MCgunner
Member
Your guns are all crap.
My guns are great!
My guns are great!
Taurus Raging Bull: Crap or Not?
- Thread starter Shmackey
- Start date
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weregunner
Member
And those who claim that Taurus just fall apart or have major problems seem to not do any of this.Can't or things would have been caught BEFORE they bought the gun.
Having over 40 Tauri says that they are a quality item.
If the checklists are followed in what to look for prior to buying one cannot get into trouble.
Revolver Checkout Procedure
How to check the condition of a used revolver - YouTube
Buying a Used Handgun
Buying A Handgun
http://cheaperthandirt.com/blog/?p=1180
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57816
Having over 40 Tauri says that they are a quality item.
If the checklists are followed in what to look for prior to buying one cannot get into trouble.
Revolver Checkout Procedure
How to check the condition of a used revolver - YouTube
Buying a Used Handgun
Buying A Handgun
http://cheaperthandirt.com/blog/?p=1180
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57816
41 Mag
Member
Well a LOT of folks I know told me my IAI Javelina 10mm was a piece of junk when I got it, as a few did with my Raging Bull, but after seeing what either of them can and would do on the targets with boring repeatability most of the trash talking went away.
While I cannot personally say that there aren't some hunks of junk out there, in my experience with the one I own, I can hardly call it anything closely resembling junk. With a Lee 300gr RF at 25yds off hand it does this as regular as I can hold it,
As far as fit and function, I have never found any issues with it since I received it new. If there is anything at all I would gripe about, well two things rally, the first would be the lack of interchangeable sights, and the other is the double lock that makes it a REAL pain to reload in a hurry, before the piggies all get gone.
While I cannot personally say that there aren't some hunks of junk out there, in my experience with the one I own, I can hardly call it anything closely resembling junk. With a Lee 300gr RF at 25yds off hand it does this as regular as I can hold it,
As far as fit and function, I have never found any issues with it since I received it new. If there is anything at all I would gripe about, well two things rally, the first would be the lack of interchangeable sights, and the other is the double lock that makes it a REAL pain to reload in a hurry, before the piggies all get gone.
huntershooter
Member
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2005
- Messages
- 1,058
Crap.
All my work perfectly, even after the internet commandos started decrying them as junk.
Guess they didn't get the memo.
All my Thermold mags still work perfectly, even after the mall ninjas declared them junk, as a result of Magpul mags coming onto the scene. (Funny how popular Orlite and Thermold were before Magpul came along, and what junk they supposedly are now)
My Fobus holsters still work perfectly, even though the online SWAT teams have declared Blackhawk to be the be-all, end-all of rent-a-cop holsters.
Fanboyism is a funny thing.
There are a lot of people online who post about guns, yet know nothing about them.
They should go back to playing RPGs and posting about ComiCon (things they actually know something about), and leave the gun talk to us adults.
Guess they didn't get the memo.
All my Thermold mags still work perfectly, even after the mall ninjas declared them junk, as a result of Magpul mags coming onto the scene. (Funny how popular Orlite and Thermold were before Magpul came along, and what junk they supposedly are now)
My Fobus holsters still work perfectly, even though the online SWAT teams have declared Blackhawk to be the be-all, end-all of rent-a-cop holsters.
Fanboyism is a funny thing.
There are a lot of people online who post about guns, yet know nothing about them.
They should go back to playing RPGs and posting about ComiCon (things they actually know something about), and leave the gun talk to us adults.
I have worked in Gun Shops for about 20 years. I have seen all makes of Guns go back for repairs. ALL MAKES. If you find a Gun Manufacture that never had a breakdown it's news to me. Taurus was never the leader in returns of any of the Shops I worked at.
I'm would imagine you have made the decision... I didn't read through every post. However, I thought I would share information as so many others have with me in my questions.
I purchased a used blued 6" 454 Raging Bull a couple years ago. Funny enough I had watched the Youtube linked above (by weregunner: how to check a revolver on youtube). Great info with one exception; this is one case where, regardless of what AmEx says... you SHOULD leave home without it. When I checked a couple of my credit cards they were around 30 thousandths in thickness.
Back on topic- the Bull I picked us has cylinder gap of 3 thousandths and shoots great. The prior owner did, however, send it back to Taurus in June of 2002. I was told that they replaced the barrel at that time. Maybe they did other work as well, I don't know.
For the price of the Taurus it is real tough to beat on this one. That said... I would still take a Super Redhawk if price wasn't a concern.
I purchased a used blued 6" 454 Raging Bull a couple years ago. Funny enough I had watched the Youtube linked above (by weregunner: how to check a revolver on youtube). Great info with one exception; this is one case where, regardless of what AmEx says... you SHOULD leave home without it. When I checked a couple of my credit cards they were around 30 thousandths in thickness.
Back on topic- the Bull I picked us has cylinder gap of 3 thousandths and shoots great. The prior owner did, however, send it back to Taurus in June of 2002. I was told that they replaced the barrel at that time. Maybe they did other work as well, I don't know.
For the price of the Taurus it is real tough to beat on this one. That said... I would still take a Super Redhawk if price wasn't a concern.
ljnowell
Member
Really? Bet you are wrong. The guns that I had bought were perfectly fine the gunshop. Passed all the tests that they should. The pt1911 that literally fell apart took about 200 rounds or so to start falling apart. Started with the Ambi safety and then just went downhill from there.
The revolver I mentioned passed all timing tests. It was an internal failure. Of course Taurus wouldnt give a specific on it.
Why is it that if I were to come here and post that I had these two awesome Taurus handguns then the taurus fan boys would be like "yeah, those are awesome, great......" but if you have the nerve to say something bad, then you are a liar, a fool, etc?
OP, buy with caution. No matter what the people will say Taurus has QC issues, always has, and have not fixed it. Just the simple fact that the people so rabidly defend them is reason enough for you to suspect.
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ljnowell
Member
Its all in the luck of the draw really. You can get really good ones or really bad ones with Taurus, I just choose not to take my chance again. I had bought two different revolvers and both had major issues.
weregunner
Member
No working the action and following the data and a CLOSE detailed inpsection woul have shown things were or were not right with the gun.
Loose things are a part of that.
Loose things are a part of that.
weregunner
Member
Besides. This is about the Raging Bull and nothing else. SO why hijack the thread. What counts is the actual owners' use.
22-rimfire
Member
I hear so many bad comments about Taurus revolvers. I would have bought a Raging Bull in 480 Ruger when they came out if I hadn't already purchased a Ruger SRH in the caliber. Don't know if I would regret that purchase or not.... But in hindsight, I am glad I didn't wait for Taurus to come out with their 480 as they had problems even though they "looked" like a tank. So, even though I don't particularly like my SRH, I shoot it. But I certainly don't fondle it and look with awl at the mechanical perfection.
So, my answer is buy what you can afford and live with the consequences. I would suggest you go with a BFR, S&W, or Ruger and skip Taurus.
So, my answer is buy what you can afford and live with the consequences. I would suggest you go with a BFR, S&W, or Ruger and skip Taurus.
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Jim NE
Member
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2011
- Messages
- 1,888
Anytime a new Smith and Wesson or Kahr or Kimber gets sent back to the factory, it's because of an "anomalous" problem. Anytime a new Taurus gets sent back to the factory, it's because it's "junk".
I have no problem at all admitting that Taurus isn't at the quality range of some high end guns. But saying that they're junk is EXACTLY like saying a Chevy, Ford or Buick is junk simply because it isn't a Mercedes.
It's interesting, when someone on one of these forums asks for an opinions on Sig or Glock or Tikka, I DON'T give my opinion because I DON'T OWN ONE!!! Apparently, there's a different set of logic skills that are used when it comes to opinions on Taurus.
I have no problem at all admitting that Taurus isn't at the quality range of some high end guns. But saying that they're junk is EXACTLY like saying a Chevy, Ford or Buick is junk simply because it isn't a Mercedes.
It's interesting, when someone on one of these forums asks for an opinions on Sig or Glock or Tikka, I DON'T give my opinion because I DON'T OWN ONE!!! Apparently, there's a different set of logic skills that are used when it comes to opinions on Taurus.
50 Shooter
member
I've owned my Raging Bull for over 10 years, never had a problem and put some stout loads through it.
Sadly though I want to sell it as I want to step up to the 500 S&W. If anyone is looking for a .454 Raging Bull PM me. I have A LOT of extras for it, you won't be disappointed.
Sadly though I want to sell it as I want to step up to the 500 S&W. If anyone is looking for a .454 Raging Bull PM me. I have A LOT of extras for it, you won't be disappointed.
Zaydok Allen
Member
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2011
- Messages
- 13,274
I've seen three out of three Taurus revolvers be total garbage. One of them had the cylinder fall off the gun, another had such bad timing that one of the chambers wouldn't fire, and the third had screwed up timing and inconsistant cylinder lock up.
Personally, I refuse to buy any Taurus product or product from one of their other companies. I just don't trust them. Just my experience.
Other people love them and have real shooters.
Personally, I refuse to buy any Taurus product or product from one of their other companies. I just don't trust them. Just my experience.
Other people love them and have real shooters.
ljnowell
Member
Its amazing that your clairvoyance allows you to know what was wrong with those guns. Your rabid fanboyism totally negates anything you say here. Someone provides a factual incident and your solution is: its your fault taurus made a crappy gun because you didnt check it out first!
OP, pay real close attention to these posts, its all you need to know.
Dnaltrop
Member
My Old man's 9 shot Tracker .22 passed all tests in the gun shop. He's the Nephew of a gunsmith, an "Old gun" guy, he's been shooting since the 50's, and he's the sort who asks for a chair and sits down with the gun for a good while before laying his money down.
I've seen him purchase exactly Three guns "new" ever. A Bersa .380, A Chief's Special in the 80's, and this very Taurus Tracker. 3 trips back to Taurus and It still can't function in DA reliably without locking up between cylinders.
Less than 200 rounds lifetime, each time returned from Taurus Service with a note saying they tuned and function tested it. This last time it managed the first cylinder, then froze 3 shots in on the second.
Not to take the wind out of the position that "It should have been caught in the Shop...Buyer failed to inspect" the ONLY way this gun would have exhibited it's Issues, would have been a Firing range on the premises, and precious few shops in Oregon have those.
Some are Junk, Some work amazingly well, but you won't know for sure till you put a few hundred rounds downrange to separate the two. For myself, I'd buy my buddy's Belly-carry ,rusted .357 in a heartbeat, I've shot it enough times that I'd trust it as a CCW. I don't know that I'd ever trust a NIB Taurus without an extended range session first.
Good luck though, I tend to mentally place the odds on them at 50/50, I'm just not a gambling man.
I've seen him purchase exactly Three guns "new" ever. A Bersa .380, A Chief's Special in the 80's, and this very Taurus Tracker. 3 trips back to Taurus and It still can't function in DA reliably without locking up between cylinders.
Less than 200 rounds lifetime, each time returned from Taurus Service with a note saying they tuned and function tested it. This last time it managed the first cylinder, then froze 3 shots in on the second.
Not to take the wind out of the position that "It should have been caught in the Shop...Buyer failed to inspect" the ONLY way this gun would have exhibited it's Issues, would have been a Firing range on the premises, and precious few shops in Oregon have those.
Some are Junk, Some work amazingly well, but you won't know for sure till you put a few hundred rounds downrange to separate the two. For myself, I'd buy my buddy's Belly-carry ,rusted .357 in a heartbeat, I've shot it enough times that I'd trust it as a CCW. I don't know that I'd ever trust a NIB Taurus without an extended range session first.
Good luck though, I tend to mentally place the odds on them at 50/50, I'm just not a gambling man.
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blue32
Member
- Joined
- Jul 22, 2012
- Messages
- 856
I bought a Taurus 850 SS brand new back in 2008. I thought the trigger was decent, but I didn't have anything to compare it to at the time. This was my first revolver. After about 1k or so rounds the cylinder would either bind up or the gun would give me light primer strikes every other round.
I sent it back to Taurus on their dime and it came back 3 months later. Experienced the same problems less than 100 rounds after the repair. I traded it in for $190 off a new Glock 17 two years ago. I gave the guys at the shop I traded it to full disclosure of the problems. They said they would just send it to Taurus to be fixed... "yeah, have fun with that..."
I now own a 642 and 686 and both of those have been back for repairs, although the 686 was more for wear and tear.
To give you a comparison on triggers; a new Smith beats a Taurus with 1k rounds no contest. The 642 that went in for repairs did so because the barrel progressively unscrewed itself from the frame. The cylinder would not fully lock into the frame, but darnit that gun still fired! The clear coat finish on my 642 is nasty but I can bet my life on it (the gun, not the finish). My 686-6 is a magnum gulping dragon with a sweet trigger (6k+ rounds didn't hurt either), good looks, and the reliability of a hammer.
Problems can happen with any gun and my experience shows that. You're not going to beat the potential for problems by buying a S&W. The big difference was S&W made it right in a timely manner whereas Taurus put my 850 on a 3 month, round trip cruise to Brazil.
I sent it back to Taurus on their dime and it came back 3 months later. Experienced the same problems less than 100 rounds after the repair. I traded it in for $190 off a new Glock 17 two years ago. I gave the guys at the shop I traded it to full disclosure of the problems. They said they would just send it to Taurus to be fixed... "yeah, have fun with that..."
I now own a 642 and 686 and both of those have been back for repairs, although the 686 was more for wear and tear.
To give you a comparison on triggers; a new Smith beats a Taurus with 1k rounds no contest. The 642 that went in for repairs did so because the barrel progressively unscrewed itself from the frame. The cylinder would not fully lock into the frame, but darnit that gun still fired! The clear coat finish on my 642 is nasty but I can bet my life on it (the gun, not the finish). My 686-6 is a magnum gulping dragon with a sweet trigger (6k+ rounds didn't hurt either), good looks, and the reliability of a hammer.
Problems can happen with any gun and my experience shows that. You're not going to beat the potential for problems by buying a S&W. The big difference was S&W made it right in a timely manner whereas Taurus put my 850 on a 3 month, round trip cruise to Brazil.
Buying any mechanical device is a crap shoot. You have to pay your money and take your chances. I bought a 6" nickle Model-29 from Bud's many years ago. On the first range trip, all the plating came off the front of the cylinder, the crane, the forcing cone area, and about 1/4 of the barrel. The point I'm trying to make is there are no guarantees. A high dollar gun can be a P.O.S. just like a budget gun.
ozo
Member
The 'Taurus' thing never ends....
no matter where you go.
Those that know....know.
I see it all the time.
I have never seen so many experts as I do
these days....not in seventy years, and
could never, ever have predicted it. Who woulda thunk ?
As history shows, and repeats itself, I fear we are close
to another chapter of ruling civilization......because we
have become so intelligent !
no matter where you go.
Those that know....know.
I see it all the time.
I have never seen so many experts as I do
these days....not in seventy years, and
could never, ever have predicted it. Who woulda thunk ?
As history shows, and repeats itself, I fear we are close
to another chapter of ruling civilization......because we
have become so intelligent !
coebam
Member
I inherited a Raging Bull 454 Casul from my father, 2" ported barrel. The gun feels tight, it's accurate, and in my opinion a quality firearm. I won't disagree Taurus has HAD some quality issues in the past. I do, however, now feel they have stepped up their quality and are making the best guns they have ever made. I still am a bit apprehensive on the auto loaders but the wheel guns are a great value in my opinion.
spoonman72
Member
lol this forum is a bit old but i figure i'd chim in with my 2 cents I've owned and still own many different revolvers from rugers to smiths to colts to taurus and some old truck gun charters and rossi's and in all honesty I would put my taurus 669 up against my 686 smith any day of the week, I would put my raging bull in .454 up against my blackhawk any day of the week as well. There is no luck of the draw they make quality firearms at a decent price,and for those that over pay for the "Bigger brand" get upset because they spent more for a gun that performs the same or slighty worse or slightly better.My point being I would challenge anybody in the area to stand at 50 yards and let me pop some shots from the taurus's at em 
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