[andraws]

I'm so glad I found THR! I'm new to shooting (4 mos.) and just had to send my first purchase (Taurus 627 Tracker.357 4" Titanium) back to the factory. The timing was off and I was told not to fire it until it was fixed. I liked the fact that the gun was made of Titanium (supposedly less recoil - counter intuitive?) and held 7 rounds. I didn't like that the pull on the double action trigger was as tough as it was while trying to keep shots in the black! I also don't like that I'm having to send it back to Taurus after 3 months of light shooting!

My questions are these:

1) If I trade this gun for a Smith and Wesson 686 + should I go with a 4", 5" or 6"? (I use the gun primarily for target practice and as a bed stand personal defense tool.)

2) When did Smith and Wesson put "locks" on their revolvers that I hear so many of THR's members complain about?

3) What should a clean two owner Taurus 627 Tracker .357 4" Titanium bring if I were to sell it. Taurus should have the timing fixed (for free I hope-shipping was $60).

If anyone has any insight for me I'd sure appreciate it! The reason I'm thinking S&W is their triggers are soooooo smoooooth! Should I consider other S&W models besides the 686+?

[hemiram]

Titanium is wonderful stuff, but I want my guns as heavy as is possible, and that means steel. Heavier the gun, less felt recoil.

My Taurus Model 83 was a disaster, and sending it back to Taurus accomplished nothing, except to scratch it up. A lot. Some idiot offered to buy it, and even after I explained it had major issues (timing, rough cylinder, terrible barrel) he still wanted it. So, he got it.

I would either trade it for a 686, 4", or try to find a nice Model 28, if it was going to be an only gun. if not, look for a 6". A 27 is nice too, same gun as the 28, just prettier.

I have no idea what a Taurus 627's worth, look at auctionarms.com and gunbroker.com to find out.

[Stainz]

The relatively new S&W 620, only available as a 4", has the same L-frame, 7-shot cylinder, and grip as a 686+ - it just has the short-lugged barrel like the older 66's. It is also a few dollars less than a 4" 686+. It weighs a bit more than your Ti Taurus, which will help a bit with the recoil. A 4" .357M is pretty good for home use and plinking, where longer barrels will improve your distant shots - and allow, local laws permitting, even some deer hunting.

For trade-in value, take your model and see what a great straight up buy price for a new one would be - a likely used price will be 70-80% of that - there. The dealer has to make a profit on every sale, so subtract $50 minimum and that would be the best you could probably get there. As an example, a $450 sale priced new gun would likely sell in that store, in VG+ shape with box, etc, at $360 max - maybe $315, meaning a great trade-in would likely be at most $310 - but could even be as low as $265 or less. Mine are 'optimistic' guidelines. Used Taurus are not that easily sold, in my experience. Good luck!

Stainz

[andraws]

Thanks for the info! I'll check out the 27, 28 and 66's as well. I've been looking on gunbroker.com for a similar Titanium 627 and haven't found one in three months. I'll check auctionarms.com - new to me - thanks! For trade in I was recently offered $300 so I guess it wasn't that far off the mark. I paid $480, thinking since it was a discontinued model it might appreciate with the price of titanium going through the roof.

What about S&W "pre-lock" guns? It sounds like people are talking about a safety on the newer models. Can anyone clear this up for me? Thank you!

[Stainz]

I am an older guy - stuck in my ways. I like S&W's - new ones! I have put tens of thousands of rounds downrange with my six IL-equipped S&Ws - with zero problems. It is dependable - particularly if you never use it. Even my 642 has an IL - so my life is dependent on it's continued fuctioning. Want to worry over something? Consider who may be in the Whitehouse 1/09, at least you can affect that. I'll keep buying new S&Ws - because I like them!

Stainz

[andraws]

IL-Internal lock? How does one work? When did S&W start putting them on their guns? Thanks Stainz!

[orionengnr]

S&W started the Integral Lock around 2003.

At one time, I owned six IL-equipped revolvers (all of them Scandium). Then an aquaintance had his 360 lock up on him. He disabled the Lock on his; I went the other way and sold all of mine. I have one friend who carries my old 360, and a friend who carries a 642, both with the Lock. Neither has had a problem (yet).

The 686 (stainless), 586 (blued) and the M-27 (blued) are great revolvers, all available without the Lock.

If you'd be interested in a 4" 586, I have one I would probably part with. PM me for pics, details, etc.

[andraws]

Thanks Orionengnr. I'll take a look at 586's and let you know. I'm leaning towards a 5" or 6" S&W .357 in stainless. I'm pretty sure I want a 7 shot also.

[glockman19]

1) If I trade this gun for a Smith and Wesson 686 + should I go with a 4", 5" or 6"? (I use the gun primarily for target practice and as a bed stand personal defense tool.)
Get a 4"

2) When did Smith and Wesson put "locks" on their revolvers that I hear so many of THR's members complain about?
Don't worry about the lock. It won't affect your shooting or the gun.

3) What should a clean two owner Taurus 627 Tracker .357 4" Titanium bring if I were to sell it. Taurus should have the timing fixed (for free I hope-shipping was $60).
Just get rid of it . BB of Guns lists the Taurus 627 Tracker @:
100% - $430
98% - $300
95% - $220
90% - $165
80% - $130
70% - $115

[andraws]

Great info Glockman19! I was hoping I didn't overpay at $480. Does the price list you sent reflect that this is titanium? Why do you prefer the 4"?

[FerFAL]

Had the same Taurus, sold it long ago. Get a Smith with a 4 inch barrel , you wont regret it.

FerFAL

[Stainz]

My first IL-equipped S&W was my first 4" 625-8 in .45 ACP 9/02. Next, I added a 6" 66-6 9/03, a 5" 686+ 12/04, a 625JM 2/05, a 6" 629-6 7/05, a 4" 629-6 4/06, and the 642-2 2/07. All with ILs. I sold the first 4" 625 6/04... the others are still here. The IL came out in the summer of '02 - or earlier production.

Stainz