Taurus Model 651SS .357Magnum


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Gunmeister
December 16, 2004, 09:55 AM
I'm the fortunate owner of 17 different handguns, Smiths, Glocks, Kahrs and now one Taurus.
I was browsing in our local gun emporium when I thought I saw a matte stainless S&W 649 on the shelf right next to a $300.00 price tag. Wrong, it was it's clone, a Taurus 651SS. The resemblance is amazing. The grips are a little different, the 649 has a barrel 1/8" longer than the 651 and the Taurus is 2oz heavier.
There was a time when the mere mention of the name Taurus when talking handguns would curl the upper lip and produce a look of pain on most gun owner's faces. I'm here before you today to tell you, "Them days are gone forever". I never thought the day would come that I would say that Taurus puts out some really decent quality revos, don't know much about their semi-autos but for the price, their revos are really nice. Today, I bought one. :)
I purchased a Taurus model 651 Protector .357Magnum, matte stainless steel with a shrouded hammer, just like the S&W649. The Taurus has an MSRP of $430.00 (I paid $300 + 6.5% tax). The S&W 649 has an MSRP of $629.00 and I have no idea what you could actually buy one for but I can't see $200 bucks worth of difference. At age 68, this Taurus will outlast me. The fit and finish of the Taurus is outstanding, it's very accurate for a 2"bbl snubby and when stoked with .357Magnum Cor-Bon 125gr she kicks like the proverbial mule (I still like that, just like a woman, a gun's supposed to let you know when she goes off) :evil: . I fired well over 200 rounds of .357 and .38spl with nary a hiccup. At 25oz it's just a tad heavy for a pocket pistol, which really doesn't seem like much to me after carrying many, many pistols and revos ( some a lot heavier than 25oz) for over 40 years. It slides right into my relaxed fit Levi pocket and draws as fast as you can pull a handful of revo out of your pocket, no snags or hangups of any kind. :D
I'm here to tell you that at $300 this is a lot of budget priced pistol and is one that is worthy of consideration for those who are budget challenged and for those who are not. Really a nice piece. Gotta get an Uncle Mike's pocket holster tomorrow and she's good to go.:cool:

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Crownvicman
December 16, 2004, 11:36 AM
It's nice to see someone say something good about Taurus revolvers. I purchased my Model 82 after looking at new and used Smith & Wessons. New Taurus revolvers are very nice guns.

snubby
December 16, 2004, 12:29 PM
Agree! I own 3 Taurus revolvers (617T, 85UL, 905SSCH) and all have been fine guns. I won't say they're as nice as my S&W's, but they are well worth the price paid. Guess you can always get a lemon from any manufacturer.

JimLally
December 16, 2004, 12:41 PM
Agreed.

I have six Taurus handguns (3 semi's and 3 revo's) and never a problem with any of them.

The 617SSCH and the 651B, which I have, are both well made, very reliable, and very concealable. Could not be happier.

Jim

eagle45
December 16, 2004, 02:17 PM
You're preaching to the choir here! :D

M85, M617, M608 and last weekend a M851 BUL. I like them all. As far as the snubbies go, the M85 and M851 fit and shoot the best.

HiWayMan
December 16, 2004, 02:37 PM
Congrats GunMeister

I love my 651SS. I find now that I miss the comforting weight in my pocket when it isn't there. 25oz. is very easy to get used to IMO. I just ordered the Rosewood grips for it off of Taurur's website, and am awaiting there arrival. She can buck a little with light bullets, but she is totally controlable. I get 6" groups at 25yds with mine (no rest, DA). I find that for mine 146gr Win Silvertips shoot very close to POA.

Taurus was also very good to me when I needed to get a part replaced on it. They said six weeks, and my gun arrived back at my door six weeks to the day. I was pissed at the time, but that might be because I called every other day for progress reports. It's tough when when of your babies gets sick.

BryanP
December 16, 2004, 03:06 PM
I have three Taurus revolvers myself (617S, 94, and 66S) and they serve me well. The DA trigger on each is quite heavy, but I have had no problems with any of them. Congratulations on your purchase - may she serve you well.

J.M.
December 16, 2004, 05:19 PM
I'm on that band wagon, I've had a few different Tauri, currently just a 651...no flies on it.

I'll probably sell it to finance a Smith (yes, I'm a gun snob), but to my eye, the beauty of the Taurus is that I can buy them used for $200, use them to figure out what bbl lenghts and cals that I like, and then I can still sell them for the same $200...it's like renting guns for the cost of feeding them!

Because of my time with the 651, I'll definately be keeping an open eye for a 649 Smith "Bodyguard".

Anybody want to talk me out of my LNIB 651?

Doug S
December 17, 2004, 08:31 PM
If you are going to buy an Uncle Mikes pocket holster let me recommend the size 4. Uncle Mikes lists the size 3 for 2in snubs, but the size 4 actually fits the revolver a little better & should provide more protection from moisture (less exposed metal). I picked one up for my new 642 after comparing the two with the revolver, & in my opinion the size 4 is a much better fit. It is listed as being for small 9mm & 40 caliber autos, but it is cut exactly the same as the size 3, just slightly bigger.

Lightsped
December 20, 2004, 10:08 AM
I own 6 Taurus wheel guns. I have had NO problems with any of them whatsoever.

I am hoping Taurus will do a 9mm version with the 651's zero profile hammer. If they make one of those I will be first in line to buy it.

http://www.neospeed.org/images/my5taurustext.jpg

http://www.neospeed.org/images/myragingbull2.jpg

Okiecruffler
December 20, 2004, 05:26 PM
The wife and I both carry 650's, mainly because the 651 wasn't out yet when I bought them. Thousands of rounds thru them and not a problem one. I would get myself a 651, but I'm kinda waiting to see what happens with that new I frame 9mm.

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