Taurus 66 - Better Than it Should Be?

MarkAlt · Feb 1, 2016

Long ago, I'm guessing about 17 years, I purchased this Taurus model 66 new. Pretty sure the reason would have been money. Doubt it was more than $200.

Safe cleaning today and I pulled it out from the back. It used to see very regular service and only ate .357s ...quite a few over that period of time. Accuracy was always good, but I was also a better shot then. It's this one and two model 85s that comprise my Taurus collection.

So, I'm giving it the once over now and admit it hasn't even been in the cleaning rotation for a while. The lockup is tight, no end shake at all and an action that is creamy smooth, far beyond expectations.

I wanted to put it out there. Anyone else have the old "Brazilian Hardwood" Taurus models? What do you think? A fluke of quality or an era when they were made differently?

BC38 · Feb 1, 2016

I don't have any Taurus revolvers of that vintage, but I've got a Rossi M971 from that era. A buddy was handling it a little while back and his comment was "Who did the action job?"
When I told him it hadn't had one as far as I know, his reply was "And that's a ROSSI, huh?"
I think just about everybody's quality was better 'back in the day...'

Otreb · Feb 1, 2016

Taurus did and still does make some good firearms. I agree though that the early nineties guns with the Brazilian rosewood stocks seemed especially better fitted.

k22fan · Feb 1, 2016

I have good Taurses (?spelling). They made a few shapes and sizes of big bores that S&W and Ruger have not come close to. Taurus Trackers remain the only 5 shot .45 acp moon clip loading DAs and Tracker .45 Colts are still the only .45 Colt 5 shot DAs. Taurus was not the only manufacturer that made 5 shot .44 specials before S&W made the 696 but Taurus is still the only company to make them with 6" & 6 1/2" barrels.

However, just like with S&W, asserting that a particular time period was free of manufacturing defects does not match my experience. I had Taurus' version of a 6" Model 17 that was made in 1992. Even after a trip back under their warranty it was still not worth owning. Taurus does not pay for shipping to them so I wasn't willing to pay for a repeat trip for a revolver that was $210 used. Its polish & bluing rivaled a Python so I had higher hopes for it when I bought it.

BTW, if my memory is any good the price for the O.P.'s .357 in 1999 was over $300 new.

max · Feb 1, 2016

Years ago one of my uncles wanted a revolver, but didn't want to spend any money. I got him a Taurus 357 and I am sure it was well under $200. I don't know that he ever shot it, but he was always happy to have it.

Collo Rosso · Feb 1, 2016

I've still got a stainless 85 snub I bought the wife back in 1991. It wears pachmayr grips and sits in the safe ready to go. I still have the original rosewood grips in a box.
If I were to buy another would I not have 2 Tauri?

LVSteve · Feb 1, 2016

I'm still trying get my head around the concept of "better than it should be".

CajunBass · Feb 1, 2016

I've owned several Taurus revolvers over the years and they've all been "better than they should be." At least according to conventional internet lore.

Of those I had one Model 66 (7-shot, 357, one Model 65 (fixed sight version of the 66), and a 431 (fixed sight, 5 shot, 44 Special), that I would have put up against most any Smith & Wesson I've owned for fit and finish. They were nice looking (all were blue) and good shooters. I wouldn't mind having any of them back, but they all got sold/traded for some reason or another.

MarkAlt · Feb 1, 2016

Correction: According to Taurus, it was manufactured in 1993, not 1999.

$200-ish then makes more sense.

.455_Hunter · Feb 1, 2016

The 90's were a high water mark for Taurus. I have owned a few, and if they were built right in the first place, they are VERY serviceable weapons. The key is do a complete checkout when contemplating a purchase.

shouldazagged · Feb 2, 2016

Nearly twenty years ago I bought a very worn Taurus M65. It was good mechanically and had a fine bore, but the finish was almost entirely gone. Must have been somebody's truck gun for a long time.

It shot perfectly satisfactorily, with good accuracy and a smooth action. Sold it to get money for a G19.

prescobd · Feb 2, 2016

A model 65, not a 66, but still a fine gun.

dwcopple · Feb 2, 2016

BC38 said:
I don't have any Taurus revolvers of that vintage, but I've got a Rossi M971 from that era. A buddy was handling it a little while back and his comment was "Who did the action job?"
When I told him it hadn't had one as far as I know, his reply was "And that's a ROSSI, huh?"
I think just about everybody's quality was better 'back in the day...'

I have a 951 from the early 80's (pre-Taurus) and it is super smooth. I have it apart right now doing a spring swap on the rebound slide to make it even sweeter.

GatorFarmer · Feb 2, 2016

My 1996 Taurus 85 lasted I believe 85 rounds, certainly less than 100. I paid $169 for it.

Fishslayer · Feb 5, 2016

I have an '80s vintage Taurus 669 that I bought in 2009 for $350 OTD. The finish has some wear but is drop dead pretty. Timing, lockup & trigger are nothing to write home about but quite servicable.

IMO it's a heck of a lot better than a cheap revolver oughta be. I haven't fired it much since I discovered S&W but I haven't sold it yet either.

j a · Feb 7, 2016

Nice looking Taurus

Mark,
I have a 4 inch version of the 66 I bought used, in like new condition, in '07. I gave $300 according to my records. It was what I could afford at the time and it has been a great gun.
I carry it regularly around my acreage. I find it just the right size and weight to be a comfortable belt carry. And do not worry about getting it scratched in the brush. Or powerful enough to stop a rabid skunk or raccoon.
I have put at least 1K assorted rounds through it with out any issues. It still locks up tight and no endshake. And it is fun to shoot and at least as accurate as I am.
I have let several new shooters shoot it instead of one of my more valuable S&Ws. I don't tell them it is a cheaper version of a S&W. They just like the thunder and lightening that comes out of the end of the barrel.

JA

Taurus 66 - Better Than it Should Be?

MarkAlt

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BC38

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Otreb

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k22fan

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max

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Collo Rosso

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LVSteve

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CajunBass

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MarkAlt

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.455_Hunter

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shouldazagged

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prescobd

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dwcopple

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GatorFarmer

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Fishslayer

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j a

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