Don't flog me for my stray away from S&W's wonderful twenty twos, I just had to try this Taurus.


For two months I resisted the urge to buy a like new Taurus Tracker 970 (blued-pretty rare) 7 shot .22 revolver outfitted with Hogue grips, Weigand scope mount and rings, plus a Weaver Classic 2X28 scope, gun box, papers and original back sight. Finally I broke down and paid the $380 they were asking- not bad for a less than one year old gun with a $169 scope $30 mount, $25 rings and $25 grips with A $320 revolver thrown in.
I figured if the revolver didn't please me I would sell it and the scope mount separately and keep the Weaver and the rings.

Report- very nice fit and finish. Super high polish blue on most of the gun with only the cylinder being a little rough. Gritty trigger at about 7 lbs single and 15 lbs double action, however both broke crisply without creep or overtravel. Popped the sideplate and cleaned out all the typical Taurus factory leftover grit and crud. Re-lubed with Weapons Shield oil. Got rid of the gritty feel, but not the stiff pull.

Took it to the range and it is a SHOOTER! After adjusting the scope I had little trouble shooting 1 inch groups at 25 yards with CCI Standard Velocity, Winchester 36 grain "555" and CCI Blazer. It shot all three to nearly the same point of aim too! Even grouped 1.5 inches with Stingers. Pretty darned good- and better in fact than I can do with one of my K-22's (no scope though-so all bets are off!). The trigger is the biggest problem, if I can get it down to 4-5 lbs I suspect the revolver is capable of 1/2 inch at 25 yards.

The Taurus is a fun gun to shoot and will reduce the range time a couple of my more collectible S&W's will see. Glad I took the gamble on my first Taurus revolver in nearly twenty years.
The Tracker 970 and 990 are definitely worth a look for the $350-$390 new price as the S&W 617's are $699-$759 new when you can find one.

No $700 guns here. Just nice used S&W's. Don

S&W 17-4



S&W 18-3

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"Don't worry be happy"

Yep. Here's a $350 S&W.
Pre-17, 4-digit serial #, just a little bit of freckling.

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Georgia On My Mind

Hey Hawkeye, you might want to look at the prices those two shooters of yours are bringing today. Can't find ANY 17's or 18's in this neck of the woods for less than 600 (even the beat up ones), and guns with all the goodies like you have would easily bring 7-750. Nice guns, by the way!

The trigger will smooth out with use. If you find a solution to the heavy trigger pull let me know. I tried the Wolff spring kit and the result was a nice trigger pull but too many misfires. I've heard the problem is the light weight hammer and that may be the case. My Taurus 94 has been a nice shooter in the 11 years I've owned it. The SA trigger pull is outstanding. The DA trigger pull is smooth but very stiff. I consider it good trigger finger excercise.

Redlevel, I'm interested in the Pre-17 at that price.

I could post a picture of a M57 in presentation case that I purchased for less than $250, but that was enough years ago I'm sure it does not reflect current pricing.

My son picked up a little Taurus 22 pistol a couple of years ago. We used to begin or end almost every day with it, shooting the Coliberi powderless loads into a 55gal. drum turned on its side with a target of some sort hung over the mouth. This was inside of his warehouse.

Ranges would vary according to mood, with a max of about 80 ft. That pistol was a great shooter. We would usually burn a box between us over coffee in the mornings or a Coke in the evening. Solve the world's problems and go home.

Great time in my life. Good shooting. Good fun.
Great way to begin or end the day.

To the replies with nice vintage Smith photos- I f you will sell me THOSE guns for $380-I'm all over them!!

My reason for the post was to point out the fact that Taurus actually makes a couple of target worthy .22 LR revolvers (forget the horrid small frame model 94 and its 20LB D/A trigger).

I have a decent-though not nearly complete enough collection of S&W .22 revolvers, a Ruger Single Six and various .22 pistols. Figured I might as well try a modern Taurus. Was suitably impressed with finish, fit, reliability and above all-accuracy. The sub-par area is the heavy trigger, but for HALF the price of a comparable S&W, you can't complain.

No, I wouldn't sell my old K22 for $380, but my point was, they are still out there if you look hard enough. You have to be vigilant, and you have to be quick. I missed a Model 17-3 on a statewide S&S for $375 a few weeks back. Missed it literally by 5 minutes. I bought a very nice nickel plated Model 34-1 for $400 earlier this summer. I am retired and have the time, so I check the listings on that S&S sometimes a half-dozen times a day. Once a month or so, something like that pops up. I also check my local emporium at least once a week, although I have them trained to call me when an interesting S&W comes in.

Gotta go now, and check the S&S.

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Georgia On My Mind

Red, some areas are more conducive than others to find a deal- our area is fair, some are not as much.

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Lost it all in a boat accident

$21.43 plus tax, back in March. I didn't get the box or tools.

March of what year?

Sorry guys, but I got you all beat...

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

"March of what year?"

March of 2011, just a few months ago.

Hey-love the older K-22/Model 17 photos and 'deal' stories. I bought a 17-3 in 95% plus for $499 last year and love it. HOWEVER-my point in this posting-you aren't going to find a nearly mint S&W .22 revolver with a quality made in the USA scope mount and rings, good Weaver (Japan not China) scope and Hogue grip for $380-I don't care how long you look.

Nothing at all wrong with this rig for the money, and it is as accurate as I can shoot it. I won't sneeze at 1 inch at 25 yards with that 7LB. factory trigger. I'm sure my 617, 17-3 and 17-6 are capable of the same and better if I'd scope them too. Sure as hades have more than $380 in any oft them without scope and mounts.

I would suggest that you send it to Taurus and ask them to go over the action. They have a new on line form that you use. I just used it last month, and had the gun back pronto, no glitches. Tell them about the filings and the heavy trigger, I'll bet they work it over for you-no cost. I have 3-all have nice actions-my 441 has a wonderful double action, and my newest-a 608 357, has the best out of the box double and single action I have ever experienced. I guess sometimes there is a variation in the way the guns arrive from Taurus. I'm just glad that none of the other gun makers have that problem. Flapjack.

I'll stick with my 617.
Keep an eye on the Taurus. I had the same gun in 17 HMR. Man what a fun gun to shoot. If it would only work right!!