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I like how they have the snub 38spl that holds 6 rounds now, for that oh so cheap MSRP. The STS version is more expensive than the black, or should I say "modern blue".

The reason I find that funny is because Colt just released a new Night Cobra in the black finish, with bobbed hammer, and front night sight. I believe it's about $200 more MSRP than the stainless Cobra version. That's a lot of extra money for a night sight and bobbed hammer.

Good luck to all the new models this year.

My understanding from Colt is that the Night Cobra is all Stainless Steel with the additional black coating, Snag Free Grips, night sight, and bobbed hammer. Personally I've always liked black over stainless for a carry piece. Now whether or not all that is worth the extra $s will be in the eye and the wallet of the purchaser lol.

Getting back to Taurus, I've had a luv/hate relationship with them for decades lol. They have most definitely improved and come a long way. My personal best experiences with Taurus have been with their all-stainless revolvers, and the stainless version of their PT92 9mm. That new Raging Hunter .44 Magnum did catch and hold my eye though.

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I didn't want to poop up the thread...but whatever...

I can't trust Taurus, they're too hit/miss in the QC dept. in 2007, I had a PT1911 that was literally eating its own frame due to suck poor fit on the slide, and in 2010, a M44 that had massive timing issues right out of the box.

I love their prices...but I'll be honest when I say that I won't even look at one anymore.

LOL...oh I hear you loud and clear and don't blame you at all. Inconsistent QC has been a major complaint of Taurus for decades. Yes, my experience with their 1911s has not been good at all.

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When dealing with a manufacturer that makes cost efficient firearms, the buyer needs to do some due diligence in making sure they get a good example. Now, that might not always keep out a junk design, but hopefully you catch a possible junk design in research before buying.

I don't "poo poo" on any gun unless I have the chance to handle and examine it. Now, I might give some personal opinions of guns without shooting/handling them, but I don't poo on their usability to someone else.

For that reason I would look into Taurus if needed. I have one semi-auto right now, the original PT111 Millenium Pro 9mm. That's actually a good gun and very solidly built. The trigger pull sucks but it has never malfunctioned. Supposedly this first gen model had a safety issue but mine doesn't.

Maybe that DLC coating is the cost factor? I haven't looked up how much it costs yet.

I'm just old fashioned, so having a "black" finished gun just doesn't cut it. I need good old traditional bluing.

I don't even like STS.

I do have a good question for the Colt fans though, and might raise it over on their forum, but I seen a review for the Volq. Scorpion which has a DLC coated bolt, but that bolt is polished like a mirror first and the coating applied to that actually almost eliminates the need for lube there, and boy did that bolt look attractive.

Could the new Cobra be polished bright like a mirror, then DLC coated to give a mirror bright black finish?

Now, that might be worth looking at, if as attractive as that Volq. bolt. That would make for a good utility gun with a strong finish, yet good looking.

I still wouldn't be a buyer, based on design, but I wouldn't mind checking one out.

Agreed, "Civilian Self-Defense" need not be expensive or exotic. Truly fighting for one's life at arms length is as basic as it gets.

The *PT111 G2* is a runaway budget best-seller. I personally know a few savvy men who carry the *PT111 G2* without issue or concern.

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I know the G2 version does have quite market share, and supposedly corrected whatever issues, if any, of the first gen.

Still, the first gen I have is a great, solid gun. None of the safety problems that were reported and I have tested it. Just a trigger I don't particularly care for, but then I'm used to hand tuned revolvers.

The Taurus was my wife's purchase but she can't shoot it accurately at all. Ended up liking and doing much better with my Detective Special, so the Taurus has no use. Would like to sell it, but no one wants the first gen anymore unless you give it away. Cost almost $400 when new, and would be lucky to get $200 out of it today. So why sell, never know when you might need a beater compact 9mm, and you're not going to buy a decent one for $200 today.

That's the bad thing about modern guns. I like guns that I can at least break even if I need to sell. That's why I don't buy modern stuff anymore, to much selection of old still out there for the same or lower price.

I've owned several Taurus handguns, and only had a major problem with one: this was years ago, and it was a Total Titanium .44 Special revolver, if I remember the model name correctly. It would lock up every cylinder full of ammo, if it would even fire a round. At that time, Taurus service was miserable...so I traded it at a local gun shop, fully disclosing the issues...the LGS owner thought he might be able to do something with it, but he eventually gave up on it.

I've owned a PT1911, and while it was a good pistol, it had some non-standard parts. I've owned a PT709 Slim, a PT92, a Judge (the polymer model), and the best of all of them, a PT111 G2. It liked that little gun, but eventually sold it.

I won't consider Taurus now because I've decided that I will only own guns made by American companies, who have a lifetime warranty/repair policy, and who have excellent customer service (which includes paid shipping both ways.) I'm not saying everyone should feel this way...this is just how I feel.