Taurus Revolver Stigma

[Pukindog12]

My wife and I went to a gun show yesterday. Among other things we were looking for a small revolver as her CCW in .38 Special/.357 Magnum. We looked at S&Ws, Rugers, Tauruses, and other various inferior makes and she was always drawn to the Tauruses.

I know that Taurus semi-autos have a general stigma about them. Getting one is a roll of the dice as to whether you'll get a good one or bad one. And if you get a bad one, even though they have a lifetime warranty, dealing with their CS is a PITA.

What I'd like to know is if their revolvers have the same stigma. Not so much as their CS being awful but as to whether getting a revolver is a big crap shoot like their semi-autos?

TIA

 

[skidder]

I think their revolvers are a bigger crap shot than their semi-autos.
You're better off with a Ruger Sp101.

 

[oldfool]

I would urge you to be more specific on vintage and model numbers you are looking at.

The revolver forum is no different than the autoloader forum, in this regard.
There are numerous brand love/hate wars, notably on Taurus brand, but not exclusively so, not hardly. It gets pretty obnoxious at times.
If you can keep it focused on a a much narrower range, you will get a lot better advice, and a lot less angst.

Kindly name the specific models in each brand you find most appealing, and note as NIB vs used.

thanks

 

[CajunBass]

All I can tell you is I've owned three Taurus revolvers over the years. They all worked just as designed. Never had a bit of problem with them.

Now, I made no effort to wear them out, I just took them shooting.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I do not hate any gun or gun company. BUT, there are so many bad stories about Taurus revolver that I would not trust my life on one. I will also not trust my life on some S&W revolvers either. cough "lock" cough

When it comes to firearms, musical instruments and a few other things, you do get what you pay for. When you buy a cheap revolver you usually end up with a cheap revolver. (in general) I own both a S&W M642 and M442 and both are totally reliable so I will carry them for SD. A friend owns a 6" Taurus .22 revolver that's a clone of the S&W M17 and it's every bit as good as the hand fitted M17 and possible better so not all Taurus revolver are dogs. But, there are many Taurus revolvers that are. Are you willing to take that chance?

I would trust the current Charter Arms revolvers more than Taurus. I said current, not the older ones and especially the Charter Arms 2000 guns. But again, the very old Charter Arms revolver were great American firearms. Now that the Ecker family are back at the helm the QC and firearms are again very good.

This is all my opinion and you know what they say about opinions....

 

[oldfool]

"you do get what you pay for"
absolutely

"A friend owns a 6" Taurus .22 revolver that's a clone of the S&W M17 and it's every bit as good as the hand fitted M17"
You now have two friends that share that experience.. but that is at least a 25 year old gun, maybe 30, bought NIB, model 96, rarely seen in the wild, goes nicely with my pair of k-17s.
Those are the kind of specific model head-to-head experiences I put far more faith in than brand warz.

Me not a fan of either Charter or Taurus, within context of vague brand statements.
Having seen way way too many of both I looked at close enough to walk away from, I don't waste much of my own time looking at them anymore. I do hope the Eckers can earn some loyalty though, "the old fashioned way".
The all-steel Taurus 85s I have looked at, and a couple I have shot (but do not own), I would look at seriously, not buy blind folded.
(my own comparison basis for the 85s is my S&W model 60 snubbie, likewise bought NIB decades ago)

 

[Stainz]

Oops. I thought the Taurus Stigma was a new model... never mind!

I initially avoided the brand due to their inclusion of a port on nearly everything. Later, after several friends had less than stellar experiences, I felt villified in my avoidance. I have fewer firearms, but I buy new S&Ws when I can. A late friend had a new blued 7-shot .357M - a '67', I believe - that I resprung/regripped. Parts and everything, he had ~$350 in it. He carried and shot +P .38s from it - never a problem. It wasn't a 686P, for sure, but he bought it for a lot less than a used 686P runs. His other Taurus examples weren't as noteworthy - particularly his five shot 4" .45 ACP Tracker.

My other experiences are from my time at a public range as a RO. I guess the happiest Taurus owners I've met usually have an 85 snubby .38 - and shoot 'it enough to familiarize themselves with it, then leave it loaded at home or in their car. They do always seem to work well enough when they bring it to the range. The similar Rossis and Charter Arms examples seem to spit a bit more from the b/c gap than the Taurus examples. Taurus triggers can be 'improved' somewhat, if you can find someone to respring them. In general, they don't smooth out quite like a S&W will with some use. Their factory service is reportedly slow. YMMV.

Stainz

 

[JR47]

Here we are again, "reportedly", "had a friend", "heard about".

My own experience with Taurus handguns, from the mid-1980's to current is one of 100% success.

As for checking them, anyone who doesn't check out ANY new gun is a fool. Next time you're at a Gun Show, start looking closely at the various makes and models. You'll be surprised, and not happily, at the lack of QC from purportedly "superior" manufacturers.

Even the die-hard S&W fan-boys are now, when pressed, telling everyone that they're talking about "older models".

Check the gun out prior to purchase. Clean it thoroughly, lube it, THEN go shoot it. Common sense trumps brand hate every time.

 

[MCgunner]

Yet another bash opportunity.... I like mine, all I'll say. They're very reliable and accurate and function fine.

 

[jimniowa]

Taurus has had some issues, as do others in the bus. If this is a gun for your wife or you, you need to determine if you can shoot a smi auto pistol.My neighbor is a 30 something year old, ave build and shooting my 92 FS he has consistant jams. My wife has the same problem, they are limp wristers. Given a revolver or a .22rim fire auto they do fine. For SD or HD a revolver is way more effective for casul shooters and they will have more confidense in this firearm. Nothing against autos as I carry one, but there maybe a time it may not feed correctly even with factory loads and a experienced shooter will handle this in a second. My wife carries and shoots on regular basis a Ruger LCR in .38+p ammo 125g hp in the summer and 158 jfp in the winter, ( the predators here in OZ in the winter wear fur coats and like) We practice on 10" paper targets free hand looking at dot the size of silver dollar.
Jim

 

[huskybiker]

I own (and carry) a Taurus 85UL and a Rossi 462 (mfg by Taurus). both guns have been 100% from day one. The 85 has about 500 rounds through it. The Rossi has over 2000. No problem from either.

 

[knockonit]

Yep this. usual bashers are those that heard, and never shot or owned. jmo

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

J&G sales has PD trade in .38 Tarus revolvers. I don't know who issued them, but some PD did. I was actually thinking about ordering one.

 

[dampoo]

I picked up a Taurus 94 .22lr and S&W 617 at the local gun store. Pulled the trigger in DA on each. Put the Taurus down and never looked at it again.

 

[gunlaw]

I had a model 82. Shot the snot out of it and I wish i still had it. Currently have a model 85. Only problem with that gun is that my wife won't give it back.

 

[RalphS]

I had a model 608. It had timing problems and was shaving lead. Sent it back to Taurus. When it came back it was still shaving lead.

That was my last Taurus.

 

[Tomcat47]

No Problems with mine! I own several models of Taurus revolvers and autos...

Carry Mod 85 Ultra lite and 905 on daily basis. +100

There Stigma evolve from sheer volume in my opinion! And I know I will get blasted for that statement....And Do not really care.

Unfortunately if you based problems on volume of firearms sold...right now I would see Kimber near the top of list...which is sad..beautiful firearms!

I will dig and see if I can find some numbers on the net??? Do not suppose any manufacturer would want these numbers to be out though?

The Stigma with Taurus Interest me due to actual numbers of them I have owned with but a couple (very minor problems), both of whiich were fixed under warranty without sending firearm back.

I have seen a model 94 with timing issues...it was not new?? All my revolvers present ad past were 100% as well as autos. The two parts ordered under warranty were slide stop for 1911 and extractor for a 92 9mm with a lot of rounds through it.

 

[Stacer]

My 85 is as smooth as my pre 18 smith, I wouldn't hesitate to buy another taurus

 

[hang fire]

Over the years all firearm companies have had their share of product problems. Ruger comes to mind for always rushing guns into production, then having to discontinue them when problems develope. I bought a Colt Python which proved to be a piece of junk. Some Walther clones are are better than the gun they copied. IMO Browning Hi-Powers are nortorious for having problems.

I have owned many different handguns and brands over the decades, most all were great pieces, but some were simply no good at all.

The wife has three older all steel Bersa acp models and they are great little pistols. She has a Taurus Judge and it is an excellent revolver. I have a big, clunky looking and heavy Ruger P90 DC .45 acp, for all those faults, would put it up against any of the competition for feed most anything reliability and accuracy.

So for the most part, when it comes to firearms, it all boils down to likes and dislikes

 

[Tomcat47]

Very true hangfire.... I have just always felt that the stigma versus quantity I have owned never added up...or I am just above lucky?? But my lotto experience does not prove that theory either...

And I had one of those Ruger in 9mm....P89! Man that thing was kinda ugly, but it was a tank! Never a hiccup!

 

[joneb]

I had a Taurus SS 85 2" I bought a S&W 36 and took my wife shooting with both of these guns, she now has the 85. I put 800-1000 rnds though the 85 and a maybe 200 were +P the gun has been flawless and if it wasn't I'd suspect the ammo.
I bought the 85 new in the early 90's for $240

 

[Salmoneye]

While I will not deny that fit and finish is not up to S&W standards of old, I can not say that I have had a bad experience with Taurus...

I have a model 94-4 that goes bang every time the trigger is pulled, and it puts the bullet where it is aimed...

 

[XD 45acp]

I bought a Taurus snub .38 (Model 85 ???, maybe ) back in the 90's. Fuction was fine, and finish was good. Packed & shot it for a long time without a minutes problem. Let my Mother in law have it for her home, and I got a Smith. I can't make a legitimate fuss about it. For the money I gave for it, it was OK.

 

[Onward Allusion]

Pukindog12
Taurus Revolver Stigma

I have 7 Taurus revolvers and had a few more than that over the years. Every one of them work as intended. I can't say this of their dang Taurus semi-autos. I hated my Taurus semis, except for the PT92.

The thing about revolvers is that they either work or not. You'll very likely find out in the first box of ammo. Like a couple of the other guys said - Taurus quality depends on the vintage - and I am just talking revolvers here. Ones made up until the 80's to the mid 90's were pretty decent. One can really notice the difference in quality (mostly fit and finish) in the ones from the last 5 years. BTW, I don't ever shoot +P rounds through mine...

 

[mgkdrgn]

My wife and I went to a gun show yesterday. Among other things we were looking for a small revolver as her CCW in .38 Special/.357 Magnum. We looked at S&Ws, Rugers, Tauruses, and other various inferior makes and she was always drawn to the Tauruses.

I know that Taurus semi-autos have a general stigma about them. Getting one is a roll of the dice as to whether you'll get a good one or bad one. And if you get a bad one, even though they have a lifetime warranty, dealing with their CS is a PITA.

What I'd like to know is if their revolvers have the same stigma. Not so much as their CS being awful but as to whether getting a revolver is a big crap shoot like their semi-autos?

TIA

Actually, I've found neither to be true.

I've been very happy with all of the Taurus firearms I've owned.

One Taurus 450 I bought with a known problem. Sent it off to Taurus, got it back 10 days later all fixed and ready to go.