[blarby]

I said I'd let everyone know how the use of my Taurus 44ss4 purchase was working out, in particular if I had any issues.

Well, the ownership experience has faced its first test Tuesday.

While out shooting with the family, the front sight ramp piece flew off during recoil, and was "lost in the woods" so to speak. It at least had the courtesy to fly off on the very last round :) My brother-in-law was very confused, and apologetic....but it obviously wasn't his fault, and I told him so !

By my own count, this is somewhere between 1100-1200 rds through the piece.

Called Taurus this morning, got right through to a CS rep after only two prompts.

After a brief run-down of the problem, and consulting a parts guide, it was determined that the piece would have to be shipped back for repair and refitment.

Ten minutes later I had an email with a pre-paid Fedex mailer tag in it, and instructions how to package and ship it for repairs.

I got a tracking number, and can use that # to track its progress at Taurus during the repair process.


Am I happy to be without this cool and functional piece ? No.

Have they handled it pretty well thus far ? You betcha.

I'll keep ya'll updated as to how it goes.

[rswartsell]

OK, in all fairness, so far so good for Taurus CS. For Taurus quality? In all fairness... not so much.

[jad0110]

Here's to hoping their CS treats you right. From what I've been reading lately, they do seem to be making improvements in that area. Thank you for the info.

[Auf Grosser Fahrt]

I've been tempted many times to buy one Taurus or another. Please do keep the info coming. I've heard an awful lot of anecdotal stuff about Taurus over the last 30-40 years; dismissed most of it.

Good luck!

[mgkdrgn]

I bought a Taurus 450UL (45 Colt snub) that I knew had a problem when I bought it. Call to Taurus, shipped it off to them, had it back in less than 10 days, good as new.

[blarby]

Its the anecdotal stuff that drives me nuts !

I've heard a lot of bad, and a little good. The cost and feature set was a major deciding factor in the purchase.

I dispelled most of the naysaying for myself in the first week I owned it- this thing shoots way better than me. It didn't fall apart at the seams, explode, shoot wild 20" groups, or make me sterile and impotent. ( So far.... It has made my spending cash flow a little limp buying lead though :D)

Like any major purchase, I expected a malfunction somewhere along the line. At the price point of this one in comparison to others, I was expecting it day one or two, after like 50 rounds....not the abuse its taken so far.

So, I get to test Taurus CS firsthand for myself now. I have a more rational understanding of this process than some others it would seem....... So we'll see what level they play on shortly.

I guess we'll see.

[skidder]

Don't count your chickens too soon. Next time it might be your barrel that flies off into the bush.

I hope your date with their CS turns out better than mine. Keep us posted.

[blarby]

From Taurus today :

"Date Received: 05/31/2012
Model: 2-440049

Dear Customer,

We are in receipt of your merchandise.
Processing should take approximately 4 weeks from the date of receipt.

If you would like to provide additional information, please contact Customer Service at:
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp Phone: (305) 624-1115
&nbsp &nbsp &nbsp Fax: (305) 624-1126
Between the hours of 8:00 am - 6:00 pm ET, Monday thru Friday

You may check the progress of your repair by accessing our website.
Please select "Repair Status" under the Customer Care menu."

[GP100man]

I have no exp with Tauras CS but I feel if they where going to stay in the game they had no choice but to regroup in CS .

My recent purchase of a Tracker 22 makes me believe efforts in QC are`nt being overlooked either .

But I just finished reading on a happy ending wth Ruger , let`s hope this ends the same !!

[Remllez]

If a fellow finds the features he likes at a price he likes in a Taurus gun......Buy It!!! That's the only sure way to satisfy your curiosity. I'm not sure I would let anyone else influence my decision, I'm the one spending the money after all.

The revolver in question had a minor problem, the ball is now in CS's court, this is where the rubber meets the road for any company. Please keep us updated as I'd rather hear actual experience over conjecture any day.

[kcshooter]

I don't believe Taurus has any more or less failures than any other manufacturer.
I strongly believe that the way they used to treat their customers with problems gave birth to the "Taurus is crap" mindset.

If you have a bad experience with an item that you spend hundreds of dollars on and the mfgr treats you like they don't care, you'll tell everyone you know. If they treat you right, pay shipping, return it quickly and properly repaired, you won't even remember you had an issue with it a few years later.

Taurus used to have horrible CS. I think they have made a concerted effort to correct this. Think about how many times people complained about Taurus a few years ago compared to now. Do you think they are selling more or less guns now? Do they have more or less complaints now?

I think they're doing a good job at correcting a serious concern within their company.

[Walkalong]

I traded for another Taurus today. It's an old model 83. It is my third Taurus, fourth if you count the one I gave my long time friend a few years ago. Found it at a local shop. It was in the box with the warranty card. Excellent trigger, both in SA & DA.

[blarby]

Looks like the same rear adj. as mine, Walkies. Nice piece.

If only they had the forethought to make the front sight a permanent part of the bbl on mine, like they did on yours....... :evil:

If a fellow finds the features he likes at a price he likes in a Taurus gun......Buy It!!! That's the only sure way to satisfy your curiosity.

Amen to that. When I was doing the research around this one, I had plenty of suggestions. Sad part was, no one else makes a 4" SS 6-shot SA/DA 44mag with adjustable sights.

When I finally came down to what features I really wanted, it wasn't even really a choice.... It was a decision to buy it or not.

I could have widened my choices a bit by omitting the adjustable sights, or the porting...but I wanted both.

I wanted the adjustable rear ramp for long range.... If you've ever tried to take a 50+ yard pistol shot more than once....you'd be happy to be able to dial in an elevated sight picture before the shot string, wouldn't ya ? I do this frequently now ( or I did until last week :D ) and dialing it from ten yards to 50 yards or further is really easy. Ringing a 6" by 6" plate with a gun of that size repeatedly at short rifle range is very satisfying.

I had a lot of back and forth on the porting... about the biggest real negative anyone ( myself included) could muster was not being able to fire shot capsules.

I have no use for a 1.5" .410 shotgun. I really, really don't.

Having put the most punishing rounds I could create through that weapon now, I'm very happy I chose the porting. It makes real followup shots possible with full house loads. Not true doubletaps, but far better than I ever thought possible. The only downside I've found is one that no one anticipated: Lead. I shoot a lot of it for cost reasons. Instead of venting out the business end, it adheres to the top of the vents. Its a little pain to clean- but for the function I gain out of it shooting full house jacketed- I'll take it.

In the end, I got what I wanted. I'm still happy I made the choice I did. I long for my pretty bulldog back :o

[skidder]

I've heard the CS is getting a lot better, but I've never had to use it.

I have been reading this also, and I hope it's true. My lack of trust is not permanent if they can show me they have changed.

I'm a modest person, but if they are improving because of complaints from bashers like me, in all fairness, I deserve some praise and maybe a "pat on the back" for my tenacity on improving this companies reputation.:D

[blarby]

To everyone concerned :

KNOCK IT OFF, gOd DanG IT ! :cuss::cuss::cuss::cuss::cuss::cuss::cuss:

Do not get my useful actual experience thread on Taurus CS "locked" before that experience has come to completion !

If you want to have a Taurus vs S/W or "insert your fav gun-maker here" uncivil war AGAIN Start your own flippin thread :fire::cuss::fire::cuss::fire:


Thank you very much, Mod team- I greatly appreciate it !

[krupparms]

Yea, What Blarby said!

[Sam1911]

[So, what does a thread look like when SIXTY-TWO posts have been removed? Hopefully something worthwhile after all! The thread is about Taurus Customer Service, not...all that other crap. If you had posts deleted, consider that when we say, "It's the members that make this place great," well ... :(

Let's stick to the narrow topic here.]

[krupparms]

I got a Taurus 941 / .22mag. in a trade. I have not had problems with Taurus Rov.s but have had problems with all the auto pistols from Taurus. Maybe they will listen to us if we keep these threads going! Anyone who wants to argue should remember we are here to discuss this issue about Taurus not fight! You can PM each other for that! Lets all have a nice day!

[Haywood]

I would like to add that I have had Two positive experiences with repairs on my Taurus Revolvers. I have ordered Parts on Two separate occasions with no problems. I also have a friend that owns a Gun Shop that has had good results dealing with Taurus.

[Gummy]

I'm waiting for a Taurus 66 4" to come in to my dealer now. It will be my first Taurus and my first 7 shot revolver. I'm hoping I don't have to experience their CS. I had a Llama 44mag that shot well so I figured I try a Taurus.

[Ash]

On this topic, how does Taurus handle older Taurus stuff? I have an older model 83 and it has never given me trouble. Can I do something with it if it does? It has the older Bull logo and the Miami import address.

[blarby]

Got a letter from Taurus today.

They have my gun !

Its a printout of the email they sent me, above

[skidder]

blarby-- Not trying to be negative, but I hope they treat your gun better than they did mine. Good luck! I've read they have been making improvements. Keep us posted.

[blarby]

I hope they treat it well.

I will certainly keep everyone posted.

[kcshooter]

how does Taurus handle older Taurus stuff?

"...every Taurus firearm is covered by a limited lifetime warranty, retroactive to July 1975"

[webfox]

I've had the pin in the front sight become loose, too, but have noticed it before losing the ramp. I am thinking of putting some loctite or another threadlock on it now.

Thanks for the heads up.

[Dnaltrop]

Have a 9 shot .22 tracker that's been in Taurus's hands twice now, The thought of paying to ship it again has relegated it to "paperweight" status. (not even 200 rounds through it, total)

Maybe their "new" take on customer service will take hold. Lets see if the old man gets at least a shipping label out of them this time.

[beag_nut]

blarby -
You said "the abuse its taken so far".
Your previous post said "1000-1200 rounds".
How is that number of rounds "abuse"? Do you hand-load to above factory specs? Do you use factory loads?
Just wondering.

[JERRY]

ive owned a few tauri in my time. while they are not as high as S&W level, they are above Charter Arms level.

[kcshooter]

they are above Charter Arms level.Not really setting the bar that high there, are ya?

[Walkalong]

Let's not go down that road either.

[.44 Associate]

I have had several Taurus revolvers over the past 20 years. None have been the equal of S&W revolvers, but all have been decent, serviceable pieces.

I've had two occasions to send them to the factory; both times for problems of my own cause. Both times the response was courteous, appropriate, and reasonably timely - about six weeks, IIRC.

I have no experience with Taurus autoloaders, but have no reason to complain about their revolvers, rifles, or customer service.

[blarby]

1200 rounds in that short period of time to me is "abuse":evil:

I don't use a lot of factory ammo.

[kcshooter]

1200 rounds in that short period of time to me is "abuse"Wow. That' sbarely more than my break in and proving period.

[blarby]

Well, 200-300 full house magnum loads a week was certainly "abuse" to me.

At least to my wrist ! I had no problem actually doing it...it was the day after on each range day that left me a little numb.

Walkies : Theres the proof in the pudding right there ^^^^^^ ..... You have the common sense to put the dang thing down... I dont !

[lathedog]

Maybe I misunderstood, but at the SHOT show the Taurus guys further explained that the lifetime warranty means the lifetime of that particular model (until discontinued). Check their website for accessories; if you have never done this it may be illuminating.

I do enjoy the weekly Taurus thread here on THR, which is always predictably the same. It helps me to be sure I have not slipped into a parallel universe. If I ever read THR and there is no recent, new (but same) Taurus thread, I will have to wonder what happened and where I really am.

[kcshooter]

No, their policy is the lifetime of the gun, not the buyer. Discontinued models still carry the same warranty. The warranty has an "unlimited duration".

[blarby]

KC is correct.

At least you have that to bank on !

Dnaltrop : Why are you paying to ship it to them ? What is the problem you are having ?

[kcshooter]

Why are you paying to ship it to them ?I'm pretty sure that's one of their CS improvements. I am not positive, but I believe that a few years ago, shipping costs to Taurus were up to the owner.

[dawei]

I have seven Taurus® revolvers.
• Mdl 85B2CH 38 Special - 1994
• Mdl 669SS4CP 357 Magnum - 1996
• Mdl 85B2 38 Special - 1997
• Mdl 617SS2 357 Magnum - 2003
• Mdl 605SS3 357 Magnum - 2006
• Mdl 85SS2UL 38 Special - 2007
• Mdl 605SS2 357 Magnum - 2010

All have performed superbly and I continue to shoot them all almost every week.

I have only encountered these problems.........
• Mdl 85B2CH broke a firing pin (part# 19) after 11,000+ rounds. I replaced the firing pin & it's still going strong.
• Mdl 85SS2UL had the cylinder stop (part# 44) wear down after 10,000 rounds. Called Taurus® and they shipped the part right away. Installed new cylinder stop and now the gun works fine.

I have zero complaints with Taurus® customer service. The one time I had to send a gun in they fixed and returned it when they said they would. Specifically.....................
• Mdl 617 developed excessive cylinder to forcing cone gap (.011") after almost 6,000 rounds. I sent it to Taurus® and they replaced the cylinder (part# 8) and adjusted the yoke (part# 9) I've since put 3,000+ rounds through it and it's still going strong.

I will not hesitate to buy additional Taurus® revolvers. They are an outstanding value.
Here is a wealth of Taurus® information..........

http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php

[blarby]

I'm pretty sure that's one of their CS improvements. I am not positive, but I believe that a few years ago, shipping costs to Taurus were up to the owner.

So he would have no cost in shipping it now then, to be repaired free of charge, correct ?

I hope they send ya a call tag !

[zeke]

Just purchased my third Taurus revolver, and currently own 2 of them. The first was a large cylinder 608 357. No problems with it, but sold it.

Second was a slightly used 445 stainless 44 special. Nicely finished, very accurate and broke the firing pin spring dry firing it, which Taurus sent out new one pronto. The revolvers seem to have several pretty weak little springs in odd places. Pistol was nice enough, but wanted lighter version.

3rd is 445 ultra light, which manual states not to dry fire it. It is lite and decently accurate for it's intended role, but lots of sharp edges on frame. Rounded off the sharp edges, not real concerned with it's looks or finish. Replaced the ribber grips with standard compact rubbers.Recoil is heavy, and rubber grips tear off skin after 50 rounds of 200 grain gdhp's at 850 fps. The heavier all stainless version gets used for practice.

Carry it in Null upside down "k" size plastic, which conceals it under one size larger short sleeve shirt. Duluth trading comapanys shirts with the expandable underarm and shoulders are nice fit for this.

While Taurus is not up to the quality of most S&W's, have got several lemons from S&W, which i own a lot more of.

For the purposes they serve, the Taurus's owned have been a decent value.

[JR47]

My experience with Taurus hand-guns, both semi-auto, and revolvers has been much better than with S&W handguns. I have some Taurus handguns that are old enough to have been imported by Interarms. They are well used, in fact, I use them when instructing new shooters.

To date, all 12 of them are still running fine. Wish I could say that about my S&Ws.:)

[Hondo 60]

Sad part was, no one else makes a 4" SS 6-shot SA/DA 44mag with adjustable sights.

Sorry, but that's not true!
Ruger Redhawk
http://www.ruger.com/products/redhawk/models.html

http://www.jbabcock.net/guns/redhawk.jpg

[blarby]

Thats ported.........

From the description, one would almost have to painfully assume that to be true, but I digress :

Somehow, in the 5 threads this has come up in....that one word escaped that sentence here.

How did I know that the internet would find this singular fault with a snark and photo op.

[blarby]

Called Taurus today, just to check in.

They haven't gotten to it yet. Shows its still in "que"

Phone gal said give it about another 2 weeks.

[Godsgunman]

I have owned a few Tauri mostly semiautos but one revolver. I did have to deal with CS on one of mine which was the PT 908. Sweet looking 9mm, very Sig like. I had feeding/reliability issues so I sent it in and also got the e-mail saying it would be 4 weeks for them to check it out. To my surprise I had it waiting on my doorstep 10 days later! They replaced the barrel and spring. That said I did end up selling it because I just could never trust it enough to be a reliable carry weapon. I never had any issues with any other of my Tauri. So my CS experience was pleasant enough, I was just a little disappointed I could never fully trust that 908 again :(.

[jimmy morocco]

After much research I ended up buying a Taurus 444 4" 44 mag titanium 28.3 oz. I was need/wanting something more for my map&compass only adventures here in Oregon. I did a lot of research on the Tracker Models & there were so many negative reports that I decided to start calling all the local dealers to check w/them about the customers who bought & brought back. I contacted a gun store in Philomath OR. and in the coarse of conversation found they had a raging bull ultra-lite for sale. I checked out that model on line & was hard pressed to find any complaints. So I bought it, timing is perfect, a little light work w/000 steel wool and now I've got a beautiful 44 mag for my adventures. In all fairness I have to report that all the dealers in the area reported, Taurus's are not sent back more than any other of the guns they sell!!! If you live in Oregon you gotta check out Philomath Gun Shop. They were selling new guns for what others were selling used. To top that off, since I wanted the gun for this weekend and was short of $ they let me give 1/2 and took a check for the rest to deposit @ a later date. WOW

[blarby]

Wouldn't happen to be philomath gun shop, would it ?

That'd be mighty..................ironic.

[jimmy morocco]

Yes the Philomath Gun Shop, they were selling Ruger Redhawks N.I.B for $734. You can find the same gun on line used averaging $750-950

[blarby]

Thats where I got my Taurus :D

[jimmy morocco]

Since you love in Junction City you got there faster then me from Salem. Maybe we can get together sometime and have a Taurus target shoot out!!!!!

[blarby]

Totally all for it ! Once I get it back....... Theres another taurus fan here in town , too !

[41 Mag]

Not the same revolver your shooting, but I DO have the Raging Bull in 454 with the 8.375 ported barrel. I had looked them over for quite a while as well as the FA versions. I simply could not bring myself to part with the money for either at that time frame. A friend who had come into some extra cash presented me with it as a Christmas present, along with two boxes of the Winchester ammo.

It only took me about three weeks to pick up brass, and dies for it, and begin working up loads. To date I have run close to 2K stiff loads through it along with some of the beast loads listed on FA site. To be honest, it is held up to everything and digested it as well or actually better than I expected it to and some of it WAY better than I did.

Like you the only real issue I have had, is the accumulation of lead in the ports. It only takes a minute or so to clear it out and I don't let it build up. I usually clear it out after every 20 rounds or so. It will hold a group much tighter than I can, out to further than most folks have any business shooting. The last hog I shot with it was in a trot at 87yds, when the Lee 300gr RF slammed into it just behind the onside shoulder, effectively flipping it in a rear over ears somersault.

This load has become my favorite not only due to it's effectiveness but also due to the more easily absorbed recoil. Running along at 1550fps it is only a slight step above the recoil of my 44 with stiff 240's but packing WAY more thump when it gets there.

I guess the only real complaint I have is that Taurus doesn't make different sight options for their revolvers. It would be nice if they had a set of interchangeable target type rear and front blade replacements, or at least different width or height sets that one could purchase as an option.

Wish you well on your service work, and will be looking on from the wings.

[blarby]

Called taurus today.

Pistol was shipped from their repair facility today. I was provided with a fedex tracking number, which confirms their estimate that I should have it July 2nd, monday.

Just in time for 4th of July.

Assuming all of this occurs, and my pistol is received in satisfactory condition, I will call this "service as promised".

[Jaymo]

I've owned quite a few Taurus revolvers and autos. Sold 3 of them to help fund other purchases, and regretted it.
I've had no failures with any of them.
Unless you count a limp wristed jam my friend's 10 year old son had when we shot it 8 years ago. It was full of 5 years of pocket lint, and arguably, shouldn't have functioned at all. It worked perfectly for 199 of 200 rounds, that day.

I've also owned 7 Charter Arms .44 Bulldogs. Sold 3 of them to fund other purchases, and regretted it. See a pattern here?

I've had no problems with any of them, either.

They were all purchased from 1991 to 2007.

[DocRx]

I really like Taurus pistols and revolvers. I have had one of each, and was more than pleased with their performance. Regretably, I traded my Taurus PT740 Slim (GREAT pistol BTW) for a long desired revolver, a Ruger KLCR.357mag. Love the Ruger, but should have kept the Taurus too. I also have a Taurus Judge Tracker .410/.45C 6.5in., wouldn't give it up for anything. Excellent for HD, use it for hunting (deer-45C, smaller critters and pheasants-.410ga) and just a fun gun to have. Accuracy of both is/was excellent and never had a problem. Thanks for presenting your experience, Sir, I hope I never have to use it, but this thread does give me an idea of what to expect if I do.

[blarby]

In my exhaustion, forgot to mention that the revolver was returned to me yesterday, monday the 2nd.

New front sight has actually been machined in, not press pinned in.

Its a pin, but it looks like they welded it in place, and ground it down.

Service as promised.- They returned it to a functioning condition...but they made it a little uglier.

What do you think ?

So, got a call in to taurus again, see what they can do about the ugly.... I'm not going to be sending it back again, as I have no idea what I will get back.

[blarby]

Updated with photos.

[basicblur]

In short... I think this will be my first and only taurus purchase.
Live and learn.

I'll no doubt get accused of bashing Taurus (and this post deleted), but like yourself, I have one Taurus, and it will probably be my last.

I knew going in 'bout the reputation (I'd done my research), but there was just so much to like 'bout the PT145 Millennium Pro (2nd Generation) back when I bought it.

All my guns' primary function is SD, and I just can't trust my PT145 in that role.

[.44 Associate]

I personally don't think much of Taurus in the looks department anyway. In other words, if I want "pretty" I buy a USFA or an old S&W. When I buy a Taurus I expect a functioning gun for cheap. So I'd be pretty happy with that repair, because it looks like you won't have to think about it anymore.

On the other hand, I could have done that repair myself - and might have, if I'd known that's what they were going to do.

[Jaymo]

But, how does it shoot?

[blarby]

@ 44, I agree. Problem is, if I wanted to sell this gun at some point....they just chopped its value considerably.

@JAymo, Shoots as well as it did before it went in. That was never the problem !

[ljnowell]

Ouch. Sorry to see that, but not real surprised. They are people that will rabidly support Taurus, and will make excuses about this thread too. At least its a good shooter, to be honest, around these parts they dont have much resale value anyway.

[skidder]

I'm not going to be sending it back again, as I have no idea what I will get back.
Sorry to here your displeasure, I was really hoping Taurus did a top notch job so I could have my opinion changed.
Your story mirrors mine. That is the exact reason I didn't send mine in a second time. Mine not only returned not functioning right, but it was covered in dirt and had some new tool marks. I was afraid to send it in again so I requested they send me the parts. I installed the parts, did some filing and polishing, and the gun turned out pretty good when I was done. I made sure I had it running like it should and then I sold it. Never again will I buy a Taurus, unless I can get it for under a $100.

[blarby]

Good shooting was what I absolutely needed out of this purchase.

I had very specific requirements with this gun, and Taurus was the only manufacturer that had exactly the features I wanted in this pistol purchase.

I must say, I had heard all of the stuff about Taurus- both good and bad before buying it.

Funny thing about internet chatter.... you really don't know whats true, and whats not until you experience it yourself.

So , when I got this one... I figured I'd put it through its paces, and note my successes and failures with it both on the piece itself, and my reloading attempts here for what it was worth...at least I would be able to trust that !

I tried to remain as objective and level-headed about this as I could, and let the factual stuff take precedence over all the emotional hubub.

Here goes:

1. Got all the features I wanted, at what I considered a reasonable price. For a comparable model without one of the features ( ported, adjustable sights, 6 shot, rubber grips, 4") I would have spent about another $200 from any number of other vendors. I liked the overall shape and styling of it. Its a bulldog ! The matte finish was really a nice touch...no smudgy fingerprints on a glare-inducing mirror shine, not tacticool black- just right. The coating is supposedly resistant to all sorts of chemicals. The thick finish really rounds out the sharp edges too, and gives it a very smooth and even style- not cut and angular like some.

2. The gun was easy to find, didn't have to go farther than Philomath to get it. When I picked it up the pistol was still dirty from test firing from the factory, and was literally oozing lubricant from assembly...hey, at least it wasn't corroded ! The finish was good, and it locked up super tight on all 6 cylinders. The trigger was OK, but I'd been advised that after about 500 rounds it would smooth out.

3. Had it for about a week before I got the sights adjusted to where I wanted them for accuracy. During that time I developed 4 or 5 consistently accurate and performing loads of different bullet types for various scenarios- targets, varmints, long range, HD, etc. By this time the trigger had smoothed out considerably, and it fired very smoothly in both single, and double action. As has been posted in the reloading forum, the pistol is capable of 1 to 1-1/2 inch groups at 15 yards. More than acceptable. The Orange sticker on the ramp had worn off after multiple cleanings, so I repainted it with high-visibility orange.


4. On vacation at about week 7 the front sight blew off while my brother in law was firing it. The pin that holds the front ramp in was missing, and the ramp itself was gone, gone , gone.

5. Contacted Taurus when I got back from vacation, and they sent me a pre-paid shipping label to return it to them for repair. They advised it would take about 4 weeks. As it was unusable in its condition, and they advised me a factory repair was needed with their parts and techs, I cleaned it extremely well from top to bottom, and I mailed it to them.

6. Received the piece back almost 4 weeks later, just in time for the 4th of July holiday. The piece went from " we have it, haven't opened it" to "being mailed out" in their service que which is available for viewing online in the space of 3 days.

7. Upon receiving the pistol back I noticed there was a little divot next to where the pin that holds the front sight piece on was located, but it was coated with firing residue as it is directly above the porting row.

8. I cleaned the bore and cylinder with a single pass, took it to my local shooting spot and fired 2 cylinders ( 12 rounds) through it to make sure it functioned.

It did.

9. I brought it home and detail cleaned it. Thats when I noticed all of the gouging and scraping on both sides of the front sight post/housing. Not sure how well you can see 'em in the pics, but there are multiple deep gouges on the left side of it, and it looks like someone took a wire wheel to it on the rest of it.

10. Called Taurus tuesday, and they said they would have a supervisor call me back that day to discuss the issue. They did not. I assume they will call Thursday, as tomorrow is a holiday.

So, I've owned it since April, and its been out of my hands for about 5 weeks counting shipping. During that 5 weeks, Taurus fixed the mechanical problem- but in my unprofessional opinion seriously devalued it by creating fairly substantial cosmetic damage which would appear to be very difficult to repair without completely refinishing the gun.

As I said, this is my first Taurus purchase. I wasn't ( and still am not ) a Taurus basher, nor a Taurus fanatic- just a new owner.

I would rationalize that they've held up their end of the bargain by repairing it to a serviceable condition, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say they did a rush job on the repair which was both unnecessary ( they had it for a month ) and as a result damaged the finish of the gun.

Basically, I'm torn.... It functions well, had all the features I wanted, and they did mechanically fix it. However it failed very early in its service life, and their repair service permanently cosmetically damaged the gun.

I feel more than a little let down by that. This repair service coupled with the fact that the piece failed so early in its service life, has lead me to the decision that unless something miraculous occurs with their customer service manager on Thursday that this will be my only Taurus purchase.

And thats pretty much all I have to say about that.

I'll let everyone know what their CS manager says on Thursday, if he calls.


So there it is....my Taurus story. Tried not to make it hype, but fact. I wanted to present a piece of reference from a rational standpoint that was well documented from beginning to end in text and pictures... not just another hypothetical or thirdhand PRO/CON- BASH/DEFEND thread.

I know it may be hard to imagine or comprehend this, but I am not saying you either should, or should not purchase a Taurus firearm based on my experience. I just want you to know what my experience was, and my opinion of it.

[Plastikosmd]

Personally I think it looks fine and is a good 'fix.' Due to the 2 piece sight probably failing again they went to pinning it. I have plenty of revolvers with pinned barrels that are more obtrusive than that. Knowing the issue I would prefer a pin over press fit and some loctite or setscrews any day

[Friendly, Don't Fire!]

unbelievable

[Friendly, Don't Fire!]

Removed by poster, did not mean to bash Taurus.

[ljnowell]

I have plenty of revolvers with pinned barrels that are more obtrusive than that. Knowing the issue I would prefer a pin over press fit and some loctite or setscrews any day Thats not the issue, the sight was pinned from the factory. The issue is he welded the pin, on one side only, then ground it off so poorly that it looks like garbage. One one side only? Come on, thats cheap and ridiculous.

[BBQLS1]

In my exhaustion, forgot to mention that the revolver was returned to me yesterday, monday the 2nd.

New front sight has actually been machined in, not press pinned in.

Its a pin, but it looks like they welded it in place, and ground it down.

Service as promised.- They returned it to a functioning condition...but they made it a little uglier.

What do you think ?

So, got a call in to taurus again, see what they can do about the ugly.... I'm not going to be sending it back again, as I have no idea what I will get back.


I have a few Taurus guns and have been happy with their performance. That is HALF-ASSED. I honestly would write a letter and include good pictures to the Taurus USA CEO (is it still Mark Kresser?). That's the kind of thing they should fix.

[seeker_two]

Incidents like this are one of the reasons I tell people to let their local gunsmith fix Taurus guns instead of sending them through Taurus CS. The gunsmith will care more about the work and the customer. Sometimes the 'smith can do the work cheaper than the shipping costs. And I like keeping my money local.

Hope Taurus makes this right....or a local 'smith can make it better.....

[Friendly, Don't Fire!]

The issue is he welded the pin, on one side only, then ground it off so poorly that it looks like garbage.

HE?
Perhaps they were short on repair persons so they got the woman in the office to come into the factory to help get the repairs out the door in a timely fashion. :o

[Jaymo]

If a woman had welded it, it would look better. Women make better welders than we do.

To me, it didn't look welded. It looked peened and ground.
My only issue is with the rough grinding on the sight base. You can fix that by sanding it with increasingly finer sandpaper backed by a file or metal bar or block of wood.
If you sell it, you're screwing yourself. You have money and time invested in it. You are frustrated and disappointed. I understand completely. But, don't let that control your thought process.
It's a good design, and if it shoots well you'd do well to keep it. I would not be thrilled with the repair that was done, either.

Was the sight originally pinned in place? It's not unheard of for pins to fail, especially roll and spring pins. Such items are often made by outside vendors.

[blarby]

It was an original pin.

If you look closely at the top of the ramp on one side, there is a tack weld that has been filed off... the heat of the weld discolored the ramp.

[Jaymo]

Is your barrel merely ported, or does it have an integral expansion chamber comp? My 1994 Taurus 44 4" is actually integrally compensated, and is a pussycat to shoot.

[Plastikosmd]

I see, if your issue is just cosmetics, I agree with the above. That should polish up nicely if so desired. Personally, I would go shoot it. Many of of my compensated guns look a lot worse from years of blow-by/cutting from the compensator. Good luck

[Prosser]

OK.
They produce inexpensive guns, and their product control and customer support could be better.

Evaluate if the aggravation is worth it. I bought two Kimbers at a time when that was the same situation.

However, I just had a good pistolsmith do the work on them, and the results were a lot less aggravating then trying to deal with Kimber's not so good custom support.

I watched a gunsmith work on 3 Taurus. Fixing them wasn't really rocket science.

[bdb benzino]

Incidents like this are one of the reasons I tell people to let their local gunsmith fix Taurus guns instead of sending them through Taurus CS.

^^^
Exactly!! That is what I have done with the couple Taurus revolvers I have/had. Only one needed anything, but my local gunsmith will fix any used gun sold out of his store for free. I am sure it would have been more expensive just to ship it there.
Overall I think they make decent revolvers with good steel, but their QC and service is lacking, so whenever I get one, I get it knowing that it is never going back to Taurus unless it is completely unfixable. YMMV.

[blarby]

All the recs on local smiths are great.

However, gun is basically brand new, and recently paid for...allegedly with a lifetime warranty.

I did pay zero for this repair....... I guess ya get what ya pay for !

[seeker_two]

Was the shipping free, too?

[Prosser]

Customer support at ALL of the companies, except, maybe Colt, is a starting place for new gunsmiths. You are getting rookies working on your gun, as a general rule. You aren't going to get Hamilton Bowen, John Linebaugh, or Jack Huntington quality work out of customer service at Taurus, S&@, or many of the other big firms.

DEAL! It is what it is.

If you are that picky about stuff on a 300 dollar Taurus then pay the piper.

[blarby]

DEAL! It is what it is.

Wow, thanks Uncle rude !

300 dollar Taurus

No, wrong again.

Was the shipping free, too?

Yes.


Also, no call today. Will call again tomorrow.

[JSmith]

Wow, blarby, this has been an ongoing adventure! I open this thread from time to time to catch the latest episode.

The job on the front sight doesn't great but if it keeps the thing in place... it might be a win.

I have no personal experience with Taurus; my brother-in-law has a Taurus .357 and he says the barrel keeps coming loose. He's returned it twice, and it still comes loose. I told him to put a gob of epoxy cement on it. Right now, he's using it as a paperweight.

[blarby]

It is quite the adventure, for certain !

[blarby]

Ok, never got a call back from taurus... I called them.

They don't want to look at great photos of the gun, they want me to send it back in to them again for their appraisal.


I didn't buy this gun to merry-go-round it with Taurus...I bought it to use it... I guess I might as well get used to the scuffs !

Once impartial, now a taurus non-fanboy.

[Sam1911]

The OP says he's done.