Thoughts on Taurus Protector Snubbies

[ddj8052]

I am looking for a small handgun (as I already own a G23 and am waiting the waiting period on a ruger GP100) and was originaly considering the Walther ppk, but after several negative posts and reviews I am now looking for a snub nose revolver. I am very curious about these two:

http://www.taurususa.com/products/p...tegory=Revolver


http://www.taurususa.com/products/p...tegory=Revolver

One is a .38 rated for +p ammo and the other a .357. Which would be better? I can shoot .38's out of the .357 so this seems to make more sense. I really like the Shrouded hammers, but both also have the ability to be fired single action with the small pad of the hammer protruding from the shroud. What should I excpect to pay for these. I would like to pick something up locally For less than $500. Thanjs for any help. Juan

 

[yotehunter]

If you want negative replys then Taurus is the subject. I own a couple Taurus revolvers and have owned others that I have traded and sold. They have all been excellent revolvers and didnt have a problem with any of them.
In the past five or so years Taurus has really gotten it together and now makes some fine handguns. You cant go wrong with either of your choices but I would go for the 357.
You should beable to pick up either for well under 500.00.
Dont let negative posts be your guide, youll find negatives on any brand of firearms. Personnally I have had problems with S&W, Kimber, Springfield and Para Ord. They are all fine handguns but regardless someone is going to have problems with any of them sooner or later. Just pick the one that you like and that feels good to you and youll be happy. If you have any problems thats what warrantys are for and all the big name manufacturers have good service. With the exception of the few you here complaining about so and so's customer service, again its hard to please everyone. Good Luck .

 

[WonderNine]

I would disagree yotehunter as I had a Taurus 415T (titanium .41 magnum) that developed a timing problem after ONLY 200 rounds. This is not what I would call a quality weapon.

The gun looked nice and was very light, but I know alot of other people have had problem with Taurus titaniums.

On the flip side most people don't have problems with blued and or stainless Taurus revolvers....at least no more so than other brands like Ruger and S&W.

I'm thinking seriously about buying one of the new titanium 9mm revolvers that Taurus will be shipping this summer especially if there is an unported variation available, but I want to hear some feedback first before I take the plunge again, especially considering my previous experience.

 

[denfoote]

Your links are broken. So, without being able to see what you are talking about, I'll just make a general commentary.

I just purchased a M605, which is the blued steel .357 snub. Firing this gun with full house mag loads is an experience, to say the least!! I'm still nursing the spot where it took a chunk out of the webbing of my hand on the first shot, but that was not the gun's fault. It was mine. I held it wrong. Anyway, I got back on the horse and fired 149 more rounds through it!!

As stated above, you can load the .357 with .38spl rounds, but that defeats the purpose of having the magnum capability!!! I would get the mag and learn to fire the full house loads in it.

I load mine with 150gr PMC Starfires, which leave the muzzle at about 150fps. I figure that will at least discourage any further attack upon my person, especially if I put the round in the center of mass.

The small Tauri seem to favor the heavy bullet weights. At least mine does. The 125gr rounds shoot low, whilst the 150gr-158gr rounds hit at point of aim.

I hope this helps in your choice.

 

[surfinUSA]

Denfoote,

Don't beat yourself up. You don't get much of an advantage from full house magnums in snub nose revolvers. Stick with the 38+P. It will do the job and is much easier to control.

My main carry gun is and old 2 inch Detective special. I always go by the premise that there is no one shot stopping in any caliber. The battle plan for me and most of the cops I know is stay on target, continue to shoot until that target is no longer a danger.

A gun that damages your hand will do nothing but induce flinching and inaccuracy. As flinching is an involuntary reaction, you can bet it will rear its ugly head when you need accuracy the most.

 

[ddj8052]

www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?model=851SS2&category=Revolver


www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?model=651SS2&category=Revolver

 

[ddj8052]

I think the above links now work. Thanks for all the replies. For those wondering, both of these are the regular stainless steel model. I personaly think the extra weight is worth it. It will help with the recoil. please keep the advice comming. Thanks Juan

 

[yotehunter]

wondernine
I have had 2 S&W that were junk from the first round fired, ! the cylinder would not rotate after the first round was fired, The second the cylinder would not open ater firing the first 6 rounds. S&W repaired both, this is my point they all have lemons that doesnt mean the entire line is junk. I have about 3000 rounds through my Raging Bull 454 and close to the same through my 444 and not a single problem. My 45 tracker has only 500 rounds fired but it shoots great.
The 454 is one of the most accurate handguns I own.

 

[Nightcrawler]

I load mine with 150gr PMC Starfires, which leave the muzzle at about 150fps.

150 fps? Wow, will that even break the skin? LOL

 

[VictorLouis]

From John Farnam's site...

30 Apr 03

From an LEO friend:

"Had to fire on a pit bull a couple weeks ago. My Taurus model 85 in (38Spl) failed to fire the first four times (striker pin struck off center and not hard enough to detonate primer). On my firth pull of trigger it finally fired and scared off dog (am ashamed to say I missed).

I was scared and, needless to say, unhappy with the gun. The next day I sent it back to Taurus with a letter. I got the repaired gun back, with no response. When I called, the person I talked with explained that they had replaced three parts, cylinder locking pin and spring as well as the firing pin spring. He went on to say that they had failed "due to excessive use".

This is a titanium revolver with fewer than 150 rounds through it. I had been carrying it in an ankle holster, but no more. I traded it in the next day on a scandium S&W 340PD.

Good thing that dog didn't charge!"

Comment: Taurus is surely not going to make many loyal customers this way!

/John


John documented the only known instance I've read/heard involving a Taurus 'security-lock' failing and rendering the gun useless.

 

[denfoote]

Nightcrawler: Yeah, alright!! I typed that right before I went to bed!! It's a typo. It should read 1200fps!!!


surfinUSA: Sheesh!! Now you tell me!! I already have a M85UL that is "rated +P for duty use" I interpreted this to mean "don't fire to many of them through the gun" Well, that also defeats the purpose of training with your carry ammo!! hence, the .357mag.

I have been wanting to expand my horizons by transitioning from semi autos back to revolvers. Sort of learn how to use a new tool, so to speak. Normally, I carry a Walther P99 9mm. I'll keep your advice in mind the next time I get practice ammo. I have not as yet seen .38spl +P hardball and not having an entire police department budget as back up, firing hollow points just for practice gets a might expensive. I can, however, get magnum HP's AND hardball.

Thanks for the advice, however!!

BTW: The links work!! Nice guns. I have just never been a fan of the humped back revolver!! They look weird!! Still, my advice holds. Combine mine with SurfinUSA's and get the .357 and shoot .38spl +P's in it!!

 

[surfinUSA]

Denfoote,

The department I work for has been issuing the +P 158 gn. LSWCHP to people that use revolvers for the last 22 years that I know of. Its a good anti personnel round and has accounted for a good number of bad guys and unfortunately a number of good guys over the years.

This has been a good reliable round. But as I stated in my earlier post I never count on a one shot stop.

Good luck with these as they are a pleasure to shoot out of most revolvers including the small ones with the proper grips. At least they haven't made my hands bleed yet

Take care.

 

[9MonkeyMonkey]

Good thing that dog didn't charge!"

Why was he shooting at it then?

 

[WebHobbit]

Don't beat yourself up. You don't get much of an advantage from full house magnums in snub nose revolvers. Stick with the 38+P. It will do the job and is much easier to control.

***?

You get a HUGE advantage going from .38 to .357 in ANY barrel.

.357 Magnum is head & shoulders superior to .38 in all bullet weights and barrel lengths. If anything the effect percentage wise is MORE in favor of the .357 in the snub barrels. Do a little research. Plenty of people have chronographed this.

The .38 Special is an "OK" man-stopper with the old FBI load (158 grain LSWCHP)(if you can find it) & it's not too bad with 125-129 grain jhps. But the .357 in bullet weights from 110-125 is in a whole different league in comparison.

 

[surfinUSA]

Monkey, Target practice. His targets bite back though.

Hobbit the paper advantage of the magnum is lost if the gun is uncontrolable or so painful to use that it induces flinching. Any gun that takes chucks out of your hand will eventually induce flinching.

The FBI load is still available though Federal.

 

[WebHobbit]

True enough. I contend with good grips (boot grips are what I use on my .640) that hand biting effect is pretty much zero.

I know Federal still makes it (as do Remington and Winchester I think) but the local Wal-Marts quit stocking it and that really sucks having to pay typical gun-store prices for that stuff! When you can find it at all!

 

[surfinUSA]

Well I have to agree there. I get a free box when ever I qualify and anything not issued is ordered over the web.

Try Keislers their selection and prices are pretty good.

 

[mini14jac]

I had a Taurus 85UL a few years ago that I really liked.
I only traded it because I have been on a quest for the "perfect" carry gun since I got my CCW.
I really wanted a hammerless gun, but for belt carry it would have been ideal.

Anyway, it was light, reliable, and more accurate than I was.
I have heard more reports of problems with Tuarus Titanium guns, but Taurus does have excellent customer service.
(I should know, I had a PT145.) :banghead:

(Hey, denfoote, you and I should see if we can get a deal buying two guns at once. We seem to keep buying the same shootin' irons. )

 

[Lightsped]

I have had no problems with any of my Taurus snubbies. All have functioned perfectly to this date.

Top to bottom:

Total Titanium M85
Stainless Steel M85, Stainless Steel M85
Stainless Steel 605, UltraLite Aluminum M85

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

The shrouded, but still cockable hammers have caught my wife's eye also. It's either those, or a S&W model for over $100 more. I think the money would go better for ammo for practice...

My Taurus Tracker has been good to me so far. Taurus seems to make some good stuff now.