Taurus 85 owners sound off

[EMT40SW]

I sold a S&W 642 over the summer because I got a S&W Shield. Now, I'm considering getting a Taurus 85 in .38 spl since there is a $40 rebate currently. Making them about a $200-$250 gun now. My concern is quality control issue that most modern manufacturers have slacked up on. I would like any Taurus 85 owner to share your experience with this gun. Oh yeah let me post the obligatory, enjoy the salad days my fellow gun people.

 

[Cump]

I have owned 2 905s, 2 85s, and a 605. All shot well and were mechanically sound. The 605 had a few shavings that were easily cleaned up.

I still own the stainless 905 and 85 (no)view.

I only traded to pursue a good deal ...

 

[GRIZ22]

I bought an 85 in 1988. Worked with no problems. Better trigger than a S&W J frame at the time. Gave it to my daughter 2 years ago. Still working fine.

Bought a 327 J frame Taurus about 4 years ago. Had timing issues. Sent it back on their dime and was returned in 2 weeks. All okay and still working fine.

I have several Taurus handguns. Most revolvers. All bought between 1988 and 2016. Outside of the timing on the 327 no real issues with any of them.

The 669 I bought is 1989 is one of the most durable revolvers I've ever had.

I've been thinking of picking up another 85. I have no unusual issues with the 8 Taurus handguns I own.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

I bought a Taurus 85 for my wife for self defense in 1998. It was shot to establish point-of-impact relative to point-of-aim with +P Fed Nyclad. Then it was mostly a desk queen at work for her. It gave her peace of mind; a suspicious character entered her business once, later it was found he had robbed a place with a weapon he was carrying in his arm sling. Since her retirement 2008 I have shot it a few times and cleaned it. Since her passing in 2014 I have taken it out and shot it a bit more. It seems to be a good five shot .38 revolver based on my admittedly limited experience. I kinda like .38spl/357 mag. I shoot a Ruger Security Six and it was my woods walking gun; my carry piece is a J frame Rossi .38 snub; I shot my son's GP100 at the club matches til he bought it back for what I had loaned him for it.

The only problem I have ever had with my wife's Tauris 85 was that when debris accumulated in the locking notches of the cylinder, the action would bind. Taking a toothbrush and Hoppes #9 cleaner to the locking notches fixed that. I suspect any revolver kept for years in case in a desk drawer or night stand could develop a lint in the locking notch problem. Good excuse to take a gun to the range, shoot it and clean it more often.

Added: But back to the OP #1 -- that was a revolver I bought in 1998: marked Taurus Int Mfg Miami FL USA. However, the Taurus pump .22 mag carbine I bought since then has been a bet-my-life wooods walking gun.

As with every manufacturer, every model, you will find people who got a lemon and will complain, condemning the maker and gun forever after. All I got to go by is my experience.

 

[Saddlebag Preacher]

My wife and I both have them. I carried one in the late 1980's, to 1991 for a BUG on duty. Hers is the UltraLite. (Was mine but she wanted to trade me.) I really like them both and have no problem carrying either one CCW. My Shield is my usual, but the 85 is accurate and reliable.

 

[joneb]

I bought a Taurus 85 SS 2" in the mid 90's. I bought a S&W 36 1.875" in the early 2000's
After shooting both I asked my wife which one she liked the most, she picked the Taurus.
I have shot both a lot and I agree with her choice.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I bought a Taurus 85 for my wife for self defense in 1998. It was shot to establish point-of-impact relative to point-of-aim with +P Fed Nyclad. Then it was mostly a desk queen at work for her. It gave her peace of mind; a suspicious character entered her business once, later it was found he had robbed a place with a weapon he was carrying in his arm sling. Since her retirement 2008 I have shot it a few times and cleaned it. Since her passing in 2014 I have taken it out and shot it a bit more. It seems to be a good five shot .38 revolver based on my admittedly limited experience. I kinda like .38spl/357 mag. I shoot a Ruger Security Six and it was my woods walking gun; my carry piece is a J frame Rossi .38 snub; I shot my son's GP100 at the club matches til he bought it back for what I had loaned him for it.

The only problem I have ever had with my wife's Tauris 85 was that when debris accumulated in the locking notches of the cylinder, the action would bind. Taking a toothbrush and Hoppes #9 cleaner to the locking notches fixed that. I suspect any revolver kept for years in case in a desk drawer or night stand could develop a lint in the locking notch problem. Good excuse to take a gun to the range, shoot it and clean it more often.

Added: But back to the OP #1 -- that was a revolver I bought in 1998: marked Taurus Int Mfg Miami FL USA. However, the Taurus pump .22 mag carbine I bought since then has been a bet-my-life wooods walking gun.

As with every manufacturer, every model, you will find people who got a lemon and will complain, condemning the maker and gun forever after. All I got to go by is my experience.

The grime in the bolt recess is a common cause of Smith and Wesson's being diagnosed as out of time as well- much more easily remedied though!
I had a late 80s model 85 which was light years better than current production. Taurus should drop the "Forge" from their name and adopt "Rough Casting and Injection Molding".....

 

[chaim]

I can't really help with the current production Taurus 85. I have a 85CH that was made in 1991 that has been a terrific handgun. I had a 605 (the .357mag version) in the early 2000s that was a great gun. That said, if you are in the market for a snub, I'd take the chance. The 85 may be the best gun Taurus makes. They have a lifetime warranty so you can get it fixed for the price of shipping if you get a bad one. At current prices, you can sell it used for about what you bought it for if you don't like it (they still sell at around $200 on the low end and up to about $220 used).

 

[DDDWho]

I've had an 85UL for a few years. Its light in weight and easy to carry. I put a Pachmayr grip on it which gives a better (3 finger) grip. It seems to be well made with a decent trigger.
One day last summer I was carrying it around the house. While setting on my back porch I saw a ground hog at an estimated 30-35 yards against the timber in my back yard. Wishing I had a rifle I pulled out the little 85UL and emptied it in the direction of the ground hog. I didn't hit him but I kicked up dirt with each shot just 4-6 inches from him. I was amazed at the accuracy with such a short sighting radius. If you want a decent snubby at a good price I'd say you found it

 

[BSA1]

Taurus reputation for spotty quality control is well deserved.

I have a M-85 that has functioned fine since the day I first brought it. No complaints whatsoever.

My next Taurus snubbie was a M-941 8 round 22 Magnum. It had such a major accuracy problem that Taurus replaced it with a new one.

The replacement gun had a couple of issues when I received it. First it was bone dry of oil which caused it to lock up. The second was a long steel burr on the inside of the sideplate rubbing on the trigger. I was able to easily fix both problems although removing the sideplate is beyond the skill level of many gunowners. However since that time it has functioned fine and is a very accurate gun.

Both of them are niche guns and are not used for edc. The M-85 is for fishing as it is stainless steel and the M-941 is for pest control on the ranch. 22 magnum Speer Gold Dot short barrel rounds are nasty little buggers.

 

[brewer12345]

I just bought an 85UL since the effective price with the rebate made it too cheap to pass up. I am used to shooting Rugers (security six, single six), both bigger, heavier guns with longer barrels. I have had the 85 to the range twice so far and put probably 300 or more rounds through it. Not a single problem. It does not like lightweight, jacketed +P self defense bullets, but it will put even fairly zippy 158/150 grain lead bullets into surprisingly small groups at 12.5 yards in single action. I had to learn how to shoot something this small and light in double action, but yesterday I was shooting all 5 rounds as quickly as I was allowed to at my range (1 shot per second) and was able to keep all shots within a 12 inch circle at 12.5 yards. I have shot it enough now to be comfy with it as a carry piece (what I bought it for) and I am generally pretty pleased with the purchase.

I think the usual caveats apply, though. QC is less stringent at Taurus than at more expensive manufacturers. There is a small, but nonzero, chance that you get a gun with issues. These are also small, lighter guns. They will not take the abuse of a tank like a Security Six or a GP101 and I am guessing that they will wear out long before the heavier duty type revolvers. So as long as you are OK with that (and for 200 bucks I sure as heck am), I think you are getting a good deal.

 

[Varminterror]

I'm an 85 fan, here's an older one of mine I broke out this month to play a little.



They're not pretty, but you're not paying for pretty. They're accurate enough, they're durable. As long as you dodge any tolerance issue, or as long as you shoot enough to catch it and have their customer service fix it for you. In my experience, the Taurus customer service group is fantastic, but I also don't generally have irrational expectation some people seem to have when they complain about Taurus: "one letter is stamped shallower than the others, I want my money back."

 

[maxxhavoc]

I say go for it. Here is my old-school blued model and my UL. Both run perfectly and have good triggers (the blued one has a GREAT trigger.) The only issue I have is the crane screw walks out when shooting stout loads. Happens with my Smith too, spring loaded screws like to come out.

 

[Varminterror]

I suppose I forgot to mention - I'm not a proponent of the Ultralight 85's. I had a bunch come through my shop years ago, locked up with shattered firing pin or mainpin bushings. THAT is a design issue for me. Taurus took care of all of them in a timely fashion, replacing them, however, I just can't recommend a revolver which might lock up on any given shot due to a design issue. The all steel standard 85's are good to go.

 

[MedWheeler]

I have a 3-inch stainless 85 made in 1995. I got it only a year or so back for $300. It's a nicely-fit little shooter, and pretty handsome to boot. It's a pretty rare item, from what I hear. I'd count it any time.

 

[Middletown]

I bought one new about 2 years ago. Blued model 85 2 in. barrel, looks just like the top blued one in Maxxhavoc's picture. It has been totally reliable so far and just feels like a well built gun. I had an airweight S&W snub that carried well but was hard for me to shoot. The extra weight of all steel is a consideration but I am able to make it work. I recommend them for what they are. Mine was $325 out the door but guns were more expensive then.

Hope this helps.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

I have an 85 that I purchased new around 1990. I carried it for awhile, then it spent many years under the seat of the pickup.
I resurrected it, cleaned it up, and now Mrs Thunkit uses it as her personal protection device. I load it with wadcutters - she shoots them accurately, and is comfortable with them.
I haven't had any problems with it. It's reasonably accurate (it is a snubby....), robust construction, and inexpensive.

 

[BSA1]

"I was shooting all 5 rounds as quickly as I was allowed to at my range (1 shot per second) and was able to keep all shots within a 12 inch circle at 12.5 yards."

Personally I will not accept this kind of poor accuracy from my handguns. At 10 yards I expect them to place a cylinder full within 2". My Taurus M-941 came with a factory test target that showed a 8 shot 1 3/4" group. I did a little better with a 8 shot 1 5/8" group. 12" will miss a lot of vital organs.

As I commented on your other thread I consider the J-Frame to be a poor choice for edc. The J-Frame can be mastered with practice, practice and more practice. A larger revolver can be concealed without too much trouble.

 

[brewer12345]

"I was shooting all 5 rounds as quickly as I was allowed to at my range (1 shot per second) and was able to keep all shots within a 12 inch circle at 12.5 yards."

Personally I will not accept this kind of poor accuracy from my handguns. At 10 yards I expect them to place a cylinder full within 2". My Taurus M-941 came with a factory test target that showed a 8 shot 1 3/4" group. I did a little better with a 8 shot 1 5/8" group. 12" will miss a lot of vital organs.

As I commented on your other thread I consider the J-Frame to be a poor choice for edc. The J-Frame can be mastered with practice, practice and more practice. A larger revolver can be concealed without too much trouble.

Eh, I am a beginner with a snub and will be spending more time with it at the range. Everything in the pie pan was quick double action shots. Careful aiming was very small groups (inch or two). The problem isn't the revolver.

 

[CajunBass]

I had one years ago. Not sure what the official model was other than "85." It was a DAO with a factory bobbed hammer. Good gun. I liked it a lot, but traded it off for some other bright shiny thing that caught my eye.

 

[BSA1]

I got this drill from Ernest Langdon. It is to place two shots inside a 2" circle at 7 yards.

Ernest recommends starting at 3 yards and as you get better move out until you can do it a 7 yards. I use 2 1/2" circles as that is the size of the pickle jar lid I use to draw the circles around. I draw 4 circles on a piece of white paper.

The drill is very simple. Start at 3 yards. Take your time and try to shoot 2 rounds into each circle double action from your snubbie. Once you can consistently put all of your shots in the circles back up a step and start over. With practice you should eventually be able to do this exercise at 7 yards.

As I am a more advanced shooter I make the drill harder by shooting two rounds into each circle as quickly as possible. My wife who is a novice started at 3 yards and now is doing it at about 5 - 6 yards. It is a simple fun drill that gives you instant feedback on your shooting.

 

[maxxhavoc]

For practice, see if you can find either of these - A Taurus 94 or Rossi Plinker. Both are 22lr's made by Taurus. The Plinker shoots a lot like an 85. Both have heavier triggers, but 22lr likes a good firing pin spring.

If you can find one, get it. Both cost more than my .38 revolvers...but 500 rounds of .22 makes up for the difference.

 

[brewer12345]

I got this drill from Ernest Langdon. It is to place two shots inside a 2" circle at 7 yards.

Ernest recommends starting at 3 yards and as you get better move out until you can do it a 7 yards. I use 2 1/2" circles as that is the size of the pickle jar lid I use to draw the circles around. I draw 4 circles on a piece of white paper.

The drill is very simple. Start at 3 yards. Take your time and try to shoot 2 rounds into each circle double action from your snubbie. Once you can consistently put all of your shots in the circles back up a step and start over. With practice you should eventually be able to do this exercise at 7 yards.

As I am a more advanced shooter I make the drill harder by shooting two rounds into each circle as quickly as possible. My wife who is a novice started at 3 yards and now is doing it at about 5 - 6 yards. It is a simple fun drill that gives you instant feedback on your shooting.

Sounds like fun, but my range has fixed pistol targets at 12.5 and 25 yards, that is it. So practices at 12.5 yards is it.

Mostly I shoot for best accuracy trying to make small groups while taking my time. I have shot several squirrels *down to pine squirrels which are pretty small) with .22 and .38 revolvers, so I have that down pretty well. Speedy shooting is the new challenge, especially with a snub.

 

[damienph]

My wife bought a 2" blue five shot Rossi (model R35102FC - had to look that up) back around 2001 or 2002. I liked it so well, I decided to buy one for myself and ended up with a Taurus model 85 at about the same time '01-'02.

The Taurus M85 is also a blue 2" five shot. It is a ported barrel model. Both have rubber finger groove grips, and hammer lock. Both have been fired almost exclusively with 125 gr +P, never had a problem with either.

These are the only two Taurus/Rossi revolvers that I have ever owned and have been very satisfied with them.

I have two other J frame sized revolvers; S&W 631 .32 H&R Magnum and a S&W 360J .38 Special.

 

[tubeshooter]

I have a blued model 85 of mid-90's vintage. Carried it for a long time as my EDC. Never had any issues. Still gets carried every now and again. I think the world of mine.

I had a crack at another one about the same age a little while ago. Shop was asking $300, I believe. Very nice specimen, part of me wishes I had picked it up.



Would love to find one of those rare 3-inch models!