I'm not really a fan of the 40 S&W, I've always contended it was a answer to a question I never asked. However there isn't a situation that I can imagine where I think I'd feel confidence in a 357 that I wouldn't be just as well off with an accurate and properly loaded 40.
40s&w or 357 mag
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Zaydok Allen
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Yo Mama, I know there are lots of people out there who love their Taurus guns. I know three different people who bought 4 brand new Taurus revolvers between them. All 4 had major problems out of the box. Three of them had timing and lockup issues, one so bad that one of the chambers wouldn't fire, and a cylinder fell off of the 4th. Three of the said guns I have fired myself. I know it is a small sample, but for my money, I don't want or trust Taurus guns, as I have yet to handle one that I couldn't find something wrong with as it was under the counter, or as I was shooting it. JM experience, and JMO. It isn't an opinion based on internet stories, it is first hand experience.
I am glad that you like yours, and have had good experiences. Keep buying what you like. And to clarrify, I do genuinely believe that all the major manufacturers make lemons from time to time. I'm not saying Smith or Ruger or anyone else is above making a crap product. They certainly do. IMO though, the other companies make fewer crap guns than the Bull does. Again that's JMO, so take it as you want.
Obviously I meant .45 acp..........
Yo Mama
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How many more people are able to afford a Taurus, resulting in more in circulation?
One bad issue, with the 85, forcing cone wasn't right. Factory paid for shipping and fixed the issue, I sold the gun because I couldn't get the accuracy I wanted. It wasn't me, others that shot it had no problem.
Also, I can't keep buying what I like, I have 2 kids now, got all the guns before they were born.
22-rimfire
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Old Fart, I think you made a reasonable and measured choice based on your situation.
I have both 40 S&W semi-auto pistols and 357 mag revolvers. I tend to lean toward revolvers for woods carry and a semi-auto for urban situations with all things being equal in terms of firearm size. But my standard urban carry piece is a J-frame revolver. But I keep looking at some of the newer compact 9mm pistols as a carry option for a future purchase.
I have never been in the position that waiting for retail inventories to catch up with demand has been a problem. But I can understand if you want something "now". My sister chose a Taurus 38spl for home defense and possibly carry. Legal carry is a bit of a stretch in her state. I recommended S&W and Ruger revolvers and some of the smaller Ruger semi-auto pistols to her, but none were available when she made her decision. She could afford pretty much anything she wants. She was uncomfortable with the semi-auto mechanism versus the simplicity of a DA revolver.
It's easy to say "save more money", but that is not always practical for many of us in any kind of reasonable time frame.
I have both 40 S&W semi-auto pistols and 357 mag revolvers. I tend to lean toward revolvers for woods carry and a semi-auto for urban situations with all things being equal in terms of firearm size. But my standard urban carry piece is a J-frame revolver. But I keep looking at some of the newer compact 9mm pistols as a carry option for a future purchase.
I have never been in the position that waiting for retail inventories to catch up with demand has been a problem. But I can understand if you want something "now". My sister chose a Taurus 38spl for home defense and possibly carry. Legal carry is a bit of a stretch in her state. I recommended S&W and Ruger revolvers and some of the smaller Ruger semi-auto pistols to her, but none were available when she made her decision. She could afford pretty much anything she wants. She was uncomfortable with the semi-auto mechanism versus the simplicity of a DA revolver.
It's easy to say "save more money", but that is not always practical for many of us in any kind of reasonable time frame.
Zaydok Allen
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This is true and it is something I used to neglect, and many people still do neglect. There are a LOt of Taurus guns out there that are fine.
Many people state that Taurus guns suck as a fact based on one bad experience. I've had three bad, and heard of a forth bad experience, like I said. But I realize at an older and wiser age now that with such a small sample size, I can only share the stories, and state my opinion, because without a lot bigger sample, it is just that.... my opinion only.
Anyway, like I said, I'm glad you like yours.
Ahhh. Yep, that is an issue. I keep buying because I have no wife or kids. I considermyself gun rich, and family poor. I am curious though, when did you get the Tausus guns? I've heard that past ones were great. I would assume an increase in demand has led to production speed being an issue, and a QC problem. Seems to be true of all the big gun builders.
Elkins45
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The OP said:
I don't know where your area in KY is but for your next gun purchase you might consider finding a private seller through a website like www.armslist.com or maybe even www.gunbroker.com? You may get lucky and find a guy three miles away who has just the gun you want.
Let us know how you like the Cougar.
I don't know where your area in KY is but for your next gun purchase you might consider finding a private seller through a website like www.armslist.com or maybe even www.gunbroker.com? You may get lucky and find a guy three miles away who has just the gun you want.
Let us know how you like the Cougar.
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Yo Mama
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460Kodiak, you sound like a nice guy.
I bought a Taurus .357 about 9 years ago, and a PT145 about 8 years ago. I loved carrying a 1911 but the weight was just to much during the summer. The M85 that I sold off was about 7 years ago. So all in all 5 plus years for any Taurus purchase for me.
I understand you had a bad rash of them, and don't blame you for a bad taste after that. You spend money on something and expect it to work. You definately may be onto something with the increase in production resulting in lowing qc.
Deaf Smith
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Old fart,
You could bet a Couger or Sig or Glock in .40 S&W and then just get the .357 SIG OEM barrel and you have two in one!
I'd to that if I just had to make a choice between one gun in .40 or another in .357 Magnum (yes I know the .357 Sig is not the .357 Magnum.)
Deaf
Recommending a gun for someone else is not a good thing, both the Taurus and Stoeger are good choices, anyone that says they are not is being a troll and not very helpful. I've own Taurus and they are fine. The Stoeger is a Beretta and are also fine pistols.
For walking in the woods, I would lean toward the 357 Mag, the Model 66 holds 6 rounds, I would lean toward the Tracker with it's 7 rounds.
As to which will do better, it would depend on what you come up against, short of a bear either will do the job.
Practice with whichever one you decide on and lean your limits on hitting targets at various ranges.
Have fun and stay safe.
Jim
For walking in the woods, I would lean toward the 357 Mag, the Model 66 holds 6 rounds, I would lean toward the Tracker with it's 7 rounds.
As to which will do better, it would depend on what you come up against, short of a bear either will do the job.
Practice with whichever one you decide on and lean your limits on hitting targets at various ranges.
Have fun and stay safe.
Jim
David E
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So, if someone owned a bad Taurus and says so.....they are a troll?
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Zaydok Allen
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Like I said, I sold my Cougar becauseI disliked the .40 S&W cartridge, not the gun. For the money, it is a great pistol. I would definately buy another one in .45 if I had a need.
This is just my .02 about your choice. Yes, there are loads that could possibly make the .357 Magnum and .40 Smith and Wesson viable in an emergency outdoor situation...but personally, I wouldn't want to trust either to "save my bacon" (sorry!) from a big, angry, charging hog. Just my personal preference.
If I wanted a do-it-all woods and defense pistol, something I'd carry out in the woods and on the street, it'd be a 10mm. There are hard cast 200 grainers for the 10 that have even been touted as defense fodder for grizzlies.
Plus, if you had, say, a Glock G20, you could buy barrels for .357 SIG and .40. Three guns in one.
If I wanted a do-it-all woods and defense pistol, something I'd carry out in the woods and on the street, it'd be a 10mm. There are hard cast 200 grainers for the 10 that have even been touted as defense fodder for grizzlies.
Plus, if you had, say, a Glock G20, you could buy barrels for .357 SIG and .40. Three guns in one.
Sounds like you made the choice that fit your needs and pocketbook best. As has been posted, if you look around enough, you can probably find some kind of .40 load that will do in a pinch in some outdoor situations.
In a perfect world in which ammo price and availability were not a factor, I'd argue for the Glock G20 10mm as a nearly-perfect all around handgun. Yeah, they're kinda big, but they've got horsepower enough for hunting and self-defense against fairly large critters. Buy replacement barrels and your 10 could be a .40 or a .357 SIG. But this isn't a perfect world, and people have to follow what their needs drive them to do. Congratulations on your recent purchase, and best of luck with it.
In a perfect world in which ammo price and availability were not a factor, I'd argue for the Glock G20 10mm as a nearly-perfect all around handgun. Yeah, they're kinda big, but they've got horsepower enough for hunting and self-defense against fairly large critters. Buy replacement barrels and your 10 could be a .40 or a .357 SIG. But this isn't a perfect world, and people have to follow what their needs drive them to do. Congratulations on your recent purchase, and best of luck with it.
Beach Nut
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I have the Taurus 66 with 4" barrel and it is a tackdriver! I've had no
mechanical issues with it and having seven shots with a revolver is also
a good thing. I also have a Glock 23 in .40 S&W and I think it is a great
self defense caliber. I'd lean towards the caliber I was most comfortable
shooting if I had to choose one for self defense.
mechanical issues with it and having seven shots with a revolver is also
a good thing. I also have a Glock 23 in .40 S&W and I think it is a great
self defense caliber. I'd lean towards the caliber I was most comfortable
shooting if I had to choose one for self defense.
Personally I like the idea of having a .357 for woods carry & a .40 for more urban settings. I have an old Dan Wesson model 15-2 .357 revolver I got from a pawn shop 20 years ago. It was cheap because the finish was scratched up. My .40 is a Springfield Armory XD. I don't have any experience with .357 sig. While I believe it is probably a viable defensive caliber I would not consider it to be a replacement for a .357 magnum revolver. The revolver can function with anything from a light powder puff load & light bullet to heavy loads and 200 grain hard cast bullets. An autoloader just isn't capable of that kind of versatility.
You've got your .40 (Everything I have read about the Stoeger Cougar has been positive) so you have something to defend yourself with. Now if you like you could always just save your pennies & take your time & pick up a good .357 magnum at a later date.
You've got your .40 (Everything I have read about the Stoeger Cougar has been positive) so you have something to defend yourself with. Now if you like you could always just save your pennies & take your time & pick up a good .357 magnum at a later date.
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