Walking Dead
Member
Either everybody on every gun forum has bought a Taurus or there is an awful lot of he said she said going around. I mean really, how does everybody have a Taurus story?
Taurus Revolver Stigma
- Thread starter Pukindog12
- Start date
- Status
oldfool
Member
"there is an awful lot of he said she said going around."
maybe the single most oft posted opinion in cyberspace, that one
oft accompanied by weblinks to he said she said
I cannot say anything about ALL gun forums
But this is THR and it is the revolver sub-forum, not your random-man-on-the-street survey.. a lot more shooters than just owners
There will always be some flame games on any generic brand post, how it is, it's cyberspace
but most people who post here don't own brand X or Y or Z.. most have owned and shot brand X and Y and Z
Most every shooter I personally know has owned at least one brand T, at sometime or other.. Taurus has been in business (even if mostly in South America) for a very long time, well before they made their push into NA, especially so give or take the time of the dreaded Bangor-Punta era
(I own three myself, all pretty much of that "era"; three out of 40, one brand out of 17)
and they all (shooters) have an opinion about 'em, go figure
(and likely to tell you what it is, too, if/when you ask 'em to)
maybe the single most oft posted opinion in cyberspace, that one
oft accompanied by weblinks to he said she said
I cannot say anything about ALL gun forums
But this is THR and it is the revolver sub-forum, not your random-man-on-the-street survey.. a lot more shooters than just owners
There will always be some flame games on any generic brand post, how it is, it's cyberspace
but most people who post here don't own brand X or Y or Z.. most have owned and shot brand X and Y and Z
Most every shooter I personally know has owned at least one brand T, at sometime or other.. Taurus has been in business (even if mostly in South America) for a very long time, well before they made their push into NA, especially so give or take the time of the dreaded Bangor-Punta era
(I own three myself, all pretty much of that "era"; three out of 40, one brand out of 17)
and they all (shooters) have an opinion about 'em, go figure
(and likely to tell you what it is, too, if/when you ask 'em to)
Last edited:
I think a lot of people have tried Taurus, because of the lower price. That combined with reading some positive reviews like some of those in this thread influenced me to buy a Taurus handgun. The first two were pretty good, so I bought more. The rest were a crapshoot, and I had over a 50% failure rate with 7 Taurus guns. I no longer buy them.
As amazed as some of you guys seem to be that a bunch of people have actually tried Taurus and experienced problems, well I guess I'm equally amazed that some of you claim to have had such good experience with them. Maybe you just haven't bought enough Taurus guns to know better
. I'm also amazed that so many will accuse others of dishonesty when they share a negative Taurus story, but as far as that goes, I have no reason to question your integrity in the matter. Regardless, Taurus doesn't suffer from a "stigma", it suffers from poor quality. If anyone doubts this, just go and buy a few Taurus guns, and most likely you'll find out for yourselves. If you are one of the minority who get lucky with your Taurus, good for you. Just sharing my opinion, like the rest of you.
Last edited:
beag_nut
Member
Well, there are many stories about bad Taurus this and bad Taurus that. I saw the youtube video of the Taurus which shot its barrel off. Haven't seen or heard of a video of another brand revolver which did the same thing.
My mantra is: learn from the mistakes of others, not your own mistakes. That's what keeps me from getting any Taurus, however attractive a particular model may be.
My mantra is: learn from the mistakes of others, not your own mistakes. That's what keeps me from getting any Taurus, however attractive a particular model may be.
oldfool
Member
"A Smith j frame with a good trigger from the factory?"
mebbe you just ain't yet shot a no-dash DA/SA S&W model 60 yet, friend
(ain't no better than McGunner's T-85, nope, but 'sorry' it ain't)
and neither is quite what an old vintage model K-19/66 or Taurus model 66 "K" is either
never did see a unicorn logo on none of 'em, though
though friend G do say 'Pony' and unicorn pretty much one and the same thing
mebbe you just ain't yet shot a no-dash DA/SA S&W model 60 yet, friend
(ain't no better than McGunner's T-85, nope, but 'sorry' it ain't)
and neither is quite what an old vintage model K-19/66 or Taurus model 66 "K" is either
never did see a unicorn logo on none of 'em, though
though friend G do say 'Pony' and unicorn pretty much one and the same thing
ISTR watching that video and the barrel blowing off was the fault of the shooter/owner, not the gun.
ISTR him abusing it.
My newest Taurus is a 2007 Judge that works perfectly, just like every other Taurus I've owned.
I've only sold 3 of my Tauri, and have regretted 2 of them.
I sold my model 65 .357 to pay for car repairs while in tech school. I regret that sale.
I sold my .431 .44 special to help pay for a HD gun for my then-fiancee. I highly regret that sale. The gun and girl are long gone.
I sold my blue 85CH to help pay for my stainless 85CH. I don't regret the sale, since the stainless gun doesn't rust when I carry it in the summer.
I haven't sold any more, even my first generation PT111 Millennium. I heard that the first gen was junk, after the second gen came out.
Mine has been great.
I don't choose any product based upon Goobtube videos. There's a lot of stupidity floating around there.
ISTR him abusing it.
My newest Taurus is a 2007 Judge that works perfectly, just like every other Taurus I've owned.
I've only sold 3 of my Tauri, and have regretted 2 of them.
I sold my model 65 .357 to pay for car repairs while in tech school. I regret that sale.
I sold my .431 .44 special to help pay for a HD gun for my then-fiancee. I highly regret that sale. The gun and girl are long gone.
I sold my blue 85CH to help pay for my stainless 85CH. I don't regret the sale, since the stainless gun doesn't rust when I carry it in the summer.
I haven't sold any more, even my first generation PT111 Millennium. I heard that the first gen was junk, after the second gen came out.
Mine has been great.
I don't choose any product based upon Goobtube videos. There's a lot of stupidity floating around there.
Walking Dead
Member
All I can really comment on is my model 66. From what I understand it's one of their best and I love mine. I am not dilusional in thinking they don't have lemons in the mix but like anything else people who have had problems with them will be the first to speak up. As for my next revolver I'm looking at the S&W 329pd.
jcwit
member
I own 2 Taurus's "or whatever", I also own a S & W, and an Astra. They are all well cared for, all more accurate than I am, and all reliable. All of them have had thousands of rounds thru them.
I must be one lucky son of a gun. No pun intended.
I must be one lucky son of a gun. No pun intended.
oldfool
Member
"model 66. From what I understand it's one of their best and I love mine."
yup
dirty rotten shame it was what it was, and ain't no more
but same could be said of me too
yup
dirty rotten shame it was what it was, and ain't no more
but same could be said of me too
Last edited:
So there's a gunsmith who won't work on them.
That settles it, they must be garbage.
I'll rush out and sell all mine for bargain basement prices and buy a brand new Smith with the lock. (I still haven't forgiven Taurus for coming up with that bit of nanny statism)
As far as fit, Mr Cunningham has never shot the Taurus model 44. I bought mine in 1994 and, at the time, they were all hand fitted.
They were also very affordable. My 44 has a much better action than my best friend's 629.
That settles it, they must be garbage.
I'll rush out and sell all mine for bargain basement prices and buy a brand new Smith with the lock. (I still haven't forgiven Taurus for coming up with that bit of nanny statism)
As far as fit, Mr Cunningham has never shot the Taurus model 44. I bought mine in 1994 and, at the time, they were all hand fitted.
They were also very affordable. My 44 has a much better action than my best friend's 629.
You are a wise man.
With my last Taurus, I cherry picked the good posts and left the bad. My excitement for this particular model overshadowed the advice from the infamous "bashers". Guess what? They were right. I am now in the bashing club and a presumed liar. Take heed we are a notorious bunch, out for blood, filled with lies and alibis, always searching for a new Taurus thread where we can spew our poisonous venom. We know someday all our made up crap will pay off, and we will receive a big reward for our ingenuity and diligence.
Beach Nut
Member
I currently own four Taurus revolvers and they all shoot fine and I've never had any
major problems with them. My favorite is the Model 66 4", it is a smooth shooting
tackdriver. I also own a Raging Bull .44 Magnum 6" which is a very sturdy and dependable
revolver. The two .38 Special snubbies I own shoot well enough to use them for
concealed carry. I'll admit I'm hesitant about buying the Taurus semiautos except for the
PT 92 but I would buy another Taurus revolver anytime if I had a need for it.
major problems with them. My favorite is the Model 66 4", it is a smooth shooting
tackdriver. I also own a Raging Bull .44 Magnum 6" which is a very sturdy and dependable
revolver. The two .38 Special snubbies I own shoot well enough to use them for
concealed carry. I'll admit I'm hesitant about buying the Taurus semiautos except for the
PT 92 but I would buy another Taurus revolver anytime if I had a need for it.
Walking Dead
Member
I'm also guessing if you take your F150 to the local Porsche shop you may get the same treatment.
MCgunner
Member
I seem to remember one of a Ruger Redhawk, Ruger anyway, probably posted by a Smith and Wesson fanboy to prove Rugers suck.
thebaldguy
Member
My first snubbie was an all steel Model 85. It was barely used at a great price. I gave it a good inspection and took it home. The fit and finish are actually pretty good, and it shoots well.
MCgunner
Member
They still make the 66. It's a 7 shooter, now. Mine are both 6 shooters.
One thing about Taurus really sucks...their web page. I can't read those blue links without highlighting them. They need to hire better ITs.
http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=278&category=Revolver&toggle=tr&breadcrumbseries=MF2
weregunner
Member
Now own over 40 Tauri.
Been picking off the PT92Cs and PT58S no one wants.
All of the guns are in great shape.
Been picking off the PT92Cs and PT58S no one wants.
All of the guns are in great shape.
blarby
Member
If I was a gunsmith, you know why I wouldn't work on them ?
Because my work would cost money, and if your Taurus is faulty- they fix it for free. Forever. The guns' forever, not your forever. I don't hear a lot about them rejecting claims of faulty workmanship.... Now, user error is a separate story.
Gunsmiths get paid to fix both.... They rarely get paid to fix an out of time 3 year old Taurus.... Or one with a bent/wiggly hammer, or a cylinder gap issue, or a bent extractor stem.... or any of the other host of common revolver issues that seem to occur just out of the warranty window most manufacturers provide. Taurus will do that for free. And thats just the revolvers....lets not get started on autoloaders.
If your dealer works with Davidsons Guarantee ( Such as the dealer where I just bought my new Taurus 44ss4 ) you don't even need to wait on their repair work.... you get a new one straight away.
I've never owned a Taurus before.
This'll be my first one.
Yes, there are some parts of the finish that could be done better. I'm not particularly proud of the MIM nipple on the cylinder face....but I never see that part, and if you are seeing that part, and focused on that when the taurus is in use, that's likely to be a horrible last memory.
On the shell extractor, some of the teeth have a little flash on them...its snagged a few wisps of the q-tips I was using during its first cleaning. Nothing a little emery paper didn't fix.
It came packed in cosmoline like a leaky squirt gun, but cleaned up good.
The adjustable sights are very easy to manipulate, and the cylinder locks up tighter'n....well, I can't say that here. On every trigger pull. I've tried to get it to wiggle.... it wont. I've picked up few revolvers that can make that claim. None of them were $528..... most of them were double that.
The single action pull is so smooth, its like breaking a glass toothpick, and the double action works great too...at about 6# of pull once I got all the crud out of the innards....cosmoline included.
If I can save the price of a whole separate firearm by cleaning the one I bought correctly, buffing up a few flash lines, setting the sights, and living with a dimple..... I'll do that all day. I spend more time touching up $10 toy soldier figures cast in centrifuges. I spent the other $520 ish dollars on components.
I'd also add that no one offers a 4" stainless, ported, 6-shot .44 mag with rubber cushion grips and adjustable sights. When I find one, I'll have something to compare it to. In price, and quality.
If something goes wrong with this one, I'll let everyone know. I plan on putting at least 2500 rounds through it this summer...probably by august. If its gonna break, it'll break this summer.
Because my work would cost money, and if your Taurus is faulty- they fix it for free. Forever. The guns' forever, not your forever. I don't hear a lot about them rejecting claims of faulty workmanship.... Now, user error is a separate story.
Gunsmiths get paid to fix both.... They rarely get paid to fix an out of time 3 year old Taurus.... Or one with a bent/wiggly hammer, or a cylinder gap issue, or a bent extractor stem.... or any of the other host of common revolver issues that seem to occur just out of the warranty window most manufacturers provide. Taurus will do that for free. And thats just the revolvers....lets not get started on autoloaders.
If your dealer works with Davidsons Guarantee ( Such as the dealer where I just bought my new Taurus 44ss4 ) you don't even need to wait on their repair work.... you get a new one straight away.
I've never owned a Taurus before.
This'll be my first one.
Yes, there are some parts of the finish that could be done better. I'm not particularly proud of the MIM nipple on the cylinder face....but I never see that part, and if you are seeing that part, and focused on that when the taurus is in use, that's likely to be a horrible last memory.
On the shell extractor, some of the teeth have a little flash on them...its snagged a few wisps of the q-tips I was using during its first cleaning. Nothing a little emery paper didn't fix.
It came packed in cosmoline like a leaky squirt gun, but cleaned up good.
The adjustable sights are very easy to manipulate, and the cylinder locks up tighter'n....well, I can't say that here. On every trigger pull. I've tried to get it to wiggle.... it wont. I've picked up few revolvers that can make that claim. None of them were $528..... most of them were double that.
The single action pull is so smooth, its like breaking a glass toothpick, and the double action works great too...at about 6# of pull once I got all the crud out of the innards....cosmoline included.
If I can save the price of a whole separate firearm by cleaning the one I bought correctly, buffing up a few flash lines, setting the sights, and living with a dimple..... I'll do that all day. I spend more time touching up $10 toy soldier figures cast in centrifuges. I spent the other $520 ish dollars on components.
I'd also add that no one offers a 4" stainless, ported, 6-shot .44 mag with rubber cushion grips and adjustable sights. When I find one, I'll have something to compare it to. In price, and quality.
If something goes wrong with this one, I'll let everyone know. I plan on putting at least 2500 rounds through it this summer...probably by august. If its gonna break, it'll break this summer.
Last edited:
I own 7 Taurus revolvers, all bought used. They are perfectly adequate handguns. Never had an issue with any of them. They are not as "nice" as my S&W or Ruger revolvers, but they are made to a different price point.
As far as gunsmith tuning, I prefer stock pistols. While tuned pistols can show improvement in feel and maybe a little improvement in performance, I have never seen one that I thought was worth the cost.
As far as gunsmith tuning, I prefer stock pistols. While tuned pistols can show improvement in feel and maybe a little improvement in performance, I have never seen one that I thought was worth the cost.
oldfool
Member
"They still make the 66. It's a 7 shooter, now. Mine are both 6 shooters.'
Well aware of that, McGunner, but my strong personal preference is for the old model version T-66 six shooter. Obliged to say I most generally do favor somewhat 'older vintage' vs. those of 'current/recent' manufacture in most any brand, though not exclusively so. There are "new" models in most brands that do perk up my interest, though, notably Ruger and S&W.
But of the many Taurus guns I have myself handled and inspected in the last 10-15 years, the only ones that spark my interest are the" old-line" products like the 92/99 autoloaders or series 85 snubbies. I have yet to see anything of the 'new & improved' in their lineup that I myself thought equal to the work they were doing back in the 80s.
("Don't you wish everything was made like Rubbermaid ?"... including Rubbermaid, these days)
That is very clearly a highly subjective personal opinion, label it whatever way you will, but it is a honest opinion born of my own hands-on experience; it's not like my personal opinion is based only on internet innuendo or glossy sales catalogs.There are quite a few Taurus guns within my small circle of friends, family, and shooting buddies. That is why I am not the least little bit surprised why there are so many on a forum like THR with hands-on Taurus experience. I would be amazed if there were not.
But any time I see a 'old vintage' Taurus at LGS for sale, I most certainly am strongly inclined to give them a real close look. When found in a style/caliber of your own choice, I do believe they are amongst the best values to be had in used firearms, S&W and Ruger included. I paid $330 for that nice T-66 just a few years ago, and paid $330 for a nice S&W K-66 at same shop in same year, and was happy (then and now) to do both.
I can be tempted to pay $600, $700 (or maybe even more) for a new S&W or Ruger revolver.
I have never yet been tempted to pay $400 for any Taurus centerfire revolver, old or new. How it is, for me, my personal choices, my hard earned money.
PS
I confess to a little bit of honest skepticism when somebody says "I have owned 40 Chevies, and never had a bad experience with even one of them."
much less 40 in maybe just six years or so.. though I do envy their ammo budget, if they be talking guns
(and I like Chevies a lot, I do, always have)
Just never knew anybody personally who owned 40 of anything who never had an issue with even one of them, ever.
Milday's set of Wustof Classic kitchen cutlery might be the only exception to date in my life. She just might own 40 of 'em.
I myself never have owned 40 of any 'one thing', don't expect I ever will.
Well aware of that, McGunner, but my strong personal preference is for the old model version T-66 six shooter. Obliged to say I most generally do favor somewhat 'older vintage' vs. those of 'current/recent' manufacture in most any brand, though not exclusively so. There are "new" models in most brands that do perk up my interest, though, notably Ruger and S&W.
But of the many Taurus guns I have myself handled and inspected in the last 10-15 years, the only ones that spark my interest are the" old-line" products like the 92/99 autoloaders or series 85 snubbies. I have yet to see anything of the 'new & improved' in their lineup that I myself thought equal to the work they were doing back in the 80s.
("Don't you wish everything was made like Rubbermaid ?"... including Rubbermaid, these days)
That is very clearly a highly subjective personal opinion, label it whatever way you will, but it is a honest opinion born of my own hands-on experience; it's not like my personal opinion is based only on internet innuendo or glossy sales catalogs.There are quite a few Taurus guns within my small circle of friends, family, and shooting buddies. That is why I am not the least little bit surprised why there are so many on a forum like THR with hands-on Taurus experience. I would be amazed if there were not.
But any time I see a 'old vintage' Taurus at LGS for sale, I most certainly am strongly inclined to give them a real close look. When found in a style/caliber of your own choice, I do believe they are amongst the best values to be had in used firearms, S&W and Ruger included. I paid $330 for that nice T-66 just a few years ago, and paid $330 for a nice S&W K-66 at same shop in same year, and was happy (then and now) to do both.
I can be tempted to pay $600, $700 (or maybe even more) for a new S&W or Ruger revolver.
I have never yet been tempted to pay $400 for any Taurus centerfire revolver, old or new. How it is, for me, my personal choices, my hard earned money.
PS
I confess to a little bit of honest skepticism when somebody says "I have owned 40 Chevies, and never had a bad experience with even one of them."
much less 40 in maybe just six years or so.. though I do envy their ammo budget, if they be talking guns
(and I like Chevies a lot, I do, always have)
Just never knew anybody personally who owned 40 of anything who never had an issue with even one of them, ever.
Milday's set of Wustof Classic kitchen cutlery might be the only exception to date in my life. She just might own 40 of 'em.
I myself never have owned 40 of any 'one thing', don't expect I ever will.
Last edited:
I handled two Taurus's in a gun store. They were both so stiff that I did not want to cock them and handed both bact to the store owner to cock. I am not exaggerating, I thought that they might break. The gun shop owner dismissed it as"They are Taurus's what do you expect." Both were new. I went to another gun shop and handled used guns and the Taurus felt as good as any other. I have since bought a used Taurus in 44 magnum and it has been A OK so far. Is it my carry gun? No.
MrDig
Member
I own two Taurus Revolvers
I own a Model 94 blued 4 inch, it was jamming and I could not figure it out the tolerances were all within the specifications.
Turns out I was shooing garbage ammo out of it. The Brass was not expanding in the cylinders and forcing itself backwards to bind on the "Shroud" the "Backing Plate" sorry I can't think of the word right now, anyway the "problem" with my revolver is that it eats clean high velocity ammo.
I also own a 44 Tracker and have hiccough free shooting from it and other than the fact that I think it's a little light for the caliber like shooting it very much.
I own a Model 94 blued 4 inch, it was jamming and I could not figure it out the tolerances were all within the specifications.
Turns out I was shooing garbage ammo out of it. The Brass was not expanding in the cylinders and forcing itself backwards to bind on the "Shroud" the "Backing Plate" sorry I can't think of the word right now, anyway the "problem" with my revolver is that it eats clean high velocity ammo.
I also own a 44 Tracker and have hiccough free shooting from it and other than the fact that I think it's a little light for the caliber like shooting it very much.
- Status
