Revolver question

[SHOTGUNJOE]

For a pistol - my dream gun has always been a Smith & Wesson .357 mag. After comparing prices I've realized Taurus is lower in price w/ a limited lifetime warranty & Rossi is even lower in price.

Is Taurus and/or Rossi as good as Smith & Wesson in dependability, qaulity, & longevity.

 

[Hokkmike]

Just my opinion, Taurus YES, Rossi NO.

If I were you I would save up and get the gun you really want.

 

[highfive]

I own a Taurus revolver and a Rossi also and I have never had any problems with them. The Taurus one is the one I carry 90% of the time. I love that thing...happy hunting

 

[glockman19]

NO. Pay more and get the S&W. If you want a cheper revolver get a Ruger. Otherwise there are two manufacturers I'll never buy from. Taurus & Rossi.

You get what you pay for.

I'd rather pay for quality & reliability.

Also, Buy USA

 

[Deer Hunter]

S&W, based on the trigger alone.

 

[rcmodel]

S&W!
Especially the older ones with the hammer mounted firing pin.
Taurus & especially Rossi are not even close to being in the same ballpark!

You can find an older used S&W in great condition, and pay much less for it then a brand new Taurus wanna-be!


rcmodel

 

[cpirtle]

I've owned all in question and it's the Smith hands down.

If you're worried about money find yourself a nice used model 10 (or something like that) and never look back. You can get a nice used S&W for $300 +/- and it will run circles around almost anything made today.

If you want to buy new still get the Smith, I think (for the most part) their new guns are every bit as functional as their older counterparts, with just a slightly lower degree of fit and finish.

Smith also has a lifetime warranty but they match that with one of the best service histories in the business. Taurus offers a lifetime warranty and has a terrible service record for following through on it.

JMHO

 

[Wild Deuce]

be patient, save the money and get a Ruger or an older S&W ....

Two reputable gunsmiths don't recommend Taurus.

Read:

http://www.grantcunningham.com/blog_files/no_taurus_work.html

http://standeyo.com/News_Files/Firearms/Firearms_4women.html

Previously discussed:

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-175909.html

I own a S&W 340PD that cracked the alloy frame with less than 30 full power rounds and under 100 .38 special rounds. S&W did replace the gun. I also own three Rugers (Super Redhawk and two GP100s) ... go with Ruger (GP100 or SP101)

 

[Gunbabe]

My husband and I own three Taurus handguns each and he has the .357. He loves it and we have never had any problems with any of them. I don't understand the ppl that won't even give them a chance. It's your money but I would recommend the Taurus. He just bought the Taurus Tracker .44 Magnum. It's a beauty.

 

[SHOTGUNJOE]

Thank you all for your valuable input. I love this forum which my friend turned me onto.

Think I'm already hooked.

 

[wheelgunner1911]

If you want a really good 357 search around and get a mod28
thay are built on the heavy N-frame and will last 10 times longer than a taurus. and thay can be found fairlly cheap

 

[40SW]

Several facts first.
1. Taurus now owns Rossi. ,but obviously different platforms in many respects.
2. Taurus makes good quality firearms for the money, but their customer service department sucks.

Having said that.
I own several Taurus autos and revolvers and love both, they are obviously not Smiths and Rugers, but for the money, I am not complaining.

 

[warriorsociologist]

Cry once now (when you open your wallet a little wider) or, inevitably, cry a lot more later...when you sell the T or R at a loss and end up buying the S&W you really wanted in the first place.

 

[10-Ring]

From my experience -- NO.
As has been mentioned, you will get what you pay for

 

[Mr. Designer]

Get a S&W.

 

[Bearhands]

Absolutely.... S&W or Ruger..... you wont regret either purchase

 

[cpirtle]

Gunbabe, I don't know how many of the people in this thread are dismissing Taurus without having experience with them. I have owned at least 5 Taurus/Rossi wheel guns and a few Taurus semi's. (still have a PT1911 and an 85)

Customer service aside (honestly, there's no comparison there), the comparison is like a Timex to an Omega.

S&W's generally run like glass very consistantly across the board with the occasional dud. Taurus can be all over the place with their action.

In my experience, cylinder lock-up & timing is much better and more consistant with S&W. I have also not had a Smith go out of time, but I did on a Taurus (twice). Not to say it does not happen but it's never happened to me and I've got a lot of Smiths and have shot them a heck of a lot more than my Taurus.

With that said, I think the Taurus is an okay gun for someone who's not willing to spend more and wants to buy new. Someone who sees the value in a Smith & is willing to lay down the money for one that is considering a compromise to save a few $$ will never be satisfied.

I live about 40 minutes from Canton and have 24/7 access to my gun club, if you ever want to do a real world, side by side comparison let me know. I'll bring 5 or 6 Smiths and you & your husband can shoot them. I never need an excuse to go shoot

I have a factory 19 that's never been worked on, dates back to 1967 and will drop the jaw on just about anyone who shoots it.

 

[Zebraranger]

Definitely go with the Ruger or Smith & Wesson, they will out last the Taurus or Rossi, and resale value will hold well. You probably would not have a problem if its not used very often. But if you use it on a regular basis, say for instance regular use at the range and repeated firing, Ruger and Smiths will hold up, the other two most likely will experience failure. Price comparison between Smiths & Ruger....Ruger's have the better price.
Good luck

 

[CU74]

I have Smiths, Colts and Rugers. I have no desire to own a Taurus or a Rossi, (or any other "second tier" revolver) nor do I buy new Smiths. In my opinion, the older Smiths and Colts are the best revolvers, quality throughout and excellent Company support. The Rugers are a bit less "finished" but are tough as nails and can be "tuned" quite well - I have a GP-100 that had an action job done by a local police department armorer and it has a better trigger pull than any of my Smiths or Colts.

Bottom line - why spend your money for less than the best? Get a used Smith "K" or "L" frame and lots of .38 Special ammo. Or, get the Smith Model 28 and some .357 Magnum and have some fun.

 

[Fly'nBuff]

I have two Rossis and have yet to have a problem with either. That being said, I also have Smiths and Rugers. Spend the extra money if possible and get one of the latter. A Rossi is better than nothing, but you might kick yourself for settling.

 

[BigBlock]

Smith and Wessons are absurdly overpriced. Sure, they're nice guns, but I'll never buy one on principle alone.

 

[Arcticfox]

I have a Smith, and a taurus. No comparison in trigger feel, and mechanics. Smith is a smoother firearm. I've handled several Taurus', and a bunch of Smiths. Its the same feel every time. Get a used 19, or even a 586. You'll be glad you got a Smith! Go to a firing range that rents guns, and try several brands, and calibers.

No malice intended to you Taurus owners. But If I have the money, I'll take the BMW over the Ford, thank you

 

[BikerRN]

Is Taurus and/or Rossi as good as Smith & Wesson in dependability, qaulity, & longevity.

In short, No.

Taurus and Rossi use softer metals and less hand fitting of critical parts. Also, S&W has a "Lifetime Warranty" and their customer service is "top notch" IMHO.

Biker

 

[wheelgunslinger]

Look at the difference in price. It's not that great of a difference.
Just save a little longer and get what you really want. You'll be glad you did.

If you need convincing, go to a gun shop and compare them side by side for feel, trigger action, finish, and overall quality.
In the gun world there are a lot of people who are brand conscious/biased. You can be one of those or not. It's up to you.
But, make up your own mind.
After all, that's why they make Fords and Chevys and Mercedes.

In my opinion, for a guy who is busy buying milk and tennis shoes for the kids, not to mention trying to keep the mortgage paid, Taurus and Rossi offer good value for their price point.

Again, make up your own mind by educating yourself on what makes a good revolver, and holding them in your hands to see how you like them.

 

[PigPen]

Look. Here's the deal. Old S&W are percieved to be better than new S&W which are percieved to be better than Taurus and Taurus better than Rossi.

Once again, it depends what you want the pistol for. As has been pointed out above, used S&W are not that much different in price than Taurus or Rossi (and are probably somewhat better). If you shoot the pistol a lot, the difference in quality might show but most people do not shoot that much. Think about it; If you can't afford the extra cost of a S&W over a Taurus or Rossi, how are you going to afford the amount of ammo to shoot enough to make a difference in pistols show up.

I gather that most folks on this list are afficianados who take pride in ownership and keep a pistol a long time. (That's what I do) If that's the case the pride of ownership definitely favors the Smith.....American Co., been around a long time.., quality reputation.... etc. and it's not that much more.

Unargueably, quality favors the Smiths and older (in general) is better than newer but if Taurus is what you feel comfortable with, you will be alright. I would pass on the Rossi, I guess.

PigPen