Question about Taurus Ultralite in 38 spl.

[Bullseye]

A friend of mine has come to me wanting advice and wants to buy a NIB Taurus 38 spl. in blue from another party. It has a 3.5 inch barrel.
I can't seem to find any Untralite with that barrel length and he has no model number, such as an 85.
So I wonder what model he might be looking at with this much information.

I think $400.00 is too much, even though he would save on sales tax with a private sale which would be $24.00 more. Even new, all Ultralites reasonably priced new seem to be able to be had at less than that.
I want to discourage him and suggest he spend a little bit more or the same for another revolver entirely but maybe the 3.5 inch barrel model is better than I suspect.

 

[Old Fuff]

Taurus made some UltraLite model 85's with a 3" barrel, but discontinued them when they didn't prove popular enough to sustain production. Never heard of a 3 1/2" length though.

If this is a used gun (meaning previously purchased by someone from a dealer) I wouldn't consider an asking price over $200 - $250 at the absolute most!

 

[Tallball]

I glanced at Gunbroker for a minute or so. I saw one expiring tomorrow for $243. It has a 2" barrel, but it's NIB. If I saw that right away, you could certainly get one for cheaper with a little patience.

So it's a question of how badly he wants the longer barrel.

 

[Bullseye]

I suspected as much but didn't want to knock the price without further investigation. Thanks guys.

 

[joem1945]

Buy a S&W my experience with taurus has been unpleasent.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Buy a S&W my experience with taurus has been unpleasent.

+1 I had one of their revolvers All I can say for it s it went bang when trigger pulled. We never figured out where bullet went . Shooting from rest a 50' never touched paper of B-27 target

 

[Old Fuff]

On the other hand I have owned several Taurus revolvers with no problems whatsoever. Obviously others have had a much different experience.

Also we see threads concerning Smith & Wesson as well as other company's products. They too have issues.

Considering the enormous numbers they are all turning out, combined with spot - rather then 100% final inspection - insures they're be some lemons.

Unfortunately this is part of the current manufacturing environment, regardless of what company you chose.

 

[Bullseye]

He is offering the guy 285.00 ( includes a holster of some kind ) but I doubt he'll have a deal. The seller is just trying to recoup his overpaying or make money on it.
I have been watching the gun auctions and that is close to what it would cost to get one shipped to my FFL. Glad I talked him out of throwing a hundred some dollars away.
I don't like the guy who is selling it much either. The only reason getting it in person is worth the 285.00 is that he has looked at the revolver in person.
I told him he should go to the store and look at a bunch of other models and hold them. He does want a 38 spl or 357/38spl and I would personally get a SP101. I would even buy a Ruger Speed Six in .38 and spend more money or maybe a S&W 36 or 37 or 60 slightly used. Once he shoots a new gun it is used anyway. I have a nice 44 spl Taurus 431 and they were a good model but made 20 years ago. Little big for CCW but can be done. Nothing wrong with it otherwise. I have to trust my Ruger SP101 though. I know that will go bang every time.

 

[Maj Dad]

Just picked up a new Taurus M85 UL SS 2" 38spl yesterday & it is the cat's meow. Haven't fired it it yet (tomorrow!), but fit & finish is absolutely superb. $307 plus $20 transfer from Bud's - you can't beat that with a cat o'nine tails... $400? I don't think so...

 

[Bullseye]

Thanks Maj Dad. Yes I saw your other thread. I wish you well with your new SS Mod 85UL. I think this one is still in the air.

 

[CajunBass]

Nothing against Taurus, I've owned several of their revolvers over the years and have had no problems with them, but I've paid less than $400.00 for a couple of Smith & Wesson airweights (642-442) in the last few weeks. They'd been fired, but that was the only thing "wrong" with them.

I'd pass on a Taurus at that price.

 

[Rex B]

My M85UL would lock up if I fired SD or +P ammo. It pushed the cases back against the frame and jammed the cylinder. Worked fine with std power loads

I like the gun though. I'd buy another but I think they are overpriced. I think they are on a par with Charter and should be priced accordingly

 

[Bullseye]

Visited my friend today and he got it. ( The Taurus Ultralite Mod 85 ) I was happy to see it had some nice high quality rosewood fleur de lis checkered grips and did indeed look unfired. No box or papers but did come with a box of factory JHP ammo and a nylon Triple K holster. He paid $335.00 and I think it was a good deal, good enough that I kinda wished I had it too. So we will be giving it a range test at some point in the near future. Will follow up. Thanks for all the comments.

 

[chicharrones]

A lower price, rosewood grips, a box of ammo, and a 3" barrel? Sweet.

 

[Bullseye]

Well, actually it has the 2 inch standard barrel. but yes, he did very well.

 

[Mckscott]

TAURUS Ultra Lite Mod 85

Go to Galleryofguns.com use the gun Genie and pick by Brand, caliber, type, etc.
There are a mod 85 blue lite, Black Polymer, super lite, and a couple other lites, a mod 850
They will tell you the retail then tell you all the stores that cut 30 to 40% off. gd luck

 

[Mckscott]

Taurus ??

At Least their Stainless guns are Stainless. I love my Ruger SP101. I returned a Charter Arms 38 snub, cause I was happy with the older Off Duty I had, but sold. The new one not only is a Stainless FINISH only, if you read the tag, Like S&W is starting to do.. The new one had a PLASTIC trigger guard. I couldn't believe it. The S&W's dropped from $600 range to $400. The guy said "What did I expect for a $400 gun" I said "A $400 GUN, FOOL"
So when Taurus first bought the Baretta Factory in Brazil in the early 1980's, I bought one, a PT99, 17 shot adj sights for $600.
I now have about 5, 17 shot clips and a 30 shot clip, because it was legal to buy all remaining stock until it ran out, when the Brady Bill Hit. NOW only the gangs and criminals have Uzis, 30 rd clips, and full automatics. And the Brady Bill was supposed to make us safer.??????????? I think Taurus, charter, & S&W and others are getting gun designers from other countries to show them cheap tricks. When I can afford it I will get a good ole Winchester 12 Ga shotgun, 18" with pistol grip and a straight pump stock, WOOD. 8 shots. Sure the Remington Semi's are nice, but expensive.

 

[MrBorland]

The OP's got their question resolved, so I'm closing this one.