The truth about Taurus

I own a couple of Tauruses; and old Millennium 9mm and a PT22. Honestly, I've not had any negative issues with either of them. They both reliably go bang and hit as well as I hold.
That said, they don't get shot much. The Millennium is my 'workshop gun' and the PT22 was a Christmas gift one year from my wife. I have many other handguns which I simply like more to fill my shooting and CCW needs.

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I owned a PT1911 that fed 50% ball ammo and 0% HP ammo no matter what mags or ammo I tried. The thumb safety on the right side fell off and the frame dented easily. The finish was like someone applied it with a sharpie marker. Sold it a week after buying it.

Had a 85 Ultralite. Fired alright but the timing and cylinder button was as loose as it could get. Eventually sold it.

Had a PT22. This one worked pretty well to my surprise but saw no need for a .22lr the size of most .380s. Eventually sold it.

As far as Taurus and current Rossi revolvers, they seem to be pretty consistent in being poorly made. Every single one that I've handled, weather it be brand new or used, has the timing way off on the cylinder. I've seen NIB revolvers with lead shaved off on the cone from the test rounds at the factory. They obviously thought this was okay since they passed it through QC.

I've checked the timing on multiple NIB Taurus/Rossi revolvers and every notch has a different amount of play with the worst one being looser then a S&W or Ruger revolver after thousands and thousands of rounds. As far as their resolvers go, I'd take a chance with anything other brand before I'd even consider a Taurus/Rossi.

As far as their autos go, I only have experience with the PT1911 and PT22. One was a total failure and the other was okay, just not practical. If nothing else, there are plenty of legitimate reports of major issues with many Taurus autos so I tend to see that the entire brand itself is lacking quality and QC all over the map.

It has nothing to do with being a gun snob if someone talks down about Taurus poor quality, poor QC and bad customer service (unless they improved it now) I want guns that work that have a good reputation behind them. If it's about what someone can afford, there are plenty of options out there at the same price level or less, that isn't a roll of the dice. If you want to call someone who dosn't want to bother with Taurus a "gun snob" then so be it. IMO, someone who likes to buy Taurus products could be called a "gambler" from my experience with the brand.

PapaG, when was Harley owned by Bangor Punta? I don't want to stray off topic but this is news to me. I know AMF had them for a while and then purchased back by Harley again in the early to mid 80's.

solman said:

PapaG, when was Harley owned by Bangor Punta? I don't want to stray off topic but this is news to me. I know AMF had them for a while and then purchased back by Harley again in the early to mid 80's.

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With all due respect, please let us not turn this topic into a motorbike one. Let us keep it on course. It is another Taurus bashing.

It is clear from all the comments here, and other places, that TAURUS FIREARMS HAVE PROBLEMS.

Some may work, and work very well. However I think the failure rate is way to high for a self defense tool.

As a poster quoted. Around 5 percent go back to the factory.

Would you buy bear spray that had a 5 percent failure rate?

I can not substantiate, but I think the Taurus return to factory rate is higher then 5%.

BTW, I have handled, and shot several.

The agency I worked for brought six new S&W stainless steel revolvers in 38 Special. The first time they were fired on the range by a new rookie class one shooter missed the target completely at 7 yds. When the rangemaster checked the shooters gun the barrel was GONE! I mean completely. It had fell off. He then checked the other guns and another had a serious crack in the frame where the barrel screwed in. My recommendation was send them all back to S&W which he did.

Now based on the comments about Taurus Q.C. would the same comments about S&W also be in order? Frankly there are very few currently made S&W revolvers that I am impressed with their quality.

Well, to date I have or have owned 6 Taurus revolvers or semi's and haven't had any problems. In fact I am looking to buy another one in the near future.

As to the snobbery guns: Owned a Kimber and it was a piece of junk. I own 2 Glocks and they are so-so, nothing special. I have shot 4 or 5 different Sig models and just don't care for them. Springfield makes a good 1911. Briley makes a fantastic 1911 and Ruger makes good revolvers.

Some folks claim it may be the luck of the draw, but being basically an unlucky person for the most part, I find that hard to believe. Every company has its problems from time to time, even Glock perfection (which it ain't).

I give Taurus credit for the wide variety of products they offer, there really is something for everyone. I think this is also the cause of some of their bad reputation, they bring so many new products to the market, there are bound to be failures. I have had good luck with several Taurus products, and a few not so good. Their "bread and butter" guns, like the Model 85, and 66 revolvers, along with the PT92 series autos enjoy a pretty good reputation, and are a viable alternative to some higher priced guns IMO. I am not a gun snob, nor would I refuse to by a gun because of it's low price point, if it had the features I wanted and was reliable.

AMF was the parent of Skamper, Brunswick and HD so to speak.

I own three Taurus products, a PT945, 85UL, and a Rossi 462 (made by Taurus). I guess I must be one of the lucky ones. All three have been 100%, except with the Rossi, I did shoot the crane retention screw loose once. A little Loc-tite, and it's been fine ever since (over a thousand rounds).

605 3" 357
9mm PT 1911
45 PT 1911
9mm PT 92

Totaly reliable and never had a problem.

With no further input by the OP, sure sounds like just another drive-by

"Those who grow bored of staring at their Farrah Fawcet posters in their parent's basement and live to generate fights on the internet are tiresome."

You have the whole set, right?

I hate to bash any company, but Taurus has this coming!!! My personal experiences with Taurus: I had a PT22 blow up in my son's hand and I had a 38 spec. lock up solid.

I also witnessed the accuracy of the Judge- 8 yards, 5 shots of 00 buck, and it never hit the armadillo.

I would NEVER consider buying a Taurus

You know the old saying "any publicity is good publicity" must have some merit. Taurus rivals Ruger and S&W in number of threads on message boards. With Ruger and S&W you have mainly "fanboys" and people that are indifferent.

Taurus seems to have lots of "fanboys" and "bashers". I have read these threads over the years and the funny thing is I think it has led to me buying 2 Taurus. reading through the threads I hear about various models and become interested.

Their price point make it seem like a reasonable chance to take, so I have bought 2 Taurus in the last couple of months.

I hear about their guns on these love/hate threads, see them in the store and the price is good. Free advertising and "any publicity is good publicity"

BTW My 2 (TCP [$199] and Judge PD [$379]) have run flawlessly for a few hundred rounds each

I have a Taurus 605 that has been my carry pistol or truck pistol for probably 7 or 8 years. I would not trade it off for the world. It has been reliable and trouble free, and it has had a fair amount of lead go down the pipe. Certainly enough that it has earned my absolute trust.

I have had other Taurus guns as well, and you know what? Every one of them has been fine. I have owned two PT92's (and wish I had never sold the one), a Judge, a PT1911 (sold it back when I was unemployed), and a 9mm from them. Not a problem that wasn't ammo or magazine related among them (and the magazine was in the 1911).

Some people have had bad experiences. I have not. I fully intend to buy a .17hmr revolver from them, in fact. I used to argue long and hard against the bashers, but time and experience have taught me that it's pointless to argue anything on the intertoobz, let alone argue for Taurus.

Timbo said;

Some people have had bad experiences. I have not. I fully intend to buy a .17hmr revolver from them, in fact. I used to argue long and hard against the bashers, but time and experience have taught me that it's pointless to argue anything on the intertoobz, let alone argue for Taurus.

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I agree

The truth about H-D...

...and at one time Harley Davidson was owned by a bowling ball Corp..


Buddy of mine has a Taurus somethin or other, which I keep referring mistakenly to as " his Kimber". Drives him nuts and makes me smile to myself.


If it turns your crank good for it/you.

As for us Glock/SIG/STI/PARA/S&W fanbois? We generally will smoke the Taurus shooter from the prone position, while doing push-ups.

RickMD said:

My experience differs from yours. I owned one Taurus - the last I'll ever own. It was sold promptly. I'll side with the "rich guy" with the Sig Sauer.

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+100!

I have never owned or shot Taurus gun but always thought rich guys owned expensive custom 1911s and carried them in crocodile leather holsters.

Rich guys hire armed security details. They don't need to carry a gun.

If you can't hit a dillo at short range with a full run of 00 with a Judge, don't blame the gun, it did its job~ You didn't do yours!!

Taurus markets guns to a particular niche in the gun community. The price point is attractive to those who either cannot afford a S&W, Ruger or Beretta or just dont know there is a corresponding difference in quality. Yes, I'm aware that S&W, Beretta, Ruger, Glock, etc also have problems.....but their problems are quickly corrected by those companies and they are FAR less likely to develop problems than any Taurus gun.

They are less expensive for a reason....typically not as well finished, reliable or durable as a Beretta, S&W or other more expensive handgun.
For those who do not fire 1,000 rounds in a lifetime through a gun.... a Taurus may work out fine. For those who run a 1,000 rounds a month.....its doubtful they would ever consider a Taurus. I have yet to have a customer complain about a Hi Point....one of the ugliest handguns in existence. Hi Points are cheap, but they work well for those who put them in a nightstand drawer and never shoot them.


Everyone gets Internet buttrash when someone on a gun forum speaks ill of a gun YOU own. While YOUR particular (insert brand here) may function just fine for you, those who use guns hard will have a different experience.

Taurus copies the designs of other gun manufacturers and sells them for less....to do this means they have to make some shortcuts. If you are happy with your Taurus, more power to you.

Taurus copies the designs of other gun manufacturers and sells them for less....to do this means they have to make some shortcuts.

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Not necessarily...

The main reason they cost less is because they are made in Brazil which has a lower economy than the U.S. or Austria or Switzerland or Germany.
Brazil equals cheap labor, but not necessarily lesser craftsmanship.

I had a Taurus 905 and it was every bit as well made as my S&W 637....

premier1 said:

Taurus has been importing handguns in this country since 1968.At one time was owned by Smith and Wesson and made on the same machining.In 1980 they purchased the Berretta factory in San Paulo and began making their firearms there. These days they are made like most all manufacturers on CNC machines. For all the gun snobs out they who believe that if their gun isn't a Glock,Kimber or Sig (of which I have acquaintances who have owned these and had to send them back because of problems)I own 3 different Taurus hand guns without a hitch. This past year I received my act 235 lethal weapons license here in Pa.I qualified first in my class scoring a 147 out of 150 with a Taurus PT145 Pro. In the class were 5 retired police officers with their Glocks one rich guy with his Sig (of course) and various others with their choice.I contend that the shooter makes the gun. Oh by the way it doesn't hurt to have served in the USMC. I welcome any responses.Semper Fi.

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The truth is that you are one lucky/blessed individual since you've had success with a Taurus. The fact is they are sub-par on quality from the factory, and their customer service is on level with the Iranian Embassy. Count yourself lucky but don't believe for a minute that your situation is common.

LD

My PT-22 had terrible jamming when it was new, and light strikes.

I'd heard such bad things about their CS, however, I thought "maybe I'll just see if I can shoot my way out of these issues."

And that's what happened. Took about 500 rounds, but since it was .22lr ammo it wasn't all that expensive of a process. Had it been .40 cal.,well....

Doesn't jam much anymore, and since it's DAO, if I get the occasional light strike, I just pull the trigger again and the round will always go off.

The gun gets a grade of "C+" or "B-". I neither love or hate Taurus. This particular gun, however, is fun to shoot and I don't plan on getting rid of it.