Taurus Brazil .38 Special Hammerless

[Shae1324]

I was recently given a Taurus Brazil .38 special hammerless, and I am curious as to yall's overall opinion of the gun? I understand why the trigger pull is so heavy, but I need to fix that if I am going to shoot it. Thoughts or opinions on reducing the trigger weight? Also, is it even worth fooling with?

 

[ray15]

The older the better. Tauruses were pretty nice revolvers at one point, and for undemanding calibers like 38 special are sill pretty decent. I think they've been building them to a decreasing price point over the last decade or two. I believe their trigger components are similar to S&W revolvers, so the same techniques should apply. That said, if you have to pay to have to work done it might exceed the value of the gun since the new ones are so inexpensive.

 

[George Dickel]

I had a Model 85CH (CH for concealed hammer) that I bought in 1990 or 91. I had it for over 20 years and in moment of stupidity I sold it. Shot to point of aim, was a accurate as I could shoot and worked well with no malfunctions. The bluing was quite nice and the fit and finish was very good. I wish I could run down the current owner because I would offer a good price for it. The trigger did have a heavy pull but was consistent and smooth.

 

[commygun]

If it's a '90's 85CH it's probably a fine gun.

 

[chicharrones]

I was recently given a Taurus Brazil .38 special hammerless, and I am curious as to yall's overall opinion of the gun? I understand why the trigger pull is so heavy, but I need to fix that if I am going to shoot it. Thoughts or opinions on reducing the trigger weight? Also, is it even worth fooling with?

The double action trigger pull on those snub nose revolvers is relatively heavy compared to larger double action revolvers.

Just the nature of the beast with a stiffer hammer spring having to swing forward a shorter and thinner hammer that snub nose small frame revolvers tend to have.

Maybe some internal parts polishing would help. Of course a lighter hammer spring would help, but at the possible expense of light primer strikes. Light strikes on a self defense gun is always a bad thing.

 

[Paladin7]

Generally, friends don't let friends buy Taurus's... But since it was given to you, have at it.

 

[If1HitU]

I haven't seen one yet.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

Generally, friends don't let friends buy Taurus's... But since it was given to you, have at it.

I have a Forgas Taurus 38 Spl, that is pre- Taurus International. Best I can tell, it was made sometime in the late 1970s. Marked Spesco. Some folks call it a Falcon, because it has a raptor head engraved on the side, looks sort of like a Falcon, I suppose.

It looks for all the world like a S&W Mdl 10, but uses a coil spring trigger setup ( similar to a Ruger GP100), and has adjustable sights.

The blueing is gorgeous. Fit and finish is as good as any mass produced revolver from the 50s- 60s. Double action trigger is smooth and easy, single action is fantastic. I'm not a great shot, but can easily hold 2" groups offhand at 10yds.

I paid $225 for it last year, and will buy every single one of these I find, for that money.

 

[RecoilRob]

If it is anything like the 850 internal hammer that I have you very likely can reduce the trigger return spring pressure a bit...but the main hammer spring needed to be full power or light strikes became a problem. If the gun shoots reliably, the easier way to proceed is to just practice pulling the trigger and build up your hand strength until you can master it. The side benefit is that all of your other guns will also become better shooters with your newfound trigger finger prowess.

 

[Shae1324]

Well, a bit of an update.

I used the model lookup tool at Taurus's website, and the pistol was made in 1994. A real good look over was done before taking it to the range. No wobble, and a look down the barrel at full lockup made me feel confident enough to fire it. I put 30 rounds through and my only complaint is a sore wrist, which I was sort of expecting since I have arthritis in both hands. My wife put 30 more rds through it, and actually enjoyed it, which was a bit of a shocker for me. All in all, I see it as a decent get-the-hell-off-me piece, but I don't see it replacing anything in the current setup.

 

[Tallball]

I've owned two Model 85's. The first was stolen in a burglary. I replaced it with another. They both are/were completely reliable.

 

[tubeshooter]

I have a Taurus model 85 from that same year (1994).

Carried it for 20 years with no problems. Still have it. Good little gun.


The early and mid '90s are generally regarded as good years for their model 85. Sounds like you got a keeper. Note that this model was not officially rated for +P by the manufacturer until 1995.

 

[CoalTrain49]

I have a model 85 bought sometime around 1990. I honestly wouldn't buy another one.

It shoots about 6" low and right at 10 yards. Barrel is probably canted. Never abused it so probably came from the factory like that. I've know it was pretty wedged but I just found out how much about 2 months ago when I tested the accuracy on paper. Probably a good 5 yd SD revolver but I replaced it with a S&W 36.

For what it's worth I think a S&W would be a better gun. I have a 36 and it's very accurate at 15 yards. I'll say baseball sized groups at that range.

I would range test it for accuracy before spending any money on it.

 

[Bugster]

Generally, friends don't let friends buy Taurus's... But since it was given to you, have at it.

I completely disagree! I have three Taurus pistols and all are dead on and as reliable as any other gun I've seen/shot. I have a 9mm, .40 S&W and .357 mag and they are all fine guns, no problems with any of them, and I bought them all in the 2000"s.

 

[mnrivrat]

If I were going to bash a brand of gun based on getting a bad one I would have to say don't buy a Colt or a Smith & Wesson.
Same thing applies to cars I would guess because there are Dodge haters and Dodge lovers, as well as other brands all depending mostly on a persons one bad experience. (or listening to others)

Try a reduced power trigger spring. That will not effect hammer strikes. As long as the trigger returns fully and reliably that may help reduce the pull. I put reduced power hammer and trigger springs in mine and have not had any problems with light strikes or trigger return.

 

[Riomouse911]

Taurus handguns are like English cars; you can get a great one that does all you ask of it...or you can get one that just doesn't work reliably no matter what.

My 94 in .22lr is reliable, but not supremely accurate for some reason. My 941 .22 mag is a good gun, but again not the most accurate gun I own. I had a 66 .357 in the very late 1980s that was accurate, just not as well finished as a S&W. By and large these guns have been serviceable and fun to shoot.

If your gun works for you and your spouse you will probably be just fine with it. If it was a lemon from the get go, it will probably stay a lemon no matter what you try.
Stay safe!

 

[Haywood]

Spray out the action with Gun Scrubber then lube. Dry Fire 1000 times. Flush action again then lube. Dry Fire 1000 more times. I have done this with at least 20 Revolvers. 12 were Taurus’s. It smooths the action very nice and I never had to do anything els.

 

[WestKentucky]

Generally, friends don't let friends buy Taurus's... But since it was given to you, have at it.

Why? Internet moaning and groaning got you in a stir? I doubt that's what it's made out to be. All of them I have had were as good or better than Ruger who never gets bashed.

The 85ch I had was not very accurate, likely me not being used to that trigger. If it's a humpback gun then those are kinda rare.

 

[Shae1324]

My wife and I have since taken it to the range a few more times, and it seems that she prefers it over the S&W 642 I bought her a while back. She has big hands for a woman, and she has the dexterity and the hand strength for it, and it works out because the 642, even in .357 doesn't pay as much hell on my gimpy ass arthritic wrists. I think we're gonna hang onto it for awhile. Its accurate as all get out, even in the hands of my wife who is right handed but left eye dominant, and inexperienced as of yet. As you can probably imagine, finding a pistol that she "likes" is somewhat difficult.

 

[Old Dog]

Generally, friends don't let friends buy Taurus's... But since it was given to you, have at it.

Good grief, more internet BS. Those stupid little, faux pithy one-liners generally add absolutely zero to fact-based discourse.

The early 90s Taurus Model 85s especially were excellent revolvers. My 1992 stainless Taurus 85CH has better fit and finish than many comparable S&W 36s/60s I've seen from the same era; has been 100% reliable over the years, the trigger's smoothed out greatly and it's dead-nuts accurate. Simply a lot of dry-firing and shooting over the years has resulted in a nice DA pull. While I have little experience with other Taurus revolvers (except a 4" 94 I traded off that was pretty and accurate, though possessed of a mediocre trigger), the 85s I've handled and shot over the past 30 years or so have all seemed like worthy little revolvers that often sold for less than half of what many S&Ws go for.

 

[Alaskan Ironworker]

Yeah, i hate the repetitive taurus bashing i see online. Ive owned 7 taurus revolvers and still have 4. Two i gave to friends and i sold the judge as it was for the wife, and she had no interest at all. While the majority of the ones i own/owned have more perceptible “slop” than say, a ruger/smith, none of them ever misfired, malfunctioned, or “blowed up”. They also were all accurate, affordable, and good looking i might add! I have a gorilla grip, so heavy triggers dont phase me at all; i prefer them. Maybe instead of lightening trigger pull, you could strengthen your trigger finger?Hang on to yours, sounds like a solid shooter!

 

[Waveski]

Those stupid little, faux pithy one-liners generally add absolutely zero to fact-based discourse.

Nicely stated.

 

[Jim NE]

I have three Taurus revolvers in .38 Special, I believe, and they are all decent guns that function at 100%. The best of the three is a gun that was made pretty early - maybe late 1960's or early 70's - and has a nickel finish. I had to adjust the strain screw after I got it, and maybe the adjustable sights a little, but it shoots pretty good now and 100%. The other two I bought new and would describe as okay on accuracy, but not tack drivers. They're solid and reliable, though.

 

[Hondo 60]

Also, is it even worth fooling with?

It's hit or miss.
Some guys have a great experience & some, like me, have nothing but problems.

I sent my 9mm revolver back 3 times.
It took them about a month to get back to me.
They offered a new revolver, but then I waited for 6 months.
They always said they didn't have any.
Finally I accepted a 380 revolver