JR47 is dead on when it comes to checking out used guns, no doubt about it, ANY used gun, ANY new gun, ANY make/model/caliber
it's a dirty rotten shame that Animal M. got a raw deal on a Taurus 96, 'cause somebody did things to the one he got that nobody should ever do to any firearm (and he never had a chance to inspect 1st hand, up front) If you saw those pictures, and knew anything at all about revolvers, you know that was not "factory", no matter the brand name. At least he finally got a good S&W, none better, if you check 'em out right before buying. If you routinely find those for <$300, please let me send you a dollar, so you can buy a lotto ticket for me.
But this whole notion that brand X is great and brand Z is flawless is just plain utter nonsense.
I own a pair of k-17s "to die for", both bought used, and a Taurus 96 bought used, and all three are to be envied. (Same to be said for a pair of S&W 66s and a Taurus 66, all in 357, one S&W bought NIB back-when, one bought used 20 years later, the Taurus bought used within a few months of the 2nd S&W, all three bought for ~$330 a pop, color me happy. The k-17s cost me near double that. Color me happy.
One of my two k-17s has the cylinder gap JR47 complains about. More people should be so lucky. Some people have to pay for custom refitting to achieve that. A 12 second wipe down of the cylinder face every 60-75 rounds with a CLP soaked patch is no burden for me, happy to do it. Only one I own that applies to. Don't need all mine to be that tight, but glad that one of mine is; flawless, runs like a champ in DA fast mode, just keep excessive powder residue off the face. A CCW self defense gun it ain't supposed to be. Just pretty and smooth and real real accurate.
OP was not Taurus vs. Ruger vs S&W vs. Dan Wesson vs. Freedom Arms vs. Korth.
OP was not even about what to beware of when buying used.
OP was what people think about a very specific make/model ~$300 NIB 22 revolver.
People ought know not to expect a custom shop hand fitted and tuned K-22 for $300, and they mostly do not expect.
A Taurus 94 22 rimfire can serve the needs of many (and obviously does, for some).
When it does, it's a good deal.
but the very specific make/model/vintage gun in question is nothing short of notorious for quality issues; back surf this or any other popular gun forum (rimfirecentral included) and you will endlessly read same-same.
if you get an acceptable one, it is capable of very good accuracy in SA mode
it has one of the worst DA revolver triggers ever made
it doesn't cost what a K-17 or k-22 or Korth does
want one, get one
buy yourself a lotto ticket same day
(what could it hurt, only costs a buck - you only have to win one of two bets to be happy, because if the 94 doesn't work out you can always buy a Korth)
me, I want a S&W 651 in WMR to match my old model "mint" S&W 63
saw one on gunbroker for ~$900.. this ain't gonna happen
and a Taurus 941 ain't going to happen either, checked out a few too many of 'em
(a mint S&W 6" k-48 did work out, but $300 it was not, but it was a gamble)
OP wanted to know if a Taurus 94 revolver was a good bet for his hard earned dollar
well, it depends mostly on the price of the lotto ticket, and what payoff you are hoping for
If you buy your revolvers based on internet "woobie brand" wars, or gun rag articles, expect to suffer from a lot of disappointments
improve your odds by doing what JR47 said
if asking for internet gun forum advice, ignore "brand wars", and pay close attention to comments from those who have 1st person experience with specific make/model/caliber/vintage
good luck, OP
it was nothing if not entertaining