Taurus guns

I'm not sure where "similar" stops and "copy" starts, but this is pretty darned similar on paper to a S&W 442: http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=843&category=Revolver&toggle=tr&breadcrumbseries=CC2

This is pretty similar on paper to a S&W 686: http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=273&category=Revolver&toggle=tr&breadcrumbseries=MF2

This is pretty similar on paper to a S&W 686 Plus: http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=278&category=Revolver&toggle=tr&breadcrumbseries=MF2

Save up another 100$ an get a real S&W or ruger !

I meant they were similar in specs and aesthetics, not price.

They are externally and functionally similar. I can't say much about the internals, since I don't open them often.

The 2 near-equivalents I have are these:


Of the 2, they are equally reliable, I shoot the Taurus a little better, and the finish on the Taurus is much more durable. The paint-type finish on the Airweight does not hold up to concealed carry holster wear. The Taurus is anodized.

My Taurus 66 looks like a Smith, too. Totally reliable and ridiculously accurate as well.

And yes, Taurus makes a pistol muck like the Beretta, made using tooling that they bought from Beretta, if I remember correctly. The controls (specifically Safety/Decock) are different between the Taurus and Beretta.

maxxhavoc said:

And yes, Taurus makes a pistol muck like the Beretta, made using tooling that they bought from Beretta, if I remember correctly. The controls (specifically Safety/Decock) are different between the Taurus and Beretta.

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Taurus bought the entire Beretta factory in Brazil lock stock and barrel including the rights to make the 92 and they improved it by putting the decocker where it should be
so a copy it is not

and my Wife's Taurus M65 is fit and runs as well as a S&W
i shoot it ALOT

hmmmmm... in the back of my mind didnt Taurus licence the S&W revolver design from Smith for manufacture

i must be nutz....

hmmmmm... in the back of my mind didnt Taurus licence the S&W revolver design from Smith for manufacture

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Most people think they did, but having looked at the internals of both designs I don't think such was the case. As another poster stated, externally they have a similar look, control layout and balance. But internally they are quite different.

My two Beretta inspired models, PT92 and PT22, have been very good.

My 4" 357 (Model 66) and 2" 38 (Model 84) were so good that I bought replacements when they were stolen.

My 44 special snub has been very good.

My two 22 revolvers and Judge have clumsy, heavy triggers.

My 3" 32 magnum has had to go back to the factory twice. Its trigger isn't very good.

My good Taurii have been excellent, especially for the price. Three out of the other four have at least worked reliably, even though their triggers are heavy and gritty. Their mid-80's to maybe early 90's revolvers and Beretta-style semi-autos have pretty good reputations.

Does Taurus still do copy cat of Smith revolvers and Beretta autos?

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Actually, Taurus made the Judge first and Smith and Wesson's Governor is the copy.

Not sure I understand the point of the question.

There are certainly simularities between them, but also can be some significant internal design differences. Some of them being improvements over S&W in the eye's of knowledgable gunsmiths and engineers.

As pointed out the Taurus Judge was copied to a significant degree by S&W. Ruger in no small degree copied the Kel-Tec P-3AT style pistol.

I'm no gunsmith, and I don't go around poking around inside guns too often, but on the Taurus revolvers I've owned it seemed the biggest difference was that Taurus uses a coil mainspring where most S&W's use a flat spring.

I've owned several over the years, but never kept any of them long for one reason or another. Mostly they went out as part of other deals. They all seemed to be good, well made, serviceable revolvers. Usually the finish wasn't as nice as a Smith & Wesson, but they did cost quite a bit less. However in two cases, a Model 66 and a 65, the fit, finish, and function was as nice as anything else I've ever owned. Especially the 65. I really hated to sell that gun, but was out of work at the time. Even the one Model 85 I had, was a very nice gun.

I got this 357 used for $199 ten or 15 years ago. It is my favorite Taurus and one of my very favorite handguns (I have Colts, S&W's, Rugers, Berettas, etc.). I think it's a Model 689, basically a Model 66 in stainless steel with a "vented rib". I added the aftermarket grips. The sights and trigger are excellent. IIRC it was made in 1990.

I am not a Taurus fanboy. My stepfather has a one of their more recently designed 9mm's that gives him lots of problems. But the good ones can be very good.

This 44 special snubby is also a joy to shoot.

There are certainly simularities between them, but also can be some significant internal design differences. Some of them being improvements over S&W in the eye's of knowledgable gunsmiths and engineers.

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Yep, the full forcing cone on the Taurus 66 and similar models is one advantage.

OTH, the non-captured spring that tensions the cylinder release latch is just plain dumb. I really love my Taurus 431, 3" .44 special. I removed the side plate one time when I acquired to clean and relube the lockwork. NEVER again.

Speaking of Taurus .44s ... it really is a cool gun. I picked it up 3 or 4 years ago for $270.

I have the PT99 which is SS version of the PT92. Love it. Has been 100% reliable, and I prefer a safety/decocker thats frame-mounted versus slide-mounted (Beretta 92FS).

Recently heard good things about the PT111 G2 as a CC. For CC, my HK USP40 and the CZ75B LE are a bit large-ish and this Millennium G2 just balances nicely in your hand for a polymer frame, it shoots mild, accurate, and with very little muzzle flip. I polished the trigger bar and firing pin striker bar that contact each other with 600 and 1500 grit paper, and I quickly made the trigger much lighter and smoother. This is now my EDC and it is much lighter and concealable, and its 12+1 capacity. Oh and just great stippling on the grip, provides great traction.

My 66s. Both have Hogue grips now, though.



M605 Poly .357 magnum.



M85UL with it's 4" nickel 66 cousin

At one time during th 70s and 80s both Taurus and Smith and Wesson were owned by the same company, Bangor Punta. It is common knowledge that they shared engineering infomation and manufacturing information. Granted that they share a similar profile. However, as others have stated the geometry of their actions differs. The Taurus uses a coil mainspring and strut, It also usese a different rebound spring set up. The other parts are very similar.
It is safe to say that S&W saw the success of the Judge and created their Governor. The same can be said of the 5 shot 44 mag L-frame which followed the popular Taurus 44 Tracker.

Oddly enough, I never heard anyone say, "Taurus Must Die".

S&W, not so much. (and that bunch of investors did pay)

Put it in perspective some years later, I've got some of each, 3 Taurus & 3 S&W.

The 500 Smith is a *fun* gun as is the Taurus 66 & all them I still have shot quite well (it's me that needs tuning these days). The little S&W .22 auto OTOH, 2213(?) seemed prefect at VERY short distances for patterning on a target and I don't miss it.

A couple corrections...
The beretta factory in Brazil wad sold to taurus as was mentioned, but the safety location was a feature required by the Brazilian government in the contract, so beretta was manufacturing them that way. There are a few "real" 92s with similar configuration but I have never seen one.

The pt99 is simply a pt92 sold with adjustable sights. Both buns have been offered in several configurations with the most popular being the AFS version. The pt99 is available (as are the 92, 100, and 101 models) in stainless or black.

I don't believe that the copies of the beretta .380 are still being produced but I may be wrong on that. They are very nice as well.

On the revolvers, there are certain models which seem to be crafted well and some that seem to be hit or miss on quality. The model 66 is one of the typically good ones. The one I had would shoot with any wheelgun ever made for accuracy, but I traded it towards a Ruger which I thought would be better and I was sadly mistaken. The model 405 I had was incredible as I'd the m44 I got as an even trade for it. The m44 would knock empty .40 brass off a fence post every shot at 7 yards, and the m44 is a 1 inch 30 yard hunting gun.

As of recent, I decided I'll never so much as even pick up a Taurus to look at. Spend the extra money and buy a real S&W, you'll be much more satisfied with the over all workmanship and quality of the action.

GS

I cut my teeth on S&W revolvers back in the 60's and 70's. I did see an occasional bad product from them but overall was satisfied and put 10's of thousands of rounds down range with mostly their K frame guns. Model 19's and 66's. Bought a couple of the new product L frames also when they came out.
I have/had five Taurus revolvers in these later years. My experience with them has been simular to the S&W guns. I have witnessed more defective guns in the Taurus brand ,but a good Taurus seems to me to be on par with a good S&W. (look before you buy) Particularly if you compare them to todays S&W product. (which I don't think are as good as they used to be)

We've hashed over this subject several times on this forum. It always comes out the same with those who like and dislike Taurus guns. I think the bottom line is use your freedom of choice and get the brand that you want. For me that means either one has worked out well.
When I bought my Taurus Tracker in .44 Magnum, S&W had no product of that size to choose from in that chambering. I was impressed with that Taurus Tracker and bought other Taurus guns after that. I'm happy with them .

Now that looks like a Ruger copycat LCR.

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Similar. The Taurus can be fired single action and the DA trigger, while very smooth, is heavier than the LCR. It's not the same trigger. I suspect Ruger has a patent on that, very slick design they have. I got it brand new at 300 bucks. MSRP is about where the LCR is, but I got a factory discount voucher and bought it direct from the factory. I'm glad I did. This little gun is very well made and shoots 3" at 25 yards which is about as good as I get with snubbies off the bench. Fortuitously, it shoots my .38 WC load to POA and my .357 140 grain full house JHP carry load to POA. The load clocks 1340 fps about out of the 2" barrel. Heavy bullets shoot way high, though, but it's not a hog hunting gun, anyway. I carry it all the time in a Don Hume JIT slide OWB. It's an all day carry. My 3" 66 carries well that way, but the weight lets you know it after 6 or 8 hours.

All my Taurus revolvers exhibit extremely good accuracy. Accuracy seems like a Taurus trait. Mine shoot better than my Smith and Wessons or most of my Rugers. My SP101 did shoot a little tighter than either of my 2" Tauri, but the 66s are a good half inch more accurate at 25 yards than either my S&W M19 was or my current M10.

Yeah, I like Taurus revolvers, at least MINE. They're great shooters and after all, that's what I bought 'em for. My 85UL is an EDC and my 3" 66 or more often my 605 Poly goes on the belt when I go to town or the big city.