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