Taurus M82 4'' surplus

[Rocketmedic]

I just traded my not-so-loved Bersa Thunder straight across for a Taurus M82 38 Special. Quite happy with it, locks up tightly, fits perfectly, and looks stylish, if a little worn. Any ideas for this veteran?

Also, I was wondering if anyone might know where its from. The serial is NH990xxx, imported by CAI Georgia Vermont.

Thanks.

 

[MedWheeler]

Likely made in Brazil, though newer Taurus revolvers may also be made here in Florida. Should be a good, solid performer. Check out the Taurus web site (www.taurususa.com) for a serial number tracker; if your gun's not too old, it can tell you when it was made. My M66 revolver, purchased new in 1987, is too old. Didn't show up.
I can see the M82 Taurus and the Bersa Thunder being similarly-valued, so an even trade is certainly reasonable. I do own the Thunder (380), by the way, and I like it a lot. But I also have a soft spot for service revolvers, having entered law enforcement during the twilight years of their domain in that field.

 

[weregunner]

The number tracker might not work as those 82s were surplus police guns.

The gun is not +P rated for anything before 1991 or so. as far as 82s are concerned.

That can be got around in a few ways.

One is that www.buffalobore.com has three standard pressure loads that hit like +P ammo, but do not have the +P pressures.

On the other hand there are those who give their non+P guns some +P use and the guns are little worse for wear.

One thing I do know, my 82,which is new, has 140-158gr. rounds,+P or otherwise will hit to point of aim at 25 yards or a bit closer.
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/t...e-you-wanted-try-revolver-but-your-cheap.html
Read the whole thread link above all the way through please.
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/taurus-revolvers/73774-model-82-question.html

http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/taurus-revolvers/71136-any-theories-cost-38-special-ammo.html

http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/taurus-revolvers/62066-surplus-model-82-warranty.html

http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/taurus-revolvers/63983-model-82-refinished.html
The above link is about a refinished 82 that was surplus.

Use these for research purposes. Hope these help.

 

[Rocketmedic]

So what exactly are they? It looks almost exactly like a S&W Model 10.

 

[Remllez]

A few Taurus revolvers bear similar appearance with Smith revolvers, as do other brands/makes, because the Smiths were stylish and classic in design. I'm not sure guns that don't appeal to the eye sell well, that whole first impression axiom, fair or not.

I've owned a couple older 82's and they shot and functioned well and never gave me any problems. Being less expensive makes them available to more potential shooters which is always a good thing in my book.

Chances are it was made in Brazil if it bears an import mark. As for the trade....it seems fair value to me and you seem to like your new gun. The proof of true value will be in how it shoots. Please keep us updated with a range report.

 

[smokey30725]

I bought two from a dealer last year who ordered them for a customer who never picked them up. I got the pair for 300 delivered to my ffl. Neither were beauty queens but both were scary accurate with 158 gr round nose. Wound up giving one to my aunt since she lives in the middle of nowhere and the other to a buddy of mine who had some less than desirable neighbors. I would buy another one in a heartbeat.

 

[Dave1965]

I have one that was cheap and used as well. It's kept in a spot in the house that is near the front door for obvious reasons but also concealed so only family knows where it is.

 

[lowercase]

Take it to the range and give us a range report. I keep seeing these Taurus 82s at my LGS, and they seem like a reasonable low-cost option for a gun.

Odds are that it will be a great shooter, but I had a police trade-in S&W Model 10 3" from Bud's that was so bent that the thing would practically shoot around a corner.

For use, I would just clean it up and use it as a house gun.

 

[CajunBass]

I had one back in the day when they were new. I shot a lot of commercial reloads in that gun. It shot great. Never had a problem. The only thing "wrong" with it, was it had the ugliest magna style grips I've ever seen. They looked like they'd been carved out of a 2x4, by monkey using a hatchet.

But they worked.

 

[Remllez]

^^^^LOL^^^^

Cajun is spot on about the grips, Taurus didn't spend a whole lot of money on the service grips that came on the 82's to be sure. Mine always had rubbers on them which made them more comfortable to shoot.

 

[Rocketmedic]

Taking it out this weekend, looking forward to it. I decided that SaxonPig was probably right about the +P and stoked it with Speer Lawman 38 +P.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Just got one a couple weeks ago myself. Like it just fine so far.
I'll tell you this, I got a 125 grain mold and rolled some bullets up. It's pretty accurate but I picked up a box of Federal 158 grainers and it is much more accurate with the heavier bullet. Looks like I gotta get a 158 grain mold now.
Good, accurate and reliable. The wife loves it too. She handles it a lot easier than my .40.

 

[Rocketmedic]

I reckon it's too old to get the Taurus website trace to work, serial is NH990221. Any guesses as to what year it is or where it came from?