Question(s) for the Taurus owners/fans (haters don't bother)

[Rotorflyr]

I've decided that for my next purchase Im going with a Taurus Revolver.
I've narrowed it down to one of the three following (.357) models.

1) The 608

2)The 66

3) The 627

I'd like opinions on all three, pro's and con's, out of box impressions, differences (other then shot capacity) Favorite loads for the range with them and what loads for HD (if you use it as an hd gun) and if you didn't already have one or if you had it to do over which of these models which one would YOU purchase and why???

I know which way Im leaning (I think) but lets hear what you think
Again Taurus haters don't bother to respond, cause Im not looking for your opinion.

 

[BluesBear]

OK I'll go first. The only one I have actually fired was the 627.

I liked it. The action was pretty good. Not as smooth as a S&W but dang close. I'd hate to live on the difference.

I do however have a 445 and a 651 in my household. both are exceptional revolvers and I personally think that the current production Taurus revolvers are the best they have ever made. In the revolver arena I think they are going to give Ruger & S&W a LOT of competition. I see them moving from #3 to #2 very shortly.

 

[IndyChris]

I've got a 66SS 4", and I have been MORE than pleased with it. The trigger beats any smith I have ever felt out of the box... It locks up tighter than my 642, both were bought new, and the 66 has been shot prolly 5 times as much. All in all a very good pistol for less than 400 NIB!

Any of those 3 would be a good decision IMO! Not much help huh?!

 

[Rotorflyr]

Your right Chris, not much help at all

I think Im leaning towards the 627, however I won't make up my mind til I see it (or the others) in person. Of course if I want anything other then Stainless (read: titanium), then the obvious choice would be the 627.

Thanks for the replys guys (anyone else want to chime in??)

 

[prisoner6]

My response is with a grain of salt as I do not own any of the three, but have shot a few of them and held others. They are pretty close in design and workmanship, the differences is in details. If capacity is important, the 608 is the 8 shot yes? The only 627s I ve seen were 7 shot and I believe the 66 is a 6 shot. I like the "ribber" grips on the 627 better than the stock grips on the others. That can be changed. If you do/don't like porting, every 627 I've seen was ported. I believe your decision will be largely based on which features you require. Each will likely shoot very much the same. My opinion? While I liked the 627 I shot, the more classic design of the 66 gets the nod. But thats just me, may not be same for you.

 

[SLCDave]

Unlike prisoner6, I hate the ribber grips, and Hogue finally makes an aftermarket grip for the 627. Taurus also offers a solid version without all the ribs.

I own and love the 627 in stainless. The trigger is better than most out of the box, and gets better with time. It is as accurate as I can make it, the cylinder lockup is good, and it has never failed me in any manner. The only complaint I have ever had about it is the lack of aftermarket grips and holster availability (FIST will make holsters for it, Hogue and Taurus make new grips).

 

[MrTuffPaws]

1) The 608
Don’t own, have not shot, but have played with. What a huge freaking gun. It is the size of a small truck. 8 shot cylinder. Heavy and ported as well. I have heard that it makes hot 357 mag loads feel like a 22.


2) The 66
Don’t own, have shot (rented), and really heavily considered getting this one vs the 627. It is a nice gun with a similar feel to the S&W 686. Nice trigger in both DA and SA, good grip, and a 7 shot cylinder (I think). The classic looks of a 357mag revolver.


3) The 627
Do own, shot a lot, and really really like it. Small frame (still the biggest pistol I own though), ribber grips (too small for my hand and I replaced them with a Hogue grip which I like much better), porting (hardly any muzzle flip even with 357mag), and good trigger in SA/DA (had to clean the grit out when new) It is an ugly gun IMO (I like ugly guns), so if you are looking for a classic, then this is not it. It also is about the loudest gun in the world. Shooting 357mags out of it will cause everyone to stop and wait for you to finish. The side blast from the porting will knock hats off and burn those next to you. It also disappears in a fireball at the end of your arm. Even though I keep it ready for HD, I think I would go blind and deaf if I shot it indoors in the dark. I doubt after the first shot, you would need to do more than clean the poo left on the carpet that the BG left as he jumped out of the nearest window.


All in all, I would see if you could rent them before you buy one.

 

[Rotorflyr]

Gentlemen,
Thanks again for the replys
While Im leaning towards the 627, it's still a toss up between that and the 66 (both of which are 7-shot) The extra shot in the 608 isn't a big deal given the fact that it is (apparently) such a big gun compared to the other two, and in an HD situation if 7 won't do it, there are 10more (11 if she puts *one in the chamber) in my wifes 9mm auto and 15more (*16) in mine (and quite possibly shells in a .12 guage)

As Im "new" to interest in owning wheel guns I'm undecided on the whole porting/no porting issue and am guessing it really boils down to personal preferance (as do most things in life) and plan on (trying) to shoot a rental one prior to purchase. If I can't rent the specific models, I may try similar ones and make my decision that way or I will pick one and if I don't like it, sell it and try the other

That said, if anyone else has anything to add, feel free!

 

[happy old sailor]

i have 5 Taurus handguns, 3 revos and 2 autos. .38 ultralight, which is truly light, a 608, the only one i remember the model number, a .41 mag snub with ribber grips which i like, and 2 identical 9mm autos that have never choked. triggers run from good to great except the 38 ultralight, which is the last Taurus i bought, has a definite lawyer trigger. saw my gunsmith at a gunshow, he said he could make it better, just havn't got around to it. all these guns are of later mfg, so prolly after quality control kicked in. no probs at all from them. keep thinking they may make a raging bull in SnW 500 cal. will get that, if and when. taurus seems to come out with more new models than the other manufacturers combined. suits me even if i cant buy one of each.

 

[chaim]

Plusses for all are Taurus now makes a very good to great gun at a very reasonable price. All will give you a lifetime of reliable use. All should have pretty decent to good triggers out of the box (unfortunately if you want a trigger job, the triggers won't get as good as S&W triggers can). All should be pretty accurate. All have adjustable sights if that matters to you.

Taurus 608- While I am a Taurus fan and a huge revolver fan, I will never own this gun. It is just too big.

Taurus 627- Ahh, the .357mag Taurus Tracker. These are great guns. I'd easily put them up there with current production S&W (though nothing beats the older S&W). Very good gun. Unfortunately, I'm not a big fan of ports and you can't get this one without them. Also, the heavy barrel shroud may be more than some people want.

Taurus 66- This and the 6 shot 65 may just be the best deals going in the gun world today. They are older tried and true designs, but given Taurus' reputation for being cutting edge and having so many models, these can be a bit ignored. They are just very straightforward, typical, medium framed revolvers. The 65 has fixed sights, the 66 is adjustable, the 66 has an extra round compared to most other revolvers, both are available blued or stainless, neither has ports. That is it, a what you see is what you get revolver. They both have very reasonable MSRPs and because they can be a bit ignored you may be able to get one at a great price because the seller may not sell a lot of these and may want to move inventory (if he/she has them).

 

[gbran]

Rotorflyr

My son just picked up his 627 stainless ported 4". Did a lot of research before buying it. He's real happy with it and it is a fun shooter that feels great in your hand. I have a 941 22wmr that has given me several years of trouble-free fun. I also had a titanium 357 that was ammo sensitive and got rid of it.

 

[Rotorflyr]

I've heard that the lightweight's are more sensitive to heavier loading and not just the Taurus models.
In the case of the Taurus 627, the Taurus website says the Titanium model weighs 24.3oz and the Stainless weighs 28oz. Not much of a difference really.
Although if I was planing on using it as a CCW all the time I'd probably go with a light weight, small frame (such as a Taurus 651shc) that you can pretty much just throw in a pocket and be done with it.

 

[MIkeMSM]

G'day rotorflyr
I have a 608 6" unported that I bought for ICORE/IPSC comp use. I shoot at an all Smith revolver club (Colts and other revolvers are not comonally available) so I was the odd one out. Strangly several other members are now starting to buy the "Cheap gun that must have something wrong with it" having shot mine.
For comp use it needed mooncliping, lighter springs (they made a big difference) and a trigger job (that I still havn't got round to doing yet).
Guess what, if you buy a Smith for almost twice the money you have to do the same things to it and it is no more accurate.
I have seen mention of the size of the frame but if you want 8 shots you can only fit them into a cylinder of a certain diameter. Look at the Smith 627 its the same size for the same reason
If I were looking for a wepon to carry all day this would not be it but for my purpose is fits very well.
Without the ports I can use elephant killer 357mag reloads in rapid fire (log chop) without a problem and I'm one of those tall skinny guys not Arnie.

Hope this helps
Mike

 

[Rotorflyr]

I just wanted to thank everyone again for their input, Im pretty sure I've decided on the 627 Tracker 4" in Stainless. My next step is to go price them at the local GS's and see what the best price I can get is, and see if they have a rental available at either of the two local ranges (doubtful, but ya never know) as soon as I have some free time to do so.
Thanks again
Rotorflyr

 

[Richard]

Rotorflyr, I do not consider Taurus revolvers to be the equal of S&W revolvers and neither is their customer service. With this said, I own and like my M441, the only thing I have done to upgrade it is have trigger job done and a trigger reduction, see shape of the trigger. Regards, Richard