S&W Airweight vs. Taurus Ultralite

[The Janitor]

In the absence of a thread comparing these two product lines, I decided to make one. To shooters whom have used either or both of these lines, how did you like them(or not like them)?

 

[Bill_G]

i like taurus all steel (model 85) over the UL. the all steel seem to have less problems.

 

[another okie]

I have no basis for comparison, but I'm happy with with Taurus TI, the one with some titanium in the frame. I put Crimson Trace grips on it and it works fine. I haven't put tens of thousands of rounds through it and don't intend to.

 

[MCgunner]

I've got a UL Stainless with over 6K rounds mostly non-+P through it without a problem and it is as tight as it came out of the box and still 3" at 25 yards accurate. I got the UL for carry. Steel is heavy. I mostly carry it on an ankle anymore for back up, but occasionally in a pocket. It's a really nice little revolver and I gave less than 300 at the time for it.

This is another troll type thread that invites the Taurus bashers, but I have 3 revolvers of said brand that have been and are excellent. I really love shooting my excellent, uber-accurate M66 4" nickeled gun medium frame .357 magnum. Awesome gun and a bargain at $197 used at a local gun show.

 

[sixgunner455]

I've only shot one Taurus in this size, but it was all-steel. Worked just fine. As does my 642.

 

[8830]

I've owned and carried the S&W 642, 60 and 36. I done the same with the Taurus 85, 85UL, 85 Total Titanium and 651 Total Titanium. I never had a problem with any of them. They all went bang when shot, were light in the pocket or ankle. The S&Ws all had a smoother trigger pull than the Taurus'. Having had all these I only still own the 642 because I like a hammerless weapon for pocket or ankle carry. Nothing like trying to draw and the hammer catching on your clothing slowing you down which might just get you killed.

 

[roo_ster]

I own a Taurus Total Ti 651 and a SW642.

The SW642 has many times more accessories (holsters, grips, etc) than any Taurus. Frankly, that is why I bought the SW642, I couldn't find a holster I liked for the Taurus 651.

They both are of decent quality.

 

[ugaarguy]

The Janitor, please ignore the rude comment about this being a troll thread. In terms of current production the differences are small. Weights and linear dimensions between S&W and Taurus are very similar. Both brands offer a blued/blackened and stainless/natural finish (on the steel/aluminum parts) on various models. The vast majority of S&Ws will have better triggers out of the box, and slightly better fit and finish. The Taurus revolvers will generally cost about $100 less NIB. The S&W guns are made in the US, and the Taurus guns in Brazil. Both are functional, and plenty accurate at defensive ranges. The Taurus revolvers are a very good value at their price point. The S&W revolvers are very competitively priced considering that they're still US Made, and in Massachusetts no less. There is a wider variety of after market grips for the S&W guns, and they're usually easier to find. Of course the internet greatly eases acquiring grips for either, and it only matters if you don't like the factory stocks.

The shop where I work sells literally a few hundred aluminum frame snubbies from S&W and Taurus every year. Rarely do we see problems with either.

Get the one you like best.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Put aside the differences in the two revolvers and focus on the two companies. S&W's customer service is second to none (with the possible exception of Ruger) and Taurus has a terrible reputation when it comes to customer service. You pay the shipping both ways to Taurus and may not get your revolver back for 3-4 months whereas S&W will pay the shipping both ways if the repairs are due to a defect in parts or workmanship. You will usually get your gun back from S&W in 2-3 weeks, not months! Shipping alone can run you $100 so right there it's a plus. Getting your gun back repaired correctly the first time is also a plus, something that seems to be a problem for Taurus to achieve.

 

[MCgunner]

I can say the out of the box trigger in MY M85 is far better than any 642 I've tried. It's pretty awesome. I've heard same from others.

The Smith does have more accessories available, like laser grips and such, that the Taurus lacks. But, leather and aftermarket grips aren't hard to find for the Taurus. If it's made, it's made for the Smith J frame, though.

The only guns I've ever had to send back were a Phoenix Arms HP22 (self explanatory) and a Rossi M971 .357 revolver back to Interarms that had snapped a firing pin. If I have to send a Taurus back, well, I have 20 other handguns to shoot until it gets back. I ain't worried if it takes a couple of months. So far, though, I've yet to have a reason out of three Taurus revolvers.

I had a forcing cone crack on my M10 Smith once, but bought a barrel for it and had a gunsmith install it. I don't know if Smith and Wesson would work on a gun that old under warranty anyway. It's an early 60s production, back when they didn't have locks and built 'em with pride. Yeah, the Taurus has a lock, too, but it's in a much better spot and won't lock itself. If I bought a 642, a drop of locktite or super glue would accidentally get spilled on that lock. I just kinda lost the key to the Taurus. Never had a problem with it in 6K+ rounds.

I don't know if many smiths mess with Taurus. I've heard it's hard to get parts for them. However, gun parts inc. lists all the models and parts. EVERYONE will work on a Smith and Wesson, so that's an advantage to Smith.

 

[10-Ring]

I've had bad luck w/ tauri products & I love S&W wheelguns -- I'm voting Smith

 

[thebaldguy]

You have to buy both to truly compare them! I think both are pretty good revolvers.

 

[jaysouth]

I have owned and shot both(not the exact models). The Taurus seems to be as good as a Smith except when it come to getting parts and services.

Taurus took over four months to send my smith two parts that should not have broken. Smith service is breath-taking. If you call for just a part, they will often send it free. And they pay the freight both ways. That's exceeds the dollar difference between the two brands.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

And they pay the freight both ways. That's exceeds the dollar difference between the two brands.

That is very important and why I mentioned it above. Next Day Air @ $100 and up is a big number and a very big savings.