Taurus Mod 605 vs Mod 617 .357 Mag

[usnavymasterchief]

I want a reasonably priced revolver. I've narrowed it down to a new Taurus either a Mod 605 five round small frame or a 617 seven round compact frame both in .357 Mag. The 617 is a bit larger but I like the idea of seven rounds. Anyone out there care to comment on these two revos? Is the 617 difficult to conceal?
I can't afford a new Colt or S&W and I really don't want a used gun, so it looks like Taurus is for me. Both guns get high marks on the Taurus Talk forum. Thanks Y'all, John

 

[10-Ring]

My Taurus revo is a nice gun that took a long time to break in. All of my new revolvers (other than the Tauri) are a S&W and the triggers has been absolute butta!

 

[Biff]

Master Chief-

I may be adding a little confusion to the mix, but I have a Taurus 606 .357 with a 2" barrel that I am very fond of. It is a stainless 6-shot, and conceals well in a Desantis Cozy Partner IWB holster. It is a little larger than the 5 shots- about the same size as a K-frame smith or Colt Detective Special. It uses the same speedloaders as my Security-Six. Across the cylinder it is only about 1/8" wider than mu 1911's grips. The grip fits my hand perfectly, which really helps in double-action shooting. It is more than acceptably accurate, shooting to point of aim inside 25 yards. because it is a medium frame instead of a small frame, the additional weight helps with steadiness and recoil control. It is not ported, but recoil with 125-158 grain magnums is not offensive.

Biff,
Sergeant First Class (Retired)

 

[usnavymasterchief]

Hi BIFF, I went to www.taurususa.com and could not find a model 606. Perhaps that's a discontinued model. John

 

[Drakejake]

I have the 617 in stealth grey and like it a lot. It has been reliable, has a decent trigger, is pretty accurate, and can be carried in a large front pocket. At 20 oz. and seven rounds of firepower, it is virtually equivalent to the small DAO autos with six round mags.

Drakejake

 

[Biff]

John-

Looks like the 617 has supplanted the 606. Make sure speedloaders are available!

 

[makdaddy03]

I have the Taurus 605. I like it alot.

 

[Drakejake]

HKS makes a speedloader for the Taurus 617.

Drakejake

 

[Chief Jones]

I have a 617Ti in stealth gray and a stainless 605. Both shoot to point of aim with 158 grain bullets. The 605 is easier to conceal, but the 617 really does not pose a problem either. The only problem I've had with either was bullets (reloaded) backing out on the 617--an adjustment on the bullet seating/crimping die took care of that. FIST makes holsters for both models. Gunners Alley is where I get mine.

Hope this helps,

Woody

 

[aerod1]

I have a 605 which I carry daily. It has always functioned flawlessly and is very concealable using the appropriate holster. I do think the 617 will be harder to conceal. Of course, i don't have a problem with the 5 shot capacity.

Jim Hall

 

[22luvr]

I guess I'm spoiled but...........

I personally thought my Taurus model 605 in SS was too heavy and bulky to pocket-carry, so you can imagine what I'd think of the 617.

Here is one little trick I did to make the 605 more compact: I removed the longer 605 Taurus stock grips and replaced them with the shorter Taurus stock grips off the model 85, which made the gun a lot smaller in-the-pocket. I had no problem handling or shooting .357's with the smaller grips either. Grips on the 85 and 605 are totally interchangeable.

To each his own though.

 

[Double Maduro]

You might also look at the EAA Windicator. It is a 6 shot .38spcl/.357mag that comes in several barrell lengths.

Mine is blue with a 2" barrell and is quite concealable. It is accurate and the single action trigger is so light and clean it is unbeleiveable. The double action trigger pull is long but smooth.

I got mine used but they still make them.

Good luck, the hunt is half the fun.
DM

 

[usnavymasterchief]

Thanks everyone for all of your comments. I went with a Taurus Model 651, .357Mag with a shrouded hammer, works D/A and S/A with a very low profile hammer. Nice gun. Thanks again, John