Taurus Snubbies

Ruger and Smith both have more consistent quality control. I've only had two Taurus revolvers, one of theirs from the late 80s and one from the mid 90s. The first was fine, the second had some issues with light primer strikes and cylinder binding.

So, I chose the third option. Get it, but run some ammo through it to make sure everything is up to par. If the Taurus fits your budget, then there's no point in suggesting more expensive guns. However, the LCR seems pretty reasonably priced and has a very smooth trigger from all reports. If it's not a large price difference, I'd consider it.

I bought a 905 and it's treated me very well.
The only reason I clicked it might have to go to service is because all guns eventually have to. If you shoot them, that is.
Guns you post about generally function flawlessly.

Ive had good luck wiuth the 4 Taurus snubs Ive owned.

I have a Taurus M85, a little lightweight .38. Good gun. It is shot little and carried a lot-by my wife. She loves the thing.

I have not shot a Taurus for many years, A buddy of mine loves them.
Every one I ever shot, And I fired like 2 dozen of them. The timing was off. spit lead bad. And I will say this was many years ago.
They worked OK in SA fire. but not good in DA fire.
My buddy tells me that they are much better now.
But I will stick to my S&W's
If I found one real cheap I might think about buying it.

My only experience with a Taurus snubby has been with this little steel frame model 85. It's been a darn good gun. The action is very smooth and it shoots where I point it.

From my investigation, it seems as though quality on the older models was hit or miss. I have shot a couple of newer models and both were nice guns. I would put them a step below S&W and Ruger (but onlyt a small step). The fit and finish isn't quite as good (although I had problems with my 442. Their quality seems to be improving and their price point is good. I am considering a 94.

A suggestion would be to buy one from a shop that has a range. Go shoot it after you buy it and if there are any problems, you can take it right back to the sales counter and rectify the situation. If you buy from a broker at a gun show, you'll be stuck with Taurus customer service and I haven't heard a lot of positives in that regard.

I've owned several in calibers .38 Special and .44 Special (no Magnums). With one exception they have been all-steel construction. None gave me any problems so I can't comment on their customer service because I haven't used it. However to say the least it has a checkered reputation. I don't believe the quality difference between Taurus and Smith & Wesson’s similar products is substantially different, but with S&W holding a small edge. If one must have an internal lock the one used by Taurus is less prone to controversy, simpler, and works if you use it (I don't). Street price between the two favors Taurus.

I would pick either, and have.

I voted yes, but I'd add a P.S. of "after thorough inspection"
Not that I wouldn't advise the same of any firearm purchase.
I bought an 85B3 this weekend myself actually, and am glad I did. Fit, finish, rifling, timing, lockup... all topnotch. Shoots tight groups to point of aim. For the pricetag, can't ask for much more than that!

I think there is a huge difference between a S&W and a Taurus. Personally, I would never buy a Taurus. They are slightly cheaper, but remember--the difference in quality lasts a lifetime.

Go with the Smith, and never be more happy with any decision you've EVER made.

I joke, but seriously, I would go with the S&W.

I've only owned one Taurus snub, still do, and it's an M450 .45 Colt. What a great gun! Based on my experience with this model I wouldn't hesitate to buy another. Of course, when it comes to reliability, a Ruger or Smith will put the odds in your favor more than Taurus.

I have this model 85 and it has never had any issue through about 6 years and lots of shooting and carry.

I also had a .17hmr from Taurus and it worked great too, I just couldn't stand spending so much on ammo that I couldn't see going through the paper even with a scope.

My 85UL is a little loose in the cylinder, spits a little lead, and has a heavy trigger.

On the other hand, it's small despite it's odd 2.5" barrel, drops in my pocket, the trigger is smooth despite the weight, it shoots where I point it, and it's never failed to fire despite bobbing the hammer.

Well worth the money.

My 605 seems to so far be a good one, after a couple years of carry and shooting.

Handled and fired a couple - one 605, and one 85. Friends still have the 605, and like it a lot. They seem to work. Another friend has a Judge. Can't bring myself to shoot the silly thing.

But I don't own a Tuarus, and I'm not likely to. I prefer S&W, Colt, and Ruger revolvers.

I have a Taurus SS 85 made in the early 90's it has been flawless with well over a 1K rounds through it and a few hundred were +p. I had a Taurus 431 of the same vintage and I was quite pleased with it. This pretty much sums up my Taurus experience.
I do think pre 2000 S&W's are of better quality than the Taurus revolvers that I have had, as for the Ruger revolvers I have owned they have been sturdy and robust.
It's been awhile since I've bought a "New" revolver.

I will never again buy a Taurus after three catastrophic failures, I have learned my lesson. Buy quality! And you can forget about that customer service, its non-existent!

I have only owned one, and it's been rock solid. Taurus semi-autos, on the other hand...

tackleberry45 said:

I am looking to buy one in .38 .

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It sounds like you are going to look for guns in person. This is good. Investigate closely any gun you are intending to buy, no matter the brand. Not just the display model either, really inspect the one that you are signing papers on.

I've run across guns from several brands that something was not up to par right there at the gun shop. A thorough checkout will probably save you any factory warranty trips later.

Also, if you are looking at Taurus .38s, see if they have any of the 6 shot model 856 snubbys. I think they come in steel only, but having a sixth shot would be nice. Steel is a little heavy in the pocket though.

I have not shot a Taurus 38 snub, but have shot their small frame .22. The Trigger was awful. I bought a S&W 442 lightly used for less than a new Taurus and I am very happy.

I own a Taurus snubbie, the seven shot 617. It is a .357 Magnum and it
is heavy (about 28 ounces) but it makes a fine carry/truck gun. I use it
as a concealed carry gun in the cooler months. I've never had a problem
with it and the extra weight makes .38+P rounds feel like caps being fired
through it. I may purchase another Taurus snubbie for my wife who will
be getting her concealed carry permit this year. I am looking at the 851
Titanium for her. I bought a Ruger LCP last year but she didn't like the
recoil too much. It worked out well for me, I've been carrying it as a
pocket gun when I feel like the 617 is too bulky. I own four Taurus
revolvers and I have had no trouble with them. I am careful to look over
guns that I am interested in purchasing throughly before I buy them.

Owned many Taurus in 32/38/357/44 over the years without any problems and still have a couple. I prefer S&W and Ruger myself, but wouldn't pass up a Taurus if it passed inspection and the price was right. But that's pretty much true of any handgun...

As long as I can get what I want from the used market, I will buy old Smiths and Colts.

If I am forced to go to the new market (EGADS ) I will look very seriously at Taurus.

There does not seem to be any QC difference between Taurus and Smith...both spotty. The Taurus lock was engineered by a fully functioning, non impaired human, something that you cannot say for Smith. The price difference is significant.




(hopefully this post allowed MrBoreland to make his money back )

(hopefully this post allowed MrBoreland to make his money back )

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Thanks, Guillermo! A little cha-ching comin' my way