Under $300 .38 Snub?...

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I had this model.... Loved it and if you do research you'll find out why!

16oz., great reliability and surprisingly great trigger in both da/sa

I'm a huge fan of Taurus and this gun particularly

This one fits my hand and I paid just under $300

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+1 to taurus 85 but in steel not lightweight frame. a mid 1980s model has proven to be uber reliable, handy and more accurate than i deserve. recoil from lightweight frames of any maker become less friendly for needed range practice as one ages. be sure to add pachmayr grips to whatever you get.
 
My every day personal self defense depends on a Taurus 85. With any new gun, I'd say shoot it enough to be confident in its proper operation before carrying it.

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I bought an old Charter Off-Duty (Undercover with a cheap finish) and have been really impressed. Easy to shoot, and more accurate than my Airweight.

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I have newer model Charter, Rossi, and S&W j frame snubs. They all work just fine. I am not convinced that the new S&W j frames are any better than the others. Larger frame S&W revolvers i can tell a difference but not in the small 5 shot snubs.
 
My favorite at the moment is a Taurus M327, handles and trigger is as nice as my J Frame. I also have an LCR, one of the originals and it's been very good. There is one issue with older one with a screw backing out, you can tell if the gun has the issue because it will try to fire with the cylinder open. Mine never had the issue, and of the 20 people I know that have them one did.
 
I like Smiths but lets face it: If you buy an "out of production" J Frame in 95% shape your looking at $550 to ridiculous. $200 of the price more translates into collector value. If you carry it you've got a reliable gun but collector value will go down accordingly. I've got a Det Spec, a Smith 642, a Rossi 68, and a Ruger LCRX. I now carry the Ruger daily. I had one of those new Taurus flat black 85's with the new style mono grips for a while. I would not hesitate to buy another. Taurus is supposed to release an 85 with a hammer that's removable. I'd like to see that. My understanding is if you need Taurus warranty work you're on the hook for shipping.
 
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Its a sleeper, but i think is one of the best values in 357 snubbie revolvers:

Windicatorblue1.jpg

Very solid, heavy, under $300 (look around). Pretty accurate, too, for a short barrel. 6 rounds, too.

oops.. EAA Windicator.. already mentioned, but i thought i'd recommend it, too. I really like the LCRs from ruger. but they are not under $300.
 
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Its a sleeper, but i think is one of the best values in 357 snubbie revolvers:

Windicatorblue1.jpg

Very solid, heavy, under $300 (look around). Pretty accurate, too, for a short barrel. 6 rounds, too.

oops.. EAA Windicator.. already mentioned, but i thought i'd recommend it, too. I really like the LCRs from ruger. but they are not under $300.


I agree...I've got a Windicator with a 4 inch barrel and am very impressed with the quality. It's a bit heavy and more bulky than a 5 shot snub, but probably not too big for IWB carry with a sturdy hybrid holster.
 
I agree...I've got a Windicator with a 4 inch barrel and am very impressed with the quality. It's a bit heavy and more bulky than a 5 shot snub, but probably not too big for IWB carry with a sturdy hybrid holster.
i don't carry the windicator much, but i do have a shoulder holster it fits, & can slip it in a iwb holster. It is a tank, & is surprisingly accurate, for a full 357 snubbie. I'd rather carry the lcr, or better yet, a sccy 9mm auto, but the windicator is staying in my arsenal. It is a well made, fine piece of revolvership. :)
 
Taurus gets a lot of stuff wrong and justifiably catches flack for it.

But they have manufacturing a quality inexpensive J-frame facsimile down pat. Buy an 85 or similar with confidence.

And if it happens to say Titanium on the side try not to smile while buying it for under $300 if the seller knows no better

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Just looked at the used hand guns page on my LGS' website, and they have a Taurus 85 Ti for $299.50. I'm not much of a DA revolver fan, being a lefty, but I could see slipping this in a pocket loaded up with some wadcutters or +P hollow points.

It's under $300, but just barely. What does this model usually go for?
 
I got my 638 for about $350 in the original box. New J-frames are as low as $300 if you're lucky.

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My every day personal self defense depends on a Taurus 85. With any new gun, I'd say shoot it enough to be confident in its proper operation before carrying it.

How confident are you in those wadcutters getting the job done?
 
Actually although the M&S numbers are not so hot I feel OKey Dokey when I carry DEWC in a snub nose revolver, or even a HBWC for that matter.

The ability to shoot accurately, swiftly and multiple times if necessary far out weighs bullet selection to me.

In fact despite the M&S numbers and Dr.Fackler's sandy jello test showing it has less permanent crush cavity than WC I like LSWC bullets as well.

I note it was MedWheeler that commented on carrying WC in a Taurus. I believe his "handle" or "Screen name" is in reference to service with Emergency services.

Ever seen a GSW in a human from a WC? I have seen but one and it was just like the WC makes on paper, a clean edged and .38 caliber hole from which blood flowed freely.

-kBob
 
One reason I prefer +P 158 JHPs in my ultralite .38 is that they load from a speed loader a lot less snag prone than do WCs OR SWCs. Besides, I can handle what little recoil the gun has. Hell, my 20 ounce 605 poly loaded with 140 JHP full house .357 magnums ain't too much for me. Repeat shots are quick. Some of us do practice, ya know. I shoot SOMEthing most every day on my back yard range.
 
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