Another Taurus quality thread.

[WestKentucky]

I have seen a lot of posts recently bashing Taurus as basically a guaranteed POS. Taurus has a lifetime warranty that they stand behind as well or better than other manufacturers. My experience with them has been all pleasant to the point I put them on par with any other company currently in production. What real issues do our members have with Taurus? My 66 shot far better than my gp100 in all aspects. My m44 puts the 629-6 I had to shame. My pt99 is more reliable and more accurate than the beretta which it is a copy of. My 85ch felt funny being DA only, but that's the way it was built, I shouldn't have bought it like that since I didn't like it...not Taurus's fault. Granted they have stiff triggers in some but that's a $40 fix on a gun that is $400 cheaper than its competitors. Is this one of those "my uncles coworkers pet snakes former owners baby mommas new boyfriend had a complaint so we all need to yell about it" kinda thing?

Not saying they are better than others, but to me the bang for the buck sure does lean heavily toward Brazilian guns.

 

[LKLive13]

I owned a Taurus 38 special revolver... I'm pretty sure it was the ultra lite model. I put just under 200 standard (250 round value pack) Remington rounds through it and the frame bent almost to the point to which I couldn't get the cylinder to come open. I called and emailed Taurus and they said to send it to them... After about 4 weeks they sent me an email stating that I had obviously used +P ammo in the gun and it was not rated for that and they refused to do anything for me... That was the last Taurus I ever bought and will never purchase another! Poor poor customer service experience ruined the brand for me!!

 

[Sam1911]

Seems that among the various threads on Taurus here, there are lots of descriptions of various "real issues" members have personally experienced.

There are lots of us who've had great experiences with their guns. And lots of us who've had regrettable ones.

We can repeat those experiences here for you if you'd like, but fair warning: few who've had a rough go of it like to acklowlege that a buyer might have a better than 50/50 chance of having a trouble-free gun. Few folks who really love their Tauri openly accept just how bad it can sometimes be.

This always turns into acrimony and argument. When we make the first turn into that downward spiral, bang, thread will be closed.

 

[WestKentucky]

So what of Taurus complaints are worse than others? My gp100 had a .359 bore and shot like a blunderbuss...ruger would even talk about that. Is this unlike any other company? I do understand people with bad experiences voice those experiences more readily than folks with a good experience...but down to the brass tacks, why the negative press. Maybe I have had exceptionally good experience...it would be nice to see numbers that are not available as in percentage of guns sent back for repair and compare between manufacturers. I feel (not provable) as though the negativity is more undeserved than it is sometimes made out to be.

 

[Sam1911]

I think product negativity almost always IS more extreme than is deserved. There's that old adage that, "if you have a good experience you tell somebody. But if you have a bad experience, you tell EVERYBODY."

Another adage, however, is "where there's smoke, there's fire."

One distinct positive is that folks who end up with a good one (Taurus) tend to really like it for years.

 

[WestKentucky]

Maybe I ended up with a dozen good ones, my dad half that many, uncles and cousins 2-10 each...oh well. To each his own...my money still goes towards Taurus.

 

[45 Dragoon]

WestKen., I agree with ya.

I think that Taurus puts stiffer springs (hence, the heavy trig pulls ) to help ward off the lawyers like the Italians do. The Tauri ( Sam1911 , like that !!) that I've had have all been very good performers. I do go through all my guns though and tune them to my liking so I can see that folks that have to put up with out of the box issue might have probs. I can't speak for those that shoot ammo in guns that aren't designed for it and then complain . . . hope they don't reload as well. (Not you LKLive, the ones that really do)
The truth is , all guns (that are going to be used extensively) should be "tuned" ( over used term) no matter what the make.


45 Dragoon

 

[TomJones]

Here is my experience with Taurus
1. First I bought a 22 Revolver model 94B4. This was 1991 timeframe. Never had any issue with it. In fact I took it to the range yesterday and shot it, cleaned it tonight.
2. I bought a model 66 (I think) in 357. Loved it right up until 1 year after I had it and the firing pin broke. Sent it back to Taurus, they fixed it and sent it back. worked great but I got an itch for a 9mm. sold it to a friend who knew its history.
3. Replaced the 357 with a Taurus PT-92AF. this was 1993 timeframe. never had a problem with it. still in my rotation of range toys.
4. bought a Taurus Raging Judge Magnum Oct 2012. Had multiple issues with it. sometimes it hangs up when you try to cock it for single action or try to fire double action. Have not sent it back to Taurus yet, problems are intermittent. I will send it back and I am confident they will fix it under warranty,
5. Bought a Taurus Public Defender last Feb. Not had any problem with it that weren't ammo related. Have not shot it much yet due to concentrating on others in my rotation.

There you have it, as they would say.... The good, the bad and the ugly.

 

[EmGeeGeorge]

I've got 5 taurus revolvers currently. Have owned a total of 7 over the years. Knock on wood but I'm 7 for 7 positive side of things.
I like them well enough.
I've only had problems with a keltec p3at (FTF, FTE, etc) and two p32s that rim locked way too often.

 

[USAF_Vet]

I've got two Tauri, spanning 30+ years of age.
My EDC is a 709 that has one of the cleanest breaking SA triggers I've handled. DA trigger, while heavy, is overwhelmingly better than my S&W 469.

A couple months ago I scored a late 70s era 94. Haven't shot it much, but it dies have a heavy DA trigger, and a nice crisp SA trigger.

I've been quite satisfied with my Taurus experience, and wouldn't hesitate to buy another. The PT92 is on my short list. Maybe even their 1911.

 

[Scrambler]

I've had three Taurus pistols. The first, a model 85, went out of time shortly after purchase. Had to be returned for repair. Sold it upon return.

The second, a PT1911, gave light primer strikes right out of the box. Ended up having to send it for repair. Upon its return I put 100rds through it, then sold it.

I won the last one, a PT145, sold it NIB for $325.

I've owned and shot over 50 pistols from 15 different manufacturers. Taurus is the only company I have had to return pistols to. Check the "Taurus Product Problem" topic at http://www.taurusarmed.com. Lot's of guns going "on vacation to Miami". Seems sending in a new pistol for repair is taken lightly over there.

 

[MMCSRET]

I've experienced several real issues in the 20+ years I've owned and used Taurus revolvers. I'm not a fan of semi autos so I can't speak to any of them, regardless of brand. The "real issues" I can speak to with my Taurus revolvers is this list:
1. totally reliable
2. never a breakdown
3. accurate to the point that I sold off my Smiff 624 'cuz my Taurus 44 Specials are better in all aspects.
4. Better response and more satisfactory service from Taurus customer service people thru phone and mail. Longest response time was 17 days, Ruger was 9 months, Smiff was 10 weeks
5 Taurus factory grips fit me better than any other OEM grips.
6. My oldest Taurus has in excess of 15000 rounds of hand loads thru it.

There are probably more but I'd have to dig out my log books.
I like Taurus and will continue to buy their revolvers; and use them extensively.

 

[basicblur]

I've posted these tales before, but here goes:

1. Have a relative that's a gunsmith at a local shop - I pay him a visit 3 times a week. Once, in a span of 4 trips, 3 times I found him working on a new Taurus before the shop owner could put it out for sale. I don't like those odds.
2. He will (quietly) tell you the shop has more Taurus returns and trade-ins than any brand they sell (and they sell a lot of High Points).
3. I once walked in when the shop owner was in a heated phone conversation with someone - he finally broke it off in them telling them hell, you have more of my inventory than I do. I asked my relative who he was talking to - it was Taurus (apparently he'd returned so many for replacement / repair / adjustment etc. that Taurus now had more of his inventory than he had in the store).
4. The store now carries only a few Taurus models - a few revolvers and a model or two of their 380s (because they sell).
5. AFA personal experience, I took a chance and bought a 2nd Generation PT145 Millennium Pro - I knew going in I was taking a chance, but back then the field of small, large caliber guns was a very small, and there was so much to love about the PT145 (on paper). When I took it to the range, I wasn't hitting any plates - I moved over to the paper range and kept moving closer but never put anything on paper. It was getting dark, so I packed it in, but I've never gotten around to troubleshooting the gun (and using it for CC was out of the question since I have no idea where the rounds were going).
6. A 2nd local shop got one of the Taurus revolvers that the factory had "forgotten" to cut / face off the cone shaped lunk of metal hanging off the end of the barrel (I've seen a picture on the 'Net of someone that received the same) - the shop owner kept it a while for a conversation piece before he sent it back.

I could go on...

Anywho - Taurus really needs to get a handle on their QC, and maybe a few design issues. I've been watching Taurus over the years - it seems their revolvers got better much earlier than their semi-autos, but somewhere along the line (due to the buying frenzy?), it appears they've really let QC slide?

 

[ranger7]

I've had some Taurus semis (Millennium Pro 45) that I really liked. Recently bought a used Taurus revolver that had a problem. To make a long story, shorter, my LGS sent it back to Taurus 3 times. I waited a month or two each time and it came back with no improvement. The LGS verified the problem and tried to get help through their Taurus rep. There was still no repair or replacement. Finally gave up and sold it at a big loss. No more Taurus of any kind for me.

 

[45 Dragoon]

So, you bought it knowing it had a prob?

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Glad you're happy. I've only had bad experiences.

 

[MedWheeler]

I've owned three, two of which I still own.

1) Model 66, my first handgun, purchased in 1987. Only issue took more than a decade to develop, and that is that the sleeve on the ejector rod would work loose, pinning the cylinder shut. A dab of Loc-Tite is an easy fix. I still own this gun, and enjoy it.

2) Model 94, purchased in 1989 as a trainer and bedside gun for my (then) wife. Had it until we divorced in 1996 (she took it with her.) Never had any issues with it; it shot well and was a fun little trail gun when I took it out. Wish I had another.

3) PT-22, purchased in 2012. It was used, made in 1998. Quite possible the "dandiest" little pistol I've owned. Runs flawlessly on MiniMags (I know not to run cheap stuff in it and expect it to work, which is true for most pocket blowback rimfire pistols.) My current wife has recently tried it out, and likes it as well.

That's it for Taurus experience for me. I want another 94, preferably in stainless.

 

[Kiln]

I have a Taurus PLY22 that I wanted to throw into the woods the first time I fired it, largely because I was using cheap bulk ammo.

When I loaded the same gun with CCI Stingers and Minimags, it became extremely reliable and much more fun to shoot.

So far I'm satisfied with the Taurus/Rossi products I own.

 

[hardluk1]

I have two older Taurus revolvers. I bought a first year SS 85 for carry and a 22lr version for practice. I finally had the 22 sent in as it would no longer reliable to fire a round. They put a new fireing pin in it and sent it back. Good as gold again. The 85 ss was a pocket pistol for 20 years and had a stock trigger no s&w could match, very smooth and fairly lite. After I retired it from CC I changed the hammer spring to a wolff RP spring to help my girls learn to shot DA centerfire. Visions of CC down the road. Trigger pull DA is 4 1/2lbs , SA is 2lbs. Reliable as heck. It has since then been used for 6 people to learn to shoot handguns and taken thru there class's. Only seen a couple s&w snubbies as good and they took a gun smith mess'n with them .

We also have 2-380 TCP pistols used in the CC rotation . Lightest trigger pull of any 380 micro's , tend to fire any ammo tried with no bad issues of any kind.

Guess I look at ever firearm the same and no what brand it is. Today you can spend good money on a custom shop firearm and but a full blown turd so deal with it. It happens.

 

[Armor Snail]

Had a 709, never had an issue. Ran flawlessly. Shot the crap out of it(expecting) it to break per internet commando warnings.
Was a great gun.
Traded it towards a 738.
Again flawless.
As someone else earlier mentioned.
Best trigger of pocket .380s.
I wouldn't trade my TCP for an LCP any day.
Dad has a Rossi matched pair 12g/.22Mag
Around 400 shot shells and 60 rounds of rimfire with no issues as of yet.

Honestly I don't know if i would ever buy another.
Much of their offerings aren't that appealing to me.
Although I like the Rossi lever guns.

 

[Fleetman]

I have the 94 .22 Mag, Tracker .44 Mag, and PT1911. I've never had a problem with any of them and I regularly carry the two revolvers on my property....the .44 for fun and plinking and the .22 Mag when cutting grass and spot groundhogs.

I also recently purchased a Rossi 971 .357 that I understand was built under the ownership of Taurus.

For every firearm basher of ANY brand, you'll find two that love them. I can't count the number of times I've heard that my Kimber UCII is a piece of junk yet I've never had a failure of any kind with it and it's going on 2k rounds.

 

[jj1962hemi]

I own 3 today, have sold two. Two semi-autos (PT series, no problems, still have one) and 3 revolvers. Two were trouble free, while the 3rd was a new model that had a forcing cone problem (lead shards and spark flew out a few times, along with some FTFs). I returned the problem gun and got it back in three weeks in perfect condition. I don't CC today, but I have put a few hundred rounds of SWCHP +Ps through the repaired gun with zero problems. The new Taurus CEO says he's focused on QC. I hope so, because I like what I've had and would like the failure rate to be zero (like my S&Ws and Rugers...Knock on wood!). I would buy another Taurus, but I admit I don't want to send it in for repairs, so I'm wary.

 

[MedWheeler]

I have a Taurus PLY22 that I wanted to throw into the woods the first time I fired it, largely because I was using cheap bulk ammo.

This is probably very common, only many don't find out what you did. Too many people buy a Taurus .22 auto, cheap-out on the ammo for it, then complain the gun's a POS when it won't run it. The need for powerful ammo in small blowback guns because of the stiff recoil springs isn't confined to Taurus.

 

[SeanSw]

I have an older Taurus Model 96 .22 revolver. It's probably in 98% condition and has surprised a few revolver snobs. Case hardened target trigger and hammer, adjustable sights, nice walnut grips. The action is very good too. I don't shoot it now that I have a S&W 617 but the Taurus is very nice. I wouldn't part with it for twice what I paid.

I also have a Taurus TCP 738 that hasn't quite had a chance to prove itself yet. 380 is still cost prohibitive for practice right now. Great trigger for such a small gun. That's what sold me on the Taurus over the Ruger LCP.

 

[Ironman615]

I have a Tracker .22/.22 mag. My second trip to the range, the rear sight fell off. One phone call, and within a week I had a new rear sight. No problems since then. I love having a double action with interchangeable .22/.22 mag cylinders. The only other brand I've had to use the warranty on was a Walther. The over all experience was good in both cases.