Description

Rossi M88 38 Special Police Trade-In Revolver

The Rossi M88 38 Special Police Trade-In Revolver represents a proven law enforcement platform now available to civilian shooters and collectors. Originally issued to police departments across the United States, these revolvers carry the wear and handling marks consistent with duty service. Each Rossi M88 38 Special Police Trade-In Revolver has been inspected and functions as designed, offering a reliable five-shot revolver built on Rossi’s time-tested medium frame. This trade-in model provides access to a piece of police equipment history at a price point that respects the service life already completed by the firearm.

Overview

The Rossi M88 is a five-shot revolver chambered in .38 Special, featuring a 2-inch barrel that balances concealability with shootability. As a police trade-in, each Rossi M88 38 Special Police Trade-In Revolver shows holster wear, finish loss, and handling marks consistent with years of service. The revolver employs a traditional double-action/single-action trigger system with a transfer bar safety mechanism. Cylinder timing and lockup have been verified during inspection, and the bore and chambers are clean with visible rifling. These trade-ins allow shooters to acquire a functional, no-frills revolver at a reduced cost compared to new production models.

Features & Specs

• Caliber: .38 Special (5-round cylinder, swing-out design with simultaneous ejection)
• Barrel length: 2 inches with fixed front sight and integral rear sight groove
• Frame: Carbon steel with blued finish, showing holster wear and patina from police service
• Overall length: 6.75 inches; weight: approximately 22 ounces unloaded
• Action: Double-action/single-action with transfer bar safety; factory standard trigger pull weight

The Rossi M88 38 Special Police Trade-In Revolver uses a traditional coil spring mainspring and hand-fitted cylinder bolt. The grip frame accepts standard Rossi small-frame grips, and current production grips may require fitting. Cylinder gap is within factory specifications, and the barrel-to-frame fit is solid. These revolvers were originally purchased by law enforcement agencies and have been cycled through duty holsters and range qualifications. Finish condition varies by individual revolver, but all are mechanically functional.

Who It’s For

This Rossi M88 38 Special Police Trade-In Revolver suits shooters who prioritize function over appearance. It is appropriate for budget-conscious buyers seeking a reliable .38 Special revolver for range use, casual target shooting, or as a vehicle gun. Collectors of police trade-in firearms will appreciate the honest wear that documents real service history. The 2-inch barrel and five-shot capacity make it suitable for those interested in defensive revolver training without investing in a new firearm. Shotshell loads and standard-pressure .38 Special ammunition are recommended; +P ammunition should be used sparingly due to the revolver’s service history and original metallurgy.

• Practical revolver for shooters who value mechanical function over cosmetic condition
• Economical entry point for .38 Special revolver ownership with verified mechanical function
• Authentic police trade-in example for collections emphasizing law enforcement history

• Five-shot capacity with swing-out cylinder for quick loading and unloading
• Fixed sights suitable for defensive shooting distances under 15 yards
• Compact frame fits standard holsters designed for small-frame .38 revolvers

Shipping & FFL

This Rossi M88 38 Special Police Trade-In Revolver will ship to a licensed Federal Firearms License (FFL) dealer in your state. Please provide your chosen FFL’s contact information and current license during checkout. It is your responsibility to confirm that the receiving FFL accepts shipments from private sellers and that the transfer complies with all local, state, and federal laws. Some jurisdictions may impose restrictions on magazine capacity, barrel length, or firearm type. We recommend contacting your FFL before placing an order to verify compliance. All applicable taxes and background check fees will be handled by the receiving FFL dealer. No firearm will be shipped without a valid FFL on file.