Taurus Revolvers

[MMCSRET]

I have Taurus, S&W, Colt, Ruger, Rossi, H&R, Iver Johnson, RG, Hawes and some others. My Taurus Model 441 is the most accurate of all except my Colt Officers Models. My S&W are all at least 30 years old, my Rugers range from new to 40 years old, the rest don't matter. They all work and always have. I had trouble with Ruger in 1979, took 9 months to resolve, the state attorney general advised me to file suit in federal court to finally resolve that problem. I still like all of them and will buy all of them again if I find one that appeals.

 

[clem]

Years ago a friend of mine got a Model 66, 4" in trade for some money owed ($75.00). My friend didn't know anything about guns. The revolver was missing a few parts and of course would not funtion.
I suggested that he contact Taurus about the parts and we would fix it. They requested that he send it to them.
He sent it in and two weeks later he got a package back from them. It contained a brand new Model 66 with a letter saying that his old Model 66 was beyond repair so please accept this new as a replacement.

Not bad for $75.00 plus shipping.

 

[Gottahaveone]

And getting a good one is a crapshoot. They ship a lot of defective handguns.

Bingo. I bought my 1st Taurus in 1978 and have owned several sense. I guess like everything else, they were better back in the old days. I currently have an 85 Ultra-Lite that I bought ~4 years ago that's just about perfect. Because that one was "confiscated" by the better half, I recently went looking for another. It took 3 tries before I found a keeper.

The first one was pretty badly out of time on two of the chambers. With a slow DA trigger pull, it would drop the hammer well before the bolt locked the cylinder. I mean there was still 1/8" of cylinder rotation needed before it was locked. On the second one if you gently squeezed the trigger in SA, the hammer would drop but only for about 1/4". You had to continue to pull it for another 1/8" or so to get it to fall the rest of the way.

Third time was the charm. I found a SS 851 Ultra-Lite with a shrouded hammer that has so far been flawless. The only complaint I have is that the hammer spring is so stout that it is actually painful to try to cock the sharp exposed part of the hammer for a SA shot and the trigger pull is probably in the range of 18lbs. It's supposed to have an 11lb spring and I replaced it with a 9lb Wolff. The pull was really sweet, but it was misfiring on the same chamber about every other cylinder full. So I put the stock spring back in and I'll just accept having a really muscular index finger. If Ruger made the SP101 in a lightweight model, I'd recommend it. But for the money if you take the time to really go over the Taurus before you purchase it you can get a nice pistol for a good price.

 

[Jonah71]

I had serious problems with my Mod 65 .357. Sent it back for repairs on the key lock system. Got it back 9 weeks later. After about 50 rounds or so it locked up again. I sold it at a loss. Could have just been that particular revolver was defective but I won't buy another revolver from them. Have had no issues with my 9mm PT Pro though. (except for the front site falling off).

 

[MikeNice]

I had a Taurus in .38spl. I put 500 rounds through it before I sold it to cover some bills. Not one single issue. The guy that had it before me put 150 rounds through it problem free.

I don't know the model number. At the time I got the gun I didn't ask and didn't care. I just wanted it to keep me and the wife safe.

 

[rogertc1]

Still my favoriate taurus revolver...just something about the 45Colt is such a small light pretty package.
Taurus M450T....titanium with satin blueish finish...ported

 

[harmon rabb]

You gotta be kidding, 19 lb pound trigger pull. Were you just exaggerating?

Nope. The j-frame smith's (at least the new ones) really have triggers that heavy. I had a 442 with a trigger that heavy, and got rid of it because I couldn't shoot it worth a damn. What a thoroughly disappointing gun. Completely turned me off to smiths.

Replaced it with a SP101. What a difference. Much better trigger, soaks up recoil MUCH better, and .357 isn't the least bit painful out of it. Yeah, it's heavy as hell compared to a j-frame, but it disappears in a iwb holster and a real gun belt. Since I didn't really consider the j-frame to be a pocket gun anyway (too big, even though it was light enough), I haven't lost anything. Plus, with the 3" barrel, hot .357 loads can get up some pretty decent velocities.

 

[Grey Morel]

With clean vintage Smiths and Colts on GunBroker for LOW $200's... there's PLENTY wrong with a new Taurus.

I just won a nice Colt Police Positive for $169. Granted its in 32 long, but that's still a SCREAMING deal.

 

[bluetopper]

But....after all is said and done......kinda like lipstick on a pig.

It's still a Taurus.

 

[dawei]

But....after all is said and done......kinda like lipstick on a pig.

It's still a Taurus.

Well for being a pig it sure can dance! (And it's Lifetime Warranty stays with it! Too bad Smith & Wesson® and Ruger® can't offer the same guarantee!)

 

[evan price]

I've got the Hogue monogrip on my 605 and it shoots better than when it had the factory Taurus rubber grips. I'd always heard the older Tauri were better. If you get a good one, it's good. If you get one with problems, it's an 8 week wait for service. At least that service is warranty though.

 

[harmon rabb]

Well for being a pig it sure can dance! (And it's Lifetime Warranty stays with it! Too bad Smith & Wesson® and Ruger® can't offer the same guarantee!)

Do smith and ruger actually care that you're not the original owner when you call for service? My sr9c is having issues, so I called ruger. They immediately sent me a shipping label. All they asked for was the gun serial number -- they did not ask for proof that I'm the original owner.

Kel-tec has the same kind of language in their warranty (that it's only for the original purchaser), but I know as a fact they don't care whether you're the original owner or not -- they'll fix it.

... and now that I think about it, doesn't ruger not actually give you a warranty? if i remember right, they expressly disclaim giving you any warranty in the manual, but state that they "promise" to help you out if it breaks, or something along those lines. they do this for liability reasons, i think.

 

[Onward Allusion]

I've own and owned probably close to a dozen Taurus revolvers through the years and I have never had any serious functional problems with them. The cylinders did stick (not seize) on a couple of them after firing +P loads, though. Never had any issues with standard loads on any of them. The triggers are no where on par with Smiths, Colts or even Rugers. Finishes ran the gamut. Overall a good value if you're budget conscious.

 

[CoRoMo]

I've got a tapered barrel 80 that my brother is loaning me. It's probably my favorite Taurus firearm of them all. Mainly because it is Taurus' knockoff of Smith's model 10. It has a pretty bad trigger; heavy and gritty. The machine work is rather poor too, but it is not a model 10, just a cheap knockoff. Since it has a good tight lockup, no real shake to care about, and the timing and gap are fine, it would made for an excellent truck gun. It's actually a good little gun. I've shot it before, but I'll take it out this weekend and shoot it and post another little thought.

It ain't no model 10, but I wish Taurus still made these.

 

[jkulysses]

I'm not going to go into detail but I gave Taurus a shot and ordered online. When it got to me it wasn't working properly, bent extractor rod among other things. They paid to have it shipped back to them and after 2.5 months I got it back and it was fixed properly. I test fired it then immediately turned around and sold it. The over 2 months wait time didn't cut it for me and on top of that they were extremely rude. Just turned me off to the company as that was my 1st experience with them and it will be my last. My only other experience with a repair was with Ruger and the turn around time was about 10 days and they treated me like I was family. They won a customer for life with my experience with them. Just my .02

 

[FLAvalanche]

I have in the past, and I will in the future, warn anyone away from Taurus when it comes to their semi-autos. You have a 50/50 chance of getting a great gun or the worst nightmare of your life.

Their semi-autos also have a lifetime warranty. I believe it's called that because it will take a lifetime to get your pistol back from them.

Their revolvers, for some strange reason, seem to be great. You hardly hear of anyone having problems with their revolvers compared to their semi-autos.

I'll never purchase another Taurus semi-auto, but I'll definately purchase on of their revolvers.

 

[roaddog28]

I went into a gun shop looking for a 357 4 inch revolver. I was also looking to get the most bang for my buck. After I explained to the clerk what I wanted, he took me over to his gun case and showed me a Taurus Tracker 4 inch 7 shot revolver. He also had a Ruger GP100 4 inch right beside the Taurus but all he said was how good the Taurus was and the lifetime warranty. And the price was a $100 less than the Ruger.
So I took his advice and bought the Tracker. Worst mistake I have ever made in buying a handgun. After only 50 rounds the shell casings struck so bad I had to take pliers to take them out. I took the Tracker back to the store and they shipped the gun to Taurus. I waited over two months and when the gun came back it still had the same issue. Taurus did not address the problem and fix it. The gun shop shipped the revolver back again and weeks later when it came back the problem was better but still not fixed. I complained to the store and they took the Taurus back and I bought another gun.

Bottom line, a lifetime warrenty means nothing if the service department cannot fix anything. I would never recomend a Taurus handgun to anybody simply because of their customer service and warrenty department.

Later in the year, I did find a Ruger GP100 4 inch Stainless that had very few rounds put through it. I bought the GP100 for $400.00. The Taurus cost me more money. I will take Ruger quality and service anyday over Taurus and the slightly higher price will be worth it.
Regards,
roaddog28

 

[wcwhitey]

I like my Colt's and Smiths and won't pass by a good deal on a classic pre-NIM, pre-lock revolver. But I bought a Taurus Model 85 in 1985 that was as good a shooter and looker as you could find in any Smith at the time. If I remember correctly it cost me $129 new. The blue was nice, fit and finish were good and the wood grips were comfortable. I should have kept it. If you like a particular model and it calls to you, buy it. Shoot it a bunch and if it has issues send it back or return it. Bill

 

[captain awesome]

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=411541101

awesome deal for such a reliable light weight .357mag. I called buds and asked them about it when I bought a slightly different lighter weight version of the model 360. mines 13oz with night sights, this ones 15oz with out the night sights. I actually think most would appreciate the extra 2 oz on this one over mine. I love mine, it is a kick to shoot and you don't get much more concealable than that for 357. I know you were asking about taurus, but I think this would be an excellent affordable alternative. After all it is a Smith.

 

[weregunner]

http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=23472.0

Before one complains they better have their ducks in a row to be taken seriously.

This is an example of many a Taurus complaint.

 

[weregunner]

Amazing what a Google search will uncover.

 

[CHEVELLE427]

FYI i lost a grip screw for my PT1911

called TAURUS and asked for one and 10 days had a fed-x package with a grip screw.

also the range sent a Taurus back from a ammo ka-boom if they replace the gun you wont ever here me bad mouth Taurus.

had heard a few years back a gun was replaced do to a ka-boom.

should know in a few weeks and will post it if i get the info about it

 

[jimmyraythomason]

My Model 85UL is every bit the equal of my S&W Model 36 only lighter. Trigger and other functions are flawless on both revolvers. My Taurus M44 is indestinquishable from my S&W model 29-2 EXCEPT for accuracy (the Model 29 is much better). The longer barrel and porting of the M44 tames the recoil of full house 44s much better than the Smith. They all have rubber grips,Pachmyr's on the S&Ws. I have owned many Taurus,Rossi,Charter Arms,Colt,S&W and Dan Wesson revolvers and never had a single one that I regretted buying.

 

[9mmforMe]

I have owned several Tauri; mostly all of them revolvers. I had some great misfortune with my model 85s, all 5 of them. On the other hand, I had some great fortune with others (mod. 94, 941 and 66) these were workhorses. It does seem hit or miss to me buying a new model from what I have read and from what friends report to me. S&W are not what they used to be and the prices are way too high for a new one. The Rugers (SP101s) are built well but not friendly to my hands ergonomically.

I would go with what fits your hands well, what you can afford, complete a thorough inspection before purchase and see if you can get the dealer to agree to take it back if it has problems. This has worked for me in the past. Good luck!

 

[joed]

I have one Taurus a 445 subbie that shoots .44 Spl. It's a nice revolver and I've never had a problem with it. I bought this one as a carry. It spends a lot of time in the vehicle. If I lost it I wouldn't cry but I would miss it.

However, if I were looking for a revolver first choice would be S&W, Colt or Ruger. Any of these will probably outlast you.