Taurus 66ss in .357 Mag 6"

[meanmrmustard]

I HATE Taurus autos, but ive never owned a revolver...ever. Thinking of buying one of these. Should I beware, or would I do well to purchase?

 

[oldfool]

an older model t-66 six shooter in excellent condition, more than likely to be a very good choice, and an excellent value, but check it out carefully

a new one, maybe not so, caveat emptor, check it out very very very carefully

 

[dawei]

I have seven Taurus® revolvers.
• Mdl 85B2CH 38 Special - 1994
• Mdl 669SS4CP 357 Magnum - 1996
• Mdl 85B2 38 Special - 1997
• Mdl 617SS2 357 Magnum - 2003
• Mdl 605SS3 357 Magnum - 2006
• Mdl 85SS2UL 38 Special - 2007
• Mdl 605SS2 357 Magnum - 2010

All have performed superbly and I continue to shoot them all almost every week.

I have only encountered these problems.........
• Mdl 85B2CH broke a firing pin (part# 19) after 11,000+ rounds. I replaced the firing pin & it's still going strong.
• Mdl 85SS2UL had the cylinder stop (part# 44) wear down after 10,000 rounds. Called Taurus® and they shipped the part right away. Installed new cylinder stop and now the gun works fine.

I have zero complaints with Taurus® customer service. The one time I had to send a gun in they fixed and returned it when they said they would. Specifically.....................
• Mdl 617 developed excessive cylinder to forcing cone gap (.011") after almost 6,000 rounds. I sent it to Taurus® and they replaced the cylinder (part# 8) and adjusted the yoke (part# 9) I've since put 3,000+ rounds through it and it's still going strong.

I will not hesitate to buy additional Taurus® revolvers. They are an outstanding value.
Here is a wealth of Taurus® information..........

http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php

 

[MCgunner]

Used ones can be had at GREAT prices. I picked my 3" up for 180 bucks, my early nineties newer 4" nickel up for 197 bucks at different gun shows. The new ones are 7 shooters and still great guns. My 4" has a great trigger, is the newer transfer bar system. The older one is a little rougher trigger, still decent, is the older hammer block system. Both have floating firing pins which I like. Their frames are roomier and beefier around the forcing cone than a k frame Smith and I like that because they have ROUND forcing cones, no flat on the bottom. I've had a K frame split there, is a weak point.

I carry my 3" occasionally IWB or OWB and my 4" is a hiking/outdoor gun. Both are extremely accurate with both .38 special and high end magnum loads.

Check out ANY new or used revolver, not just Taurus. I find a lot of rejects in new Smith and Wessons. Ruger seems to have the best QC of it all, but Ruger doesn't have a lot of model variety. I like Taurus a lot, have no complaints. Actually, I've owned a lot of lesser expensive guns that have been good, not just Taurus. Many of the bashers of such brands tend to be rich or wannabe rich snobs IMHO.

I'm one that feels you don't have to spend over a grand to get a decent revolver. You do need to check it out first, but I hear about a lot of +1K guns having flaws. In autos, Kimber comes to mind. In revolvers, Smith and Wesson comes to mind. That doesn't mean I would not buy either after an inspection and get it fixed under warranty if it still had a flaw. I've not had to use Taurus or Ruger customer service. Well, I did have a magazine release spring fail on my Ruger KP90DC a while back, but they had a spring in my mailbox within a week free of charge. I dealt successfully with Kel Tec replacing a new extractor that failed (after 12 years and 11K round) not long ago. I've YET to have to send a gun back for service to any manufacturer. Some folks seem to be sending guns back all the time. I never quite understood how they could be breaking so much stuff.

 

[dmxx9900]

Older Taurus revolvers are better then the new ones.The one I had was a 4 inch it was ok, and worked, but I would rather buy a Smith and wesson or a Ruger.

 

[BBQLS1]

I have a couple and owned a few. I haven't had problems with them. They don't hold their value well though.

 

[dusty14u]

The 66 ss is one of the models Taurus seems to have gotten right. I have noticed threads on several forums about them and they are generally held in high regard. I have had one for a number of years and it always shoots well. If I could inspect one before buying I wouldn't hesitate to pick up another.

 

[jbr]

I love mine - exact same model bought approx. 1 year ago. i shoot .357 almost exclusively, I hunt with Buffalo bore Heavy 357 Magnum Ammo - 180 gr. Hard Cast LFN-GC (approx.1,600 - 1700fps/M.E. 1100 ft. lbs. out of a 6" barrel), it handles them just fine. Recoil is not too bad considering the load. Great Trigger!

 

[Byrd666]

I have, and use a 66B4, and yet to have a single problem. Whether it was dry, hot, and sandy wind, or rainy with icicles forming. Now granted, I did buy this about five years ago and am not familiar with the later versions or models of this revolver.

If new, I'd probably say "okay", if used, be sure to look it over Very carefully. And possibly test fire a few rounds if you can.

 

[MCgunner]

I love mine - exact same model bought approx. 1 year ago. i shoot .357 almost exclusively, I hunt with Buffalo bore Heavy 357 Magnum Ammo - 180 gr. Hard Cast LFN-GC (approx.1,600 - 1700fps/M.E. 1100 ft. lbs. out of a 6" barrel)

Out of a rifle barrel, maybe. The pressure it would take to get that from a 6" barrel would frag a Freedom Arms 353.

 

[weregunner]

Do own 2 Taurus 66's.

The older 6 shot with 4 inch barrel loves to shoot 2.5 inch groups with 158gr. ammo. That's with .357 magnum and .38 Special out at .25 yards.

The newer 7 shot stainless steel , 4 inch barrel version shoots the same.