Taurus Model 85 questions

[gb6491]

Hi all,
I recently found a stainless steel Taurus 85 snub (my first Bull) at a local pawnshop. It didn't seem to be overly abused, just the numerous scratches and dings that seem par for a lot of guns in this shop. It wasn't till I got it home that I noticed the side plate had been buffed pretty hard and long in one spot (partially obliterating the logo); not that big of a deal, but a reminder that I need to wear/carry stronger glasses with me when examining guns. Took it to the range and it's shoots great (POA/POI with .158 grainers); could easily keep all shots center mass on a TQ15 silhouette at 25 yds. Shot so good that I decided to clean it up (sanded surfaces flat and bead blast). Happy camper here
Now, to the questions:
What's this hole for (bigger of the two)?

Are these OEM grips?


Photos of the 85:

With my S&W Model 60-9



Regards,
Greg

 

[Old Fuff]

What's this hole for (bigger of the two)?

Isn't that where the bullet comes out...

Seriously, that hole is used so the frame can be held in a fixture while it's being machined. When the frame is completed it has no additional purpose.

Not sure about the stocks, but Taurus does offer similar ones as an extra-cost option. In any case they look great!

 

[gb6491]

Thank you kind sir!
Regards,
Greg

 

[broken]

i cant stop looking at the picture of your taurus and smith,nice revolvers.i realy like taurus revolvers,theyre overlooked some but not by me.

 

[Walkalong]

A buddy of mine has a 4" Taurus .38, and he loves it.

 

[orrwdd]

My Taurus 85 SS 3" is a great gun and easy to shoot accurately. Those are Crimson Trace LG-385 laser grips, and they work great also.

 

[gb6491]

Thanks to all for their replies (that's a nice 3" gun you have there orrwdd).
The more I handle and shoot this snubbie, the more I like it I especially like the grips; so much so, that I found a similar pair for my Model 60 at a gun show this weekend:

Regards,
Greg

 

[MrTuffPaws]

Nice M85 you have there. One of the older models. Make sure you give Taurus a call before you start putting +Ps down the pipe.

I have one of the newer Ultra-Lites. Makes for one hell of a pocket gun, and I am not afraid of the occasional scratch on the finish unlike my more expensive guns.

 

[MCgunner]

One of the best DA triggers out of the box in revolverdom. Nice find.

 

[gb6491]

MrTuffPaws and MCgunner,
Thank you for your comments

Also, good call on the +Ps MrTuffPaws; Taurus says it's only rated for standard pressure loads. FWIW, this particular gun is a model HG-M85-SS2 made in 1989.

Thanks again!
Regards,
Greg

 

[mesinge2]

Nice find. I like the look of the abbreviated lug.

I wanted a 9mm revolver.

And I actually had no interest in Taurus firearms.
However, I think Taurus is the only company that currently makes one in 9mm.

So I bought the model 905; it shares the same frame as the 85.
Its a great little revolver, great trigger.

View attachment 113254

 

[gb6491]

mesinge2,
Thanks.
I was pretty much in the same boat as you in regards to no interest in Taurus, but now I'm a happy camper with mine. That is a sharp looking revolver you have; looks like the ejector rod might have enough stroke to push empties clear of the cylinder. I kinda of like the idea of 9mm in a snubbie.
Regards,
Greg

 

[broken]

i have a stainless 66 taurus thats almost 20 years old still nice and tight,but i sure thought that snubby gun would eat +p"s,looks pretty hefty,bet they wouldnt faze it,just an opinion,still nice gun.

 

[mesinge2]

I shoot +P 9mm's in mine all the time and I have never had a problem

 

[weregunner]

Over at the Taurus forum there are many accounts of many putting +Ps through their older 85s and Rossi 68 and 88 models. The caveat is that it wasn't all +P ammo shot through them. For some it was.

I am not condoning the firing of +P ammo in guns that are not rated for it, but I do realize that many have and had no bad effects happen to their carry piece.

Buffalo Bore, www.buffalobore.com , has a standard pressure 158gr. LSWCHP that has the velocity of the +P ammo, but without the high pressure of +P ammo.

Federal has this:38MA 38 Special 125 / 8.1 Nyclad HP Personal Defense®

It is not only non +P but is still a great defensive round. These will expand and give the desired penetration without the recoil. When this round first came out on the market way bakc when it was as a cheap practice round.
Then it was discovered that the Nyclad 125gr. round made for one of the better .38 Special defense rounds with a great track record for real world stops. It came in just a hair behind the +P 158gr. LSWCHP.

The extremely thin nylon coating keeps the soft lead from depositing in the barrel or chambers.

There are the 110 gr.JHP non +P loads out there. While those loads are not Thor's hammer they are better than a .380ACP round. For the most part that is. I'd rather hit someone with a 110gr. JHP than a .380 ACP 88gr-95gr. JHP.

Just discovered this. Buffalo Bore has these:
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Standard Pressure Short Barrel Low Flash .38 SpecialStandard Pressure Short Barrel Low Flash Hvy .38 Spl (Non + P) Field Proven pistol and handgun ammo. Maximum firepower ammunition. Best ammunition for pistols and handguns for sale. Buffalo Bore. Strictly big bore. Strictly Business.
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SKU: 20C/20 Standard Pressure Short Barrel Low Flash Heavy .38 Special Pistol and Handgun Ammo
Standard Pressure Short Barrel Low Flash Heavy .38 Special Ammo - 158 gr. Soft Lead SWC-HC (850fps/M.E. 253 ft. lbs.) - 20 Round Box
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Manufacturer: Buffalo Bore

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These are excellent rounds.

 

[gb6491]

broken,
Thanks and I think your bet would be correct.

weregunner,
Thank you very much for putting all that together!
I've always been a fan of the +P 158gr. LSWCHP load and will give the Buffalo Bore load a try.
Again the effort and information is greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Greg

 

[MCgunner]

I wouldn't hesitate to carry +P in it. Taurus started rating 'em for +P in the 90s and the ultralite was one of the first of the +P rated alloy guns. I carry +P in my UL, bought in 1996, and shoot 'em occasionally in it. It is only 17 ounces and isn't real fun to shoot +P from, but it can take 'em.

Heck, I shoot occasional +P in Rossis and they've never been +P rated to my knowledge, but I do limit the diet. They've held up well, too.

 

[gb6491]

MCgunner,
Thanks for the input; I'm of the same school of thought. Years back, I had an old 5 screw S&W that I usually stoked with the above mentioned 158 gr. load when carrying it. Didn't shoot a lot of them in it and it didn't seem affected by those that I did. Still, I've wanted to try some Buffalo Bore ammo for a while, just couldn't see placing an order for just 20 .32ACP rounds.
Regards,
Greg