Yes, a Taurus.

After wasting a day waiting for my not so instant check process to go through at the shop, I picked up my Taurus not-so-much a View revolver and took it to the last place you'd really want to shoot such a thing at; a 25yrd bullseye range.


In case you haven't heard of it, the Taurus View was a goofy concept introduced late 2013 by the then-new CEO of Taurus as a vehicle to launch a revamped image of quality and innovation, coupled with better customer service. In the first half of their short production, they used a see-thru lLexan sideplate, to showcase the higher degree of polish and fitted internals, along with a weird sort of gimmicky "check out how this thing works" quality. Along the way, they discovered lexan kinda sucks for such a job, and the call was answered to just use a regular friggin sideplate.
Pretty sure he's already been canned, but the gun was rather cool, IMO.

The revolver is a .38sp, based on a fairly trustworthy model 85 design (in turn largely copied from a J frame). They shortened the bbl to 1.41", bobbed and tweaked the grip frame so it follows the contours of a right handed strong side carry profile, with the grip profile 'bending' slightly leftward when looking at the gun from the rear. The ejector rod is almost not there at all, just a tiny stub, and the gun utilizes aluminum for the frame material, titanium for the bbl shroud and cylinder and a stainless steel liner for the bore. It weights 9.5oz.

It's either ***** or really really interesting, depending on perspective. I like it. I like most snubby revolvers.
It's pretty damn small too, not much bigger than an NAA mini in length and height, pretty similar weight as well.
Here it is with the NAA, J frame, D frame Colt, Ruger LCR, K frame mod 10 and L frame mod 242.

Next to a Bond Derringer, it seems to make a crapload more sense for carry.


At the range, I brought along Blazer Brass 125gr std pressure Flat pointed FMJ, and Hornady Critical Defense 110gr +p.
The gun was rated for +p when introduced, I understand it is no longer recommended due to concerns about recoil and bullet pull. All indications are the gun itself is good for it, but not so much the ammo or shooter. I chose to try it with the lightweight 110gr ammo. All the feedback I had seen indicated the gun likes to shoot high, and given reports of bullet pull using heavier bullets or almost anything lead, I'll be sticking with lightweights.

Using the Blazer Brass ammo, I started out using a 6 'O clock hold on the bull, anticipating shots would impact well above POI....they did, but a five shot group materialized about 1-5" over and about 3" left on the paper. Not bad, about a 5.5" group. I detected no issues with bullet pull with the Blazer ammo, and all slugs made neat round holes in the paper with little indication of yaw. I had wondered if that would be an issue from such a short barrel
The remaining 20 shots were sort of scattered about as I tried to steer my hits into the middle with varying degrees of success. :supergrin: most made the black....

I was especially curious to see if the +p Hornady CD stuff would jump their crimps after a trip around the cylinder-you might be able to see here, just very slightly did the FTX slug crimp creep about .007....but stayed crimped in its cannelure after four firings. It moved, but only a tiny bit. Shooting one handed or with a relaxed grip might yield more creep, I dunno.

Accuracy and POI was about the same for the 110gr Critical D +p, recoil was slightly more harsh. Many reports of horrific recoil....personally, it's sharp,but not nearly so bad in my hands; yes, a box of fifty is about good for me using the range stuff, but compared to say full power .357mag in the LCR or defense loaded .45acps in the 325SC- it's not that bad. Despite the sliver-like grip, it actually works quite well and the slightly more angled grip frame helps lower the bore axis of the snubby in your hand, and position the web about as choked-up as possible without interfering with hammer throw. It works.
The tiny ejector rod still did its job reasonably well, but you'll never be able to punch empties even like a J frame with it's already too short ejector rod. It will take the HKS 36 speed loader just fine, in fact better than an LCR with their chubby rubbers.
Trigger felt decently average, good bolt engagement to tip you off to trigger break. Action is solid all around with strong lockup and no play front or rear of the cylinder, it's a well built revolver.
Will it hold up to thousands of rounds as well as other small snubbies? I dunno, but there's little indication at this point it shouldn't. It's not a gun you'll be using as a range burner and even if you had the resources to feed it thousands of rounds, it will wear you out quick enough to likely dissuade such endeavors.
I have some ammo of both types left over for the chrono next week, also have some buffalo bore/Barnes 110gr on order. I'm eager to see how they do in velocities.
So far, I'm impressed with this revolver. It rocks.

Neat. Nice review. I like the idea of a production "belly gun". What's a good price for one?

I paid $389, that's about right if you can find one.

You sure put a lot of thought and effort into that presentation. Good job! I have a Taurus in the stable and am quite pleased with it.

Yes, a Taurus.

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Otreb-
Thanks for the price info. Can you let me know how it compares with your 442? (the good and bad) My edc is a 442. If you have time to snap a side by side with the 442 that would be helpful.

My EDC is also a 442. The View is shorter in length and height, same width at the widest point (cylinder) but weighs about 6oz less.
Sights on the view are slightly better in terms of size and larger profile...but the 442s are better regulated POI/POA, especially at longer distances.
My 442-2 has over 2k thru it, so it has the better trigger...but out of the box the View has a 'good' trigger with maybe the slightest bit more weight than the Smith. After a little use I suspect the View will be about equal in smoothness.
The 442 is obviously the better shooter, given more weight and grip to hold onto. Much easier to manage the recoil of plus P ammo, and more tolerant of ammo types, including buffalo Bore lead hollowpoints that I wouldn't dare try to shoot in the View...almost certain to have crimp jump along with genuinely painful recoil in a 9.5oz gun.
For carry, the Taurus has the advantage....though getting it into action might be trickier with its dimunitive size compared to the j frame- which about as easy as it gets for grabbing and going to work.
I snapped this a moment ago...

Thanks for the info and pic. As far as size goes if you had magnas on your 442 it would be pretty close with advantage to the view by about 1/2 inch on the grip and barrel and of course weight by about 4 oz (my 442 comes in at 13.7 with magnas on it). Closer than I thought. Of course, as you noted, the 442 is a great shooter. Thanks again.

Great review. A special purpose carry gun that seems to get the job done quite well. Taurus is banned for sale here in MA (except for grandfathered in guns) for not complying with the testing regulations. If they were available I would certainly look at one of those as a carry alternative. My 342Ti fills the bill for my pocket but the size and weight of that rig is aces. I would say that it shoots quite well also. Thanks for the post.

The gun was hideous with the clear sideplate. What were they thinking!!!

Were they ever made in other calibers? That seems an interesting gun. I wondered if a .32 Magnum version was ever offered.

WOW! DIDNT EVEN THINK IT WAS OUT YET!! Congrats man that is truly awesome.

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Shield 9mm

Ok, good range report. I'll give hats off for Taurus for trying things outside the box but let's see your hand........ I shot one using 38spl target loads and started bleeding about the fifteenth round. I know it's not a target gun but if it hurts you'll not practice with it.......trust me.

Yeaaa....no! No,Taurus sorry. Not wasting $350 dollars on anything they make. If it was $5 I'd take a chance but in my area for $50 more I can have any number of used,S&W along with Ruger security series

A see through side plate to see how smooth thing are? Are you kidding me? How about focusing on actually making quality and no one needs to see the smoothness

I always get a kick out posts like this.

Awesome!!!!

I had a small blister in the web of my hand from shooting it with std pressure 125gr and +p 110gr ammo. Compared to shooting full power ammo in the 325sc or my 3" 629, it not as bad.
Sorry you bled.

Yep, awesome. You get a gold star!!

Yeeeeaaayy......Taurus!!!

Hopefully we didn't forget to finish machining the gun before it makes its way through QC and onto packaging

Another look at the 'no view' next to the 442-2 and LCR .357.

Over this weekend, I'll have it over the chrono with a few varieties of ammo, including Buffalo Bore 110gr Barnes +p, the Hornady Critical Defense +p 110gr and Blazer Brass 125gr. I may need to hunt down some BH wadcutters or Nyclads if I'm super lucky.

Different. Pretty cool.

If only Taurus could consistently produce...oh forget it...

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But then, what do I know?

Holy cow that's small!

Makes the LCR look like an elephant.

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-Mike-

I must just be living right, but I have owned many, many Taurus handguns through the years and never had a problem with one I didn't create myself. My worst goof -- bulging/cracking a barrel in one of their K-frame-size .44 Specials by rapid-firing some antique ammo. One round was a squib, and I was rippin' it so fast I couldn't stop my finger before I fired another round. That was fixed for free and returned to me in about 2 weeks.

I have been looking at these Lilliputian revolvers for a while. Time to go get one!

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Pisgah

Nice find! (For you, apparently )

I handled one a year or so ago and had zero interest. The curved grip was perhaps my least favorite aspect.

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- The Federalist #46 -

It comes off pretty weird, but works surprisingly well in shooting.
I initially thought it was simply insufficient for actually shooting, but it feels especially right shooting one handed (at least if you're right handed).
I like weird guns. This one is weird, but suprisingly functional. I've already sent my Bond Arms and a few other small pistols down the road with this one on board. It just makes a lot more sense.
I'm really eager to see how the velocities hold up from the tiny barrel vs my 2.5" 242 Airlight and 4" NY-1.

Just in case you are interested according to customer support this is a "special run" from Taurus and is not in production. I spoke to them twice about this just to be certain before i posted this. So if you are interested I would act on it. I ordered one and it is due in tomorrow.

One other note. The action on the "no view" model is apparently the same polished and finished action as on the view model with the lexan side plate, so it is nicer than the standard 85. Personally I suspect that the "no view" are just views that remained in inventory so Taurus fit aluminum side plates to them and sold them off.

That appears to be the case, based on my gun.

It needed lube.

I'll be right over for supper. The down side of being a bachelor is always eating out of a can. I can taste that clear across the country.

Keep us filled in on the range report.

Costco lasagna....impasta.

have owned a pt111, pt145 and currently own a model 85 snubby. Not once issue with any of them!

Sorry to drag up a year old post but I seen one of these guns on GunBroker and I was thinking about bidding on it what's your opinion on It after owning it for a year? It seems like they're coming collectors items they are very hard to find.
Thanks
Mike

Still a happy camper. I use it when I can't tote the air weight j frame or LCR .357.... It's my tiny .380 except reliable and more powerful.

I have approx 300 thru it at this point.

Thank you very much for the reply. I have a bid on it.
Mike

I have two Taurus revolvers,I don't mean any disrespect,that is as my wife would say,a ugly cute little Taurus .38 Special!lol

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