Monday I am ordering either a Taurus 85 Ti or an S&W 642 for pocket carry. I like the hammer option for sa prctice at the range but maybe it's not a must have. Which one would you buy, and why? Thanks for any help you guys can give. Thanks Joell33
Help me make an informed decision, Please!
- Thread starter joell33
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Josey
member
The Tauri I have owned were better than the S&Ws of late. If you had mentioned a S&W M36 or M60, I would have voted differently.
It is a horse apiece IMO, new Smiths are not that nice and Taurus has slipped a little too. If you are looking at brand new guns and the models you listed I would buy on price alone. Personally I would not buy either, instead finding a used pre-idiotic lock mechanisms and made with a little better quality. A Smith from a few years back would top my list.
P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
Seems you want light ........ but a used 640 would be nice if you could find one. Of those two ... the Taurus.
2 choices
I have a couple choices if you want DA/SA look at S&W Model 637 15oz's or the S&W model 649 Bodyguard style which means it has a shrouded hammer. The 649 is 357 but, all I shoot through mine for target and training is 38S&W+P. It weighs 23 oz's which isn't too bad.
Gary
I have a couple choices if you want DA/SA look at S&W Model 637 15oz's or the S&W model 649 Bodyguard style which means it has a shrouded hammer. The 649 is 357 but, all I shoot through mine for target and training is 38S&W+P. It weighs 23 oz's which isn't too bad.
Gary
Highland Ranger
Member
Smith over Taurus; recently bought a 629, 329 and 60 - two were PC versions the third a vanilla gun.
All were very nice.
All were very nice.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
I voted for the Smith & Wesson model 642.
Reasons?
a) I don't trust the Taurus "Limited LifeTime Warranty"
b) The S&W model 642 is a top rated, and very
highly regarded firearm.
c) And most importantly, the S&W's reliability
*FootNote: I have a S&W "old model 60" Chief's
Special which has given me marvelous service
for a 25 year old weapon.
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
Reasons?
a) I don't trust the Taurus "Limited LifeTime Warranty"
b) The S&W model 642 is a top rated, and very
highly regarded firearm.
c) And most importantly, the S&W's reliability
*FootNote: I have a S&W "old model 60" Chief's
Special which has given me marvelous service
for a 25 year old weapon.
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
ChristopherG
Member
If you take the time to learn to shoot it, the 642 will be a long-time friend, guaranteed.
dairycreek
Member
I have had Taurus revos and.................
will no longer put up with their inconsistent quality. I've owned six Taurus revolvers, all purchased NIB. Three were okay (one of which was a M85) and three had to be returned to the factory more than once! Eventually Taurus made good on the warranty service but it took forever for absolutely new revolvers. No more Taurus for me - I vote S & W!! Good shooting
will no longer put up with their inconsistent quality. I've owned six Taurus revolvers, all purchased NIB. Three were okay (one of which was a M85) and three had to be returned to the factory more than once! Eventually Taurus made good on the warranty service but it took forever for absolutely new revolvers. No more Taurus for me - I vote S & W!! Good shooting
Hutch
Member
A NIB Taurus will quickly become a used Taurus. A Smith will ALWAYS be a Smith. Easier to correct a purchasing mistake with a Smith.
There is a reason used Taurus guns have almost NO resale value. They are not as well made as the average S&W and at least in this case, you get what you pay for. The Taurus cheaper because it is cheaper not because it is a good deal. I have been very happy with my S&W 642. The Taurus guns I have owned in the past prevent me from owning any Taurus guns in the present or future.
I have been very happy with my S&W 642. The Taurus guns I have owned in the past prevent me from owning any Taurus guns in the present or future.In past years I have owned at least 5 different taurus revolvers at different times. No problems ever. I currently own a new 605. It is flawless. I would like to find an old 431 in perfect condition.
I don't doubt that bad Tauri exist. But I don't have any firsthand knowledge of one over the past twelve years.
I don't doubt that bad Tauri exist. But I don't have any firsthand knowledge of one over the past twelve years.
SouthpawShootr
Member
I bought both. The Taurus is easier to shoot, but I carry the 642 nearly every day. Right now the 642 is an exceptional buy (I think the sale is still going on). I prefer the concealed hammer design b/c I don't want even the option of single action fire on a defense-only revolver. You will spend most of your range time firing single action and that really prepares you for nothing. The DAO guns force you to train with the same trigger pull every time you fire.
Do it right the first time. A Smith is always a Smith, while a Taurus is just a Taurus. A snubby is a piece for close and fast work, and that means DA each and every time. I carry a 442 "hammerless" as an "always" piece, and even though all my standard revolvers have hammers I use them DA 99%+ of the time.
Keep it simple.
Keep it simple.
Quantrill
Member
At least the Smith is American. Go with the Smith. Quantrill
JAREDSHS
Member
another TWO cents worth:
It's your money-spend it how you like....I personally would not slam the
Taurus, I have owned a couple.no compaints.
However-----I just bought two new Smith airweights---a model 637 for
my wife( she loves it and carrys it. I have the model 642, I carry it and
love it. The workmanship on these two weapons is outstanding and there
are absolutely no flaws. They are just as well built and engineered as my
old model 28 and model 18.
The BIG value of Smith&Wesson over ANY other gun maker in my opinion
is their service and repair and impeccable customer support. If you have
any,I mean ANY problem--- they get you through it , and you are happy...
I have had repairs made in the past{things that were my fault}.Smith&Wesson paid the shipping both ways, repaired my weapon,and returned my gun to me in under 8 days. My cost $0.00
Taurus and Ruger may both stand behind their products, BUT I do not
believe that you will get S&W type service from them(Beretta either)
Dave Ginn
It's your money-spend it how you like....I personally would not slam the
Taurus, I have owned a couple.no compaints.
However-----I just bought two new Smith airweights---a model 637 for
my wife( she loves it and carrys it. I have the model 642, I carry it and
love it. The workmanship on these two weapons is outstanding and there
are absolutely no flaws. They are just as well built and engineered as my
old model 28 and model 18.
The BIG value of Smith&Wesson over ANY other gun maker in my opinion
is their service and repair and impeccable customer support. If you have
any,I mean ANY problem--- they get you through it , and you are happy...
I have had repairs made in the past{things that were my fault}.Smith&Wesson paid the shipping both ways, repaired my weapon,and returned my gun to me in under 8 days. My cost $0.00
Taurus and Ruger may both stand behind their products, BUT I do not
believe that you will get S&W type service from them(Beretta either)
Dave Ginn
mack69
Member
Re:
joel, I was in a simialr situation tho not for CC and was looking at 3 makers...
S&W, Ruger and Taurus...The S&W's were too much $$$, and I wasn't thrilled with the Taurus....I ended up getting a Ruger GP100 and love it...but it is not for CC as it is a big big and heavy. But the Ruger SP100's are light and reliable....Hate to add a third, but I would check the Rugers out too.
joel, I was in a simialr situation tho not for CC and was looking at 3 makers...
S&W, Ruger and Taurus...The S&W's were too much $$$, and I wasn't thrilled with the Taurus....I ended up getting a Ruger GP100 and love it...but it is not for CC as it is a big big and heavy. But the Ruger SP100's are light and reliable....Hate to add a third, but I would check the Rugers out too.
Thanks
for all the replies guys. I did order a s&w 637. It should be here in a day or two. My price will be $320.00 + tax. Pretty good considering the Taurus was within $15.00 price wise. I have a great ffl dealer though. I appreciate all the help but, when it came down to it the S&W's are AMERICAN made alot of folks had great things to say about their cust service. Also the S&W's looked a little better made, just my opinion. Thanks again I'll try to post range results and overall quality very soon. Thanks again, maybe next a 642 DAO for the wife a carry gun(then we could trade off?). Thanks again
for all the replies guys. I did order a s&w 637. It should be here in a day or two. My price will be $320.00 + tax. Pretty good considering the Taurus was within $15.00 price wise. I have a great ffl dealer though. I appreciate all the help but, when it came down to it the S&W's are AMERICAN made alot of folks had great things to say about their cust service. Also the S&W's looked a little better made, just my opinion. Thanks again I'll try to post range results and overall quality very soon. Thanks again, maybe next a 642 DAO for the wife a carry gun(then we could trade off?). Thanks again
Lobotomy Boy
Member
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Quantrill, the Taurus is also American. South American, but still American.
Six of one and a half dozen of the other. The Taurus M85 has been a very good revolver. The J-framed S&W's have been very good revolvers.
There has been reports of the newer M642s having a somewhat fragile finish coating. Certain common gun cleaners have deteriated the finish coating. I don't know if this is limited to just that model, but it is something to be aware of.
There has been reports of the newer M642s having a somewhat fragile finish coating. Certain common gun cleaners have deteriated the finish coating. I don't know if this is limited to just that model, but it is something to be aware of.
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