Taurus revolvers

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I want a good .357 without spending too much money. What type of quality are the Taurus revolvers? How do the Taurus revolvers compare with S&W?
 
Well, just judging on the one's I owned in the past and the M10 I now own, I'd have said S&W has better fit and finish. However, from what I've been hearing about new Smiths lately, I don't know. :D

I do know I have two Tauri that I like a lot. My M66 is a nickel .357, four inch. I got it used at a gun show for just under $200. It's tight, times perfectly, and is very accurate both with .357 and .38 ammo. It's a keeper. I got a deal on that one! ;)

I like the trigger on my M85UL, very smooth and light, as good or better than the J frame Smiths. The M66 is an older gun and the trigger isn't quite as smooth as my old M10, but that ol' gun has been shootin' since the fifties. I wouldn't call the Taurus bad, just not as smooth as my Smith.

Anyway, find what you like, check it out closely for timing and tightness before you buy even if it's new in box. My M85 is slightly off time on one chamber. It doesn't affect function, but it should be perfect IMHO. I ordered that gun. Normally I do check my revolvers out closely before purchase.
 
My first center fire revolver was a Security Six. If you can find a deal on one, they're great guns, strong. However, there are things I didn't like about it that I do like about my Taurus, none the least of which is accuracy with .38 loads. However, that varies gun to gun within even a given model. The Security Six rode high in the hand and had a LOT of muzzle flip, but that can be helped by a different grip. The grips that were standard on 'em were worthless. I had a Hogue on mine. I did a trigger job on that Security Six and it had probably the slickest DA of any gun I've ever owned, really nice!

But, used is used. If you want new, the Taurus is hard to beat for value.
 
Tracker 627 owner here. No complaints, does everything a 686 can do, and was half as expensive.
 
My friend purchased a Taurus 905 at the gunshow last weekend, and we went out to the range on Wednesday to check it out. He had a failure to fire on the last round of the first cylinder-full fired (.38 Specials) , and then things really went downhill. He next tried .357 Magnums and was getting numerous failures to fire. It turns out that the cylinder wasn't always rotating when he pulled the hammer back. Needless to say, he's not pleased.
 
tracker

I have a 4" tracker with a ported barrel. It shoots great and is pretty rugged, the fit and finish are not as good as my python, nor is it as accurate, but for $400.00 NIB, you cant go wrong.
 
RidgwayCO a Taurus® 905 is a 9mm. If he used the wrong ammo no wonder he had a problem! Lucky he didn't blow the gun up & himself to boot. 9mm=.355"; 38/357=.357".

Regarding the original question I have four Taurus Wheelguns manufactured from 1995-2003. Two Mdl 85's in 38 Special and two 357 Mags; a 617 & a 669CP. All have over 10K rounds through them with ZERO PROBLEMS.
 
The last two Taurus revolvers (both model 905 in 9mm) I purchased within the last year had the nicest trigger pulls of any revolvers I have purchased over the last 30 years. Shockingly impressive pulls, and both have been perfectly reliable. But from what I hear and read, quality control may not always be perfect, because there are some people who complain that their Taurus products have been less than satisfactory.

Which is not a problem unique to Taurus. The first Kimber I added to my collection (an Ultra CDP II .45) was horribly unreliable, but the one that replaced it (same make and model) shoots like a dream. So, on occassion, regardless the manufacturer, you are going to find a lemon or two.

Boarhunter
 
Over the years I've owned 7 or 8 models of various calibers (four in .357) and never once had a problem with any of them. Most recent purchase was a Gaucho in .357 that I like better than the Vaquero.
 
M-44 and 651B owner here. Both excellent guns, and the 651 is highly concealable for a .357. I don't think you would go wrong with a Taurus.
 
I picked up a Tracker 4" and love it, smooth trigger, good lock up, no timing issues, light recoil (imo)

When I was deciding on a revolver, I looked at S&W's, and Taurus (a quick look at Ruger's, and while I like them, decided they were to heavy/bulky for what I wanted. I went with the Taurus for a couple of reasons (in no particular order): 1) When comparing similar models the S&W's fit and finish didn't seem any better, cylinders weren't any tighter (and in some cases looser), 2) Price, 3)Taurus Lifetime Warranty (on the gun, not the owner)
4) Better designed internal lock (wasn't looking at pre-lock models as I was looking at nib), 5) Felt most comfortable in my hand, 6) Did I mention Price?? (imo, to a certin extent you are paying extra just for the S&W name)

For the record, the Tracker I ended up purchasing was (lightly) used, showed no wear, and I didn't have to wait for one to be ordered. The dealer also was willing to give me credit for full purchase price for 30 days, reguardless of if I fired it or not, towards another gun (new or used) if I decided I didn't like it........I still have it and plan on keeping it for a long time!;)


I also plan on looking for a snubby in the near future and will again compare Taurus to S&W but am already leaning towards Taurus.
 
My 905 is on its 3rd trip to Miami for light primer strikes. I knew Taurus had mixed reviews on QC, but I decided to take a chance. From the looks of it, I got a lemon. If it doesn't work when I get it back, I'll ask for a refund.

The frustrating thing is that I really like the pistol. Whoever said snubbies were not accurate is wrong. I also really like the trigger. Smooth and fairly light. I think the 905 is a new product for Taurus, and I just ended up being a guinea pig. If Taurus hasn't worked out the problems with the 905, they will soon. Until then, I'll probably stick with Makarovs.
 
I have a 669CP and a 85CH , I also previously owned a 669 . So far I've had no problems with any Taurus revolver I've owned/own . I use the 85CH as my summer pocket gun and the 669CP , which is stainless is my bay gun .
 
Makunut

If your light strikes continue, put a standard S&W model 36 12lb hammer spring in and solve the problem once and for all. A lot of people have had the same issue, and this seems to be the standard fix. It worked for my 605. Now my primer dimples are twice as deep. Taurus makes a good gun, but they go a little light on the hammer spring to get that nice trigger. Even with the heavier spring, the trigger pull is hardly any different.
 
I have a Taurus 85ti that is much better built, better trigger pull and tighter lock up than my S&W J frame. I had a Taurus tracker that was also a great gun. The only reason I got rid of it is I am trying to get a Tracker in .357mag instead of the .44mag I had.

As a side note, have any of you guys noticed that most of the negative reports on taurus handguns are second or third or even fourth party reports? i.e. My brothers best friends cousin had one and it was a POS. I just think it is funny that this always seems to be case. People who have never evened owned a gun from them are the biggest decrier's of taurus handguns.
 
Jkwas

I'll get an S&W spring if my 905 doesn't work when I get it back from Miami. How do you like your 605? I was eyeing one of those in a local shop today, and I liked the looks of it. Good trigger too.
 
makanut

I have the 605 in stainless. It's a great gun. I use it as my ccw either in a highnoon IWB or mostly in a Bianchi black widow. Rides nice and high. I have over 1000 rnds thru it, and the only issue I had was the hammer spring, which my smith changed out in about 5 minutes under warranty. That was about after 500 rounds. I shoot 38+p's out of it, not 357's. The advantage is the longer extractor rod that the 605 has vs the 85. I also switched out the boot grip for the factory combat grip. Made a huge diff, and it's only $8 from taurus. It's very accurate as well. If you do go for one, change out the spring regardless. It's cheap insurance. ;)
ps. you can get the springs at http://www.e-gunparts.com/
 
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