I'm a big fan of both S&W and Colt revolvers, but I'm not sure I agree. It seems that the current crop of Taurus are much better than they have been in years. They are putting out a lot of good guns, both auto and revolver, with far fewer reported issues than in the past. Meanwhile, Colt and S&W seem to have more reported issues than they have in some time. Meanwhile, you can buy 2-3 Taurus Defender revolvers for the price of one S&W or Colt (new or used). S&W doesn't even make anything like the Taurus Defender and never have: small frame, 6 round, 3" .38spl with night sights. If you want a Smith you have to go to the larger K-frame or lose a round, and the front night sight is generally only available on some special run models (mostly from the Performance Center). The Colt is closer, but a lot more money. Even though I have a 2" Taurus 856UL (I just recently purchased a front night sight for it) and a 3" Colt King Cobra and don't really need it, a 3" Taurus Defender is high on my wish list right now. Since I don't really need it, I may go with the nicer Executive Grade (it will be nicer, and the bobbed hammer will give me something I don't have in the other two), then buy the front night sight separately like I did on my 856UL.
So this statement is a contradiction .Unless I read it wrong which is entirely possible. But the poster you replied too was saying that the OP would be best of shopping for USED S&W and Colt Revolvers. You then disagree with him by using issues with new production S&W and Colts as an example.
I have handled and or owned LOTS of all of these revolvers. And there is nothing that has ever had the Taurus name on it that remotely compares to 99% of everything pre, say 2003, with the S&W and Colt names on it. Not even close.
That's not to say they are bad guns. I have a 2000 Taurus 85 that I love. But lets not kid ourselves. They are not better or even comparable to S&W or Colts.