Burned Buying Taurus M94

[Rodentman]

I have a std M94 and have had no trouble with it. That said, I won't buy another Taurus because, while they may work fine, I prefer the better fit and finish of the S&W & Ruger.

For a range gun firing cheap ammo, the M94 is fine. I don't carry it, and don't plan to.

Oddly, two of my carry guns have been recalled, the LCP and the PPK/S.

 

[hardluk1]

I to have a couple taurus revolvers , a 38 model 85 and 22 model 94 and both have been great guns . I even put spring kits in both and have a 5 lb da trigger on each and the 22 is as good as one could be. I have had trouble with cheap brands of ammo in all my 22's .Both ruger autos and colt huntsman and the taurus. Remington cheap stuff was the worse with the wax build up . Cheap federal just as bad with 8 to 10 out of a box missfire. But with mini mags or fedaeral match ,,,heck any of the best lines, they all work very well. and the taurus so far after the trigger job has had NO miss fires with cci mini mag and federal match. 2000 rounds a guess throught the 2 rugers and the taurus. I do work to keep clean more than any guns i own but some of that ammo was bad. Both taurus revolvers are older guns ,maybe 15 years old. Besure the eject rod is tight as that will let the cylinder slip forword enough to not fire well. Did have that happen about 10 years ago and could have been my fault.

 

[Mainer2009]

Thats to bad, sorry to hear about your bad luck. I've had really good luck with Taurus revolvers, I have several in my stable right now, But I have heard an awful lot about people having trouble with them., it's to bad. My dealer usually has a good selection of hand guns, and always has a few taurus pistols in the mix, and he says he sells a lot of them &has had really good luck with them. Good luck with the warranty, I hope it all works out alright for ya.

 

[PC40]

I really love all my Taurus firearms too and am intent on adding many more to the collection.

www.taurusarmed.net

Still promoting your Taurus forum here huh? I may have one for your collection, you'll just have to send it to the factory and wait 2-3 months if you want it to run right.

My 2 NIB Taurus revolvers each developed problems within a week or two. I was stupid to buy the second one, but I've learned my lesson.

I've had numerous Rugers and Smiths, never a problem in over 30 years.

 

[Big Daddy Grim]

My PT 1911 is on it's way back yet again hopfully the new one they are sending will be better.

 

[Stainz]

I have a friend who has had fairly decent luck with a couple of Taurus revolvers - a 66, a .45 ACP 5-shot Tracker, and a .22 94 - all 4"-ers - and only the 66 persists today. I resprung it for him - a fairly decent house gun for 7-rounds of +P .38s. The key to his likes? He never shot them!

For years, I had Rugers... then, a S&W 625MG in .45 Colt from my wife. I was hooked. I have far fewer firearms these days - and my ecclectic collection of Ruger SA & DA revolvers is now gone, as is my MKII .22 target gun. I replaced it with a new 4" 617 10-shooter .22 rimfire. I have far fewer firearms these days - but they are what I want, enjoy, and can depend on - S&W revolvers. I converted a bundle of Rugers - and long guns - to S&W revolvers - I'm happy. Like they say, you can't pay too much for a good revolver... but you can sure pay too much for a poor revolver. Save your money - buy fewer - but better - firearms.

Sorry for the OP's troubles - I hope you get it repaired properly this time.

Stainz

PS That old friend with the Taurus 66 - he bought a new 5" 63 (.22) - enjoys shooting again. Like me, he wonders why he waited so long to buy a S&W .22.

 

[280shooter]

I have 1 and never again, I KEEP ASKING THE SAME QUESTION,, WHY DO YOU HAVE TO SEND BACK A BRAND NEW GUN TO THE FACTORY FOR REPAIRS/? WHATS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE.?? YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR SHIPING,

 

[mnrivrat]

No matter wether you like or dislike Taurus revolvers , the issue of the firearm needing factory service is something you can not lay on the lap of the gunshop who sells them.

The gunshop is not the warranty station for the manufacturer of each product they sell. Sending the gun in for you, is all you should expect, in my opinion.

 

[Virginian]

I have owned lots of hanguns, and used to sell guns. The only two DA centerfire revolvers I have left are both Tauruses, a 431 and a 605. Love 'em both.
They may not be super rapid, but any experience I ever had (very limited) with Taurus factory service was as good as S&Ws or Rugers, and better than Colt's was back when. Maybe that's what those extra hundereds of dollars get you with S&W, speedy service.
I would expect a stocking dealer to have exchanged a defective firearm if he had one in stock to exchange. I would not expect a refund, and I would expect him to handle the repair. But, in my experience, a gun owner will usually get faster service from any of them. I do not know why.
I hope when it comes back your troubles are over.
I have had lemons from S&W, Ruger too, but they made them good.

 

[oldFred]

I'm SICK of these Taurus bashing threads. They are NOT productive and really show who's an idiot.

They compare a "smith" to taurus stating that it is better built, only idiots don't know that taurus bought the revolver plant AND are using the SAME pattern as smith.

They compare a "beretta" to taurus stating that it is better built, only idiots don't know that taurus ALSO bought a beretta factory and use the SAME pattern as beretta.

THINGS CHANGE, GET OVER IT!

I got shot in the eye from a Dan Wesson 44 mag from the 3mm gap between the cylinder and barrel. Do you hear me complaining that DAN WESSON IS CRAP???!!

The TRUTH is...

Beretta Tomcats are worthless because the firing pin is a faulty design and breaks repeatedly.
Kimber 1911s are jam prone and will NOT feed hollowpoints.
Rock Islands are the same.
Glock in 40 s&w are THE MOST inaccurate handgun ever made.
Smith & Wesson in 40 are the most inaccurate handgun ever made.
North American Arms blow up in your hands.
Colt Python revolvers BLOW up in your hands.
Nighthawk 1911s will only feed ball ammo.
Springfield 1911s are JAM-O-MATICS.
Remington 870s are faulty designed will jam repeatedly.

The Truth is also...

When reading trashtalk on the internet (because it's all true), 99% of the time the poster states that he acquired a USED Taurus. Don't you think that said accuser had purchased SOMEONE ELSE'S PROBLEM?!?

 

[harmon rabb]

i have heard all kinds of horror stories about taurus's customer service. for that reason alone, i wouldn't buy from them.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

I bought a couple Tauri when I was young, dumb and poor.

Now older, wiser and more affluent---won't touch a Taurus with a 10ft pole.

Bad guns--bad company

 

[Duke of Doubt]

oldFred: "They compare a "smith" to taurus stating that it is better built, only idiots don't know that taurus bought the revolver plant AND are using the SAME pattern as smith. They compare a "beretta" to taurus stating that it is better built, only idiots don't know that taurus ALSO bought a beretta factory and use the SAME pattern as beretta."

Not quite true; and even if it were, they've merely demonstrated that when the monkeys take over the zoo, the poop piles up. Neither of my new-bought Tauri were based on Smith or Beretta patterns directly, or made on the machinery set up under the expired license agreements you reference. China made Mauser-patterned rifles under license before and during WWII; they were crude copies.

 

[jad0110]

Neither of my new-bought Tauri were based on Smith

Yep. Even though the Model 66 made by S&W and Taurus appear identical on the outside, the internal lockwork is different.

BTW, my SA 1911 works just fine.

 

[AppBrookie]

I also had trouble w/ two lightweight 94's, both brand new out of the box did not work(light hammer strikes). I had a great dealer w/ a range, so both were fired just after purchase. After the second one, he refunded my money, I saved some more and bought a S&W 317, very happy w/ the Smith.

 

[ugaarguy]

They compare a "smith" to taurus stating that it is better built, only idiots don't know that taurus bought the revolver plant AND are using the SAME pattern as smith.

No, Taurus never bought a S&W plant. The conglomerate Bangor-Punta owned both companies for a short time in the 1970s. During that time some old S&W tooling was sent to Taurus. Taurus using worn out S&W tooling to make some revolvers does not make them equivalent to S&W. That's to say nothing of the fitting and finishing that occurs after the parts are machined. Perhaps you'd like well known gunsmith Grant Cunningham's observations on the issue:

From http://grantcunningham.com/blog_files/no_taurus_work.html

Why I don't work on Taurus revolvers
Monday, July 03, 2006

Occasionally someone will call or email: "I'm looking for a good gunsmith - do you work on Taurus revolvers?" When I politely inform the person that I do not, the result is often indignance, as if to say "how dare you decline to work on my fine possession! You have insulted me, suh!" (Delivered in the best antebellum manner, of course.)

Taurus revolvers possess many positive traits: they're available in a wide variety of calibers and configurations, they are usually fairly reliable, and they are priced right. Unfortunately, it's that last bit that gets me into trouble.

You see, the most expensive part of building a handgun, particularly a revolver, is the finishing work. You can't automate the polishing process, and Taurus revolvers are generally very well polished and finished. Given their low price point, this means that finishing is a large percentage of the purchase price. This means that they have to skimp somewhere, and the place that they do is in parts fitting.

Taurus guns have parts that simply do not fit as tightly - as precisely - as some other manufacturers. Yes, you can do a shadetree action job, maybe swap springs, and improve the action - but it will never be truly 'great' without rebuilding the gun.

I've purchased a couple of Taurus revolvers (Taurii??) to work on, to evaluate. While I like the guns (the now-discontinued model 445 is really neat, and I carry it occasionally) the effort to put a truly world-class action job on one results in huge labor costs.

Look at it this way: if you want a top-end wheelgun you have to pay for fitting parts at some point. With a Taurus, it doesn't happen at the time of purchase; it can only occur in the gunsmith's hands, which drives the cost up considerably. Like the folks who commissioned custom Norinco 1911s about a decade ago, what you end up with is a really expensive $300 gun that no one wants to buy.

I'd rather spend my time working on revolvers that will actually see an increase in value after quality work has been done, and I suspect their owners are the same way. That just won't happen with a Taurus, because after all is said and done it'll still just be a Taurus

.

 

[PC40]

I'm SICK of these Taurus bashing threads.

Maybe you should pay attention to the hundreds of other threads...

They are NOT productive

It gives people an outlet to vent about their experiences with Taurus

and really show who's an idiot.

Yes, I am an idiot, after my first Taurus revolver, I bought a second! Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice...

And they were both NIB, not used.

 

[jack the toad]

Congrats to those that have had good experience with Taurus.
When I used to make the gunshow circuit, it seems people wanted to sell or trade Taurus more than any other gun.
IMO, there's a reason for that.

 

[.357MagTaurus]

So Far, So Good

I've got the Taurus model 608 Large frame .357 Magnum 8 shot revolver in Stainless with a 4 " barrel. I have only had 35 rounds thru it so far. 32 rounds of 38 special 130 gr, ammo and 3 rounds of ,357 Magnum 158gr. No problems so far and not a lot of kick, even with the .357 rounds. Maybe this is still the Honeymoon period, but I think it it great. Functions as intended and commands alot of respect no matter which end of the barrel your on./B]

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

Two out of the three Taurus guns I have owned went back for warranty work. I had a problem with the 617 revolver and the PT145 Millenium Pro semi-auto. The model 85 revolver is the only one that I didn't send back. I have only purchased Smith & Wesson since.

 

[oldFred]

So OP please tell me what ammo were you using?

The reason I ask is because I have a Browning 22lr ATD Grade II carbine. It jams with FTF, FTE, and stovepiping. I found out later that the problem was the cheap remington thunderbolts with lead roundnose. Changed ammo to remington golden bullets and CCI minmags/stingers and the problems went away and I never looked back.


99% of the posts I've read that state Taurus is junk include "bought used" and "rimfire". Maybe before you post another thread like this, you should make absolutely sure that you don't have these two paradigms in the same sentence.

IMO, I despise 22lr as I personally believe it is the worst conceived ammunition to ever be created, an abomination if you will. ANY type of rimfire.

And to make it worse, then along come the hecklers who throw in "their two cents" about someone else's gun made by Taurus that they themselves never owned. The passionate bashing of Taurus while leaving other brands at ease leads me to believe that most of you are victims of the "I coulda had a V8 syndrome (Taurus branded)".

The truth is, Taurus has always had a problem keeping up with the demand of their weapons.

Now if I have offended anyone in my previous post with the word "idiots" please keep in mind that I fit this description sometimes also...

Edit: I have a 1994 stainless 38 spcl 4" barrel with perfect fit and finish. I also just purchased a PT1911SS this past January. The revolver is a model 82 I think. No play in the wheel / No airgap between wheel and barrel. Both guns have went "BANG" every time I squeezed the trigger. I can't help but highly disagree to Taurus bashing threads.

 

[MCgunner]

Best medium frame .357 Magnum I've ever owned is a Taurus 66. I don't need a .22 revolver, my Rossi 511 still shoots great after all these years. Lord only knows how many 550 round Federal bulk packs it's eaten. Still very accurate. Neat little J frame sized gun, fantastic sights. If I have any gripe, it's the heavy DA trigger. But, not like it's a self defense gun. I shoot at a rabbit, I shoot SA.

 

[Mainer2009]

I guess I'veen one of the lucky Taurus buyers, 2 that I bought were brand new...a Tracker 44 Magnum &a model 85 38 special, I also bought a used model 66 357 magnum, all have been great shooters, are tight, and accurate, they don't loosen up or fall apart, the actions are smooth, etc. My Mother has an old Taurus that her father gave her, he was a security gaurd in the 60's &carried a Taurus 38 special with a 4" bbl, not sure the model, it has some good honest wear on the it, but still shoots like a charm, &I talked to him about it &he said he went shooting with it a lot with a buddy who handloaded hot 38's for him &he shot quite a few of those, with no problems, the cylidner is not sloppy at all, and has no problems with timing, I guess it's just the luck of the draw, like a lot of things. I"ll keep buying Taurus revolvers, just like I'll keep buying Smith &Wesson's.

 

[Ghost Tracker]

There are lucky Taurus buyers & there are unlucky Taurus buyers. The same can be said for buyers of Powerball tickets. The only problem is - there's a better chance of happiness spending your money...on POWERBALL!

Gee, oldFred,
You buy both Browning & Taurus firearms? If I'm an idiot for my opinions on Taurus, does that make you a "half-wit"?

 

[hardluk1]

Duck of dumd. The taurus 92 is a newer updated gun and not a copy of the beretta and by most all experts say it is a better gun. I have a 22, model 94 that will shoot 100% with a top grade of ammo. If i will use he same crap 22 ammo alone that my colt and ruger autos don't like they all jamb. My 85 has been as solid as anything s&w made. Probably some dink screwed up a gun and sold it some other dink and he's piss'n about it. I have had bad from ruger and will not own another s&w do to basic cost and because of one gun new that took 3 months to get back. Hell i put a set of light springs in my 22 about a month ago. 3 lb trigger sa and 6 da and NO problems with strikes and i thought i might have trouble. That is a lite trigger for a 22. I put a wolf kit in it, the same one for the model 85. If i buy a new one and have trouble that will be my problem but no whine'n like so many.