Taurus 617SS

[Bigg Jimm]

Anyone here have any experience with the Taurus 617 7-shot 357 revolver? Is it accurate and reliable?


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[oldbear]

Jim, I picked one, a 2", several years ago. I've put between 2,000 & 2,500 rounds of assorted 38 special, 38 special +P, 38 special +P+, and .357 Magnum ammo though it. It is as accurate as I am most of the time. Only had one reliability problem, I let it set unused for 6-7 months and the factory lube hardened up and locked up the entire revolver. After we pulled the side plate and removed all the 90 weight gear lube and re lubed it has worked just fine.

A word about Taurus handguns. Taurus makes two different styles of handguns. One type is a good solid handgun that will give you years of good service, and will be an excellent value. The second type will never be right no matter how many trips it gets to the service center. At my semi -advanced age I don't have the patience to deal with Q/C problems, so I will not buy another Taurus product.

Best of luck whatever you decide to do..

 

[skt239]

My 617 was the second kind of Taurus revolver that oldbear referenced. My 617 locked up on the first cylinder. I sent it back to Taurus more than once but they never repaired it. Since it was a gift from my at the time fiancé, I felt compelled to fix it. So, I took it to my local gunsmith and had it repaired. I sold the revolver the day after we broke up.

 

[mesinge2]

A word about Taurus handguns. Taurus makes two different styles of handguns. One type is a good solid handgun that will give you years of good service, and will be an excellent value. The second type will never be right no matter how many trips it gets to the service center.

That is the best description of Taurus's products I have ever heard and it mirrors my experience. I have owned 6 Taurus guns in the past. 3 worked perfectly, 3 had multiple trips to the factory and I wound up selling them at a loss because I was honest with the buyer about their history.

.

 

[Bigg Jimm]

Thanks for the input. I recently acquired one and while it seems to be a good revolver I just wondered about the long run. Guess I'll shoot it til I wear it out or it wears me out.


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[weregunner]

Here's a bit about the 617.
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/t...ting-hang-my-617-beautiful-day-yesterday.html
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/taurus-revolvers/67015-taurus-617-vs-rossi-462-a.html

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=544457
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=300753
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=497898

Holster as well as other data are in the links.

 

[skt239]

I guess I left some stuff out. Along with having he revolver repaired, my smith also preformed a suburb action job. The gun is very well balanced and the grips fit the hand nicely. If I had never had the initial problems, I'd still have it today.

 

[weregunner]

It seems the OP left the building on this thread.

 

[gamestalker]

Nope, but I have a 608, the 8 shot .357 mag.. It's accurate and built like a tank, and about as heavy as one too!

GS

 

[gbran]

I bought the 617T new shortly after they came out. Great feel, not as thick as you'd think with the 7rnd cyl. Easy to carry, light. But....... this thing couldn't shoot many cylinders of .357 without the cylinder locking up. Literally had to use a wood dowel to beat out the brass.

I tried different ammo, but could never make the problem completely go away. Taurus couldn't fix it. I enventually determined it was too ammo sensitive to trust. The new owner has no problem firing 38's only.

 

[Bigg Jimm]

Yeah I read that the Titanium 617 had problems with full power loads. There were cases of cylinder binding and cylinder face erosion. That's why I went with the stainless steel version. Its a heavier pistol and probably more comfortable with full power loads. Never been a fan of lightweight guns. Yes they may carry better but u pay for it in felt recoil.
By the way I broke out the little cannon this weekend for some informal shooting. I'm guessing that it has about 300 rounds through it now. No problems yet. Not a tack driver but accurate enough for its current purpose. Hopefully my accuracy with it will get better with practice.
What 357 load do you all use in your snubs? I like the Golden Saber 125 grain as far as comfort. But the 158 grain Gold Dot seem a little more accurate with a lot more recoil. Currently I'm keeping it loaded with both. First four rounds are GS with the last three chambers Gold Dot. Figure if the first 4 don't do the trick I might need the extra oomph of the Gold Dots to seal the deal.



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[oldbear]

Jim remember the TV show Tool Time, well when it comes to my .357 Magnum ammo I proponent of the “More Power” theory. That being said when I load my 617 for potential home defense I use the Federal brand, 38 special 147 Gr. +P+ load. The main reason is I live in an urban environment and share a common wall with a single Mother with two kids. No need to worry about an errant round ending up in her bedroom.
If you must load .375 magnum ammo I would stay with your choice the Remington Golden Sabers.

P.s. I hope you have the same good luck with your 617 that I’ve had with mine..

 

[Bigg Jimm]

Thanks for the advice oldbear. I appreciate ur perspective. However I'm pretty rural. Closest neighbor is about a half mile away. I'm not too worried about the overpenetration factor. I do however have a speed loader filled with 125 gr. Golden Saber 38 spl+P in case I feel the need to load something less potent.


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[Bigg Jimm]

Any advice on a good holster that doesn't cost more than the gun?


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[weregunner]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjiC-8fwoqs

www.opticsplanet.com/bianchi-holsters-taurus-617.html

www.ccwsupply.biz/RGLTaurus617627.htm

Holsters you say.