I picked up a Taurus Model 80 .38 Special. I bid for it online and won. About $185 total and it looks new and unfired. No box or paperwork. Granted it is not a Model 10 ( or a Model 64 that I was out bid on). I really didn't think I would win. It was an impulse bid. Normally, I would try to flip it and make $50-$60. I'm thinking I will keep it for a good beater/truck gun. What are your thoughts on this revolver. Haven't found much online.

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otis

Scoring a Taurus 80 for such a low price isn't something to take for granted and sell at a significant loss.

Between my family and I, I've had personal, first-hand experience with a total of 5 Taurus brand firearms, and so far they've all performed flawlessly. I actually currently use a Taurus Judge Magnum as my bedside Home Defense firearm.
Taurus gets a bad rep that I'm not convinced is completely deserved. They're good guns for the price, and in all honesty their rate of failure seems to be more or less equal to other major firearms manufacturers these days, but unlike others Taurus doesn't get the benefit of the doubt in the event that something goes wrong, and the hit or miss Customer Service certainly doesn't help either.

If it were me, I would keep it, take it out to the range to confirm function, then if all is well, put it to use as a vehicle defense firearm as you have been considering. Otherwise, take advantage of the lifetime warranty and send it in for service then wait until they get it back to you in proper working order.

At any rate, regardless of what opinions you may receive here, I would recommend at least giving it a chance before selling it off. It's not like firing a box of anmo through it is going to affect the resell value, especially not if you intend to sell it for a song.
Oh, and should you decide to sell it, consider listing it on the Taurus Forums, as I know a few guys there who are always looking to buy used Taurus' for cheap, functional or otherwise, so you could probably quicksell it there if you choose to go that route.

Thanks! If I sell it, it would be for a $50-$60 profit. But at $185, that's too cheap to get rid of. It would be a good truck gun or make a great loaner gun if a friend ever needed to borrow one.

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otis

otis-

Is it so old that the cylinder flutes have grooves or ridges in them, or a later gun? Some were imported under the Spesco label and they looked pretty crude.

If the gun looks good and shoots well and reliably, I think your plan to keep it is sound.

Not sure how they'd handle Plus P ammo, though. I'd be especially leery of the very hot, .38-44 class load sold by Buffalo Bore.

It's a really good choice in a true .38-44 or a .357, but I think Taurus or Rossi stated they were not rated for warm ammo.

All Taurus/Rossi firearms manufactured since 1994 are rated for +P, older models are not unless officially specified.

Ammunition Guide - Taurus International

Basically, if it doesn't have "+P" stamped on the barrel besides the caliber designation, then it's best to stay away from it.

I've owned a couple/three/four Taurus .38 revolvers over the years. The only one that had issues from new was a 1990's Model 82 that came with the barrel under-clocked and shot off to the left. I took it apart and re-clocked the barrel slightly and it was perfect then.


I picked up a pretty well used and abused Model 82 from the recent surplus imports from where-ever(probably Brazilian police/military). It needed some work internally as it wasn't working. I'm a pretty decent revolver-smith and three hours of work had the cylinder bolt re-furbed and the battered old Taurus timed and working perfectly. Although this old revolver is nothing special to look at(finish gone/grips worn smooth) it is a fantastic shooter...I'm keeping it! I picked up a Similarly worn 4" Rossi from these surplus imports and like it too.


Just a year or so back Taurus had sales on several revolver models. I had handled a newer Model 85 snubbie so had my favored FFL look for me a stainless version. I received another sweet shooting Taurus revolver!

I own quite a few S&W .38 and .357 revolvers...Colts and Rugers plus an assortment of other make/models surplus revolvers too. Nothing wrong with a Taurus

I checked the serial number on Taurus's site and it dates to 1992.

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otis

Then unless the gun is stamped to indicate otherwise, it's not rated for +P.