Trying to identify a Taurus .357 Magnum

[Mastery]

Need help identifying a Taurus revolver; would really like to know which model this is (and year made if possible). I came across this gun from a guy that sold it to me but didn't know a lot about it from the guy he bought it from years ago.

It's a .357 Magnum. It has a 6" barrel, is a six shot, has wood grips. The serial number tool on the Taurus site doesn't come close to identifying this...as the serial on this is all numbers and has no letters as their tool requires. There are six numbers in the serial, the first three being 108.

He said it was older than ten years old and only remembered that he got it from an older farmer. He took the original finish off of it, but never did anything to restore it.

There's no orange insert in the sight. I can't match it up with any online photos for the model 65 or 66 because something in their picture doesn't match this.

The cylinder has the markings M K 7 0 3 but I don't know if it's the original cylinder. When the cylinder is opened, I can see a V with 505 underneath it on what I believe they call the crane or yoke.

Anybody have any information on this that you can share?

 

[Miked7762]

It's an older model 66, made somewhere between 1985 and 1993. It has the Taurus USA stamp so it is 1985 or newer, and the serial number format and lack of model number stamp make it earlier than 1993. They aren't rare so a search of auction sites will pull up a number of listings with pictures that will match yours.

It's pretty impressive that the naked steel is still perfect. If I so much as touch something like that I'll come back 20 minutes later to find my fingerprints permanently oxidized into the surface.

 

[Haywood]

I agree MDL. 66. I had a Blue one. It was an excelant gun.

 

[Nathanael_Greene]

Judging by the grips, this Model 66 was made about 1990. The grips made before then weren't rounded off on the edges.

 

[Mastery]

Miked, Haywood, and Nathanael: Thanks for your feedback. I thought it was a 66, but guess the photos I was finding was of newer ones. Found a couple on a gun auction site after lots of digging that matches up. Looks to match up with what the three of you mention.

Much appreciated!

 

[CajunBass]

Those old 66's and it's sister fixed sight 65's were nice guns. The ones I've owned I would have put up against any Smith & Wesson Model 19 I've ever owned for fit, finish, and accuracy.

This is not a 66, but a 431, in 44 Special. It's from the same basic time period though and should give you an idea what they're supposed to look like.

 

[Tallball]

Congratulations! I have had a model 66 from the late 80's and one from the early 90's. They are/were both excellent revolvers.

 

[BullRunBear]

I have a model 66 next to me right now, late 1980s vintage. Fine revolvers and, happily, they like my 38 special reloads.

CajunBass, I had a 431 and kick myself for selling it years ago.

Jeff

 

[Lone Star]

Yeah, an older M-66. But it's gonna cost you more than the gun is worth to refinish . Why did the guy remove the blue? Why did you buy an unfinished gun?

If you really like it, you could refinish in hard chrome (looks like stainless) and have a viable gun. Utility value would exceed monetary value.

Note that the barrel inscription uses the Brazilian Portuguese spelling of Brasil, but the right frame is marked in English, Brazil.

 

[gwpercle]

You could take it over to the taurusarmed.net site and maybe get a little more information about it.
Gary

 

[Normandy]

I am totally in love with my Brazilian made, blued 66. Finer workmanship than many S&Ws I have owned. If I had to sell all but one revolver in my collection, I'd keep the 66.

If it were me, I'd cold blue the thing and rock on. Enjoy shooting it!

 

[WestKentucky]

66 for sure. My blued 66 shot like a dream to the point I thought I wanted a better gun, so I traded it towards a gp100 which wasn't nearly as accurate or pleasant. Get her fixed up and she will take care of you.

 

[Mastery]

Lone Star: Not sure what he was thinking by taking the finish off of it; sure he had a reason. I got a good deal on it so couldn't pass it up. I figured it would cost more to refinish it than it was worth...but hey, it works and would make a good "in the woods" gun that a person won't mind getting scratched up.

I did take it out to the range earlier this week. Shot 38 special and .357 Mag through it. Reminded me why I got rid of my revolvers years ago and went to semi-autos; I'm just not a fan of cylinder guns. So, this will go up on the sale/trade block.

 

[Confederate]

I also suggest you think about refinishing the gun, and if it's in great condition I'd have it Hard Chromed. The place that did mine was Mahovsky's, and his website describes the benefits and process involved in putting it on. It doesn't wear, resists rust...and...well, it isn't horrifically ugly like having zero finish.

°°°

 

[Mike derossett]

I have the same revolver as mastery that I can't identify. The first three serial numbers are 515.
It is great condition and it would be great to know how old it is.

 

[MedWheeler]

I have a four-incher I bought new in 1987. It's been rock-solid and reliable, except for the ejector sleeve working loose after about ten years, locking the cylinder shut. Easy to correct and fix with a touch of Loc-Tite.

I even carried it on the job for a while back in the day.

 

[454PB]

Mine is a four inch, chromed, and looks nearly the same. I bought mine in the early 90's. Are you sure it isn't chromed?

 

[SteelyNirvana]

Just curious but are these Taurus model 66's pinned and recessed like the S&W's were?

 

[Elm Creek Smith]

As others have said, it's a Taurus Model 66 .357 Magnum. Unlike S&W and newer Taurus revolvers, the right side recoil shield is part of the sideplate. You could always Duracoat it or have it Ceracoted.

I sold mine to a reenlistment NCO when I was still in the Army. Retired in '95.