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

[maxxhavoc]

If you like the Taurus, keep it. You may find new things you don't like about the new Ruger. Resale value on the Taurus will probably suck anyway, so you will end up parting with an old friend for a pittance. You will probably regret it.

I traded off a SP101 that I didn't like and got a Taurus 66 that I love. The SP101 was better looking, had a lot more metal, and was everything on paper I thought I wanted. When I shot 357, a mixture of huge fingers and sharp edges on the trigger assembly left my trigger finger cut and bleeding. I polished out the edges, but it still was not comfortable, and I developed a flinch with it. The first time I shot the Taurus, it was far more comfortable to shoot, and I had no issues.

The new owner of the 357 is a good friend, and he did not have the same issues...it became one of his favorites.

Until you shoot the Ruger, do not trust the Internet or spec sheets. Shoot it and pick the one that you shoot best, or that you just like the best.

 

[VanGoghComplex]

Thanks for all the input, guys. I'm pretty well decided; for all the bad rap Taurus gets, I really like my 66 and having given it some thought, I'm sure I'd regret selling my first gun.

I'll just save a little longer and get a blued 4" Ruger. =)

 

[PabloJ]

I would get either service six or security six. Each is superior to both GP100 and SP101. I looked over 3" Service Six and besides poorly designed cylinder release (if the push button gets stuck you are left with defensive hammer) it was perfect service carry revolver. Ruger wanted more "shelf space" so they replaced perfect revolver with two lesser designs. I should mention that cylinder release mechanism in GP100, SP101 are same as those found in older guns.

 

[MCgunner]

I would get either service six or security six. Each is superior to both GP100 and SP101.

In what way?

I had a security six and didn't care for it. It was inaccurate with .38s, not as strong a design as either the GP100 OR the SP101 nor as comfortable to shoot. The newer design lockwork locks the crane, not just the ejector at the front, adds strength and more positive lock up. I'd like another SP101, this time 3". The GP100 is too heavy for carry (for me) and the Six series just isn't the revolver everyone seems to say it is. Funny how a turd can become a gem when it's discontinued. I wouldn't call the Six series "turds", but they sure don't live up to the hype some folks give 'em. I don't know that the GP100 is much more'n a range gun, too heavy, and the Six series was K frame size, one advantage. But, my SP101 was SWEET!

Actually, the LCR makes more sense as an all day carry. I picked up a brand new Taurus 605 Poly last year, very similar to the Ruger LCR. The LCR has a lighter DA trigger, but I got the Taurus for a tick over 300 bucks and it's a strong, accurate little revolver.

 

[PabloJ]

The Service Six isn't a boat anchor and its cylinder holds six .38/.357 cartridges.

 

[MCgunner]

The Service Six isn't a boat anchor and its cylinder holds six .38/.357 cartridges.

You'll need that sixth round if it shoots like mine did.

The SP101 is more comfortable to carry. It's stronger, accurate, and reliable. It doesn't have that fat cylinder, so it tucks in an IWB for more all day comfort. The grip frame allows for more variety in grip design. I loved the Hogue for the SP101, round butt, tucks in and is comfy to shoot. That Six came with the dumbest excuse for stocks I ever saw, could wrap my hand around the thing twice. I put a nylon Hogue on it. The gun's muzzle flip on recoil was nasty even with THAT.

But, to each his own. You can buy up all the antique Six series out there on the used market. I don't want one again.

It WOULD be nice if Ruger scaled the SP101 up for a six shot cylinder just for those who can't hit with the first five. But, then, the Taurus 66 now comes with seven, but hell, my Ruger P85 holds 16! If firepower is what it takes, why carry a revolver?

 

[JohnhenrySTL]

I think if theTaurus has made it through a thousand trouble free rounds you have a keeper. You will miss it. I vote keep it. Buy a complimentry GP.

 

[VanGoghComplex]

My Taurus is currently my second line of home defense, the first being an old-school side-by-side 12ga. (Two hammers, two triggers!) If I decide to carry, I'll want to take a class for my own education, though my state no longer requires any sort of permitting or licensing to concealed carry. I have a S&W Bodyguard .38 for that purpose. Once I get the Ruger, it will supplant the Taurus as my second home defense gun, and I'll put a scope on the Taurus for range fun. The Ruger might get a red dot sight I've had lying around forever, but chances are it'll stay ironsights while doing nightstand duty. =)

 

[entropy]

Thanks for all the input, guys. I'm pretty well decided; for all the bad rap Taurus gets, I really like my 66 and having given it some thought, I'm sure I'd regret selling my first gun.

I'll just save a little longer and get a blued 4" Ruger. =)

Smart man. Good guns, both.

 

[JR47]

I'm a bit older, so I have a 4" Security-Six, a 3" Model 66 (six-shot), and a 6" GP-100. All are stainless. All were bought new.

To me, there isn't much difference in QC. The Ruger GP-100 is more like an L-Frame S&W, while the Security-Six, and the Model 66 are more like K-Frame, similar to a Model 19. If I were going to make mistakes in reloading, I'd go for the GP-100.

All three guns are accurate with both .38 Specials, or the rated .357 Magnums. Oddly, my GP-100 is the least accurate with the .38s of the three.

Here we get into the meat of the matter. One example of anything means nothing. Your gun might have issues that aren't shared by others. To damn the entire Model because yours isn't perfect is pretty lame, and brings into question the abilities of the poster, rather than the gun. My neighbor also has a Security-Six, and hers is accurate with anything we've tried in it, as well. Another stainless, 4" gun.

She doesn't like the GP-100, feeling that it's too big and heavy. Does that, then, make the GP100 bad?

Opinions rarely count for anything beyond experience with a single sample. It's a shame that people don't seem to think that when they post.

 

[MCgunner]

An observation I made recently while playing with my S&W M10, my 3" Taurus 66 built in the 80s, and my 4" 66 built in the 90s. I have a Don Hume JIT slide bought for my 3" older 66. That gun and my K frame fit it like a glove, but sticking the 4" newer 66 in it (all 6 shooters), the 4" gun wouldn't go all the way in to the holster. Upon closer inspection, the newer gun had a thicker, beefier frame. Now, BOTH 66s had a round forcing cone, a good improvement over the K frame, but the older one fits the holster better because the frame is more compact. The newer gun's trigger guard prevents it from fitting as far into the leather.

So, while one might compare the older 66s with a K frame, seems the newer ones have more metal in the frame and, not coincidentally, the newer guns are heavier. That 4" gun is up around 38 ounces, not as heavy as a GP, but heavier than a 4" K frame magnum which runs around 35 IIRC The newer 66s aren't THAT much lighter than a GP100!

The Ruger Sixes and GP and SP101 have an advantage in strength due to their design, no side plate. They both have single action style frames with the trigger group fitting up into the frame from the bottom. It's a stronger design not having that side plate.

Just something I noticed about the new 66 I thought was interesting. I like that 3" older gun for carry. That's why I bought it. It didn't lock up well and had terrible end shake and timing was all screwed up when I examined it at a gun show. I inspected it, pointed that out to the guy selling the gun. I talked him down to $180 figuring I could send it back to Taurus if I couldn't figure it out. There were no 3" K frames, not even 2.5" K frames at that show. They're high dollar if you ever find one, the 3"ers are.

So, I took that 66 home and pulled the side plate off to inspect things, cleaned it up, and putting it back together noticed that some moron had put the side plate back on and got the long screw that holds the crane in place in the wrong hole. I assembled it with the right screws in the right holes and, by golly, it was tight and timing was perfect! I was prepared to test Taurus's notorious CS, but didn't have to. That gun is a carry choice for me today, though I usually go with the 19 ounce 605 Poly, so much lighter and I don't even notice it even after a 10 or 12 hour day carrying it. The 33 ounces or so the older 3" 66 weighs is noticable after a long day, but not what I'd call intolerable. I'll actually probably carry it under a T shirt more often when Texas's new open carry law goes into effect in January. The barrel sticks down, while not as bad as my K frame, a little far and reaching up with a long T shirt will expose it. I do have shirts that are REALLY long, but they sorta look odd, kinda telegraph..."he's carrying". The new open carry law is welcome to me for this reason. I'll still carry concealed, but no longer worry so much about flashing.

 

[PabloJ]

There is no need to look or buy 3" K-frame. You can buy 3" Service Six .357 in very good condition for about $400. It handles pretty much like K-framed S&W. Nice bonus is that Ruger CS is second to none.

 

[MCgunner]

I'm quite happy with my 3" Taurus and it's more accurate than my Security Six was, to boot. And, I got it for less than half that 400 bucks.

 

[cdk8]

I went for the GP after a gunsmith I trust told me he feels the design is generally more reliable than the Smith and Taurus alternatives. There seems to be quite a few people who believe that the GP-100 is a very solidly built firearm, and I personally agree. The GP also seems to have a reputation for holding up well to the abuse a firearm will see when used as a range rental.

I think the trigger on a GP-100 when brand new leaves a bit to be desired compared to say a 686, but quite a few people find after a little usage the trigger improves.

As for the quality of the deal, I think it will come down to how much you paid for your current firearm versus how much you can get in cash or trade value. If you get a reasonable offer, why not. If you dont, it might not hurt to have two solid home defense weapons.

 

[rule303]

I'll start off by saying I am a big Ruger fan. But, little finish details aren't likely to be better on a GP-100 than a Taurus 66. The Ruger is a very tough, utilitarian gun. It isn't going to have the level of fit and finish of a Colt Python. All the major parts are cast, with some MIM, which are minimally finished after assembly. It will take a steady diet of the heaviest loads you can find without blinking, but you will most likely not have a better trigger, better accuracy, or a better finish than your current Taurus. Will it hold its value better? Absolutely. Would you be happier with it than your 66 Taurus? Only you can answer that.