Problems w/NIB Taurus Models 85 & 856

[jj1962hemi]

Hey Gang,

I currently own five Tauri, two great pistols (PT series in 9MM & 40S&W), one great Model 82 (4" bbl SS 38Spl) that I bought used, and two new snubbies. I bought the two new snubs (both blue) last month at a good price (each less than $270 all in).

I ran 100 rounds of 125 gr+P HPs through the 856 (basically a six round Model 85) las weekend and had two failures of the cylinder to turn. I'm assuming this is an ammo problem, although at 22oz., the gun isn't so light that I would have expected the bullets of factiry ammo to unseat. It was dark at my indoor range, next time I'll bring a flashlight to be sure it's not a bad primer.

I just got my new Model 85 out of the box yesterday and checked the function. In three different series of dry-firing, the trigger return spring stuck back after 25, then 35, then 50 fires.

Does anybody have any similar experiences with their Taurus revolvers? I actually like my old Model 82 better than my three S&W revolvers. The two new ones are dissapointing. I bought both on GunBroker and am now hoping I can avoid havong my local FFL mail them back to Davidson's and Taurus for repairs.

Thanks!

JJ

 

[rcmodel]

Try hosing them out with Rem-Oil or WD-40.

Then blow out with an air compressor and apply a drop of Rem-Oil to the trigger, hammer, bolt, and hand again.

rc

 

[jj1962hemi]

Thanks RC!

So do you think the failure to turn the cylinder on the 856 is due to filings or grit still inside the gun?

JJ

 

[bikemutt]

Since these are new, I'd call Taurus, they'll no doubt send FedEx to come get 'em. That was my experience, took 3 business days, the gun was fixed to my satisfaction and dollar cost to me was zero.

 

[weregunner]

Were these revolvers field stripped and then cleaned prior to the guns being used. Doing this is parmount before shooting for Taurus revolvers. There is usually some kind of liquid rust preventative in the action when the gun is shipped. Many gun dealers do not clean the gun or clean the gun well prior to it being bought.

 

[jj1962hemi]

No, they weren't stripped, just wiped down. They're revolvers so I assumed they'd be OK out of the box after wiping them down. Are you talking about anything beyond running a patch through the barrel and cylinder?

 

[jj1962hemi]

Thanks B-M. So you didn't need to go through an FFL? The 85 is under the Tarus warranty. The 856 is under a Davidson's warranty and I think I need to have it shipped from an FFL (particularly because I didn't send in the warranty card to Taurus on this one within the ten days.).

 

[bikemutt]

jj1962hemi, I did not need to deal with an FFL for this. I called Taurus and explained the problem, they agreed it was a problem and said they'd send FedEx to come get it. I went to lunch, came home and there was FedEx at my door, he took the gun. That was Friday. It was either Tuesday or Wednesday of the next week when FedEx showed up again and returned my gun, repaired.

I was a little disappointed a new gun operated improperly out the box but, that happens I guess, and Taurus made me whole in a very timely fashion. I'm OK with that.

BTW, Taurus has a lifetime warranty, I don't think that by not filling out a registration form you've jeopardized anything.

 

[MCgunner]

It's lifetime of the gun, not the owner, so there's no paperwork requirement.

Cleaning the gunk inside the revolver is often necessary on a new Taurus. Didn't have that problem on MY 85, but I bought it in 96. That thing is still one of my favorite carries.

 

[jj1962hemi]

JJ Taurus Update:

OK, I took the new 85 out today and put 75 rounds of 125 gr SJHP +Ps. There were a couple of rugged trigger pulls (1st time out of the box), but I think it may work out. I may send this one back to Taurus to fix the original problem (discovered by dry firing) of the trigger return spring not responding quickly enough. The gun was accurate and comfortable in my hand.

The 856 was another story. Same ammo, my first jam was on the fourth shot. I manipulated the cylinder, opened and closed it, and finished the 5th and 6th shot. Next six, another jam. Last six, a jam on number 6, accompanied by a fine strip of copper jacketing sticking out from the fron of the jammed cylinder. This sounds like a potential second problem. This one's going back before I fire it again.

JJ

 

[weregunner]

Can't speak for your problems, but my two 856s, one Magnesium Lyte and the other is the standard stainless steel model, work just fine.

Both were cleaned and lubed prior to the first time to the range. I also was able to use the checklist for checking out guns prior to accepting them from the store. No problems that most would find if they actually check the gun out well with a good inspection, dry firing at the store (ask before doing so if it is allowed) were encountered.

My older 85CH has held up through these 25 + years. It is not +P rated, but 85s built in the 1990s should be for the most part. Checking with Taurus at Taurus Customer Service number at 1-800-327-3776 one can verify if their 85 is +P rated.

The 856 magnesium lyte model is not +P capable.

That's gotten around in part by using Buffalo Bore standard pressure .38 Special rounds. There are two good ones.

www.buffalobore.com

Federal makes the 125gr. standard pressure Nyclad rounds that have an excellent real world track record for stopping fights.

www.federalpremium.com

Otherwise the standard pressure 110gr. rounds are next on the recommendation list.

 

[InkEd]

You don't need an FFL to ship a gun in for warranty work!

All Davidson's is going to do is ship it to Taurus after you ship it to them.

Send them both back to Taurus for repair. They are not working properly.

 

[rich642z]

Lookum like pilgrim did not read owners manual. Taurus 856 magnesuim are not plus p rated and are not suppose to be shot with plus p ammo. Read manual to understand that. if not marked that way,call Taurus and talk to them again about using +p ammo in the 856.

 

[Dnaltrop]

Good luck, Waiting on the return of a 9 shot .22 tracker revolver my old man picked up nearly 2 years ago now. still hasn't hit 200 rounds and it has a constant "issue" in DA.

Every few shots in DA it loses it's timing and freezes the cylinder, sometimes partially completing the turn when the trigger is released, causing it to both freeze, and skip rounds randomly.

Taurus is now on it's 4th try fixing it. Drives my old man bonkers because he loves the brand. The quality issues seem to be just their MO, they make more good than bad, some good ones are REALLY good. A friend's .357 works flawlessly, even dissolved from years of waistband carry.

You seem to have shared our luck with them... we like to think we got the ones made at the peak of the Carnival Hangover season. At least the warranty follows the gun forever.

 

[weregunner]

What has a model that has no relation to this thread have to do with things?