Would you buy a Taurus Revolver?

[LubeckTech]

I am thinking about getting a Taurus 608 - 8 round ported .357. It would be for action pistol style matches, USPSA, Bowling pins and steel matches. I would probably average 200 - 400 rounds per month and basically am concerned about the Quality and druability of Taurus revolvers. Currently I own 2 Taurus pistols - a PT 92 AS and a PT-145. I trust the PT-145 with my life and shoot it often - the PT 92 AS I have owned for about 15 years and I have had some minor problems with the roll pin that the rear sight pivots on. It does go bang every time, the bullets go where they are supposed to and is not a jam-o-matic. Revolvers are a different animal however as in my opinion they are mechanically more complex. I have done extensive reading on Taurus revolvers particularly the 608 and while there are a lot of people who like this particular gun there are a large number of those who have problems with Taurus revolvers. Mainly I have decided not to get one because the negative things I have read raise serious doubts in my mind about them. Probably I will wait & save for a S&W 627 ($950) but with the sub $450 price of the 608 I keep having to talk myself out of it taking the risk. I value the opinions of the members of this forum and would appreciate your input.

 

[mnhntr]

The only Taurus handgun I would buy would be a raging bee or raging hornet.

 

[Ranger30-06]

In my very humble personal opinion, for what your spending you could have a 50/50 chance at a somewhat decent revolver, or save a little longer and buy a Ruger or S&W which would have upwards of a 99% chance of being A-ok from the factory. Wasting money on a 50/50 chance in my book, just isn't worth it.

 

[MrDig]

I own Two, a Model 94 and Model 44, 4 and 6 inch barrels respectively. Crappy ammo problem with the 94 and not one hiccough with the 44 so I guess I'm one of the "lucky" who got good Taurus Revolvers.

 

[calaverasslim]

Currently own 3 Taurus revolvers and have a 4th coming. Good, solid, dependable.

Yah! I would buy another Taurus but don't know the 608.

 

[jpruitt]

I've had a few over the years. They all worked fine, the only thing I didn't care for was their terrible triggers, which would make me think twice before using them competitively.

 

[bikerdoc]

605, PT 92, and PT 1911 (9mm)

Never had a problem with any of them.

 

[BCRider]

Not many votes in yet so it's hard to say.

Up this way the previous Taurus importer and repair center had an even worse reputation than it appears that the US center has. When they lost the importer/dealer status they had and it was taken over by an outfit with a far better reputation I felt it was worth looking at the offerings. But based on getting to examine one gun, hearing from a local gunsmith about the guns and reading about the common need to send brand new guns in for warranty attention I totally lost intrest.

To be fair it seems from my reading around that once all the issues are dealt with that the guns are darn decent and work well. But it simply seems like too much of a gamble to hope to get a good one right out of the box.

 

[Byrd666]

I purchased a Taurus model 66B4, a blued/black 4" 7 rnd. .357 about five years ago as an X-mas present for myself. I would not hesitate in any manner to purchase another. I've lost count of exactly how many rounds I've sent down the pipe but, I believe it to be about 3 to 4 thousand. I've never had a mechanical problem of any kind. Whether it be a 100+ degree day in the sand or a 30 degree day in the sleet and frozen rain.

 

[dawei]

I have seven Taurus® revolvers.
• Mdl 85B2CH 38 Special - 1994
• Mdl 669SS4CP 357 Magnum - 1996
• Mdl 85B2 38 Special - 1997
• Mdl 617SS2 357 Magnum - 2003
• Mdl 605SS3 357 Magnum - 2006
• Mdl 85SS2UL 38 Special - 2007
• Mdl 605SS2 357 Magnum - 2010

All have performed superbly and I continue to shoot them all almost every week.

I have only encountered these problems.........
• Mdl 85B2CH broke a firing pin (part# 19) after 11,000+ rounds. I replaced the firing pin & it's still going strong.
• Mdl 85SS2UL had the cylinder stop (part# 44) wear down after 10,000 rounds. Called Taurus® and they shipped the part right away. Installed new cylinder stop and now the gun works fine.

I have zero complaints with Taurus® customer service. The one time I had to send a gun in they fixed and returned it when they said they would. Specifically.....................
• Mdl 617 developed excessive cylinder to forcing cone gap (.011") after almost 6,000 rounds. I sent it to Taurus® and they replaced the cylinder (part# 8) and adjusted the yoke (part# 9) *I've since put 3,000+ rounds through it and it's still going strong.

I will not hesitate to buy additional Taurus® revolvers. They are an outstanding value.
Here is a wealth of Taurus® information..........

http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php

 

[Bushpilot]

I've had a few Taurus revolvers and only experienced a couple of minor issues. Then again I've had some issues with 2 new Smiths also. I think with a little revolver knowledge you can pick out a decent Taurus and have generally good results. I also think that their 22's might be a little more problematic then the 357's and 44's or at least that’s been my experience. However, If you're going to be regularly competing and shooting as much as you say I think the extra cost of the Smith is relatively minor compared to the ammo you are planning on shooting and is probably worth the difference. Plus the Smith will be easier to get replacement parts and accessories for. If you are a shooting on a more casual basis the difference is less pronounced.

 

[MCgunner]

I already have...three times. If they have something I want, I won't hesitate.

 

[JO JO]

One thing to consider is if you ever want to sale it value and demand will not be as high
as others.

 

[RalphS]

I bought a new 608 about 5 years ago. It had timing problems and was shaving lead. Sent it back to Taurus for repair. When it came back it was still shaving lead.

 

[rikman]

No, S&W or Ruger for me.


Sent from my iPhone 4s using Tapatalk

 

[Coal Dragger]

As suggested by others I would save a bit more money, or outright spend more for something of more consistent quality.

 

[skidder]

Not a good investment.

 

[280shooter]

Buy something else..
I have a 686 and had to send it back,, it came back with no repair done to it...
my buddie has 6 , and every one had to be sent back for repairs. before he had 50 rounds through any of them.,,
I wouldnt buy another,,, I buy smith or ruger,, they never let me down,, But thats only my 2 cents...

 

[MrDig]

Not a good investment.

What Gun is? Unless you can afford safe queens that you will never fire they will all lose value.
I shoot my guns so none of them are going up in value soon.

 

[4v50 Gary]

No. I'd rather have a Ruger or S&W revolver. Taurus makes better pistols than they do revolvers.

 

[Got_Lead?]

I am very happy with a model 85 stainless from about 15 years back, it seems to be made from good steel, and is very accurate. I did check out about 3 or 4 of them at the gun shop, and choose the one with the best alignment, finish, gap and timing. This might be a key thing, which can be said of any brand, look before you buy. There's a really good sticky article above about things to look for in a revolver, adhere to this and you won't go wrong.

This little guy really shoots, yup, that's a 25 yard group. I have since indexed the barrel to bring the POI to the POA.

 

[Tomcat47]

Taurus 608 - Its A Must Have!

Not a good investment.

I must humbly disagree!...........

But you could probably find a Whitetail Deer or Burglar that would agree with that statement!.......

Oh! How I love my 608!

Dial 911 or Pick Up 608!............................

 

[Brian Williams]

YES if they would start making the 445 in either 45 ACP or 45 Colt again. only with a 4" barrel.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I am thinking about getting a Taurus 608. It would be for action pistol style matches, USPSA, Bowling pins and steel matches. I would probably average 200 - 400 rounds per month and basically am concerned about the Quality and druability of Taurus revolvers.

At this years Revolver Championship all competitors but one were shooting S&W revolvers, mostly M627 Pro models. The one that wasn't a S&W was a Ruger. If Taurus revolver were made well enough to stand up to use at a match there would be at least a few being used. (but there are none)

For use in matches I would buy a S&W M627 Pro. If you are limited to only 6 rounds the S&W M686SSR is the revolver for that.

 

[Kiln]

I might eventually pick one up but I'm not sure. I've heard alot of negative stuff on forums and at least one gun shop around here that won't carry them because they claim that Taurus guns have too many problems.

I have zero personal experience with them so I can't really say anything myself.