Taurus 66 to Ruger GP-100: Good trade-up?

[VanGoghComplex]

Aside from the 7-shot cylinder, my revolver and the desired GP-100 are identical: big stainless .357 magnum handguns. My Taurus is well worn in now, but the longer I own it the more the "little things" catch my attention: not quite ironclad cylinder lockup, rough tooling, lack of aftermarket for things like scope/sight mounts, etc.

My Taurus was my first gun and it's well loved, but I didn't know about the GP-100 when I bought it. I could save and get the Ruger and then have both, but I get the feeling that since they're identical spec-wise I'd wind up just picking a favorite and never using the other.

Thoughts?

 

[weblance]

I learned long ago... If I like a gun, I dont sell it. If you want a GP100, get it in a different barrel length than your Taurus.

If you use the Taurus for home defense, that 7th shot could be the difference. I have 4 GP100s, but I use a 2" Taurus 617 for home defense, simply because of that extra shot.

 

[CajunBass]

This will start a stink storm I'm sure, but I wouldn't trade a Taurus 66 for a GP 100.

But then I freely admit that I just don't like the GP-100...Or the SP-101. I don't even know why. (They are good guns.)

But I had one of those Taurus 66's with the seven shot cylinder, and a Taurus 65, six shot, fixed sight 357. Those were nice guns. Especially the 65. I wish I still had that one, just because you don't see them every day.

 

[VanGoghComplex]

Okay, you guys make good points for keeping the Taurus.

Given that, I have little reason to buy another manufacturer's gun that's almost identical.

Given that, however, my main issues with the Taurus remain unaddressed: I'm not a big fan of the sights, and they aren't interchangeable like the Ruger's. A nice, bright fiber optic front sight would help this gun immensely. Second, aftermarket availability for a Weaver rail seems nonexistent. I have a red dot sight that I've been itching to try on my gun, but fitting a rail seems like it'll be gunsmith-obligatory.

The red dot I can live without, it's a toy. The iron sights though... I'd really like to get those changed. How would one go about that?

 

[CajunBass]

Get two bottles of fingernail polish. One white base coat. Let dry. Another of whatever bright color you choose. I like orange myself.

You can see it in this shot.

 

[BSA1]

"Three is two, two is one, one is none."

I would keep the Taurus and buy a GP100.

 

[mquail]

I have both, I'll keep both. The 66 has the 6" barrel and the GP-100 has the 4" barrel. After replacing the "ribber" grips with Hogue rubber grips I'm pleased as punch with the 66's performance. I've got a couple more .357's which include 2 Dan Wesson's. The 66 almost always out shoots the DW with the 8" barrel on. Of course that's probably me and not the revolver. The other DW isn't shot, it's a safe queen.

What catches my attention with my 66 is where the bullets go. They almost always end up where I wanted them depending on how much coffee I've had

 

[Schwing]

While BSA1 stole my thunder, I would add that I would make that trade and not look back if owning both is not an option.

 

[VanGoghComplex]

While BSA1 stole my thunder, I would add that I would make that trade and not look back if owning both is not an option.

Could you give me some of your reasoning behind this? I'm aware of the perceptions of Taurus next to Ruger, and to be honest that may be a little of what's driving my idea to swap.

 

[VanGoghComplex]

To add some weight: comparison time!

 

[MCgunner]

Another vote for BUYING what you want and keeping the 66. I have 2 66s that are great shooters, but they're the older 6 shot variety. The 3" gets carried now and then.

I never really warmed to the GP100, but the little SP101 is a NICE carry weight and size and both are great shooters. Everyone likes the old Security Six. I had one, didn't like it. It had terrible felt recoil for some odd reason, even after going to a Hogue grip. It was inaccurate and heck with .38 specials, too, though it shot .357s well enough. I traded it for a 6.5" Blackhawk that I still have and like, got a Smith M19, later got the 4" Taurus 66 and sold the Smith (for a profit, the only reason). I sorta wish I'd just kept 'em all, now, except I do like that Blackhawk, a much better shooter than the Security Six was.

Anyway, I will sell NO MORE REVOLVERS! BUT, in favor of your trade, I think you'll be trading up in money. The GP sells for more than the Taurus and holds value better. It just ain't always about money for me, though.

 

[Tallball]

I have a 4" model 66. My FiL has a 6" GP100. They are both excellent. They are different, but one is not better than the other.

 

[Lord Teapot]

i dont like taurus but if this one has been good and reliable to you, why ditch it. keep it, save for a gp100 if you want one.

 

[Onward Allusion]

Never sell a gun you like. Makes more sense to save up for the Ruger. The 66 is a decent gun. That extra 1 shot can make or break in a defense situation.

 

[shiftyer1]

I like rugers because their so overbuilt, it makes me feel more safe when I reload....just in case. Although if I owned a gun that I liked I wouldn't swap it...i'd find a way to buy the other one.

Unless of course, that I felt I was really going to profit.

 

[bannockburn]

Another vote for keeping the Taurus and saving up to buy the GP100 (though personally I would go looking for a nice Security Six instead).

 

[critter]

One way or another, get the GP100.

 

[PJSprog]

A good trade-up? Eh, maybe it is, and maybe it isn't. I've owned neither of those revolvers (but have shot both). I'm a S&W guy. However, if I didn't own a M686, I would most assuredly have a GP-100. It's my opinion that those (Smith & Ruger) are likely the two best .357 revolvers ever made.

That said, as others have already beaten to death, I'd be unlikely to get rid of a gun I really like just to get something else in it's place. If you want the Ruger, get one. You won't regret that purchase. They are seriously fine guns.

 

[Bama Drifter]

Hey OP, a 4" GP-100 was the 1st firearm I ever spent my own money on (shot my dad's stuff growing up). Though you like your Taurus, the RUGER will supersede your confidence as Shiftyer mentioned it being overbuilt. FWIW, the Ruger and Taurus warranties are similar, however you rarely NEED to use Ruger's. Sell the Taurus to a younger shooter or a fella who needs a 1st pistol. Enjoy upgrading!

 

[Schwing]

Could you give me some of your reasoning behind this? I'm aware of the perceptions of Taurus next to Ruger, and to be honest that may be a little of what's driving my idea to swap.

I have to start by saying that I don't hate Taurus at all even if my comments seem to indicate that I do. In fact, I own a couple of Rossi lever actions made by Taurus and they are among my favorite rifles. I just don't think their QC department is doing them justice anymore.

The only major issues I have personally ever seen on revolvers were on Taurus's. I have seen several with cylinder timing problems right out of the box that caused bullet shaving etc. One local guy at my range actually had a Taurus Judge basically blow up due to this problem. He was lucky and just had some minor cuts on his hands. Another thing I have seen is where the cylinders will just lock up because of faulty locks etc. While I know that most people don't have these issues, I have seen it enough to make me steer clear on their revolvers.

I also am not impressed with the fit and finish I have seen on their current stuff. They don't seem to do a very good job of polishing anything. Even internal parts are covered in burrs and metal shavings. Even my beloved 1892 lever action took a fair amount of work to slick up.

My last reason is pure vanity. S&W and Ruger are two premier revolver manufacturers. I have yet to ever personally see a single S&W or Ruger have any of these issues out of the box (Before someone started tinkering). With very few exceptions you are guaranteed to get a quality piece with either of these companies.

 

[The Red Hot Rider]

Any day you can unload yourself of a Taurus and pick up a Ruger is a GOOD DAY, my friend. I used to own several Taurus firearms and defend them, but, one by one, they ALL failed me. I have went to being a Smith/Ruger exclusively man, and I have never looked back. Some people will say "wellllll, any company will turn out a stinker every now and then. " 4-5 Taurus guns that ALL failed me says it all regarding their overall quality and quality control in my mind.

 

[tomrkba]

Definitely trade up to a GP100...it's a far better revolver.

 

[Confederate]

There is another option or two. First, you can get a used stainless Ruger Security-Six, which is an astounding gun (though MCgunner doesn't like it). But the option I'd consider is to get one of the new S&W 66s. It's been beefed up in all the critical areas and is a great well-balanced gun. But I'd probably opt for a 7-shot S&W 686, which has better balance than the Ruger GP-100.



New S&W 66



S&W 686 (top) and Ruger Security-Six.

°°°

 

[Apple a Day]

I've got both (although my Taurus is an older 6-round version of the 66).
The Ruger is a little heavier but is a better gun in my experience. Besides the customer service being worlds apart the Ruger is built to take heavier loads and it just feels better to me. I'd choose the Ruger GP-100.

 

[pikepole20]

The little things you are noticing with Taurus will not happen with the Ruger. Upgrade and you will like the Ruger.