Taurus model 96 .22 revolver

[Geno929]

Does anyone out there have experience with the Taurus model 96 .22 revolver? I have found one that is in great condition for a price I'm willing to give. Just looking for a little direction. It's a 6in blue model in about 98% condition.
Thanks Gene.

 

[ThomasT]

I had one I used for a short time in the falling plate matches. I wish I have never sold it. There is at least one for sale on GB right now. If you can get it for a decent price then buy it. don't think you will regret it. And it comes from the time period when I thought Taurus was building their best revolvers.

 

[ThomasT]

Here is one on GB to give you an idea of what they are going for.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/897081671

 

[Tallball]

Hah. I'd forgotten there was such a thing. A Taurus K22, basically. If one had a good trigger and a reasonable price, I would probably buy it.

 

[Monac]

Here is one on GB to give you an idea of what they are going for.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/897081671

This is an old Taurus, ThomasT. Taurus dropped the grooved cylinder flutes, the flattened-down straw-finished hammer, and the silver grip medallions back in the early 80's, I think. That was around the time their quality went up and they achieved wider distribution in the US. At least, if I recall correctly.

Taurus seems to have dropped the grooved flutes by 1984, if the Ebay seller dated this ad correctly:

 

[Geno929]

Here is one on GB to give you an idea of what they are going for.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/897081671

That's the one.

 

[ontarget]

Id love to run across one of those. I didn't exactly realize it until recently but I have a sizable accumulation of Taurus revolvers. And I like them all.

 

[CajunBass]

I've actually owned two of them over the years. They're not a Smith and Wesson Model 17, but they really aren't that far away either. The two I had were both good shooters, and looked pretty darn good to IMHO. About the only thing I recall not liking about them was the the shape of the trigger, the physical shape, not the pull or anything. Just the shape, and that was really a minor concern.

I sold one during a period of unemployment, and I think the other went to finance some other bright shiny thing I couldn't live without. I wouldn't mind having another one.

I've got high regards for Taurus revolvers from that time period. Look for the wood target stocks. Bye the way. Those target stocks fit my hand better than most any other stock I've ever used. They were great.

I think I paid about $300 each for the two I had, but that was several years ago at least. They were about half the cost of comparable Model 17 anyway. The one in that Gunbroker add looks about the same. I probably wouldn't pay what the bid shown was, but then I'm not in the market for a 22 revolver. If I was...maybe.

 

[PzGren]

My old gun club had one that had developed timing issues with years of heavy use, abuse and neglect but the gun was still accurate. I have found older Taurus revolvers that do not have timing issues to be not worse than the average S&W revolver and to be of comparable quality.

I had one Taurus 83 that was smoother than any S&W that had not been worked over and as smooth as a Korth.

 

[Tallball]

I had two very nice Taurus revolvers that I bought in the late 80's (a 66 and an 85) that were stolen in a burglary around the year 2000.

My 4" Model 689 was made in 1990 or so. I got it used to replace the stolen Model 66 as my HD revolver. It has a good but not great trigger, about the same as my lesser Smiths.

My 6" Model 66 (below) was made in 83 or so. I bought it a few years back as a range toy. It has an old-style hammer block instead of a transfer bar. Only my best Smiths have better triggers.

I have also read very good things about the 44 specials made back then... Model 431 or something like that?

That Model 96 looks very nice. If its trigger is as good as my better Taurii from that era, it would be a good shooter.

I had a J-frame sized Taurus 22 revolver from the 90's, and its DA trigger was beastly. It seems to be harder for companies to make small 22 revolvers whose DA triggers are any good.

Taurus Model 66

• Tallball
• Jan 6, 2018

 

[Master Blaster]

I have a 4" 94 I bought new in 1998, it has a bazillion rounds through it and functions perfectly.

It is a J frame sized revolver and holds 8 .22lr rounds. My kids loved it when they were little, and I use it when I take new shooters to the range.

Mine has a great trigger, and I have never replaced
the springs.

 

[MedWheeler]

Geno929, are you the one who bought it? It's been sold.

 

[Geno929]

Geno929, are you the one who bought it? It's been sold.

Yes, I won the auction. More than I wanted to pay, but hopefully it will be a nice addition to my .22 stable. It's the first .22 I've owned with adjustable sights and a 6in barrel. Getting transfer through my local gun store.
I did take a good look at my High Standard "Double-Nine" yesterday. Nickel plated w/ black plastic grips, series W-104 from 1962. It's in excellent shape, no wear and an accurate little gun. Along side my Ruger Single-Six from 1961 and SR.22 from 2018, I think my Grand Kids will enjoy plinking & shooting for many years to come!

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

Nice 22 congrats.

 

[Riomouse911]

My Taurus 94 .22 LR and 941 .22 Mag have been good little kit guns, but as the earlier poster stated the trigger pull on both is a bit hefty.

My 1989 vintage 66 .357 was a great gun, it was as smooth as my later Model 19 and S&W 66’s without the premium price. I just had to sell it to pay the rent.

If your new-to-you .22 is as smooth as my old 66 was, you are in for a treat.

Once you get it to the range let us know how it shoots for you.

Stay safe.

 

[Geno929]

My Taurus 94 .22 LR and 941 .22 Mag have been good little kit guns, but as the earlier poster stated the trigger pull on both is a bit hefty.

My 1989 vintage 66 .357 was a great gun, it was as smooth as my later Model 19 and S&W 66’s without the premium price. I just had to sell it to pay the rent.

If your new-to-you .22 is as smooth as my old 66 was, you are in for a treat.

Once you get it to the range let us know how it shoots for you.

Stay safe.

I forgot to say that I have a Taurus 944 in .22 Mag. Little revolver with a long and strong double action trigger, but much smoother in single action. It is a looker though! Shoots OK, but as you say, it's a kit gun made for the truck, trip, canoe or backpack sort of thing.

 

[Monac]

Yes, I won the auction. More than I wanted to pay, but hopefully it will be a nice addition to my .22 stable. It's the first .22 I've owned with adjustable sights and a 6in barrel. Getting transfer through my local gun store.
I did take a good look at my High Standard "Double-Nine" yesterday. Nickel plated w/ black plastic grips, series W-104 from 1962. It's in excellent shape, no wear and an accurate little gun. Along side my Ruger Single-Six from 1961 and SR.22 from 2018, I think my Grand Kids will enjoy plinking & shooting for many years to come!

In his book "Greatest Handguns of the World: Volume 1", Masaad Ayoob has a chapter on the High Standard Sentinel revolvers, which includes the Western styled Double 9s. One piece of advice he gives is to clean out the trigger mechanism with some kind of aerosol cleaner or by soaking it in solvent. When these revolvers were made, many people used ordinary household lubricants on them that gummed up over time, giving them a reputation for bad trigger pulls or light strikes.

 

[Geno929]

In his book "Greatest Handguns of the World: Volume 1", Masaad Ayoob has a chapter on the High Standard Sentinel revolvers, which includes the Western styled Double 9s. One piece of advice he gives is to clean out the trigger mechanism with some kind of aerosol clean or by soaking it in solvent. When these revolvers were made, many people used ordinary household lubricants on them that gummed up over time, giving them a reputation for bad trigger pulls or light strikes.

Hey Monac, Thanks! That's good advice, although I've only used Rem Oil on it and have decreased the amount of any lube I use on any weapon. A good rub down with a silicone cloth is all I really use on the outside of this little gem.

 

[Geno929]

My Taurus 94 .22 LR and 941 .22 Mag have been good little kit guns, but as the earlier poster stated the trigger pull on both is a bit hefty.

My 1989 vintage 66 .357 was a great gun, it was as smooth as my later Model 19 and S&W 66’s without the premium price. I just had to sell it to pay the rent.

If your new-to-you .22 is as smooth as my old 66 was, you are in for a treat.

Once you get it to the range let us know how it shoots for you.

Stay safe.

Received my model 96 today. Smooth smooth smooth. Solid lock up and timing. Didn't dry fire it, but double action is smooth and not too heavy. Single action is 2 - 3 lbs maximum. Timing spot on. Cannot wait to shoot it. Excellent fit and finish.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

Nice to hear you received a nice gun. Looking forward to the range report. I have a 627 tracker in 357 6.5 inch barrel. I like a lot. I have a few Heritage 22's by Taurus there nice for the price i feel.

 

[PaneledZero]

I just snagged this Taurus Model 96 from a co-worker today. I haven’t asked Taurus to date it, yet.

This should go good with my Stainless Taurus Model 94 3 inch 9 shot .22lr.

Geno, did you shoot yours yet? How was it?

Update (05/03/2022) - Taurus said the 96 was made on 12/17/1993 & my Model 94 was made 06/15/1990.