New Taurus question

[gunhappy]

I am currently looking at the 605 snub 357 and the 856 Defender 3” 38. I know they are two separate animals but am interested in what you fine people think. The orange night sight on the Defender isn’t clear when I hold it at arms length like the standard sight is, and I have j- frame leather (kydex). For these reasons, I’m considering the 605. The 856 snub will be rather tight in the same kydex. I also don’t have appropriate holsters for the Defender.

I don’t imagine I will regularly run 357 but the option is nice. At this time the 605 Defender is not on my radar, just the snub. What do you think if you were presented with this choice? I am not at this time interested in a S&W. Thanks in advance.

 

[Targa]

I wouldn’t want the Poly version but I wouldn’t hesitate to buy the 605 if that’s what I wanted. I would take the 605 over a S&W Airweight J frame without a second thought.

 

[gunhappy]

That’s kinda where I am on it. I like the form factor of the Defender too…

 

[lee n. field]

I am currently looking at the 605 snub 357 and the 856 Defender 3” 38.

I have both. The 605 gets much more carry. That may change.

I know they are two separate animals but am interested in what you fine people think. The orange night sight on the Defender isn’t clear when I hold it at arms length like the standard sight is,

Taurus includes a black ramp front sight blade in the box with the Defender. And, they sell them (multiple heights) on their web store for not much.

and I have j- frame leather (kydex).

You have leather? Or kydex?

For these reasons, I’m considering the 605. The 856 snub will be rather tight in the same kydex. I also don’t have appropriate holsters for the Defender.

The 605 will fit in S&W j-frame leather. Sometimes, not always, in kydex molded for the j-frame. 856 might fit in j-frame leather. I don't expect it to fit at all in a kydex holster molded for a S&W j-frame .38.

For leather, I hear holsters for sp101 work well. I know holsters for a Charter .44 Bulldog work.

I don’t imagine I will regularly run 357 but the option is nice.

Probably not. .357 is not fun through the 605.

At this time the 605 Defender is not on my radar, just the snub. What do you think if you were presented with this choice?

Can't (and shouldn't) get everything you get the wantsies for.

What do I think? If you don't already have a snub, get the 605.

All this is based on the 605 being the metal frame version. I don't know much about and am not interested in the "Poly Protector" 605.

 

[Targa]

I have been considering a Defender for woods carry here in Colorado.

 

[gunhappy]

I have a 41 Blackhawk for the woods. I think the Defender is not as practical as the snub(for me for ccw). I am leaning far more to the 605.

 

[LeftyRed]

Shorter barreled anything over longer barrel everything.

 

[JB111]

Meh, I have 2 of the poly version. They aren't as bad as one might would think. They aren't great guns, but are not horrible either. I've shot full power .357 from them and the recoil isn't to bad but that's from someone who is used to shooting large caliber handguns. How long would they hold up shooting full powered loads is the real question, and that's something I have not ever put to the test. One of mine was a dud out of the box(issue with cylinder binding) but the other always worked just fine. They are light weight, easy to carry and have an alright but not great single action pull. I would not recommend it for carry in the woods but for concealed it would be fine. I was going to get one of the metal version but figured out snub nosed revolvers just aren't really for me, I do better with 4'' and up.

 

[Tallball]

I haven't owned or shot a polymer Taurus revolver.

I've owned... nine? of their metal small-framed revolvers.

One was a factory lemon and the rest went bang every time.

The main thing is lucking into one with a nice trigger.

 

[GBExpat]

I own both a 605 and an 856 (2", not 3").

I like them both very much. Well-made, reliable and acceptably-accurate for their form-factors.

Assuming that I owned nothing comparable and had to choose only one of these two, I would probably choose the 605 since it would allow me to use either .38spl or .357mag ammunition.

For me, the tiny 605 dual-ammo capability & smaller-diameter cylinder slightly out-weigh the additional round and extra inch of barrel ( in the 3" that you are considering).

FWIW.

EDIT: My problem is ... when I pull those 2 out of the gunsafe while considering your question, whichever one I am holding at the moment is my favorite.

 

[PapaG]

I am down to one Taurus. I have had about fifteen over the years, from the flip top 23 on through a Raging something or other and a Judge.
I used to bash them mostly due to my experience selling and returning them.
My opinions are my own. Small 22s used to have timing problems.
Medium 38/357 were pretty good. Big ones were good, especially with the added cylinder lock. Autos were uniformly good but a 1911 I had sucked while many we sold were great.
My keeper, and truck gun, is a stainless 431 44 special.
I just might be picking up a GC3 or 2 from a dealer buddy.

 

[gunhappy]

Well…I decided against either of my choices and went with a Smith 642. It just carries so well

 

[LeftyRed]

Hard to beat how a j frame carries.