taurus model 856,817 617

[357reloading]

I never see the six or seven shot Taurus revolvers mentioned. I will keep looking, like the idea of the six or seven rounds. Had a Colt snub nose six shot. Was lighter than the Colt detective special, forgot what it was called. Only one out of ten or more Taurus that I have examined at a gun shop seem to have tight cylinder with the hammer down , and a half way decent tirigger pull. I have a Taurus 8 shot 608 , great gun, but imo i was just lucky to find.. One thing for sure would not buy until after a close inspection and test the cylinders for lock up.

Any good comments on the three models I like. When a person gets older, revolver is simple to handle. Dont have the strength any more to rack the sldie with my left hand on most Autos.


Also have Rugre Sp101 357 and a S&W 36 with 3 inch barrel. Both are standard 5 shot.

 

[rich642z]

Same here with me on the semi-auto pistols. BUT,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,the 856,STAY AWAY FROM. MAGNESIUM ALLOY AND YOU CANNOT SHOOT PLUS P AMMO IN THEM. 817,a 7 shot .38 is ok for shooting and see if they have a steel model of the 817 because if you want to shoot 158 gr. swchps+ps in them the lead bullet might come out of casing[not strong enough crimp on factory casings] and bullets may jam up the cylinder. 617,I have one in Stainless and it is great shooting machine. I have had mine since 2000 and no problems yet in this revolver. BUT,STAY AWAY FROM THE ULTRALIGHTS,TITANIUMs,TYPES OF TAURUS REVOLVERS AND KEEP YOUR RUGERS AN S&WS. rich642z

 

[weregunner]

I do own Taurus 856s. One is the stainless model and the other is a magnesium model.

Yes, no +P rounds for the magnesium model, but that problem was solved in part by making compromises that work.

In the magnesium model I use Federal standard pressure Nyclad 125gr. LSWCHP. Federal's load was re-introduced a few years back. It was, many moons ago,designed as a cheap practice round that kept lead fumes and particles non-existant when using this round.

Turns out that Nyclad turned out to be a nifty and excellent defense round as well. This was recorded by Chuck Karwan,Mas Ayoob,and Marshall&Sanow.

The round expands dynamically and gets good penetration.
The other compromise is to use 110gr. JHPs that are standard pressure. Even out of short barrels they do a good job under most situations.

For my stainless only 856 the Winchester or Remington 158gr. LSWCHP +Ps get the nod. Next comes the Speer Gold Dot +P 135gr. round. Any of these would be top picks. I like Corbon anything as well.

That and Buffalo Bore standard pressure 158gr. LSWCHP. It has the velocity of +P, but not the pressure or recoil of the +P version.

The other suggestion is to go to the Ruger SP-101 in .327 Federal magnum.

It carries 6 shots and with a 3 inch or 2 inch barrel gets excellent performance.

I own such a gun and with the 3 inch barrel. I want to get the most of the stubby barrel I can. Just a personal choice.

The other choice is to get a Rossi 461 or a 462. They hold 6 shots as well. Yes, it is a older design, but it works well. It has the hammer block instead of a transfer bar.

462's are cheaper than Tauri snubs.I own one of them,too.

I also own a Taurus 327 in .327 Federal as well, but that is a bit too lighweight for full bore .327 rounds. There are those who shoot them with the full house loads and don't mind it a bit.

I stuff mine with either 85gr. lower powered .327s or .32 H&R magnum rounds.

On occasion I shot the full power 100gr. Federal or 115gr. Speer rounds.

This is a six shot model as well.

Here's the scoop on the Taurus 856.
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=36428.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=36823.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=35585.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=13955.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=28558.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=24187.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=9279.0

The scoop on the Taurus 617.
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=36389.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=31039.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=37848.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=36464.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=36324.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=37976.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=38933.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=36434.0

If you want the scoop on the 461/461 let me know.

 

[Low Budget Shooter]

Dear 357,

I bought an 856 magnesium a while back, fascinated over the amazingly light weight and small size for a 6-shot gun. The parts fit, thought, was terrible. Just loading and unloading, and cycling with snap caps, multiple things didn't work right or smoothly. When I bought an old Colt Cobra (probably what you are talking about, like a Detective Special, but aluminum framed 15 oz.), the quality was so evident that the 856 seemed even worse in comparison. The 856 went away, and the Colt stayed.

I would like to try an 817. But after my experience with the 856, I'm not as eager as I used to be.

LBS

 

[weregunner]

Something doesn't pass the smell test of the supposed 856 magnesium model.

First of all when I bought my 856 or an revolver for that matter I inspect the firearm thoroughly. That includes dry firing it and looking at the gun's innards.

Every revolver owner I know,have read about or have seen at any gun forum does this check prior to buying the gun. So the problems would have been apparent to anybody before the purchase. Not after.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=1430

Gander Mountain has had or had a major sale on the 856 models with "packages". That was with a holster and speedloader as part of the package.

Gander Mountain is not going to sell tenth rate mechandise and get their rep damaged totally by doing something like that. Their special sale lasted for more than 4 months.

NRA contests had the 856 as a prize out of many brands,makes, and guns.

The NRA is not going to embarrass itself by awarding substandard firearms.

The various gun stores in my area have examples of the 856-Lyte and the standard stainless steel 856. None showed any problems.

Makes one wonder what's agoing on here