Taurus vs. Smith & Wesson

[JR47]

If $6000 requires that you refinance your house, or take out a second mortgage, you really should consider buying a Raven instead of a Korth.

I have two, a revolver and a semi-auto. Bought the Semi new, and the revolver used. Both are flawless examples of the gun-makers art. That said, they do the same thing as the Raven, but with more aplomb.

Currently have 37 S&W handguns.

Currently have 12 Taurus Handguns.

To get those 37 S&W handguns, I examined over 100 of them.

To get those 12 Taurus handguns, I examined less than 20 of them.

I regularly shoot all 12 Taurus handguns.

As part of my collection, I rarely shoot a S&W. many are out of production, and have zero factory support. The others are worrisome as to their ability to stand up to the listed Magnum loadings. I'll buy an L-frame soon, and will feel relatively safe feeding it a steady diet of .357 Magnums.

I have 18 Ruger handguns. Examined 20 for them, and also shoot them regularly.

So: Shooting guns:

Taurus-12
Ruger -18
S&W -0.

 

[tinygnat219]

Whatever.

JR47, I couldn't have said it better re: Taurus myself.

 

[BADUNAME37]

Quote:

Whatever.

 

[Fishman777]

No question.

I'm not going to defend Smith and Wesson. When I saw that link, I laughed out loud. That article was one of the reasons that I started to look into Rugers. I don't believe everything that I read, but that article planted the "seed" in my mind to consider other manufacturers. As a result of this article, I started looking into Rugers, and then I got hooked.

I like shooting Smiths, but not enough to buy one. I still think that S&W makes better guns than Taurus, but you made your point.

Rugers aren't perfect, but in my opinion, Ruger revolvers are the best DA revolvers on the market. Just one man's opinion. I definitely respect yours, even if I disagree.

 

[tinygnat219]

Fishman777,

Which Ruger Revolver(s) have you picked up? How would you say that the Security Six compares to the GP100?

Thanks!

 

[ZeroCool]

There is no doubt in my mind that, generally speaking, S&W makes a better product than Taurus.

That said, I do not think that S&W makes a $200-300 better product than Taurus so I chose a Taurus 66 as my first revolver (in blue, which S&W doesnt deem popular enough to produce any longer ).

Will I be happy with my decision? I'll let you know in a week or so when the background check is complete.

 

[JR47]

Fair's fair.

 

[gunut]

I will not buy the new smiths with the lock...but would consider myself a S&W person [older ones]...but today I purchased my first Taurus revolver...a model 96 6in 22cal, box, papers, 99% $200 ....looks and seems to function like the older no under lug S&W model 17....hope it makes a nice plinker and for the price I wont worry as much about it as I would paying $500 or more 4 a nice S&W 17........

 

[ArmedBear]

JR47-

You own 37 Smiths, but don't shoot any of them.

But you shoot your 12 Taurus revolvers regularly.

The only conclusion I can come to is that you must collect fine Smiths that you don't want to booger up -- and that you don't own any S&W "shooters". That hardly means that they don't exist, just that you aren't into buying them.

When I have compared new Taurus revolvers with new Smith revolvers at the shop, there isn't one single Taurus I'd pick over the Smith, if money were no object. Every single Smith feels better.

Is the price premium justified? Do the triggers feel as good as an old one? Maybe not. But they feel better than the Taurus competition.

So, your choice to buy a bunch of low-round-count P&R Smiths with collector value, and a bunch of Tauruses to shoot at the range has nothing whatever to do with the question, really.

 

[Mainer2009]

I own several of each brand, and I think both companies make a a great revolver. I've read quite a bit about how durable, and tough, the raging bull series is. I have a 44 mag Taurus Tracker, my only complaint about it, is that it's a little on the lite side for the cartidge, but other than that, it's been a solid, reliable, accurate side arm. Out of all my hand guns, the 2 that I carry the most are the Taurus model 66, blued, 357 mag with a 4" bbl, and my S&W model 28-2 Highway patrolman 357 magnum with a 6" bbl, I like them both the same. I guess I can only speak from personal experience, and that is that I think you would be happy with either gun, good luck.

 

[Dark Skies]

I used to shoot various range-owned Taurus models at my now closed pistol club. Nothing wrong with them at all for the price. But when my firearm certificate came through I bought Smith & Wesson. Price was a little higher but you could see where the money went in overall finish and quality.

 

[BHP FAN]

I like 'em both.The only problem with the Taurus is that it wasn't made in .45acp. in 1917.

 

[Merkelman]

I think that owning 12 Tauri and shooting them regularly is called Masochism!

 

[10-Ring]

I have bought two -- will never buy another one & have never picked one up that I liked. I'd go w/ a pre owned safe queen S&W mod 29
I have a buddy who has collected several used Tauri wheelguns that he absolutely swears by -
As has been mentioned -- they're hit & miss -- so, the question begs to be asked..."Do you feel lucky?"

 

[Stainz]

Merkelman,

Having a dozen Tauri shooters is just good common sense, especially if they are the same caliber. In that case, you are bound to be able to shoot up a box of ammo on a range trip. Of course, after a trip or two, several would be back in Miami.

I just looked at 25 of my S&Ws - yeah, that's the ticket - resplendent in shiney silver with .38 Spcl +P on them. Sadly, they are like Tauri - destined to go bang but once. They are a partial box of old S&W ammo! That's the only thing with S&W on it that resides on a shelf or in a safe around here that doesn't regularly get dirty. S&Ws are made to be shot.

As I have said, I do have friends who swear by their Taurus revolvers - and never shoot them. Oddly, they are home or personal protection pieces. I also have friends who have tried them - as range guns. Only one still has such - a 4" blued 66 which I resprung for him - an anomaly, for sure. I'll stick with marques with good history - S&Ws, actually, for me. Besides, Taurus ports everything.

Stainz

 

[bikerdoc]

My 695 runs fine.
View attachment 413422

 

[ArmedBear]

Only one still has such - a 4" blued 66 which I resprung for him - an anomaly, for sure.

I checked out one like that at the store a few weeks ago. Wish I'd have bought it. It was pretty cheap, and from what I could tell, was well-made and would make a wonderful shooter.

Other Tauri I looked at, new ones in particular, seemed to offer good utility but limited refinement (i.e. the triggers and mechanisms in general worked but felt crappy).

 

[LaBulldog]

Taurus
S&W

 

[ZeroCool]

I said I would let you know my thoughts when I got my Taurus but I never did.

Anyway, the fit/finish of the gun is superb. The blue is really nice... really dark. The best blue job I have ever seen on a gun (but that isnt really saying much).

The trigger/action felt like someone dumped sand in there before they covered it. There was an audible griding noise when the trigger was pulled. Apparently its common according to the Taurus forum . Anyway, a few shots of brake cleaner and some CLP straightened it right out. The trigger is quite nice (though nothing like my buddies 686 - that trigger is insanely good!)

If money were no option, I would go with the Smith over the Taurus. Seems like you are less likely to run into issues with the Smiths. For my budget and for what I wanted, I think the Taurus is just fine.

Shooting .38 is quite pleasant. Hornady .357? Not so much.

ETA: How could I forget!!! My buddies uncle came down while we were shooting the Taurus for the first time to let us try out his 6" Python and Desert Eagle (both .357). The Python was really nice and the DE was just cool to fire (but really impractical imo- especially when you are a full grown man who only wears a size 7 wedding ring).

His Python locked up like a vault - no cylinder movement whatsoever on a well used gun. My Taurus is pretty tight too but its brand new. He actually said that my gun is pretty nice and that Taurus must be making them better than they used to.

 

[kent e]

I'm in the market for a CCW and all around revolver and I've had my heart set on a S&W. But this is what I've realized; J frames are too small for me, L frames are too stinkin large. I've been looking at this model and that.... then I saw the Taurus 617. It's like goldie locks, "just right".

I'm going back to the gun shop and I'm going to look the taurus over with a fine toothed comb and make sure nothing is out of whack. I sure hope it's not the garbage everyone claims them to be. If S&W had this option I'd have it by now but they don't, which is puzzling to me.

I'll post how this all turns out...

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Why does an almost 6 year old thread keep coming back from the Abyss?

 

[DMZ]

Zombie thread.

 

[FM12]

S&W, hands down. It's a proven winner.

 

[Extremely Pro Gun]

S&W makes the sigma so I would have to say I will never own a S&W. For me.... Taurus is plenty good.

Lifetime Warranty
Good Track Record
Great model selection

This all = a winner!!!

 

[jr4521]

I have a S&W 44 N frame 3 inch, I love it .Not a fan of the Taurus. IMO the company started out in the beginning making sub standard guns,then got better the last 10 years.But then again I am one of those stubborn Smith and Wesson owners from the beginning.