Taurus 94 22LR Vs.Taurus 94 Ultra-Lite

[AppBrookie]

I just recently bought a S&W 638 for carry, however I need something to cheaply practice with and also introduce my wife to handguns. This gun will be shot alot. I like the idea(hiking,fishing,CC,etc) of the ultra-lite Taurus 94 2in., but wonder how it will hold up long term. My budget is the $300-350 range. I figured this would be a good gun to x-train my wife to the 638.

 

[telomerase]

All the 94s I've shot had really bad double-action pulls (to the point your wife may not be able to use it all). The old S&W Model 34s are good, so is the old 63. Their current aluminum 8-shot, not so good either.

For your wife I would suggest you obtain some really light .38 loads; have someone handload you some of those 60-grain wadcutters (usually used for multi-bullet loads).

...then put the .38 down and have her start with a .22 target auto

Seriously, if you want her to go shooting more than once, make the experience fun.

 

[JImbothefiveth]

There's the ruger, the browning buckmark, and the p22, but the p22 will probably not last a long time from what I hear

 

[Master Blaster]

I have a taurus 94 made in 1996, Its had about 20,000 + rounds fired through it. My son and daughter argue over who gets to shoot it at the range. Its my preferred gun for teaching women, children and new shooters to shoot. Mine has been flawless. It has a great single and a great double action trigger. You to have to remember a couple things though. Its a J frame rimfire, that means a slightly heavier trigger pull becuase it needs a heavy coil spring to set off the rimfire rounds. Mine is actually lighter in DA than my 642 or my model 36, its about equal to my 1973 vintage model 43 (j frame airweight .22). Second you need to clean the chambers with a brush every 300 or so rounds or it will misfire due to the build up of firing residue which keeps the .22lr heeled bullets from seating fully.

Mine is a great gun but I would urge you to check it out before you buy it because Taurus is known for inconsistent QC.

 

[DMZ]

I purchased a NIB Taurus 94B 4" just over a month ago. I replaced the rubber grips with wood and have put ~1,400 rounds of various ammo through it.

The SA trigger is fine. Seems to be about 6 lbs of pull. The DA is heavy, but the let off is very crisp and easily mastered.

The gun has proved to be very accurate with any of the HV bulk ammo. Less accurate with the hyper vel ammo such as Stingers/Yellow Jackets.

Pros - good balance, all steel, 9 shots, accurate
Cons - sights are rather crude, finish on the cylinder face is rough

I bought it as a knock about, kit gun and I think I got good value for my $300.

 

[maroast]

I bought a basically brand new, but older, 4in model 94 about 6 months ago for $140 with a case and uncle mikes holster. Best $140 I ever spent. Like everyone else said before, the single action crisp and works real well. The double action is long and takes a bit of strength, but I have found that it really doesn't affect my accuracy that much for shooting tight"ish" groups.

There are a lot of Gloomy Guss' on THR who HATE their model 94s (I'm surprised this thread has made it this long without being inundated by their posts)...Im sure if you put a WTB in the Buy/Sell section someone here might part with their 94 for a good price.

 

[Dave in PA]

I have a taurus model 94, and after a bit of practice, I could pick off 8 out of 9 empty 12 ga shells at about 25 feet.

 

[telomerase]

Like everyone else said before, the single action crisp and works real well.

I'll concede that. 9 rounds is nice, too. But the OP wants an understudy for a 638 (or maybe he really just wants a very low-recoil practice load FOR the 638 )

There are a lot of Gloomy Guss' on THR who HATE their model 94s

You have controlled your annoyance with the Model 94. NOW, RE-LEASE YOUR ANGER; ONLY YOUR HA-TRED CAN get S&W to bring back the plain ol' Model 63 kit gun.

 

[DMZ]

You have controlled your annoyance with the Model 94. NOW, RE-LEASE YOUR ANGER; ONLY YOUR HA-TRED CAN get S&W to bring back the plain ol' Model 63 kit gun.

And when they bring it back as a "Classic" it will cost ~$900 and the bile will rise again.

 

[V-fib]

My taurus 94 2in bbl has worked flawlessly for me for many years now. Yes the double action is somewhat heavy but not bad. Single action is very nice. Nice accuracy too. I even put some CT laser grips on it. Its not my CCW but I do carry it allot around the homestead.

 

[AppBrookie]

Quick update my local dealer ordered a 94 Ultralite 2in SS, picked it up walked out to his range, I got lite strikes about every 2nd-3rd shot, he tried, same results. He let me take home a normal weight 94 until he could get a new one in, It worked fine, just a very heavy DA, not the fun shooter, I was hoping for.

So I go this week to pick up my new Ultralite, the dealer says go outside and try this thing before we even start the paperwork, same or worse results.

No Taurus 94 Ultralite for me, thank goodness I am working with straight-forward dealer that is disgusted with the product as I am.

 

[gazpacho]

I think the Ruger single six would be a better choice to introduce handgun shooting.