The yay/nay Taurus poll

[biggameballs]

I just put 45 rounds through my 454 Raging Bull with 5" barrel at the range this morning and I was just thinking to myself how sweet the gun was. I guess this is the only pistol I have ever owned so I have nothing to compare it to. what are the problems people speak of???

 

[tinygnat219]

I used to be a Taurus supporter. I have owned 7 of their guns. Each one has had "issues" from failure to go into battery, misfires, light primer strikes, trigger slaps, disappearing firing pins, failure for the cylinder to lock up. I thought I could live with them. Nope.
Here's what I owned and the problems I had with them:

Taurus PT22:
I am not sure why I bought this one; it has a stiff DAO trigger and only holds 8+1 .22 LR rounds in a pistol this thick, I should have at least had 10+1. The second time I fired this one, I heard a faint "ping". Took it to the gunsmith, he asked where the firing pin was. So, I sent it back to Taurus. 35 dollars for an overnight package to replace a $3.85 part. Worked ok, then the grip screws started loosening everytime I shot it. It's gone now to a happier home.

Taurus PT 745C
Actually, probably the best of the bunch. It shot low. Could never figure out why. Still a 7 shot .45 ACP with a DAO trigger seemed ok. Then, I saw the PT 145.

Taurus PT 145 SS
Disappointment from the start. Had problems going back into battery from day one. Made the mistake of shooting +P ammo through it (only two magazines) and the recoil spring started coming out of the slide underneath the barrel through the hole that the guidespring rod comes out. Called Taurus to get part. Weekly nagging got it to me 4 months later. Put the new part in, the failure to go into battery issue was still there. Disgusted, I sold it.

Taurus 94 Revolver:
HIDEOUS DA trigger pull. Had 2 guaranteed misfires whenever I shot it. Had a local smith put in some Taurus "approved" springs to lighten up the pull. The 2guaranteed misfires more than doubled to 5 per cylinder. I still have it, and want to get rid of it. Any takers?

Taurus Gaucho Revolvers:
Both are in .357 and are Satin Stainless. Nice LOOKING guns. 1 has a 4 3/4 inch barrel. For some wierd reason, every 4th cylinder or so, there are light primer strikes. The local smith can't figure it out. Put it up for sale last night

2nd Taurus Gaucho has a 5 1/2 inch barrel. For some reason, every 3rd cylinder, three rounds will give my finger a "trigger slap" causing some pain in the tip of my index finger. Smith is clueless on this one too. Put it up for sale last night


Taurus 905SS in 9MM. This was going to be my new carry gun. Now, the cylinder won't lock once it is closed. It will literally spin around unless I manipulate the cylinder release button to get it to the point where it locks. I took the sideplate off, found all kinds of metal shavings, and after cleaning them out with some motor oil, brake cleaner, and tweezers, the damned thing still won't stop spinning. Tired of taking them to the smith. He says his oldest son thanks me for getting him through his freshman year of college and for the new car.

By this point I am done with Taurus. I am washing my hands of them. I am not going to recommend them to anyone. These guns are quite simply, junk. No, junk is too fine a word for these machined pieces of potmetal.

For those of you that have these and they work for you, fantastic! Just put the flamethowers away. I figured I gave it the old college try (one gun for each of my years in college) and since I had issues with every one of these guns, I think my representative samples speak for themselves. My Springfields, my Smith and Wessons and my Ruger don't have any problems like this. Shoot, I turned in my main match CAS guns for two Nagants. At least I know the Nagants will work...

 

[mavracer]

Eh? The way I read it, the OP is trying to gauge what the current popular opinion is. No brand bashing in the OP's part is apparent.

I personally counsel people against Tauri from what I've read and heard. I have NO experience with Taurus itself,

I guess I would have better respect for Craig's objectiveness if this quote was not prior to any feedback from this thread,or if Craig had personal experiance. instead Craig would rather spread bad news (ala mainstream media) did you think I forgot your recount about taurus customer service when they did not refinish a gun that had obviously been mistreated.All manufatures have warrenty departments they all get used.yes taurus quality control is not what S&W's used to be but neither is S&W's.as to your question out of all the tauruses I've owned (10+) only one has ever had a problem a tracker 44 that light strikes DA. Of course I'm more the type that fixes problems (I stuffed a 400 horse power V8 in my Pinto so I didn't have to worry about any one running into the back of it)

 

[sparkyguy]

Taurus PT145 SS
Excellent gun. Zero FTF, FTE's. Has shot everything I fed it with surprising accuracy. Would trust my life with it.
Taurus 94
Another great piece for the money. Has had light strikes, but then again I have only shot the 550bulk ammo through it. Very accurate and the double-action trigger pull is satisfactory, as I would not be foolish enough to mess with it and ask for even more trouble with light primer strikes.
Taurus PT111 SS
Very nice gun, gave me zero problems. When I sold it to a friend in my sell-one/buy-one phase, I wish I hadn't. He, although, has had one or two FTE's, but when I shoot it, it's fine..so I'm thinking he is limp-wristing or something.
Taurus PT22
Cheap gun, about $125..what would you expect? It fired the bulk ammo(only Federal..anything else had FTE) but was only accurate to an arms length. Definitely NOT a range gun, but as my Dad calls them a "belly gun". Sold for about what I paid for it, so curiousity was satisfied.

I would, w/o hesitation, recommend a Taurus to any open-minded buyer. If you look at the sheer number of weapons sold by Taurus, the problems are far outweighed by the non-problem guns.

 

[WC145]

Haven't been here for a few days and just saw this thread. I am always amazed when people formulate opinions based on what others are saying and then bad mouth products when they have NO personal experience to draw from and I see it quite often in these forums. Taurus, Kel-tec, and Charter Arms are just three brands that receive this treatment here on a regular basis.

Through my actual true life experience I have found Taurus handguns to be well built, value packed, quality weapons. I have an 850CIA that shoots as well as and has a better trigger than my S&W 642. I have a 4410 that is an absolute blast to shoot and is a terrific "out in the back field" gun. I heartily recommend Taurus products to anyone that is looking for a tough, reliable, reasonably priced handgun. In fact, I am in the market for one of their 9mm snubbies if anyone knows of any good deals.

 

[Majic]

And while you were counseling people did you make a point to show them your diploma written in crayon?

 

[MCgunner]

Taurus, Kel-tec, and Charter Arms are just three brands that receive this treatment here on a regular basis.

You left out Kahr which takes its share of bashing, oh, and Rossi. Usually, people don't bash Rossi so much as bash people looking for bargains when Rossi is brought up. Well, maybe some folks just don't wanna PAY a higher than new price for a used pre-lock Smith!

 

[jimmyraythomason]

This thread is a perfect example of why scientist will not accept anecdotal evidence as proof of anything. Just because someone had a (or several) bad experience(s) with a particular brand is not an indictment of the whole. I can, however, relate to having a bad taste left by a less than acceptable performance by one or more examples of a particular brand of firearm. I once purchased a new Browning High Power (P35) It performed so poorly that I had sworn off Brownings for years. A Buckmark .22 and a couple of A bolts salvaged their reputation.

 

[XD-40 Shooter]

Taurus Tracker 357 mag and Taurus Mil-Pro 40 here. Both of these guns have been flawless and 100% reliable. I really like both of these guns and I would not trade my Tracker for anything, its an awesome revolver, accurate, tight, comfortable to shoot. Same thing goes for the Mil-Pro, sweet little pistols, great fit and finish, 100% reliable, accurate for a compact, I really like it. I'll put my Mil-Pro up against pistols that cost $200 more, anytime.

 

[denfoote]

I have three Tauri.

M85SSUL.

M605.

PT92AFS.

I had one bad apple, PT-145.

 

[wad]

I have a stainless M94 that I received as a gift. It's an OK revolver . I have posted my dislikes about it in the past and have been flamed because of this .

There are just too many other brands with a wide choice of models for me to spend my $$$ on. I don't rule Taurus out but they are never near the top of my list.

 

[2ndamd]

I think the voting poll is probably pretty accurate.

About 23rds having a good experience and another 1/3rd either leary or not going there anymore.

 

[Gary A]

I don't currently own a Taurus and they are not my favorite brand but I have owned, let me see, at least three that I can think of, A Model 82 in .38 Special, a model 605 in .357 Magnum, and an all-Titanium snubby in .38. I had a little bit of trouble with timing on the Titanium, and Taurus fixed it promptly without fuss. The 82 and 605 went to a friend. Not sure about the 82 but the 605 still serves, I believe, as a home defense revolver. Neither have had any problems I am aware of. If all Taurus products were always terrible, I doubt they would be selling as many guns as they apparently are selling. I like their constant attempts at innovation. I like some of the different model types they come out with. Sometimes I think they spend too much effort on innovation and not enough on quality control (they are not alone there). Their internal lock design seems far superior to that of SW, to me at least. Have to admit I've been toying with getting an Ultralight, alloy frame, steel cylinder in .38 Special. They should be looked over before purchase, but then so should any firearm, IMO, if at all possible.

 

[Thernlund]

I guess I would have better respect for Craig's objectiveness if this quote was not prior to any feedback from this thread...

You got me. It appears that Craig did slant it. For whatever reason it just didn't compute like that in my mind before. Coming back and re-reading it, it did. I stand corrected.

(Further quote and comment deleted. I get it now.)


-T.

 

[jpwilly]

I have 2 Taurus firearms: PT145 (45ACP) Millenium Pro 3rd Gen SS w/polymer frame...I carry it daily Reliable powerful - great firearm. Also a PT1911 (45ACP) nearing 2000rnds not one single malfunction shooting HP or FMJ loads. My father has two Taurus wheel guns a 22lr and 6" Tracker 357 Ti both are excellent. I haven't had the problems others have said nor has my father. Some of the earlier models were POS but much has changed over the years.

 

[craig_o]

you have got to be kidding me

I can just barely believe I'm being "called out" because of a different post on a different thread.

McGunner, once again, Taurus customer service promised to fix the gun in question (REGARDLESS of the minutia you keep spouting) on numerous occasions from multiple service reps as documented in this link:

http://members.aol.com/Namerakis/Taurus_Repair.htm

Here's one of the several quotes that indicates that fact if you must insist in this thread as well as the last to discount me often and loudly without bothering to read the whole article.

I asked her specifically if they repair gun finishes, ands she replied, “Yes we do, and yours will be repaired.”

Now then, my opinions are just that: opinions. When I draw documented accounts into the equation, that doesn't make me a basher, a hater or "another uninformed internet weenie." My opinions expressed in other posts also have nothing to do with the veracity of a poll that at present count 121 people have participated in.

Keep attacking me and I'll keep defending. Trying to paint me does nothing to endorse your position.

 

[weregunner]

You couldn't have picked a worse example than the one you did. The guy was discredited and left the place in a huff when he was found out.

What he did was foolish for any gun owner to do no sensible person would have done what he did. And your using him as your star witness?

Here's the whole schmeer the way it went down at another forum. He even entered the house to do this when there was no need to, but did anyway.
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=1074.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=1096.0

This ought to open a few eyes.
You boys must travel in packs. Figures that would work that way.
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=265829
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=243676
Man,Fantasy Island, and the pulp fiction types couldn't come with better made up tripe.

Common sense prevailed and he was seen for what he really is.
Just proves the lengths "conventional wisdom" that isn't wise will go to.

 

[Glockman17366]

I've owned several Taurus revolvers. I had problems with two: a 669 (.357 Magnum) that broke and resulted in the trigger locking and the cylinder spinning freely; an 85 Multi-Alloy that initially had light strike problems.
Taurus repaired both guns under warranty. Both took less then a month to ship and return.

I sold the 669 when I bought my Tracker (also a .357 Magnum in stainless and a 4" barrel). I still have the 85 and carry it almost daily.

I really like Taurus revolvers. I do recommend them to others. I also suggest getting 200-300 rounds through them ASAP to ensure there are no quality issues. In fact, I recommend this be done with any manufacturer's guns.

 

[sandy4570]

I like Taurus life time warranty policy but Ruger never break so it don't really need warranty . I would recommend Taurus M85 to anyone who listen and want to get good snubnose .38 Spc but for .357 Magnum nothing beat trouble free Ruger GP 100. I will pick up my Taurus Tracker next week this is my first 7 shot .357 Magnum revolver with muzzle break and I think it will be fun revolver to shoot .

 

[AZ_Rebel]

I personally counsel people against Tauri from what I've read and heard. I have NO experience with Taurus itself, so I figure I'd get it straight from you in numerical form.

I've been reading this thread mainly because the OP stated he counsels against Taurus but has no personal experience. The last few posts thoroughly debunk the "example" the OP gave to back up his opposition to this brand. It makes one wonder about his agenda or connection, if any, with the "example".

I have owned and used various Taurus firearms for some years and have been thoroughly pleased. I currently carry a PT1911 for CCW and have over 12,000 rounds through it without a problem.

 

[Sgt.Dusk]

In Taurus I trust!
Now after ten yrs serving (and tens of thosands rounds fired)I'm letting my taurus 689 retire with honour. It(she) has never needed gunsmithing or anything else, just lotsa shooting.
Now I'm getting .357 tracker 6" and I trust it will do as well as its ancestor.

 

[mnrivrat]

OK - Own three , and have no problems .

I have little experience with the latest offerings by S&W , but would agree that the older S&W guns I have owned were better fit internaly than my present Taurus guns. That says nothing about newer S&W production, and it does not indicate that the Taurus guns are bad . (jusrt not as tight as the older S&W)

I certainly have heard more complaints about Taurus (on this board mainly) than I have about S&W although we all know that S&W has put out some real lemons as well. (read about barrels falling off)

When the price difference is significant, I will continue to look at Taurus. When S&W does not offer the type gun I am looking for, and Taurus does, I will continue to purchase Taurus.

 

[doc2rn]

I got the wrong ones

When I first started on this board I took some advice that Taurus doesn't malf up all that bad. I bought two one revolver a .17 backup and a 9mm 92 afs. Now the 92 shoots fine but while at the range on its first trip a screw popped out of the grip. It has been almost a year and I still havent got the replacement screw they promised me. Plus I had to take it to the local smith to have the other holes tapped and dyed propperly. Seems they have a problem with that at the factory. Now onto the back up. I sent this one back to them 3xs and they never fixed the problem with the chamber locking up. Took the loss and sold it. Evidently the designers never expected a tapered round to push back out of the cylinder.
That is my experience with Taurus. I will never own another.:banghead:

 

[MCgunner]

The tracker is a fine outdoor revolver, light on the hip and powerful, but my 66 works fine for me. I sorta liked the idea of the .41 Tracker (no longer produced), but the idea of firing a 24 ounce full house .41 magnum, well, I don't know that it was a wise idea after all. ROFL! .357 is a fine outdoor caliber and in a light gun, probably the most appropriate caliber. You can get real carried away with light, sorta like the little scandium J frame .357s, neat to carry, but do you really wanna fire one?

 

[ZeSpectre]

About 23rds having a good experience and another 1/3rd either leary or not going there anymore.

Yeah, I'm depressed about it but I've moved into that "leery 1/3" group

I have a Taurus PT-1911 that, after some TLC, (see here - post #17) is great, but it's only a range gun and I don't have to worry about if I'm going to have trouble with it in the future.

I had a PT-140 that performed absolutely flawlessly but I sold it recently just because I prefer my SIG 229.

sounds good so far right? Well on the other side were nightmares with Gaucho pistols and all of the trouble I witnessed TinyGnat having. This was a pretty broad "random sample" of Taurus firearms taken over a good span of time so my confidence in them as SD arms is pretty well shot.

I'm not "bashing" Taurus, I'm speaking about personal experience that has resulted in me walking away from them.