Are their any Smith and Wesson owners who also own and like the Taurus model 96. So much bad about the Taurus 96. Is it based on truth or just that they are not smiths. I held one and really like the way it feels but with all the negitives not sure if it's worth trying. I will say that I own a model 17 and 617. Just wanted to try something different if it's worth it. Thanks
Model 17 owners, what about a Taurus model 96
- Thread starter Mg2wall
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If you have a 17 and a 617......... I've got to ask why???????
Start a search for a 18 !!!!!!!
Start a search for a 18 !!!!!!!
Well you've got two of the best .22s going........ why buy down????
In a few months or so you'll realize you aren't shooting the Taurus and it will become "trade bait" on which you'll get $.50 on the dollar.
From what I've heard/read Taurus's are fair to OK.....if I was looking for a rough use/utility .22 Kit gun ..... I might consider one....... but at the range I wouldn't put one up against the guns you already have...... you could get lucky...... but again why "buy down"?
JMHO..................
Edit: for the record..... I did look at buying a Taurus .....years ago... to have for hiking/woods bumming at the cabin.. but opted for a Smith 4" 617
In a few months or so you'll realize you aren't shooting the Taurus and it will become "trade bait" on which you'll get $.50 on the dollar.
From what I've heard/read Taurus's are fair to OK.....if I was looking for a rough use/utility .22 Kit gun ..... I might consider one....... but at the range I wouldn't put one up against the guns you already have...... you could get lucky...... but again why "buy down"?
JMHO..................
Edit: for the record..... I did look at buying a Taurus .....years ago... to have for hiking/woods bumming at the cabin.. but opted for a Smith 4" 617
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I had one. I didn't care for the trigger, the physical shape of the trigger, not the trigger action or anything, but other than that, I didn't see a thing wrong with that gun. I paid less than half what a Model 17 or K-22 was going for. The finish maybe wasn't as nice, but it wasn't bad.
I say if you want it, get it.
I say if you want it, get it.
I agree with you on the 17 and 617. Great guns. But I don't look at it as buying down. Just expanding my gun collection. I have other guns that would be considered less than a smith but still fun to get out once in awhile. Just looking to see if anyone had personal experience with one, good and bad.
If you want to try something different, why not look for a Colt Officers Model Match or Trooper in .22. They are out there on the used market if you are willing to look around for a good deal. It will cost more but it will hold its value and you won't be downgrading. Go for the original action over the Mark III.
Or maybe a Ruger Single Six, or even a Bearcat if you want new. A single action .22 can be a lot of fun.
Or maybe a Ruger Single Six, or even a Bearcat if you want new. A single action .22 can be a lot of fun.
Taurus is second rate, and a loosing proposition as far as money. If you
want to expand your collection there are many directions to go besides
down. I have never bought one new but have got them on trades, they
functioned, that is about all I can say positive. They sure were nowhere
near m17 accuracy.
want to expand your collection there are many directions to go besides
down. I have never bought one new but have got them on trades, they
functioned, that is about all I can say positive. They sure were nowhere
near m17 accuracy.
I've owned a Taurus 917 Trapper .22LR and a Model 94 .22LR.
The trapper was a heavy, reasonably well finished 8 shot revolver with two nagging problems. First, three of the chambers were significantly tighter than the others causing a five shot/three shot group spread and very difficult extraction. Second, the barrel cylinder gap was so tight that the cylinder wouldn't rotate after about 50 rounds. I sent this revolver back to Taurus and they returned it without repair stating it was "within spec".
The model 94, I won at a gun bash. Worst trigger I've ever felt on a revolver. Over 15lbs single action and off the scale on D/A. Traded it off without ever firing a round.
Since you already have two great S&W .22's, I heartily and enthusiastically recommend a Ruger Single-Six with the 6.5 inch barrel, or even the new Single-Ten. Great single action guns. I prefer the stainless versions because the grip frame and ejector rod housings are steel. The blued guns use aluminum for these part and it affects the weight balance.
The Colt New Frontier.22 is worth a look too. Try for the 1970's models without the silly safety. Old school four click action, so carry with the hammer down on an empty chamber. They can be had for $450 to $550.
The trapper was a heavy, reasonably well finished 8 shot revolver with two nagging problems. First, three of the chambers were significantly tighter than the others causing a five shot/three shot group spread and very difficult extraction. Second, the barrel cylinder gap was so tight that the cylinder wouldn't rotate after about 50 rounds. I sent this revolver back to Taurus and they returned it without repair stating it was "within spec".
The model 94, I won at a gun bash. Worst trigger I've ever felt on a revolver. Over 15lbs single action and off the scale on D/A. Traded it off without ever firing a round.
Since you already have two great S&W .22's, I heartily and enthusiastically recommend a Ruger Single-Six with the 6.5 inch barrel, or even the new Single-Ten. Great single action guns. I prefer the stainless versions because the grip frame and ejector rod housings are steel. The blued guns use aluminum for these part and it affects the weight balance.
The Colt New Frontier.22 is worth a look too. Try for the 1970's models without the silly safety. Old school four click action, so carry with the hammer down on an empty chamber. They can be had for $450 to $550.
If I was looking for an affordable .22 that wasn't a Smith, it would likely be a High-Standard Sentinel.
Don't mean to spoil your thread, but I will NEVER buy another Taurus product.
Eight different Taurus guns. Four new, four used. Each one had to go back to Taurus.
Eight different Taurus guns. Four new, four used. Each one had to go back to Taurus.
You ever put a 3" 431 in your hand and run a couple cylinders through it?
Engine49guy
Member
Not an expert and cant vouch for their whole line but do have an older Taurus 96 that is very high fit and finish,
Shown below flanked by K-22's:
It has a coil main spring like the S&W J frame but is adjustable by turning the knurled nut changing spring tension:
Mine is an older version and has a 5 screw frame like older S&W's but do not know if that changes in their evolution:
If you like a Heavy barrel profile the Taurus (right) has a heavier barrel profile than the K-22 (Left):
While the Taurus does not have individually recessed cylinder holes it does have a recessed cylinder face much like my Colt .22 lr revolvers :
Lastly would comment while I dont know its exact production year guessing 1980's by the stock style,
Also the blueing is VERY dark and almost black like pre war S&W's.
Shown below flanked by K-22's:
It has a coil main spring like the S&W J frame but is adjustable by turning the knurled nut changing spring tension:
Mine is an older version and has a 5 screw frame like older S&W's but do not know if that changes in their evolution:
If you like a Heavy barrel profile the Taurus (right) has a heavier barrel profile than the K-22 (Left):
While the Taurus does not have individually recessed cylinder holes it does have a recessed cylinder face much like my Colt .22 lr revolvers :
Lastly would comment while I dont know its exact production year guessing 1980's by the stock style,
Also the blueing is VERY dark and almost black like pre war S&W's.
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silentflyer
Member
I have a Taurus 941 .22 magnum, I keep with my fishing gear, with 3 or 4 rounds of snake shot , and the rest regular old lead. If the john boat swamps and rolls over (yes there a rocks in the upper James River, where the small mouth like to hang around) that will do that to a boat. Believe me I have been there...or if I lose my footing and fall in, yep done that also...I wouldn't feel nearly as bad if the Taurus takes a bath as I would if it were one of my Smith's. 
Cardboard_killer
Member
I had a rossi copy of the model 34, and thought it functioned fine, and cost less than $200 used. The main difference that concernened me was the quality of the steel. It appeared worn beyond its years, making me think that it was a softer steel. I ended up replacing some internal parts (used S&W parts), and then selling it to a friend, who still enjoys its use. Overall, a good experience, although not a taurus. If I found another for that price, I'd be all over, and if I found a taurus for the right price, I'd be all over it.
A friend had a high mileage Taurus 96 that had developed some carry-up timing issues but that gun had been very accurate. My son shot it at the 25 meter ISSF handgun target with a score in of about 95% but had to lock the cylinder by hand on some chambers.
There are Taurus revolvers that work well and then there are those that do not and it will be quite a task to make those that aren't working well to perform as expected.
Basically it is a gamble and if you can check the gun out before you buy it, it may well be worth a sum of a maximum amount of $250, given the general prejudice and depressed market value of Taurus revolvers.
There are Taurus revolvers that work well and then there are those that do not and it will be quite a task to make those that aren't working well to perform as expected.
Basically it is a gamble and if you can check the gun out before you buy it, it may well be worth a sum of a maximum amount of $250, given the general prejudice and depressed market value of Taurus revolvers.
Thank you rmj6120 for the comparison. I believe the one I am looking at is exactly like yours. I like the way it looks and how it feels in my hands. 300.00 is the best they will do on it. Thank you everyone else for all the info. Going back today to check it out again
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