Rossi M88 38 Special Police Trade-In Revolver

When you handle a police trade-in revolver, you are holding a piece of service history that still has plenty of rounds left in the cylinder. The Rossi M88 38 Special Police Trade-In Revolver is exactly that: a well-maintained, no-frills five-shot revolver that served its duty and is now ready for yours. These handguns came from law enforcement agencies that demanded reliability above all else, and Rossi delivered with a compact frame, a 2-inch barrel, and a smooth double-action trigger that is surprisingly crisp for its class. If you are looking for a dependable .38 Special for concealed carry, a truck gun, or a range companion, this trade-in offers honest value without the inflated price tag of a new-production revolver. Every unit shows honest holster wear and handling marks, but the mechanicals are tight, and the cylinders lock up with authority. This is not a safe queen; it is a working revolver that still has years of service ahead of it.

Overview

The Rossi M88 is a five-shot revolver chambered in .38 Special, originally issued to police officers who needed a lightweight sidearm that would not snag on a duty rig. The 38 special police trade-in revolvers we have in stock come from multiple agency turn-ins, so you might see different finish wear patterns, but every one has been inspected and graded for safety and function. The frame is built from forged steel, the grips are standard checkered wood, and the sights are a fixed front blade and rear notch. This is a point-and-shoot design, not a target pistol, and it excels in the role for which it was designed: close-quarters defense.

Features & Specs

• Five-shot capacity in a compact 2-inch barrel configuration, ideal for concealed carry under a jacket or in a waistband holster
• Double-action trigger with a smooth pull weight that benefits from years of holster wear (most units feel broken-in, not sloppy)
• Fixed sights and a traditional swing-out cylinder with a push-button release on the left side of the frame

This Rossi M88 38 Special Police Trade-In Revolver weighs in at roughly 22 ounces unloaded, making it easy to carry without sagging your belt. The cylinder gap is tight, and the timing is correct on every revolver we ship. These are not cosmetically perfect, but they are mechanically sound. Expect bluing wear on the muzzle, cylinder fluting, and backstrap. Some units may have minor pitting or holster rash. That is the trade-off for a revolver that costs a fraction of what a new one would run you.

Who It Is For

This revolver is built for the Ohio shooter who wants a reliable .38 Special without spending modern retail prices. It is perfect for someone who appreciates the simplicity of a revolver: no safety levers to fumble, no slide to rack, and no magazine to lose. If you are a new shooter looking for an affordable entry into wheelguns, this trade-in gives you a proven platform at a price that leaves room for ammo and a good holster. It also appeals to collectors who like the honest character of a service revolver that actually saw duty. Whether you are keeping it in a nightstand drawer, carrying it on a hike, or teaching a family member the basics of revolver operation, this Rossi M88 fits the bill.

Shipping & FFL

This Rossi M88 38 Special Police Trade-In Revolver ships directly to your chosen Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder in Ohio. After placing your order, you will receive a confirmation email, and we will contact you if we need your FFL’s information. You must arrange transfer with your local FFL before we ship; most Ohio FFLs charge a standard transfer fee between $20 and $40. We ship via UPS or FedEx with adult signature required. By purchasing this firearm, you certify that you are legally eligible to own it under all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including those of the state of Ohio. No returns or cancellations after the item is transferred to your FFL. If you have questions about the condition of a specific unit, call us before ordering. We are happy to describe the wear on the exact revolver we will ship to you.