taurus 650 replacement

[Cin]

i have a taurus 650 cia .357 that i just had a trigger job on to lighten it up. finally got to fire it this weekend and i am having 4 out of 5 failure to fires with 3 different kinds of ammo. anybody else have this problem after a trigger job? i am going to have the trigger put back to stock but now i need a replacement for it. i planned on carrying this gun for my ccw but i need to know that if i ever need it it will fire. any ideas for a replacement in the same caliber and size frame? TIA,Cin

 

[Old Fuff]

I think the problem is obvious. Some so-called gunsmith either replaced or cut down the mainspring. Taurus could probably send you a new one by overnight mail. If you feel that you must have a second revolver why not buy one like you had? Apparently it worked fine until someone worked on it.

Note: I have a similar revolver. It still has the stock springs and about 1000 dry-firing cycles has smoothed the trigger pull. When you put cartridges in the darn thing it goes "bang!" each time you pull the trigger. Hopefully the 'smith didn't polish the lockwork. Otherwise you could be in the market for a new hammer and trigger.

If you buy one of the all-steel models you'll find the trigger pull is easier to control because of the revolver's heavier weight. Steel guns are harder to carry around then their lightweight counterparts, but when it comes to shooting they are much better.

 

[Josey]

I always use Wolff replacement springs. Your Taurus sounds like it was given a quicky spring cut. This does lighten the trigger pull but, it won't ignite primers afterwards. AWA was infamous for that in their single action clones. Replacing your springs should fix the problem. I suggest you NOT use that gunsmith again and warn your friends away from him.

 

[tango3065]

Needs new springs, ditch the gunsmith. By the way Josey where is catfish co.

 

[Cin]

the smith gave me the stock spring back when i picked up the gun.he said bring the gun back if i had any problems. it goes back wed. we'll see what happens. i was just looking for another gun because the trigger pull is really heavy. i've been using snap caps to build strength but it's still alot for me. was thinking about a DA gun instead of DAO. cin

 

[Josey]

Graves county. We are called Catfish county because we have commercial catfish farms. We are competing against the Koreans.

 

[Josey]

Graves county. We are called Catfish county because we have commercial catfish farms. We are competing against the Koreans. You know, bite American! LOL

 

[Old Fuff]

Cin:

Now I understand the problem better. As a rule of thumb the smaller the revolver is the heavier the double-action trigger pull. This is because the hammer and trigger are smaller and your finger has less leverage.

In my experience the lightest, reliable double-action in a small frame gun will be found in a Colt "D" frames (Detective Special, Cobra, Agent, etc.) because they have a "V" shaped mainspring. Those with coil springs (S&W "J" frame, Taurus, etc.) are the worst.

If you move up to a S&W "K" frame (models 10-15-19, etc.) that has a leaf mainspring you'll find the best double-action of all, but now we're getting into a larger gun. Sometimes you will find a Taurus with a similar sized frame that also has a good double-action even though it has a coil mainspring.

All of these guns have generally good single-action trigger pulls because you've cocked the hammer with your thumb.

Go for one of the larger guns if it will still fit your needs for concealment. Otherwise get a small one with an exposed hammer.

 

[Cin]

s&w choices

i have kinda narrowed it down to 4. the model 60, 66, 686, and 686+. i am going to be using this for a carry gun when i get my permit plus i will be practicing quite a bit with it. are they all good or is there 1 that stands out above the rest? capacity is not really a big concern for me. thanks for all the advice so far. the taurus will be used as a practice weapon only. Cin

 

[Old Fuff]

Model 60: Is about the same size as your Taurus, but has a hammer that you can thumb-cock. Expect the double-action to be about the same as your Taurus. This is an easy gun to carry, but look out for the hammer snagging on clothing.

Model 66: A larger gun, but a good compromise. A bit large to hide, especially in hot Flordia weather. Better double-action and easier to shoot then the smaller guns.

Model 686: A still larger gun. Very heavy to carry around and/or hide in hot weather. Like the model 66 it should have a good double-action. Will stand up to almost any reasonable ammunition in unlimited quantites.

In the case of the models 66 and 686 you will probably have to wear a coat or untucked shirt to hide it. the 60 can be carried in a pocket holster.

To prevent hammer-snagging while carrying the revolver in deep cover consider S&W's model 649 which shrouds the hammer so it won't snag when the gun is drawn, but still allows the hammer to be thumb-cocked.

 

[Cin]

the 649 can be thumb cocked? i've never seen one and the s&w site says it's double action only. if it can be this might be the gun i'm looking for. is it built pretty good? i like to practice alot. my hubby says too much because of all the empty brass in boxes around here. cin

 

[Old Fuff]

Smith & Wesson keep changing or dropping guns faster then I can keep up. Anyway look at the model 638, which is an airweight "J" frame the same size as the model 60, except that the frame is built up on the sides of the hammer so that it won't snag. The tip of the hammer is exposed so that you can thumb-cock it. They used to make the same gun in stainless steel as the model 649, but apparently they discontinued it. They can be found on the used market.

Taurus makes a similar revolver, both is steel and as an airweight, called "the Protector". See if you don't find it on their website: www.taurususa.com

 

[Cin]

my mistake s&w649

my mistake. i looked on the s&w site and it says it has a shrouded hammer and davidsons site says it's sa/da. i'm gonna see if my local guy has one i can checkout. thanks for your knowledge and expertise. cin

 

[TBeck]

Take a look at the "ladysmith" line of revolvers too. They are available in the 642 (5-shot DAO) and 66. The trigger might be a little smoother. If the trigger is still too heavy talk to S&W about having the Performance Center or another qualified gunsmith see what they can do to smooth the trigger and make it feel lighter without actually reducing the pull weight.

Thumb-cocking a defensive revolver can be a bad idea since an unscrupulous DA can argue that you accidentally shot the goblin due to the very light pull weight in single action. That can turn a legitimate defensive shooting into manslaughter or gross negligence.

 

[Quick Draw McGraw]

TBeck, I guess I don't quite understand how this argument can work against you. It seems to me that if the situation was a legitimate case of self-defense, it would be illogical for the DA to even make that point. You just cocked the hammer to increase your accuracy, and decrease the risk to innocent bystanders, etc. Don't you want to shoot this goblin if he is about to seriously harm you or yours? That's the whole point, right? I think a shrouded hammer is a nice thing because it gives you a little extra versitility at little to no cost in concealment and presentation of the weapon.

If it is a legitimate case of self-defense, and the DA suggests you shot the guy on accident, can't you just say that you really did mean to shoot him? It's just your word against his, right? I don't see anything wrong in taking action to increase your chances of success in resisting a violent criminal. To me, It doesn't seem like that would hurt your case any. I'm no lawyer, though, that's for sure, so if I'm missing something, please enlighten me.

(edited for spelling, probably still missed stuff though)

 

[TBeck]

You are assuming the DA is unbiased and interested in justice. Unfortunately that is not always the case. If the DA has an axe to grind against CCW licensees, then the most outlandish claims imaginable might be made in the interests of obtaining a conviction. Look around and see how many police departments issue single-action sidearms. It won't be many, the potential liability is too high. Almost all are DA/SA or DAO.

By claiming that the goblin was accidentally shot while being held at gunpoint negates the mantle of self-defense.

Let's also not forget that effects of an adrenaline dump on the body. Fine motor control is reduced and if startled by a loud noise or a sudden movement, an accidental discharge is a very real possibility. Forget about hitting the perp. What happens if you hit an innocent with that discharge?

The best course of action is to keep the finger out of the trigger guard until the decision to fire is made. The time required to get finger on trigger is neglible, especially if ther perp is in a prone position and the licensee is well out of arm's reach.

 

[Cin]

just thought i would let everybody know. i bought a S&W 649s today. i get to pick it up Saturday. it should be quite noisy around here this weekend. between my new 649 and my hubbys new springfield .45 there will be lots of brass laying around. i will let you know how it goes. thanks for all the advice. Cin

 

[Old Fuff]

Sounds good to me ......

Have fun.

 

[Cin]

s&w 649 vs. taurus

got to try out my 649 today. i love it. much better than my taurus. trigger is much smoother and lighter than my 650 cia. the shrouded hammer makes it even better. .357s are pretty brisk but .38 golden sabres are just fine. the taurus has been fixed but now it's a fun gun only. hubby's worried because i tried his springfield .45 and liked that too. cin

 

[Old Fuff]

Maybe you should trade in the Taurus for a Springfield sometime down the road. I'm glad the S&W worked out so well for you.

 

[Cin]

that is what hubbys are for.. he buys i take possession.. he rebuys i take lol. works pretty well. that way i don't buy something that i can't handle. thanks again for the advice. Cin