Just picked up a M85 .38SPL

[ourichie]

I just picked up a Taurus M85 my friends dad was selling. Used the Taurus SN look up and found out that it was built in 1989 and either it was hardly shot, or he took exquisite care of it . I paid 175 for it. How does the Firing Squad think I did?

 

[gunlaw]

You got a good deal. I have one blued but about the same age. Nice snubby for the money.

 

[CPLofMARINES]

Nice! I feel the older ones are better than the newer
Ones.

 

[ourichie]

Sweet thanks. I have one more question, is it +p? I read somewhere that they added the +p in the mid 90's but that nothing on the gun changed and that all m85's can take +p. I want to carry it with hydra shok or gold dot

 

[CPLofMARINES]

Should say on the barrel, if not call Taurus.

Semper Fi

 

[MedWheeler]

Handsome piece. Should serve you well.

 

[bdb benzino]

I believe that the older ones are not rated for +P, but random use should not be an issue. From what I have seen and read, the best made Taurus revolvers are from that era (late 80's to early 90's). My buddy has a similar one from that time that is chambered for 357mag and is ported, I have heard they had some like this come out of their custom shop.
Great gun and a great price! Congrats and good luck.

 

[BullRunBear]

I recently got a Taurus model 66 from the same period and a model 82. If your new toy is as good, you got a great deal. Mine have been comfortable and accurate.

Doublecheck the Taurus site, but I've read that the model 65 is good for +P ammo.

Jeff

 

[Travismcgee]

Taurus snubs are underrated

175 is a great price

You will enjoy that gun

 

[Jaymo]

The grips are newer than the gun. I've owned 3 of the Taurus 85CH. Still have 2.

 

[PabloJ]

You did real good. One can't even get second-hand Charter Arms in equal shape for that price.

 

[JERRY]

those pre lock taurus revolvers were pretty good in my experience....

 

[GP100man]

I have a J frame & a steel blue 85 from the same yr. I carried it in deep CCW until I found my SP101.

I also agree revolvers from that era were built with better attention to detail !!

 

[hardluk1]

What happened to the finish on that 85?? bead blaster? You got a fine buy in it and those older ones do seem to have a trigger group to make a s&w custom envious.

I carried a taurus stainless steel 85 for 20 years . Don't have a separate photo . Mine is still in great shape and yes these older one are not +P but I have shoot some through the years and carried it. When I stopped carry'n it I added a wolf RP hammer spring and the pull dropped to 4lbs DA 2 1/2lbs SA and 100% reliable now for 6 years.

 

[19-3Ben]

What happened to the finish on that 85?? bead blaster?

My thoughts exactly. Doesn't look like a stock finish to me. A refinish might be part of the reason the condition is so good for an older gun.

I carry an M85 almost every day. It's a great carry gun!

 

[Jaymo]

Looks like satin nickel. IIRC, Taurus didn't make stainless steel guns in 89.
My 2 85 CHs are both stainless. Got one, new, in 95-96 for $234.
Got the other last year, used, with the early 85CH wood banana grips (was looking for just the grips, to put on mine) for $175.

Just checked the Mfg date on my used one with the banana grips. It was made in 93, which is right for an early 85CH in stainless.

 

[ourichie]

per taurus.
Your Model Is HG-M85-SS2
Production Year 1989

I did ask about the finish and was told that how it has always been. He's been the only owner since it as NIB and yes, he did change the grips

 

[RKRCPA]

I bought this one back in April 1985, pre +P designation. It has been in the glove box, pocket, ankle holster ever since. It's been a good solid revolver for a lot of years.

 

[hardluk1]

Jaymo Mine is from 1990 model year according to the serial number. But I bought a brite polished SS finish and skinny wood grip in october of '89. Shown in the photo in post 14 above. Might have been an early model!! Maybe they realised firearms like cars back then. Don't even know if taurus was in miami back then but bought at a ace hardware there on a fishing trip from naples. So some could be found.

 

[ourichie]

It feels different carrying a revolver rather than a semi, but I do like the fact, and it makes me feel safer knowing that if i have to use it, and it goes "click" the first time, all i have to do is squeeze the trigger again.

Using Federal Hydra-Shok in 110gr. I have heard the Speer GD is preferred and I was thinking the Hornady Critical Defense or Federal NyClad.

Leaning to sticking with the hydra or nyclad because it is standard pressure and I am not comfortable shooting +p out of it without hearing from Taurus, no matter what I have seen on the net.

 

[TomADC]

This is my wife's gun, had its a early one and not for +P ammo, I keep it loaded with Federal Hydroshok that look like reversed hollow base wad cutter with a post in the middle.
I'd say at $175 you got a great deal.

 

[Jaymo]

Tom and hardluk, what grips are those? In a way, they look like Uncle Mike's, and in a way they look like Hogue.
Tom, what holster is that?

Neither one of us got hurt, for $175. That's about 60 bucks less than I paid for my stainless 85CH, new, in 1995.

What's wrong with you Taurus owners? Don't you know they're total garbage?
Never mind the fact that yours have been reliable, as have the 10 I've owned.
Somewhere, someone has owned one that may have given them trouble.
My oldest is a 93 and my newest is an 07. All have been completely reliable and more accurate than I am, regardless of auto or revolver.

 

[tarosean]

Somewhere, someone has owned one that may have given them trouble.

Raises hand.

Just got my wife's 85 back last week, from Taurus. (1994 vintage)

Was light striking.

Adjusted yolk and replaced a spring. Haven't had time to see if they fixed the issue though.

 

[Swing]

Sweet deal.

 

[hardluk1]

Jaymo They are Hogues. I pocket carried with those grips in carpenter jeans. Had a few died hard s&w j frame guys that could not believe the trigger pull even compaired to one guys smithy worked trigger group. I wonder why a handgun that stayed between a tool pouch and me for so many years still looks so good. I have not handeled a newer tuarus revolver.