For Taurus 605 and 85 owners

[gogetumnow]

I have an early 90's Pre-Lock Stainless 85. I bought it NIB. It was the first revolver I owned. Unfortunately it came with slow timing. I was getting way off center primer hits and failures to fire when i fired it double action. Off to Taurus it went on my dime. When it came back the slow timing was fixed but it had the worst trigger known to man. There was a huge hitch half way through the double action trigger pull, it was totally unacceptable. Off to Taurus it went again on my dime. When they sent it back it turned out to be a great gun and I still have it.

My advice: Inspect all NEW Taurus's as if they were used guns. Don't assume it's gonna be great out of the box. Check the DA timing, endshake, and lockup of the cylinder. I've looked two different NEW trackers at the gun shop and both had cylinder positions that the bolt would not lock up on. Check the rifling to make sure it's cut properly, my buddy has an earlier Taurus that the rifling wasn't cut evenly. Check the barrel indexing to make sure it's not canted in any direction. If it passes all these checks it's probably ok. If you don't know how to check this stuff learn how to or find somebody who does before you plunk you hard earned money down. Taurus's can be great guns for the money, just make sure you know what you're getting into.

 

[TimboKhan]

A 605 has been my main carry gun for almost 3 years now, so it is safe to say that I am a fan. I would heartily recommend it to anyone interested in a revolver for carry.

 

[Jkwas]

For those who own a 605 (.357) or 85 (.38 spl) five shot revolver...regardless of barrel length... do you like it, love it, hate it, trust it with your life etc?

It's the first handgun I've ever owned. Had it for 3yrs. After about 400 rnds or so, the hammer spring started getting weak and generating light strikes. My dealer replaced the spring under warranty and it has over 600 rnds since without one problem. Not one. I've purchased several other handguns since, but this is my main carry weapon. Yes, I like it. Yes, I trust my life to it. I have a Ruger and two smiths. I find it every bit reliable and well built as either.

 

[denfoote]

I currently have both.

They both go bang when I need them to.
They put lead where I need it to go.
No fuss about food.
Yeah, I trust 'em!!

The 605




The 85SSUL

 

[samtechlan]

I had a model 85 stainless steel built in 1994 that I had bougt nib. I had the grips changed to hogue and it had a pretty good trigger. The only negative was that it was not +p rated (I checked with Taurus). It was always 100% reliable and I never had any complaints. I gave it as a gift to my uncle in Miami when I bought my 642.

 

[03Shadowbob]

I loved my M85 Stainless. I wish I never sold it. It was my BUG when I was LEO so yes I trusted it with my life.

 

[STORMIN29]

Taurus

I bought a M44 back in 1995 still have it today. Taurus 85 I purchased in 2001 and was very reliable and easy to shoot. New carry gun is a M44C Tracker 2 1/2" .44 mag which is hoot to shoot. Mainly carry 44 Specials and trust it completely for CCW.

 

[MikePGS]

Is the 85 small enough for pocket carry? I'm considering getting one due to the fact that their less expensive then the S and W 642s and was just wondering if i could (with a proper holster of course) pocket carry it.

 

[cold dead hands]

Pocket carry

Mike... I always pocket carry my all steel 605 and other than the fact that it can be a little heavy if you are walking great amounts of time and distance I find it to be quite good for most sizes of pockets. I have a pair of shorts that I had to lengthen the pocket, but it is a cheap and easy fix.

 

[Haywood]

I Like my Taurus Revolvers

I started with a mdl. 66 "this all the gun I will ever need" I said. Then came Two mdl. 85s after that came a 608 stainless 4", 617 stainless ch 2", 94 stainless 4", 627 Tracker stainless 4", 905 blue ch. 2" 9mm., and last but not least, 605 stainless 2". Thats just the Taurus guns I won't get into the other brands.

 

[Glockman17366]

"Is the 85 small enough for pocket carry? I'm considering getting one due to the fact that their less expensive then the S and W 642s and was just wondering if i could (with a proper holster of course) pocket carry it."

The model 85 works quite good as a pocket pistol. That's how I carry my 85 most of the time. I carry in a Galco or Mikas holster. Both are well made. The Galco grips the gun better, the Mikas completely covers the gun (and is cheaper).

To me, the stainless models are a bit heavy (trousers tend to sag from the weight). My 85 (had it for 7 or 8 years now) is the Multi-Alloy (aluminum frame/titanium cylinder and barrel shroud) which weighs 13.5 oz. unloaded. There's no problem with sag when carrying this gun.
The next thing you've got to consider is exposed or shrouded hammer. Mine is an exposed hammer version. I've never had a snag, but I've never had to draw in a high stress situation yet.

So...this http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=302&category=Revolver would be the gun I'd recommend. The Protector model 851 is going to be my next handgun. I've handled these...they feel quite nice in my hand.

 

[Alan Fud]

The 85 Ultra-Lites are okay for pocket carry. The all-steel models are a bit heavy but they also have less felt recoil due to their added weight. The 642 is slightly smaller than the 85's and will conceal a bit better.

 

[Doggy Daddy]

the lone gunman

My wife carries one, Most of our weekends are spent out in the woods, she just carrys it in her pocket. Never failed to fire, she uses standard 158 gr lead round nose.

My wife and I each have an 85, plus I have the 605 and a 94. She also has "The Judge". We're very happy with our Taurus wheelies.

Gunman, if your wife is pocket carrying that 85, I'd recommend this: Bianchi Pocket Change holster. I got one from copquest.com. It was only about $11, and is well worth the price.

 

[minutemen1776]

I've owned four Model 85s, two Ultralites and two steel-frames. The recoil of an 85UL with +P ammo is too unpleasant for me, but I really like the steel-frames, especially with a 3-inch barrel and full lug.

 

[mavracer]

update

fired my 605 more saturday am falling in love,ports work great can put 5 rounds center mass at 7 yards very fast .still no malfunctions.

 

[norfdet893]

I bought a 605 and took it to the range. Within 1 box of 50 rounds the revolver became completely out of time. I sent it back to Taurus and it came back 100%, I sold it. I am not knocking Taurus as anyone can have some slip through the cracks from time to time. I sold it because it was my first Taurus in what was otherwise years of die hard S&W, I went back. Nothing personal.

 

[lowrider]

I would trust my life to 85

With Crimson grips:

Mine also does not shoot +P. Although I have been shooting them for about the past 50 rounds because I didn't know. Then I called Taurus to check.

Anyways, with +P and Crimson Trace grip the attached photo shows the power of Crimson.

I shot five times, once from 7, 25, 35, and twice from 15 yards. Amazing for a snubbie. I wasn't doing this without the CT grip, that's for sure! So the gun can do it!

This gun is totally good for pocket carry. It's awesome. Wish it shot +P's. I have to get all new ammo now that I know it's not safe

Biker

P.S. View: http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=55913&d=1175562747
for photo if it doesn't show up here. Scroll all the way down.

 

[jojosdad]

I've ha my 605 for 3 years, and had zero problems with it. Round count is approaching 1k. I use 38 plus p in it because the 357s just aint any fun to shoot out of the little fella. Mostly carry it as a BUG in my boot in an Uncle Mikes pocket holster, but occasionally carry IWB or in a Galco Jackass rig. Added the bigger grips (Hogues, IRRC) right after I got the piece and really like the better feel.

 

[Old Dog]

My stainless Model 85, bought new in about 1992, is hands-down the best snubby, in terms of reliability and accuracy, that I've ever owned (and I'm a huge fan of S&W 36s, 37s, 637s, 642s ... ) ...

 

[bestseller92]

I've owned a stainless 85CH for ten years now (almost), and it's one of my primary carry guns.

 

[Erich]

The first gun I owned was a stainless Taurus 85 - this was in the '80s. It had the weak mainspring issue that I've seen reported with other Taurus revolvers over the years. I got it fixed and then traded it off.

That said, I'd probably consider getting another Taurus 85 or 605 . . . I feel that the odds are good that it would work fine and I feel secure that it would be fixed if it didn't.

 

[LordGibson]

I'm in the market for one of these small .357/.38spl revolvers and the main reason I haven't picked one up yet is I'm still trying to decide between the sp101 or the 605/85. Obviously the Taurus will save me $75 or so, but the rabid loyalty of sp101 owners is compelling.

Anyone have a comparison on the size/weight? I've read a lot of people pocket carry the sp101, but it seems a little big and awfully heavy. That's the main reason I'm leaning towards the 85. This thread isn't helping either

 

[Erich]

I've owned a 2" SP-101, and I found that it was a bit too large/heavy for me to carry in my pocket. Also, the factory stocks (which I loved in every other respect) were very tacky and clung to the fabrick of the pants.

I have carried J-frames in my pocket (and a Colt Agent as well) - FWIW, I really feel that an alloy-framed revolver is the way to go for pocket-carry. My 940 was the last steel-framed J-frame that I frequently pocket-carried, and its 23-oz weight (empty) dragged the pocket a bit more than I liked.

 

[revjross]

I had a SP101 and it was built like a tank and completely reliable, although it shot low and to the left. I traded it for a 85UL with Crimson Trace grips and I love it!! It is light, incredibly accurate, and can pocket carry. I thought the SP101 was too heavy and a little large for that. I do like Ruger and S&W revolvers. I've owned them and probably will again, but this little Taurus is a definite keeper!!

 

[22LongRifle]

I bought a M85, all steel blued, in 1992 when I got back from Desert Shield, from Longs Drug in Colorado Springs CO for $125! I put ALOT of rounds through it. I carried it back with me to SI and had it for ten more years. I finially sold it to a truck driver friend and bought a stainless steel version with a 3" barrel for the wife. I could hit a gallon water jug, after figuring out the hold over, at 100 yards with it! Awesome little gun.

I also had a M82 with a 3" barrel since 1994. It rides my the Urban Assult Vechile, aka Caravan, for the wife and daughters.

I picked up a M605 for ankle carry as a BUG when I was a reservist a few years back. It got sold, but only cause I'm was wanting a M650 and I had a SP101 already. No complaints with it.

Jerry