Looking for a 357 revolver on a budget...

[Scarface]

.357 on a budget

Hi Dookie,

We just came back from the range shooting, among others, our Taurus 605. We just put a set of Crimson Trace grips in it and it was really ahoot to shoot. The original grips were more comfortable, but the Crimson Trace grips are great for training.
We paid $259.00 cash at a gun show and have really enjoyed the snubby. It has just about the best trigger I can imagine for a just out of the box pistol. We were both surprised at the accuracy from a 2 inch barrel. I believe the smooth trigger contributes to this accuracy. It's not my wife's favorite pistol, but she does well with it. It's her bedside pistol (hence the laser grips). She doesn't shoot the .357swith it, but she can handle the .38 specials quite well.
In sum, we're pleased with the value and quality of the pistol.

Be Well,

Scarface

 

[Kevinch]

You didn't indicate what your usage for this revolver might be. If it is simply for plinking or target, you might want to look into a nice used Ruger single-action such as a Blackhawk or Vaquero.

 

[svtruth]

Ruger?

Just picked up a GP-100, 4" barrel, .357 in stainless, NIB, $320 out the door, as a Christmas present for #1 son.
Good luck.

 

[NEtracker]

For the range & HD, look at the 4 inch S&W M66, can be found for $300-$350 used. Nothing wrong with a good condition used Ruger GP100.

 

[Master Blaster]

You know when I saw the title this AM, I just knew that it would be a Smith vs Ruger debate yet again.

First there is the Smith guy, "save your money buy a smith they are better."

Then along comes the Ruger guy, "But rugers are stronger."

Then the used smith guy who always finds a perfect one for $200.

The man asked for opinions on Taurus revolvers From folks who actually own and shoot them.

 

[Stevel]

I bought a Taurus 650 a couple years ago. I looked at Smiths but the triggers felt like someone forgot to polish them. Though it would smooth up or I could do a trigger job, I figured why should I have to if I'm paying a premium? I went with the Taurus and have been very happy.

 

[Master Blaster]

I have two Taurus revolvers a 94 4" .22lr which I have put many thousands of rounds through in the last 7 years. Its my favorite firearm for introducing new shooters to handguns. It has an excellent trigger pull in both single and double action. I have had no problems with it at all.

A couple months ago I bought a .45 acp tracker, also excellent in the trigger department, and very accurate. Its a K-frame sized 5 shot .45 acp revolver, something I wish Smith made. I have about 1,000 rounds fired through it with no problems at all.

Taurus seems to be making a good product as far as I can tell.

I do like Smith and Wessons, and have many more of them, so I can also recommend them, Rugers, yep they are good too.

My advice is to try before you buy, shoot it if you can, or rent one like it, and see what best fits your hand and your wallet.

 

[BryanP]

You really can't go wrong with a Ruger, Smith, Colt or Taurus. Each have their proponents and detractors. Each makes a quality firearm. Each has (and will continue) to put out the occasional lemon.

I own 3 Taurus revolvers myself. A used 66, a 617SS I bought new, and a 94 I bought new. All function quite well. I have a S&W 638 on layaway right now and I suspect I will like it a lot. I'd like a Ruger GP100, but wouldn't feel bad if I ran across a deal on a equivalent Taurus or Smith.

Buy what you can afford, and be sure to check it out using the techniques outlined here:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=1430

 

[steveracer]

Southern Ohio Gun!

Has 4" fixed sight stainless Ruger GP100s for $225.
There is no such thing as a better gun for less money.
I think we can all agree that for under $250 there's just no other .357 to buy.

 

[Rotorflyr]

The gun to own is the one you shoot best.

You know when I saw the title this AM, I just knew that it would be a Smith vs Ruger debate yet again.

"save your money buy a smith they are better."
"But rugers are stronger."
Then the guy who always finds a perfect one for $200.
The man asked for opinions on Taurus revolvers From folks who actually own and shoot them.

Isn't that what always happens around here???

The best advice given in this thread was this:

try before you buy, shoot it if you can, or rent one like it, and see what best fits your hand and your wallet.

This applies to what ever "brand" you are interested in.

 

[dasmi]

Look at the Ruger Service, Speed, and Security Six.
I got my Service Six for $225.

And with the new grips

 

[MCgunner]

I've owned Rugers, Tauruses or Taurii (whatever the plural is), Smiths, and Rossi revolvers and liked all of 'em. The Rossis were somewhat rougher, but quality guns and quite servicable. Frankly, the my two Tauruses and my current Smith are pretty well equals and that Smith is fifties vintage. I fail to see why anyone would bash any of these brands unless they're just champions of a specific marque.

Noone mentioned a Colt. Find a used Python and you can HAVE your Smith! Of course, you ain't gonna find a Python any good for anywhere NEAR $300.

Comes crunch time, any of the revolvers I've ever owned are up to the task. Sorta wish I'd never traded that Security Six, was a dandy .357. My current Taurus nickeled .357, L frame sized, out shoots it, though. Both have/had 4" barrels. That Taurus is a tack driver with most ammo, though, simply amazing. It's the most accurate DA revolver I've ever owned. I picked it up at a gun show for two hundred bucks! It was tight, timed perfectly, looked so good I couldn't figure out why the guy had such a low price on it, figured I'd chance it, sure glad I did! My Ruger, Smith, and Rossi guns have all been more picky about accuracy with ammo choices. I have a little Taurus J frame ultra lite I like a lot, too.

I don't profess to be a gun expert, but I HAVE at least OWNED the brand in question. I have also owned Smiths with which to compare them to, Rugers, too! You can't go terribly wrong with any of these brands IMHO. And, if you get a used one with a problem, Smith, Ruger, Taurus, and Interarms/Rossi all have in house repair facilities.

 

[GaryM]

I just picked up a excellent condition used stainless steel Ruger Security Six for 270.00, I think I did well and others should be able to do as well with just a bit of looking and haggling.

 

[mbt2001]

I purchased a Taurus 66 in .357 and had to take it back to the gun shop and get my money back. The timing on the cylinders was off, un beknownst to me, and one of the rounds was just enough off to break the gun. Lucky I didn't get hurt...

If you really are on a budget and want to get a .357, get the Rossi .357. I have a Rossi .38 that I bout 2 years ago and it is one of my favorite snubs. I plan to buy another .38 and one or two of thier .357 offerings.

Rugers are great guns, but if you are impatient, go for the Rossi, you can buy two of those and ammo for the price of the Smith.

 

[Sport45]

Don't forget Dan Wesson. They are currently are underrated and undervalued (although that seems to be changing as more folks catch on). You can probably pick one up for around $200 and then add additional barrels, grips, etc. later. Very reliable and strong revolvers.

 

[22-rimfire]

Forget the budget. Buy what you like. You won't think about that budget after owning one you really like in a couple of years. My favorites would be a 4" Colt Trooper Mark III, which ever Smith you like the best as they are all good, or a Ruger GP100 series revolver.

 

[old4x4]

I just picked up a used Taurus 669 4" 375 mag for 265.00 and it's absolutely a shooter! Have a set of Wolff springs coming for it to smooth out the trigger, but a really, really nice gun.

 

[riverdog]

I've never owned or shot a Taurus, but every S&W I own save one was bought used. Every one of them was and is in great shape.. They're not all pretty, some have lots of character, but they all shoot great. My only new S&W is a 629 Trail Boss with the lock -- shoots great, the lock is irrelevant.

 

[MCgunner]

I've owned Smith and Wessons (have one now), Tauruses (have two now), Rossis (have two now), and Rugers (have 3 revolvers now, single actions). All have been good guns. The Rossis were the values, very good shooters. That M971 I had, I kinda wish I hadn't traded off. It was light and a dandy medium frame carry gun. The two Tauruses I have are good guns, the .357 rivals any Smith I've fired for accuracy and fit and finish. It's an awesome gun, L frame in size. I'd as soon own and shoot it as a 586. The Ruger double action I had was a Security Six, strong, a little heavier built than a K frame, but lighter than an L frame. It was a good gun and REALLY GREAT, strong design. The GP100 improves on strength, but at the cost of weight. One thing about that Security Six, though, it had a heck of a lot of muzzle flip and recoil with hot loads, more than any other .357 I've owned including that M971 Rossi which was a little lighter.

But, I can say from owning them, a gun from any of these manufacturers will do you proud. I've kept the best of those guns, best by my opinion. My lone Smith in my collection now is an old M10, little used, very tight and smooth, built back before Smiths fit and finish went to pot for a while. Thank goodness they've come back. They never were bad, but Rossi rivaled them for fit and finish for a while and that's not a compliment to S&W. They've always shot well regardless.

If you can pick up a good used 686 S&W or a good Taurus medium frame .357 or a good used Ruger, you will not regret it. The Rossis are good, too, just a little lower on the fit and finish pole. But, they are quite functional and will perform flawlessly for you. They're a lot cheaper than the other three, usually. But, I've seen some killer deals on used Security Sixes.

 

[georgeduz]

ruger or smith,forget about the tarus, that company sucks.

 

[John Ross]

I own many DAs of all types and hundreds more have gone through my hands. Out of the box a Taurus or Ruger trigger is noticeably worse than S&W, and that's the main reason they're cheaper.

Get the one that feels best to you.

JR

 

[mtnbkr]

Out of the box a Taurus or Ruger trigger is noticeably worse than S&W, and that's the main reason they're cheaper.

You should check out a new Taurus. Every small Taurus (the only ones I'm interested in) has a better trigger than it's S&W J-Frame counterpart. The 85 Ultralight I inspected at the time I bought my NIB 37 had a better trigger than the 37, for example. The Taurus had a lighter, smoother DA trigger. I didn't check out the SA operation since I rarely use it.

I think Taurus is catching up, if not surpassing S&W. At least in the small CCW sized revolvers...

FWIW, I bought the Smith because I had bugged my dealer to get one for me and I had already completed the paperwork. I felt it was in bad taste to back out at that point. Comparing the two side by side with no self induced pressure to pick one over the other and I'd have to give the nod to Taurus.

Chris

 

[Lobotomy Boy]

I've owned a Colt, a couple of Rugers (have a Blackhawk Convertible now), and a bunch of Smiths over the years, and they were always my favorite revolvers, at least until I got my 605C. The Taurus has a much better trigger than any other modern revolver I've owned or shot (the passing years has made the triggers on the pre-1980 Smiths I owned seem a lot better than they probably were in reality). I had no previous experience with Taurus and I had the same snobby attitude towards them as some of the posters on this thread until I actually started shooting one on a regular basis. Now I've been converted. I can shoot that little snubby almost as well as I can shoot my Blackhawk with its 7-inch barrel, and the cheapo Taurus has a better trigger. It has a much better trigger than any recent Smith I've shot. Those have universally been disappointing. My next handgun purchase will probably be a lightweight .44 Magnum. You can bet I won't be paying the extra $200 to buy a Smith.

 

[chaim]

Ive seen a couple of Taurus's under $300, like the 605 and 617. Does anyone have one of this revolvers to give an opinions on them?

I'm surprised I hadn't posted on this thread yet.

Taurus revolvers are perfectly good revolvers.

I had a 605. I didn't like it much. It was 100% reliable, fit my hand fine, and was reasonably accurate (as accurate as I can be with a snub). However, I don't like shooting magnums out of such a small gun. I sold it and eventually replaced it with a Taurus 85 (the .38spl 85 is a few oz lighter than the .357mag 605).

I've owned 3 different Taurus revolvers (currently own the 85, had the 605 and my first gun was a Taurus 82). All three were 100% reliable. Fit and finish ranged from good to great. The small snubs (the 85 and 605) have better triggers than any S&W J-frame I've tried.

Hard to go wrong with a Taurus.

 

[cookekdjr]

Okay, I'll bite; WHY are the Smiths "head and shoulders" over a Taurus?

Materials? Design? Workmanship?

I've owned, shot, and carried both brands for a very long time...better than 20 years. In all that time, and through all those guns, I've never owned...or even seen.... a bad Taurus revolver. Never gotten a bad Smith, either, although I've seen a couple. ( This may be due entirely to blind luck, or the fact that Smith & Wesson revolvers outnumber Taurus by a good margin here. )

Yes, the older Taurus guns were a bit rough, but that seems to have changed in the last 15-20 years. Smith & Wesson, on the other hand, has gotten a bit sloppy, in this same period of time.

Anyway, I'm not trying to start a fight here, and I'm not trying to change anybody's mind that likes one brand and not the other.... I'd just like to know what the perceived defects are.


J.C.

Hi J.C.
I am very fond of Taurus, in that they are a very innovative company that provides affordable firearms with a lifetime warranty. I had a Taurus 85 titanium that was better than any of the lightweight carry revolvers that I compared it to, and that included every S&W and Colt I could find, new and used (I tried over 30).
However...the Taurus 94 I bought brand new required warranty work right off the bat. When I went to another reputable forum to chat with other Taurus members, I found that a very large number of them bought new Taurus revolvers that required warranty work, and these were all new guns bought since 2003.
Basically, Taurus designs some excellent guns, and they often turn out an accurate, reliable gun that's better than Smith and Wesson or Colt.
But their reliability record is VERY spotty. Before I owned a few Taurus guns, I thought folks who decried them were "gun snobs". Having owned a few, and owned a few Smith and Wessons, I can honestly say there is no comparison. I think some of the difference comes from lower quality steel and rougher machining, but I can't say for sure.
While you can find an excellent Taurus weapon out there, at a bargain price, you simply are not assured the same level of quality as you are with a Smith and Wesson.
One last thing. Re-sale. With a Smith, you have an investment. With a Taurus, well...not so much.
I'll take a used smith over a Taurus 9 times out of 10...at least.
-David