Taurus .38 Spcl

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Wolfpackin

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Any input on Taurus .38 Spcl? I'm looking at the 85 series in 2" barrel. They also have an ultra lite that weighs in at 17 oz. verses 21 oz. on standard. Will that greatly effect kick?
Also any input on CIA, DAO or SA/DA shrouded hammer?

I would also consider .357 Mag. but it would be heavier and I understand they are difficult to handle with a 2" barrel.

I'm sticking with Taurus because they are very available and extremely cost effective, usually below $300. (Wife and kids have most of my money :) )

Enjoyed the first time...let's do it again!
 
Do you have plans to carry or just need it for home/car? If you will carry, the M85 ultralight is a good choice. If you won't, and recoil is a concern, get a steel frame ( I have the M605 .357) as it will absorb more recoil with the 38's. I would suggest a standard frame if you have no plans to carry at all. It's a lot more fun to shoot and the ammo is more effective in a longer barrel. In a taurus, that would be something like a model 82 or 65. A smith & wesson model 10 is also a good choice, and can be found used in your price range.
Best,
 
Wolfpackin, I've had a Taurus CIA 850 SS model for about three years now. Real nice gun. Fit and finish are great. Very reliable and accurate. I changed the grips from the short boot style to the longer combat grip.(cost was nine bucks from Taurus web site.) This gives a place for last finger to rest on therefore more control. I believe any of the 85 series would be a good choice.
Gene
 
I got my UltraLite about 96 or 97 new in box. Fantastic DA trigger, accurate little snubby. I've had no problems with it. I've probably got 4K rounds through it, don't shoot it near as much as my 9mm, but it's been excellent. I've started carrying it more for some reason, been in more revolver moods lately I guess. :D

It's not bad even with +P on recoil, slaps the palm a little harder with +P, but it ain't bad. I shoot either 140 or 158 grain JHP +P in it for carry. I've probably only put 500 rounds of carry ammo through it, mostly shoot light practice loads. It's still tight as ever and 3" at 25 yards accurate. I know that's excessive accuracy for self defense, but I really like anything I carry to shoot into at least 4" at 25 yards rested and to point of aim. Makes me feel more warm and fuzzy that if I get in a shootout, I have confidence in the gun's ability and all I have to work on is my own ability.

The UltraLite is very easy to carry, pocket carry or IWB. I'd go for the UL for CCW. If you don't intend to carry it, a steel revolver will be a bit softer recoil. The UltraLite isn't bad, though, and quite tolerable with standard pressure practice ammo.
 
Thanks for the Input!

Thank you for the info. I am looking for a concealed carry weapon. My Beretta .40 S&W is a little too heavy although I do carry it in the back country for rogue bear & mountain lion, and occasional person :) . I think for every day carry I will consider the ultra lite. Your answers have been very helpful!
 
I will see your pic and raise you another.....



3" 605 in matte stainless with Excalibur Rosewood grips.....

TAURUS.gif

Honestly I find the 3" 357 mag Taurus carries just as nice as my airweight Smith 2" snubbie. Theres a little weight difference but its not noticeable with even a half-way decent holster.

But the Smith is smoother then the Taurus and the fit and finish is better as well.....I paid $315 new for the Smith. I was looking at the Taurus 85s but they were wanting $280 for them. I figured the extra $45 for the Smith was a wise choice.

Smith 637 2" J

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This one's mine. I like the boot grip it came with for carry, especially since I pocket the thing a lot. I've never felt a recent NIB Smith J frame with a decent DA trigger, at least not as good as the Taurus. The thing is smooth and amazing. It really makes DA shooting a pleasure.

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Thanks to all! Got a Taurus. ATTN: MCgunner

I just got the Taurus 85SSUL like the picture sent from MCgunner. It looks and feels great; I have not fired it yet because the ranges here are outside and a few miles down snow covered dirt roads. It has warmed up into the 40's here so I may make an attempt. At least we have free range access most of the year.

Questions: I have only cleaned blued semi-auto's
The manual states no disassembly is required. I guess it's OK to brush the barrel towards the cylinder. Is that true?
Is it OK to wipe the outside of a SS gun with a silicon cloth after handling?
Are brass brushes OK on SS barrels?

Thanks again to those who responded.
Special thanks to MCgunner. When I saw that picture and your comments I knew what I wanted. It was harder to find, only one Sportsmans Warehouse out of three in Denver (90 miles away) had one, just one. I was surprised to find that the SSUL weighed the same 17oz as the blued version; that made my decision easy.

Thanks,
Wolfpackin
 
I guess it's OK to brush the barrel towards the cylinder. Is that true?
Click to expand...

That's the only way you can brush the bore on a revolver unless you have a Dan Wesson.

Is it OK to wipe the outside of a SS gun with a silicon cloth after handling?
Click to expand...

Yeah, but you'll find the SS/alloy doesn't require a lot of TLC to keep a good finish. It also wears better in a holster. Just a light wipe down with a silicon cloth is a good thing.

You might look for some Gun Brite polish for the front of the cylinder, takes the stains off from firing and is good to use in the forcing cone area to get the muck off.

Are brass brushes OK on SS barrels?
Click to expand...

Certainly, that's what I use.

Hey, no problem with the pic. :D Do NOT take the side plate off the gun, I might warn you, unless you know what's in there. There are tiny parts that are easy to lose. Just shoot some spray lube or drop some gun oil down in the cocked hammer's slot now and then. I never take a side plate off a revolver unless I know something's amiss in there or I just bought a used gun, and I'm familiar with what's in there and how it goes together. :D Ain't no gunsmith or nothin', but I have been shooting revolvers a long time and it's hard not to want to know how they work, eventually, just be aware you might be taking it to a Smith for help getting it back together the first time unless you're pretty mechanically inclined. :D You might wanna seek hands on instruction from someone who is familiar with revolvers before you take it on yourself.
 
Wolfpackin, I don't want to mess with your mind here to much but I have the 85 SSUL and LOVE it --- I also have Crimson Trace grips on it and that is really a great package!! I hope you enjoy your new gun -------- let us know how you do at the range!!
 
wolf , I bought the 85 alloy frame ( hammerless ), gun show special $269 + tax . Shoots like a dream with 38 , 38+p (carry ammo) is a little snappy but not a problem at all . the best part of the gun is , tank top , shorts , uncle mikes pocket holster and flip flops and I'm packin heat . tuff to beat that . This is not my range gun , I see no need to fire 100 + rounds with it . 7 yds and closer , its sweet , point & shoot .YMMV
 
I bought a blued 605 yesterday. Went to the range and put 75 rounds through it to get a little familiar with the feel of it. Mrs Santa Claus had some suede laying around and is making a custom pocket holster for me. Life is grand!

I used to carry a full size M1911A1, but just never really felt comfortable and did not like the way it printed with certain clothes combinations. Now that worry is gone. Even without the pocket hoslter it is totally invisible in the front pcoket of my pants. Yes, it is a little heavier than I wanted, but I like the versatility of .357 vs .38 as it allows the kids to get used to lighter loads and gives me the level of protection I want all in the same gun.
 
I haven't made any comments in here for awhile, but this one caught my attention. I bought the wife a model 85 (the heavy, shiny one), 4 years ago for her birthday. She and I both love it and practice with it often. I even have on my carry permit (good old California and their MUST LIST ALL THAT YOU WILL CARRY laws), for hot weather, CCW. After 1000+ rounds through it, it is just as tight and accurate as it was out of the box. Buy one.......you'll be glad you did.
 
aaronrkelly,
Who knew anyone could my a Taurus look so good! I do believe the 3" barrel makes a world of aesthetic difference.


Wolfpackin,
I've trusted my life to a Taurus M85CH (concealed hammer) on and off for years now. The revolver is more than capable of defending its owner as long as the owner is proficient and competent enough to use effectively.
Though I won't recommend it to anyone else, I've found the steel-frame model 85 is tough enough to handle light amounts of the uber-speedy 110+P+ Ranger JHPs.
 
DenFoote, where did you get those rosewood grips. I have an 85 Titanium that is begging for a pair of those!!

Thanks!
 
I've had three small frame Taurus revolvers.

First was a plain blued M85. Excellent little revolver. Very nice finish. Acceptably accurate for a snubbie. Traded it on something else. Wish I had it back.

Second was a 85TI. For those who don't know, this is Taurus' Total Titanium model. About the same as the 85, but 2x as much cash. Light. Grips are nice. Still have this one. On the fence as far as whether to keep it.

Lastly, my 650 CIA (Taurus' version of the S&W Centennial). This one is a regular carry companion. It's a nasty little cuss with full-house .357s but otherwise manageable. No problem. Carry load is .38 spl 158+P (not that I wouldn't use .357s for a carry load, it's just logistics - another favorite carry is a S&W 642 & only chambered for .38 spl). I prefer the fully enclosed hammer and DAO. Current Taurus rubber grips are quite good and, last 2 guns, I've them them dressed as they came from the factory.
 
My first and only experience with a Taurus was a friend of mine who bought the stainless 5 shot model at a gun show. When we got it to the range it was horribly out of time and had to be sent back to the factory. Taurus fixed it in about 3-4 weeks and it has been flawless since. With that being said, while I am not a big fan of their revolvers (I am a Smith fan myself), I do like their new 9mm 5 shot revolver.
 
I have the 85UL and it has been flawless. Probably close to 1K rounds thru it, and the trigger is nice for any pistol I've owned.
 
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