Taurus Model 94...opinions wanted

[CarbineKid]

Im lookin to get a little 22lr revolver. The S&Ws are nice, but I wanted to see what the otehrs offered. How is the Taurus model 94??

 

[Paladin7]

I have never owned one, but have been very interested due to price point, so did an extensive search of the local gun shops for one. The ones I've handled (multiple) have been horrid in terms of build quality and trigger. That aced it for me and I wouldn't buy one. Just don't need that kind of aggravation.

If I were you I would shop around for an older S&W Model 34, 18, 17, 63, etc. or a ruger sp101 in .22 that you will absolutely love.

All the Best...

 

[Sharps Shooter]

It's kinda hard to say. I've owned several Taurus revolvers, including a Model 94. It seems to me like occationally I see a good Taurus, but most of the time Taurus has quality control issues.
I just got rid of a .41 Mag Taurus revolver a couple of weeks ago. It had a hole in the riflings that looked like whatever tool Taurus used to cut the riflings with a grabbed and tore a chunk out. It shot fine and was accurate enough, but just knowing what the inside of the barrel looked like bugged the heck out of me.
On the other hand, I don't remember a thing wrong with the Model 94 I had. The single action trigger wasn't too bad, but the double action trigger was a bit rough it seems. I ended up trading it off for something else I couldn't live without before the trigger had a chance to smooth itself out.

 

[magsnubby]

I have several Taurus wheelguns, an 85, 605 and a 606. I've never had a problem with any of them. Except my 94. It's the only gun i've ever bought that i didn't dry fire. Big mistake. The fit and finish was very good and i liked it's size and the fact that it held 9 rounds. Single action wasn't to bad but D/A felt like it was about 40 pounds and the action was rough as hell. The 'smith said "I can smooth and lighten the action up but with a .22 it's kind of hit or miss. I can lighten it up but i can't guarantee it won't misfire". Wolff's web site doesn't recommend it's hammer spring for the 94. I traded it and some cash for an XD40. I'm much happier with the XD than i was the Taurus.

Find yourself a nice used S&W. You'll be much happier.

 

[DMK]

I just picked one up on an impulse buy about a month ago at a local pawn shop for $250 NIB. I felt pretty good about buying a Taurus based on my favorable experiences with a friends really nice model 85.

I like my 94. The DA trigger is a little heavy, but it's smooth. The SA trigger is nice. The bluing is very nice too. It's a pretty gun. I've got about 200 rounds through it and it shoots great.

After I bought it, I did some review of posts here. There is apparently a lot of negativity about them here, and maybe it's just aimed at Taurus in general but mine's my first Taurus and I'm very happy with it. Maybe I got lucky.

 

[matt9052]

I enjoy my 94. The price was right and everyone needs a .22 revolver. It shoots great. I have had troubles with it cycling. The cylinder doesn't turn easily all the time. It could be dirt or it feels like the shells are moving back in the cylinder. I would still recommend it. If you get a blue one, just remember that the finish won't stay clean.

 

[dbarale]

Most .22 revolvers have a heavy DA pull. This is due to the heavy mainspring required to reliably ignite rimfire ammo. Taurus DA pull can be a little "gritty" out of the box but it is also true of the newer S&W. The difference is that any good gunsmith can perform a basic trigger job on a S&W but some won't even touch a Taurus.
If you can find an older K22, go for it. If you can check and try a 94 and it feels good, go for it. If you're buying online or buying new, try to stick with the S&W for the reason mentioned above.

 

[sctman800]

I have had troubles with it cycling. The cylinder doesn't turn easily all the time. It could be dirt or it feels like the shells are moving back in the cylinder

I have a .41mag that just came back from repair at Taurus with a similar problem. Sounds like a timing issue, they replaced the cyl. stop and the hand. I haven't had time to shoot it yet but it feels good. Jim.

 

[Jim PHL]

I had similar experiences. I had a 4" blued 94. It looked great, felt great in my hand, always worked, was accurate and had a an excellent single action let-off. My problem with it, like others here, was the double action trigger pull was absolutely horrible. I fired hundreds of rounds and even sent it back to Taurus, but it never 'slicked-up' even a little. They sent it back to me but I'll de damned if I could ever figure out what, if anything, they did to it.

This was some years ago. I kick myself when I think that, at the time, when I paid $249 for the brand new Taurus, I could have gotten a slightly used 17 or 18 for less (If I had known then what I know now about the S+W's )!

 

[mnrivrat]

I still have one of the two that I purchased and neither gave me any problems. The DA pull is heavy and that generaly is the loudest complaint I hear about the M94 .

You can go with a little lighter trigger return spring and that helps a bit , but trying to lighten the hammer spring will often give poor results . (as in misfires).

For me, It works just fine as I don't use the DA on a .22 RF pistol anyway. The single action pull on mine is great and I have smoothed the action a little, but generaly they will smooth themselfs with use.

I'm not going to blow smoke and say they are better or even equal to a good S&W but they seem to be just fine for the money IMO.

 

[chaim]

The Taurus 94 and S&W .22lr J-frames both have reputations for having a lousy DA trigger. I don't know how the Ruger SP101 in .22lr or the .22lr Taurus Tracker fare. If you are looking for a J-frame sized .22lr for training purposes (i.e. cheaper and easier practice to compliment a .38spl or .357mag J-frame) then go for it, if you are looking for a fun .22 then stay away from the J-frame sized revolvers. For fun stick with the semi-auto Ruger MkII or MkIII or find a nice used S&W K38 revolver (it is a K-frame, hence "K38).

 

[moph759fl]

I'm very pleased with all my Taurus Revolvers. They look good, fire well and have been no problem after hundreds of rounds.

At 21oz. my Titanium .41 MAG is my favorite conceal carry piece, what S&W model can match that ? and I like S&W.

All in all handguns are just platforms to launch bullets.