Found a used Rossi, need advice

[Orpabtsa]

Hi all. A local gun store had a used Rossi 92 in .38/.357 blued with a 20 inch barrel for sale. The price seemed reasonable they offered it to me for $425.00 which included tax and background check. After looking over the rifle the most obvious problem was that the previous owner had removed the steel buttplate and installed a 2 inch extension using part of a pine 2 x 4, and did not reinstall the buttplate. So in other words the wood extension would be against your shoulder when firing it.
The previous owner had also painted the front sight white, and the paint ran down the sight.

The rifle just scared me because after seeing the kitchen gunsmithing that was done to the stock, I am scared of what might have been done to the rest of the rifle that might be something I would not see until I got it home.

I made an offer of $350.00 I got cash advance in USA for it, and the owner said he could not take that offer.

Was I way off base on my offer?

[GasGuzzler]

Those two issues are easily fixed. $500 is a normal street price here.

[Ohio3Wheels]

Ask if you can cycle some snap caps through it. If so get some 357 caps and check its function.

As Gas said the rest is easy to fix, biggest problem might be a new butt plate.

Stay well, be safe, make smoke,

[Archer]

The paint on the sight is, I agree no big deal.

I'm not certain what a Rossi buttplate costs. I've seen one place that lists $20 but NO information other than Rossi Rifle buttplate: $20. I know Rossi carbine and rifle buttplates are different but that place only lists 'rifle' without pictures or the word 'carbine' or 'crescent' and no notes on finish, material or lack thereof.
Winchester and repro Winchester buttplates aren't exactly inexpensive.

The snapcaps are a good idea. I did that with at least two of mine.

[Nashville Stage]

I think your offer was a fair one.

Pre-Covid, those were going for $500 and change for a *new* one. $425 for a used one is a good price, if it's in good condition. For something with obvious poor quality modifications, $350 is a fair offer.

My guess is that the shop owner either paid too much for it and doesn't want to take a loss, or they're hedging their bets on this bubble in the market to sell it at a higher than normal price.

I'd pass. Keep looking; others are out there and will pop up.

[Archer]

$350 is pretty close to as much as I'd want to go.
GG's probably right about the stock fix. Find a buttplate. Remove the extension. Do some minor repairing maybe fill some screw holes. Fit the buttplate and then do any required refinishing. Not hard, but still a pain.

[Umpire]

My advice get a new CBC made... they might be a little more expensive but definitely worth every single penny and you gonna avoid lot of future issues