competition-smooth, but consistent for practical accuracy. The SA trigger is noticeably lighter and breaks clean enough for most defensive or range work.

• Fixed rear sight channel and blade front sight: simple, durable, no snag points
• Fluted cylinder with standard .38 Special headspace
• Ejector rod shroud adds a bit of heft to the front end
• Serial number prefix typically indicates 1990s–2000s production

Who It’s For

This Rossi R351 38 Special DA/SA Police Trade-In Revolver is not for the collector looking for mint-condition examples. It is for the shooter who wants a functional revolver at a trade-in price. It fits well as a truck gun, a range companion for .38 Special plinking, or a home-defense revolver that you do not mind getting scuffed up. If you are new to revolvers and want to learn double-action trigger control without spending a premium, this trade-in is a low-cost entry point. Experienced shooters will appreciate that these revolvers often have smooth actions from years of holster carry and dry-fire practice.

• Ideal for budget-conscious shooters who value function over cosmetics
• Suitable for concealed carry (with a proper holster) if you do not mind the weight
• Good backup gun for hiking, camping, or farm use
• Not recommended for reloading hot .38 Special +P loads consistently—stick to standard pressure

Shipping & FFL

This Rossi R351 38 Special DA/SA Police Trade-In Revolver ships to your chosen Federal Firearms License (FFL) dealer. After placing your order, we will contact you to confirm your FFL’s current license and shipping address. Please have your FFL send a copy of their license to our compliance team before we ship. All firearms are shipped via insured carrier with adult signature required. You will need to pass a NICS background check at pickup. No returns on handguns once transferred—inspect the revolver at your FFL before accepting the transfer. Because this is a used police trade-in, the condition may vary from gun to gun. We do our best to describe the overall grade, but individual wear patterns will differ. By purchasing, you acknowledge that this is a used firearm with visible service wear typical of police trade-in inventory. Federal law prohibits shipping handguns to PO boxes; provide a physical street address for your FFL.