Taurus 85 Question
- Thread starter elokoman
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MCgunner
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elokoman said:
It won't say on the gun, but in the instructions in the box. My M85 Ultra Lite, same gun with stainless cylinder and alloy frame is rated for +P and I had a Rossi M 88 that wasn't +P rated that I fired occasional +P in and carried in the gun. That gun held up well. I wouldn't sweat it. If it's got the lock on the hammer, newer model, it likely is +P rated anyway.
Seven High
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Generally speaking, if it doesn't say on the weapon that it is rated for +p, then it isn't. I suggest that you contact Taurus, give them the serial number and they will be able to confirm or deny the use of +p.
P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
Yep - do check via SN. This ol' beater in the pic was my first ever carry piece - mucho holster wear and sad to say also some sweat corrosion along edge of grips line. This has ''character'' LOL.
That aside - great lil' piece and tho only stoked with .38 std pressures was not leaving me feeling too under gunned. I do recomend the Hogue grips and for me clothing hang up was not bad - plus if there is some slight drag from such grips then a dusting of talcum powder and removal of excess will stop it.
BTW, moving this to revo forum where it belongs really.
That aside - great lil' piece and tho only stoked with .38 std pressures was not leaving me feeling too under gunned. I do recomend the Hogue grips and for me clothing hang up was not bad - plus if there is some slight drag from such grips then a dusting of talcum powder and removal of excess will stop it.
BTW, moving this to revo forum where it belongs really.
MCgunner
Member
One note, even if it's +P rated, don't fire heavy loads in the thing a lot. Practice with standard 158 grain or something. Check accuracy of your carry load and carry the +P stuff, but the gun will last a lot longer if you restrict its +P diet to occasional and practice with a standard load. These little guns won't catastrophically destruct on +P even if they're not rated for it, but they'll wear out a lot faster on a steady diet of it even if they ARE rated for it.
All responses appreciated, I may have to get the serial number and check with Taurus. It is definitely not a "new" Taurus, tough to tell how old though, because it is in such great shape. I appreciate the advice about practice with standard loads, nothing like the "real" thing to inspire confidence in the system though.
MCgunner
Member
Depending on accuracy, of course, but 158 grain standard loads will slap your hand about as good as a +P 125 grain if that's your chosen carry load. The problem could come with the fact that the 125s will likely shoot a lot lower to POA than the 158s. At closer ranges it won't matter, though.
walking arsenal
Member
I own an M 85 and have shot a couple boxes of +p through it. It hasn't hurt it and as far as i know they are +P rated.
denfoote
Member
My standard answer to the question.
My M85SSUL, a first gen Taurus ultra-lite with an alumnium alloy frame, is rated +P "for duty use", whatever that means!!!
For me, it means +P for carry and standard pressure for practice!!! So, for all intents and purposes, the gun is NOT truly +P rated!!! Therefore, I carry standard pressure rounds and if I see the need for anything more potent, I carry my M605, .357mag!!!
My M85SSUL, a first gen Taurus ultra-lite with an alumnium alloy frame, is rated +P "for duty use", whatever that means!!!
For me, it means +P for carry and standard pressure for practice!!! So, for all intents and purposes, the gun is NOT truly +P rated!!! Therefore, I carry standard pressure rounds and if I see the need for anything more potent, I carry my M605, .357mag!!!
Ric
Member
Yes they are. I usually carry the Gold Dot 135 grn +P that were made for snubbies and the CT grips work very well.
MCgunner
Member
Here's mine, with my rather crude, but very effective home made IWB (I'll get better at it
). You'll notice the front sight. I had a dove tailed sight installed with an elevation wire for lighter bullets. It's adjustable for windage now by drifting the site and it's regulated for 158 grain. The wire is regulated for 125 +p and a light load I shoot involving a 105 gr SWC which is accurate and a fun plinker.
). You'll notice the front sight. I had a dove tailed sight installed with an elevation wire for lighter bullets. It's adjustable for windage now by drifting the site and it's regulated for 158 grain. The wire is regulated for 125 +p and a light load I shoot involving a 105 gr SWC which is accurate and a fun plinker.
MrTuffPaws
Member
^^^^
Clean that thing will you? It is dirty.
Clean that thing will you? It is dirty.
MCgunner
Member
MrTuffPaws said:
Haven't fired it, just carried it a lot.
chaim
Member
elokoman said:
The gun won't say on it if it is +P rated. The manual will.
Anyway, the later 85s are +P rated, I'm pretty sure the older 85s are not. I don't know what year is the cut off.
I have a vintage 1991 Taurus 85. I usually just shoot regular .38s out of it (I don't think it is +P rated). I load it with 125gr Speer Gold Dot in +P and I shoot a cylinder or two of it out of it every 2-4 months (I shoot a box out of it now and again, though in a non +P gun that probably shouldn't be encouraged). No loosening or anything, but I've only had it 2-3 years.
You can enter your serial number on Taurus' site to get the age of your gun:
http://www.taurususa.com/products/findmodel.cfm
Glocker
Member
what year was the gun made ? you also can call Taurus and give them the numbers and they can tell you if it's +p rated. If it is stay away from +p+'s.
I looked over the 85 again this weekend, serial number is NF32XXX. I plan to call Taurus and ask them about the +Ps, and if OK, buy this one, it appears to have very little wear
thanks for the comments on the +P+, I found some of those in my gun cabinet that a former State trooper gave me and I was wondering if they'd be OK if the 85 is rated for +P. This is probably 20 year old ammo, marked W C C, with sealed primers.
thanks for the comments on the +P+, I found some of those in my gun cabinet that a former State trooper gave me and I was wondering if they'd be OK if the 85 is rated for +P. This is probably 20 year old ammo, marked W C C, with sealed primers.
chaim
Member
It may just be me, but I don't think I'd feel comfortable shooting +P+ out of any .38. +P has SAAMI guidelines governing what it means, my understanding is that +P+ does not. So it can be anything from a tad warmer than +P to outright dangerous. I think I'd use +P+, if I happened to accidentally purchase some, only in magnum revolvers (maybe I'd consider it intentionally as a download from magnums in a mag revolver, though I'd still prefer SAAMI standard +P).
MCgunner
Member
chaim said:
I tend to agree on this one and +P is plenty effective. Out of a 2" barrel, the piddlin' gain you'd get from the extra pressure would be moot and not worth the extra strain on the gun. in an alloy revolver, you'd probably pay for it with extra muzzle flip, too. I don't really care for .357 in snubs for this reason, not enough gain for all the flash, bang they make. You look at 2" ballistics in .357 and you're better off with a 9 IMHO, or a +P 38 in the same gun.
I called Taurus and they verified the 85 I am looking at was produced in 1994, which is the first year they produced it to a +P standard. Now if it is still there when I go back, I'm going to pick it up. Seems to be a real good all around choice for the application it is designed for, particularly with the C.T. grips and the +P ammo that Speer loads for snubbies.
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