Taurus 85, 3-inch, in stainless.. who's got one?

[MedWheeler]

So I go down to the pawn shop yesterday after seeing a Single-Six on ther web site for $200. I figure there's something wrong with it since, around here, they go for closer to twice that (and "three-screw" versions even more.) It didn't look too bad, with some noticeable bluing wear likely due to having been kept in a holster. The only major flaw beyond that was the rear sight blade was missing. I decided I'd pass on it since I just got another one recently I haven't even gotten to shoot yet.

After checking out a FEG KBI .380 (also marked for $200), a handsome .38 revolver caught my eye. Having been trained in the revolver, and having carried one my first few years on the job, I'm certainly not averse to them. This one was (is) a Taurus 85, with the three-inch barrel, and is in polished stainless steel. From the round cylinder release button, I figure it to date from somewhere between 1986 and 1991 or so. I checked it over as much as I could, not having a bore light or feeler gauge with me, but the cylinder locks up nice and tight, and the gap appears to closer to too small than too big. A few blemishes from prior handling appear in the finish and on the handsome (albeit thin) wood stocks, but this revolver is downright handsome.

I got it out the door for $299, and finished checking it out at home. The cylinder bores seem dead-center to the barrel bore. I can't test-fire it yet, but I placed clear tape across the pads on some snap-caps and dry-fired it. The pin left nice, deep dimples in the tape on all five caps.

I'm finding out that these were made for some time, then discontinued, and then re-introduced some years later. Who here has one? I'm looking forward to shooting this one, and even toting it from time to time. I can't believe how light it is, too, for an all-steel revolver...

 

[Tallball]

Med - I own or have owned four Taurii on what I believe is the same frame:

1) In 1990 or so I bought a blued 2" 38 special Model 85 brand-new. It had a nice trigger and was surprisingly accurate. It was my carry piece and a HD piece for my first wife.

2) Ten or fifteen years later it was stolen in a burglary. I replaced it with a 2" 38 special 85UL, which has a lightweight alloy frame. It is stainless. It has pretty good trigger and accuracy. I removed the hammer spur and sometimes use it for CC.

3) I ran across an odd duck somewhere. It is a blued Taurus 22 revolver that is on what seems to be that same small frame, but it has a long thick barrel. I thought it was cool and bought it on a whim. I should have paid more attention. The trigger is stiff and the balance is horrible. I don't know what I was thinking. I will trade it in on something else eventually.

4) Another similar and odd one that I came across is... I misremember... Model 731 or something like that. It is a 3" stainless and seems to have the same light alloy frame as my 85UL. It is in 32 H&R magnum. The trigger is okay, but it had a mechanical problem. It took two trips, but Taurus fixed it for me. It has an adjustable rear sight, but I would prefer a fixed one. I think I will make one for it.


I hope you enjoy your stainless Model 85. Taurus has been making them for a long time. From what I read, most of them are good solid guns. I have very much liked the two Model 85 38 specials I have had.

 

[MedWheeler]

Tallball, yeah, I have two other Taurus revolvers. My first handgun overall was (is) a Model 66, purchased in 1987. It has an issue with the ejector rod sleeve coming loose, binding up the cylinder at times. Easily solved with Loc-Tite. Otherwise, it's been a great and solid gun.
I also have a new Model 94 in stainless (.22LR.) It might have to go back; it doesn't like to release fired brass. It hasn't been that long since I found that out.

Many moons ago, my then-wife and I had a different Model 94, blued. I got it for her as a bedside, and let her keep it when we divorced several years later, in 1996. It was a pretty good shooter, too.

I'm really liking this 3-incher M85, and it seems that most others who have them do, too.

 

[damienph]

Taurus M85

Mine isn't stainless but my blue 2" M85 has been a great little revolver. Mine is a ported model that they sold a few years ago. I think that they are a good value for the money.

I bought mine new and have only fired regular 158gr JSPs through it. I haven't had any problems with it or with my Rossi pictured below it.

 

[MedWheeler]

Guess this version is as rare here on THR as they seem to be elsewhere.. Seems like I see a lot of chatter on the 'net about how hard they seem to be to come by, at least used ones.

 

[Nathanael_Greene]

Stainless 3" Model 85 revolvers are pretty scarce. The guys in the TaurusArmed.net forum could probably give more details, but I know in my 30 years of Taurus ownership, I've never seen one. (I do have a 2" stainless 85, however.)