older Taurus 85, +P?

[Dgreno]

I have in my possession an older 3 in bbl Taurus 85 pre lock. I am hoping to get my mother to the range with it, but thats another topic. What I need to know is: when did Taurus start rating their revolvers, specifically the 85, for +P ammo? I would like to start off with WC's and move up to Gold Dot's if that matters... BTW, serial number is GA93XXX if that helps.
Thanks!!

 

[GRIZ22]

I have a 85 a little newer than yours (HJ prefix and purchased in 1989). I'm not sure when Taurus started giving out +P ratings but I would use standard pressure ammo in your Taurus. You really only gain 100fps or so from a +P and than really doesn't give you that much more of an edge. I carry standard factory wadcutters in mine which is not a bad bullet. It's already in an efficient shape, penetrates 14-16" in gelatin, low recoil, easy on the gun and shooter. It doesn't sound as sexy as the "Rhino Roller Fast Expanding +P" type of ammo but works well.

 

[Dgreno]

Thanks for your response. Is there any way of actually knowing when this gun was made?
EDIT: I found a serial number search function. It was made in 1987.

 

[Patrick Henry]

Well I have a newer (post-lock) Taurus 85. It is not too new though, because it is steel and not aluminum (a plus to my mind), and I actually paid $219 for it because the dealer wanted to get rid of it so badly. Not bad for a brand new piece, I thought.

I have shot maybe 100 Gold Dot +P through it (my carry load) and no problems. (Plus many more standard pressure rounds) I wasn't concerned because on their website Taurus says it's rated for +P.

 

[MrTuffPaws]

Taurus started making the M85 +p in the late 90's. You can go to there web site and enter in your serial number to get info on your gun (note none of my Taurus guns work with that web site) Or you can give them a call and they will tell you when it was built.

 

[The_Shootist]

Nod

Thats a handy tool on the Taurus website. I bought my M85 last November and kinda wondered about it. Typing in my ser # I found out it was made in 1999 and is +P .38 spl rated.

It was likely a bedside revolver as when I picked it up it didn't look like it had been shot much and there was NO wear to the bluing.

Both of those characteristics I have been working on changing

 

[shooter429]

whether you could or should are 2 different questions

I just bought a 442 for the girls and although it is +P rated and 158 grain +ps are sposed to be the best, I take into account the shooters comfort and longevity. And, Taurus are not as strong as the S&Ws either.

Anyway, I just settled on a standard load of 3 grains Bullseye in hbwc. Plenty of pop without causing the girls to develop a flinch or wear out the gun faster.

Stay light, standard pressure

Shooter429

 

[GRIZ22]

I take into account the shooters comfort and longevity. And, Taurus are not as strong as the S&Ws either.


Shooter, thank you for being reasonable. Too many attempt to put a J frame to extremes with super pressure loads that don't do a lot more. I might argue with you as far as strength of the two.

 

[MCgunner]

Out of my +P rated 85UL, a +P as hot as I feel like loading it produces 285 ft lbs out of a 2" barrel. My standard pressure cast wadcutter load, 2.7 grains b'eye is right att 200 ft lbs. You're talking a whole whoppin' 85 ft lbs difference. While I do carry the 158 +P load, I really don't think the standard pressure load is going to bounce off. I'd feel a little safer with it than my 90 grain .380 loads of similar energy because I know that wadcutter is going to get good penetration.

That said, I had a Rossi 88 a while back I loaded with +P, fired probably 1000 rounds through it in its lifetime along with maybe 4K of wadcutter, and it never got loose. It was not +P rated. YMMV