Smith vs Taurus

[orionengnr]

Bottom line--

Have a problem with an S&W? Call them, they will send a prepaid shipping label. They pay for shipping both ways. They fix and return the revolver in one week (my experience and that of one friend).

Have a problem with a Taurus? Call them, they tell you to pay for shipping ($50-60) and you get it back fixed (...maybe...) in three weeks to six months.

I learned my lesson once, and don't need to learn it again. Some have already learned this, and have posted their experiences above. Others will have to learn this for yourselves, and will be posting your experiences in the future. I look forward to reading them.

 

[MCgunner]

Ain't a hard decision to me. The Taurus is a high quality gun for a much better price. Smiths are high quality, but are overpriced. I'd buy Taurus. I don't care about resale, I buy guns to shoot now days, not sell. If you worry about resale, buy a used one so someone else takes the depreciation.

Of course, I'm not sure what people see in these HUGE revolvers, anyway. If I'm going to carry a gun that big and heavy, might as well be a rifle. I've got a friend with a Desert Eagle in .50AE I tell this to all the time. He still likes that thing, though. LOL!

 

[S&Wfan]

I've read a couple of folks say that the Smiths are "overpriced."

T'ain't so. It CANNOT be so . . . for prices are like water . . . they both settle to their correct level.

Thus, if the Smiths are overpriced in some store somewhere, they don't sell at that store . . . but sell at other stores and the company keeps in business. However, if one person walks away thinking they are overpriced and they aren't at that store . . . well . . . the next time that person comes into the shop that gun won't be there anymore!

More correctly stated, both companies' products SELL for what they are worth . . . assuming we are talking about a knowledgeable buyer and a reputable seller!


When I first got into handguns I asked my gun collector/dealer brother this same question, and he told me this . . .

IF YOU EVER NEED THE GUN FOR THE PURPOSE IT WAS INTENDED TO FOR, WHICH MEANS TO SAVE YOUR LIFE, YOU DO NOT WANT TO SKIMP A LITTLE FOR A PRODUCT THAT WON'T DO IT BEST.

He added other statements about reliability, quality and resale.

I took his advice and have never regretted it . . . getting a six year old Smith and Wesson revolver (a 3" barrelled Model 65-3) . . . over the NEW Taurus Model 65 four inch that was "cheaper."

The year was 1990 and I still have that 3" S&W Model 65 that cost me MORE (it was $235.00).

FASTFORWARD SEVENTEEN YEARS . . .

HOW DID I DO? What's that 65-3 worth today that's pictured below? What would that rougher-made Taurus Model 65 be worth today if I'd bought it?

EVEN BETTER . . . it is a smooth as butter and it is a tackdriver. I've won a bunch of handgun matches with that wonderful Smith . . . and it has NEVER given me a moment's problem.

My brother was right . . .

Buy the best quality you can . . . for your life may hang on the gun in your hand one day.

RESALE VALUE OF MY MODEL 65-3? Heck, I'll never know . . . for I'll be keeping that marvelous wheelgun until I die and then my sons will get my QUALITY firearms.

T.

PS: No, those grips weren't on it when I got the wheelgun. I like to dress up a nice gun!!!

 

[MCgunner]

You did fine, but I'm keeping my 3" M66 Taurus that shoots 1.5" groups at 25 yards that I gave $180 for. I looked at 19s at several different gun shows, 4" ones, and couldn't find a beat up one for less that 400 bucks, no thanks. That's overpriced. I realize in some areas of the country, folks seem to be getting better deals, but I ain't driving to Indiana to buy a Smith. That'd likely cost me more'n 400 dollars in gas, maybe even on my motorcycle.

I have a M10, that's my token Smith since I've sold my 19 and my 1917. I picked this thing up for $197, nickel, shoots 1" 25 yard groups off the bench with .38 wadcutter AND 140 grain Speer JHPs in magnum brass over 17 grains of 2400. It has as good a trigger as my old M10 and is more accurate than my old M19. I don't regret buying a Taurus. If you don't like 'em, don't buy one, it's a free market.

Hey, I'll piss you off even worse. I own more Rugers even than the Tauri I own!

 

[glockman19]

Smiths are high quality, but are overpriced.

I respectfully disagree with you.

The Taurus is a high quality gun for a much better price.

When you eat hamburger you miss out on the better steak. I see Taurus as a hamburger gun, or Flank steak. The S&W Ruger and older Colt's and Beretta's are the Filet mingnon of revolvers.

I prefer Steak to burger. Both will fill you up.

Also,

Have a problem with an S&W? Call them, they will send a prepaid shipping label. They pay for shipping both ways. They fix and return the revolver in one week (my experience and that of one friend).

Have a problem with a Taurus? Call them, they tell you to pay for shipping ($50-60) and you get it back fixed (...maybe...) in three weeks to six months.

+1

 

[FunYet]

If you ever have a problem with a S&W under warrantee they will cover shipping back to S&W. My personal experience with Taurus's service has been less than stellar. On several occasions the $$$ I saved by buying a Taurus was spent on shipping the gun in for service. However, this was 2 or 3 years ago so things may have changed.

 

[MCgunner]

I wouldn't know, never had to send one back. Of course, I checked 'em out good before I bought 'em.

I don't care what cuts of meat you prefer, personally, I have a freezer full of venison and wild pork. I don't eat a lot of burger except in my chili and I use venison for that, a lot and steak costs too much and is bad for you, too much fat. All I know is my Taurus revolvers are tight, well timed, and very accurate and the DA triggers are equal to, or in the case of the little M85, FAR BETTER than anything Smith makes out of the box that I've ever picked up. If it works, why would I fix it? AND, my M66s don't have that damned flat spot at the bottom of the forcing cone, a good thing IMHO. I'm not at all worried about my Tauri breaking and the day one of my Rugers actually wears out, let alone breaks, I'll be ready to cash it in because I'll know hell has frozen over and there's nothing to fear by movin' on.

Thinking back, I've sent one revolver back for work in my whole life, a Rossi M971 that broke a firing pin. It went back to Interarms in Alexandria, Virginia. I think it cost less that 10 bucks to ship it IIRC. Sent it parcel post. "Is there anything in there hazardous, breakable, explosive, potentially hazardous" or whatever their little spill is...."No sir." When my Smith cracked its forcing cone, I just found a 4" K frame heavy barrel in Shotgun News for 45 bucks new in box and had a local smith install it. Works great! No need to ship it. I don't know if it was covered by any warranty, anyway, is an early 60s production M10.

Why do I feel like I'm beating the same old dead horse? Hell, I guess you can eat horse meat, too. They do in France I understand.

 

[wuchak]

I made the mistake of buying a Taurus Tracker Titanium .357. It has been back 3x at my expense to have the same reoccurring problem fixed. Average turn around time of more than 12 weeks. Worst customer service personnel I have ever delt with. The gun was almost $600 new. Cabela's offered me $250 for it on trade in and they seem to go for around $300 - $350 on Gunbroker. My friend spent and extra $50 for his S&W Mountain Lite the same time that I bought my Taurus. He could sell it today for almost what he paid for it. I will eventually sell my Taurus and take a major loss on it. I wouldn't give a bucket of spit for another Taurus.

 

[Sgt.Dusk]

I just love these S&W vs Taurus talks.
They're neverending

 

[10-Ring]

Based on my experience w/ Taurus product, get the Smith!

 

[wuchak]

Price aside, if you really like the Taurus design, hand fit, features,trigger, and build quality then get the Taurus.

If the decision is at all based on dollars then get the Smith. Any money you save upfront on the Taurus stands a strong possibility of being eaten up by costs to ship it back for repair. The savings will definitely be eaten up when you go to sell it. The Smith will hold its value over the long term. The Taurus value will drop like a rock and go down from there. I know you might have every intention of buying it and keeping it forever but plans and interests change. If you buy the Taurus because it's cheaper, I guarantee when you go to sell it you will heavily regret not having bought the Smith.

 

[Guy B. Meredith]

When I bought my first handgun my final decision was between a S&W 686+ and a Taurus 608.

Being a newbie I thought that the Taurus with the ports and vented rib might be considered a pimp gun by the knowledgeable though I did like it. I went with the 686+ and am quite happy with the choice.

However, if I ever decide I need a pimp gun...

 

[Troutman]

<<Thinking about buying a new wheel Gun in 500 Smith. Looked at both the Smith 500 and the Raging Bull 500. Both seem to be good quality. In terms of overall Value which would you choose??>>

I choose the S&W 500 4 inch.
It’s also good for one to do their homework on the gun their buying.
I look at their (gun company) customer service and guarantee, as well.

As another poster put it:

<<Have a problem with an S&W? Call them, they will send a prepaid shipping label. They pay for shipping both ways. They fix and return the revolver in one week (my experience and that of one friend).>>

This is my experience as well.

<<Have a problem with a Taurus? Call them, they tell you to pay for shipping ($50-60) and you get it back fixed (...maybe...) in three weeks to six months.>>

I would rather not comment on this. I come down with a case of Tourette's syndrome Disorder (uncontrolled body movements, uncontrolled vocal sounds, words) when this comes up.
Right now (I feel) my eyes are blinking and nose is twitching.

Ending quick here…..Remember….it’s your money.