For those of you looking for a Taurus Instant Backup 9mm, I thought I'd post my experience. I previously posted that the revolver was binding, and after more testing, it appears that my new Taurus Instant Backup will have to go back to the factory. The gun continues to bind, even when dry firing. So instead of dealing with the 4 (minimum) & most likely 6 week repair period (and I'm talking from experience, I guess I'm a glutton for punishment) that it will take Taurus to return the revolver, I've decided to trade it in on a Smith and Wesson 642. The dealer is charging me a $100 difference to make this trade. I paid $335 for the Taurus. For those who are still undecided about Taurus firearms, here is a summary of my experience. I've bought 7 Taurus firearms, 6 revolvers/1 semi-auto. Of these 4 have required at least one trip back to the Taurus factory. None were returned in less than a months time. A 5th only had 50 rounds through it before I sold it, so who knows if problems would have manifested later. Unless, I ignore my experience again (as I did on my most recent Taurus purchase), I don't think I'll be buying any more Taurus firearms.
Taurus IB Update
- Thread starter Doug S
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MrTuffPaws
Member
Sorry to hear it, but just so you don't feel alone, I bought an SA XD9 and had to send it back to the factory once too. The second time, SA gave me an option to just send me the parts and let me fix it myself.
gunfan
Member
Perhaps we can put an end to your suffering.
I have been in extensive telephone consultation with the CEO of Charter 2000. We have discussed, at great length, the revival if S&W "I" frame revolvers. I had suggested that they be produced in .22 WMRF, .32 H&R Magnum, 9mm Parabellum and in .38 Super Automatic. Nick exhibited more than a "passing interest" in developing this handgun.
This should help.
Scott
I have been in extensive telephone consultation with the CEO of Charter 2000. We have discussed, at great length, the revival if S&W "I" frame revolvers. I had suggested that they be produced in .22 WMRF, .32 H&R Magnum, 9mm Parabellum and in .38 Super Automatic. Nick exhibited more than a "passing interest" in developing this handgun.
This should help.
Scott
smince
Member.
I guess there are good and bad in everything. I know of two here in Alabama that have over 500 rounds through them without any problems. I own one. All I've shot through it has been Rem 115FMJ and Rem 115JHP+P. It was shooting a little right, even at 7yds, but opening up the rear sight channel fixed this. Reliability has been 100%. The moon clips are more flimsy than the SW models, but mine have worked fine.
This revolver has been a constant pocket companion since it was broken in, with about 50 rounds a month through it.
There must have been problems with them, however, as I understand that Taurus has already discontinued them.
This revolver has been a constant pocket companion since it was broken in, with about 50 rounds a month through it.
There must have been problems with them, however, as I understand that Taurus has already discontinued them.
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revolvergeek
Member
Sorry to hear about your problems with your IB. Sounds like the problem that I had with the last two Taurus revolvers that I bought. I had a 85 and a 617, and both would bind up the cylinder after a couple of cylinders full. Seem like when they got hot they tolerances got too tight. I tried different types of ammo but it made no difference. A buddy had the same problem with another 617 and he was able to fix his by putting a couple of shim/washers on the ejector rod so that it held the cylinder assembly a little further back from the forcing cone. I took both of mine back and traded them in on S&Ws. I am reasonably sure that Taurus could have set them right, but I was just a little spooked on the overall quality control at that point.
An I-frame in 9mmP would be awesome! I have a S&W 940 on layaway, but it just seems like that the overall gun could be a lot shorter with a proper sized frame and cylinder.
An I-frame in 9mmP would be awesome! I have a S&W 940 on layaway, but it just seems like that the overall gun could be a lot shorter with a proper sized frame and cylinder.
I sure would like to find one of those S&W 940. I think you find it much more useful than the Taurus. That said, I do know that Taurus can make a decent revolver. I've even owned a couple that were 100%. Just getting a little tired of the ones requiring trips back to the factory.
Big Gay Al
Member
I have a 617B that has worked without problem since I bought it. In fact, when I first got it, the DA trigger pull seemed kind of heavy to me, but with use, it has lightened up a bit to where it seems more normal for me. The SA pull is as light as ever. I've never seen any binding problems with this revolver at all. But I suppose anyone can put out a lemon now and then.revolvergeek said:
chaim
Member
Frankly, it sounds like you have had bad luck. It may be a reason for you to be spooked on Taurus, and I understand, but this adivice to others is uncalled for. You can't gleen too much from one person's ancedotal experience. Taurus makes a good gun, at a good price that most can afford. It is a disservice to try to steer others away.
And since you want to give ancedotal stories, here is mine:
I have owned 4 Taurus handguns. 3 revolvers and one auto. I have had many thousands of rounds through Taurus handguns. I have had a grand total of 0 problems in all 4 guns.
chaim
Member
Doug, I do want to apologize. Being a Taurus owner I am used to people bad mouthing these guns. Some others love them. Well, I read that line I quoted and read it as bad mouthing. You probably didn't really mean it that way, you were probably just venting. So, I want to apologize.
Also, I want to say sorry you didn't have good luck with Taurus. It is unfortunate that they aren't a little more careful with their QC as many of their guns are so good (and when you get a good one it is as good as the good guns from anyone else). They do seem to sometimes let some guns out that they shouldn't.
Also, I want to say sorry you didn't have good luck with Taurus. It is unfortunate that they aren't a little more careful with their QC as many of their guns are so good (and when you get a good one it is as good as the good guns from anyone else). They do seem to sometimes let some guns out that they shouldn't.
Big Gay Al
Member
I just want to add, I currently own three Taurus Pistols. During my lifetime, I've owned a total of 6. Of those, only one ever gave me reason to get rid of it. And the reason I did sell it was two fold. First, it was a Taurus PT-940. This is a medium framed .40 S&W pistol. This weapon had a muzzle flip on it that I just did not like.
The other problem was with the hammer sometimes falling only to the half cock notch when fired from the DA position. I took it to a gunsmith at the place I bought it from (used) and they could find nothing wrong. And to be honest, it never failed to fire. The times when it stopped at the half cock was when I was dry firing it.
However, all the other Taurus pistol I've owned have worked flawlessly. Including the PT-92AFS that I've owned for over 13 years. During the time I've owned this pistol, it has never jammed, and never failed to fire. I have a PT-911 that was given to me on my 49th birthday, and it too has been a solid performer. I also have a Model 617B, that I bought a few months ago. And I've not experienced any problems with it either.
I am at a loss to explain the problems that Doug S. has experienced. Perhaps a run of bad luck? I just don't know. I do know that for me, Taurus has made some very fine pistols, that with only one exception, I've found to be excellent.
The other problem was with the hammer sometimes falling only to the half cock notch when fired from the DA position. I took it to a gunsmith at the place I bought it from (used) and they could find nothing wrong. And to be honest, it never failed to fire. The times when it stopped at the half cock was when I was dry firing it.
However, all the other Taurus pistol I've owned have worked flawlessly. Including the PT-92AFS that I've owned for over 13 years. During the time I've owned this pistol, it has never jammed, and never failed to fire. I have a PT-911 that was given to me on my 49th birthday, and it too has been a solid performer. I also have a Model 617B, that I bought a few months ago. And I've not experienced any problems with it either.
I am at a loss to explain the problems that Doug S. has experienced. Perhaps a run of bad luck? I just don't know. I do know that for me, Taurus has made some very fine pistols, that with only one exception, I've found to be excellent.
MCgunner
Member
Well, I have two, only two I've ever bought, and they're great. But, all the talk about Taurus's "service" has me thinking they'll be the last two, though I ain't sellin' or tradin' these, they're keepers. One was bought used and I thoroughly inspected it before purchase. It's a FANTASTIC .357 medium frame, very accurate, perfect mechanically. I ordered the little m85. I did fine on it, but I don't think I'll order another one sight unseen. I wanna inspect 'em first. Only two companies that I'll ORDER a run from now are Ruger and Smith and Wesson. There was a time a couple decades ago I couldn't say that about Smith and Wesson! They've gotten better. At least their repair department has its stuff together, regardless. I really like my Tauri, but there's just too many horror stories out there about their "service".
So, how's Mr. Slave doin'?
So, how's Mr. Slave doin'?
Big Gay Al
Member
First, Mr. Slave is Mr. Garrison's partner, so you'd have to ask him.MCgunner said:Well, I have two, only two I've ever bought, and they're great. But, all the talk about Taurus's "service" has me thinking they'll be the last two, though I ain't sellin' or tradin' these, they're keepers. One was bought used and I thoroughly inspected it before purchase. It's a FANTASTIC .357 medium frame, very accurate, perfect mechanically. I ordered the little m85. I did fine on it, but I don't think I'll order another one sight unseen. I wanna inspect 'em first. Only two companies that I'll ORDER a run from now are Ruger and Smith and Wesson. There was a time a couple decades ago I couldn't say that about Smith and Wesson! They've gotten better. At least their repair department has its stuff together, regardless. I really like my Tauri, but there's just too many horror stories out there about their "service".
So, how's Mr. Slave doin'?
Second, while I've not had much cause to use Taurus' customer service, what I have seen has been excellent. I've heard of some horror stories, but I've heard horror stories at least once from just about every gun maker's customer service. As for me, as long as the Taurus firearms I buy work more often than they don't, then Taurus has a lifetime customer in me.
But that's just my opinion.
I am one of those that have (and still do) own Taurus revolvers, and I haven't had any problems. However I have noticed that they are keeping the cylinder/barrel gap on the tight side, and while this may be good, the gap might be too tight if lead rather then jacketed bullets are used.
Two other points on cylinder binding: One must be careful to be sure that powder flakes and fouling don't build up under the extractor star, and that the yoke barrel (the part the cylinder revolves on) and the cylinder's center bore are kept clean and lubricated. This is especially true with new guns that may still have some metal chips left in the works.
The above points also apply to other makes, including Smith & Wesson.
Two other points on cylinder binding: One must be careful to be sure that powder flakes and fouling don't build up under the extractor star, and that the yoke barrel (the part the cylinder revolves on) and the cylinder's center bore are kept clean and lubricated. This is especially true with new guns that may still have some metal chips left in the works.
The above points also apply to other makes, including Smith & Wesson.
BsChoy
Member
gunfan said:
Gunfan, please don't take this the wrong way as I mean no disrespect but, do you have any passed experience in the gun manufacturing business or did you make enough noise to get to talk to the CEO?? I don't think S&W would have been so gracious
Since Charter Arms is a much smaller company, I think it's quite possible (even probable) that gunfan got to talk to the CEO.
S&W might be better off if their CEO took some calls from ordinary gun buyers, and for all I know he might. For what it's worth, Bill Ruger Sr. used to on occasion.
And yes, I am part of the gun industry, and have been for slightly over 50 years...
S&W might be better off if their CEO took some calls from ordinary gun buyers, and for all I know he might. For what it's worth, Bill Ruger Sr. used to on occasion.
And yes, I am part of the gun industry, and have been for slightly over 50 years...
Gunfan (Scott) just got use to talking to Bob Serva, the owner of Dan Wesson, as did many of us.
You'll have to cut him some slack.
He just doesn't know that you aren't supposed to be able to talk to all of the CEO's like we do with Bob.
You'll have to cut him some slack.
He just doesn't know that you aren't supposed to be able to talk to all of the CEO's like we do with Bob.
Big Gay Al
Member
Well, shucks, why shouldn't he talk to the CEO, I talk to John Lott every now and then. Then again, John Lott doesn't run a company either.
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