identify older Taurus .357

[SSN Vet]

I have a Taurus .357 I bought factory new from a navy buddy of mine who had just gotten his FFL backin 1990.

It has a 6" vent rib barrel, a six round cylinder, DA/SA, has the hammer block, adjustable rear target style sight and an bright orange plastic insert on the front sight. It's blue with wood grips.

The only marking of any kind on it is the S/N (I'm hesitant to post that because I've noticed that folks usually only give certain digits and not the entire string).

It's been my nightstand gun for years and I've found it to be very accurate (though I'm certainly no sharpshooter).

BUT....I have to admit, after only half a box at the range, the bottom of my palm gets quite sore.

So....I'm interested in trying different grips, but don't know what model it is...so I can't cross reference off the fit tables.

any assistance is much appreciated.

 

[weregunner]

Question. How many rounds does the cylinder hold. If 7 rounds then it is a Tracker 627 series. If has 6 rounds then it is a 689 or 669 series. Grips that fit 669 normally fit 689,but check closely. Hogue or Pachmayr should have grips you want. 669 and 689 have been out of production a while, but the companies still list holsters and grips for them since many are still in use. Taurus model 65 and 66 never had the vented ribs. Go to www.getagrip.com. This is where they have grips for any Taurus revolver in make or model. Just checked out the site and confirmed this.

 

[lee n. field]

Roll the cylinder out and look on the frame behind the yoke. The model number should be stamped in the metal there.

 

[Glockman17366]

Probably a 669... The Trackers weren't available in 1990. I'm also sure your revolver has wooden (rose wood) grips.
The 669's were compensated too. There'll be 8 ports at the front of the barrel.
I owned one for several years. Really nice gun, but I liked the Trackers better.

 

[bakert]

My guess would be a 669 too.

 

[SSN Vet]

getting closer.....

the cylinder holds 6 rounds (as previously noted).....however, the barrel is NOT ported.

looked at some on-line photo's and I could go either way.....rear sight doesn't overhang the hammer on mine like the ones I saw pictured though.

I believe the barrel is actually slightly longer than 6".....so I'm guessing it might be the 689.

I'll check the frame behind the yoke tonight.....I'd looked there before, but was expecting to find a number like "66" and probably wouldn't have recognized 669 or 689 as being Taurus model numbers.

In either case.....the grips will be the same.......

Does anyone have an informed opinion as to which of the following will help better with the palm numbing recoil?

Hogue Precision Molded Soft Rubber??

Pachmayr Decelerator Grips or Gripper Grips??

 

[MCgunner]

I like Hogue grips, ergo-dynamic, fit the hand well. I've got a Pachmayr gripper on my Taurus 66 because that's all I could find at the gun show where I got the gun. However, I know Hogue makes grips for it and would like to get one for it. The soft rubber Hogue is a very comfortable grip. I must say, I don't find the gun at all uncomfortable with hot magnums and the Pachmayrs on it, though. I've yet to buy the Hogue, rather low priority for me.

 

[SSN Vet]

mystery solved...

it's a model 689..

thanks for getting me pointed in the right direction

 

[Odd Job]

While we are discussing Taurus revolvers, can somebody please identify this one:



I don't have access to it, it is in South Africa. It is a 6 shot .357 magnum with a 4" barrel. I fired it many times, and so do did my ex-girlfriend, but I never recorded the model number.
You see what happens when you move to a place where you can't have those guns? You realise what you are missing out on.

 

[lee n. field]

The pictured gun looks very similar to my Model 66, excepting only the front sight insert (which might not be factory) and the finish.

 

[Odd Job]

Thanks!

I have Googled around and that revolver is indeed a Model 66. The red insert is factory.