Looks like Taurus opted to bring back the Model 85, but they at least had the decency to do so with a polished blue finish. I hope that they add more DA wheelguns to their lineup with this sort of finish sooner than later - sometimes you just need something shiny.

Looks like MSRP is around $350-ish, and street price is closer to $280-$300. Not bad compared to what a new Model 36 goes for these days.

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AKA SixToEight

PASS.........

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S&W Accumulator

Cheap enough, and maybe functionally even better than good enough for the price, but still an ersatz import.

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SWCA #590
"Colligo ergo sum"

I am encouraged to see another lustrous blue option in the marketplace these days. It seems like everyone save for S&W has stuck with more matte blue or black oxide finishes lately. Colt being an exception with the blued Pythons.

If Taurus continues to use Heritage for a more legacy/vintage styled lineup, that'd be cool. A shiny Model 82 would be reminiscent of buying a new Model 10.

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AKA SixToEight

I'm pretty happy to grab a J-frame copy, with a deep blue finish, for $275.

Been wanting a Chiefs Special for many years, but not at the going prices.

This model satisfies my craving for nostalgia. I bought 1 each of the 2" and 3" models. 2 fun little 38's with a superior finish for several hundred less than 1 "Classic".

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Best Regards,
Mark

Do post photos once you pick them up! I'm curious to hear your thoughts on how the finish looks in person.

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AKA SixToEight

$289 is the cheapest on GB. Shipping and transfer be close to $340. Plus tax where applicable.

That’s not a bad price for GB, but I consistently get much better deals at a handful of dealers I know and prefer around the country.

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Best Regards,
Mark

Somewhat comparable to an 856 then. Considering that I can't find a used J-frame in a shop around me for less than $420-ish these days, that's about what I'd expect.

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AKA SixToEight

Part of the Taurus manufacturing group...NO THANKS!

R/E the guns photo's - Am I missing something, or is there no center pin going to the barrel mounted ejector lug?

Price is good, and they probably work fine, but my past experience with that brand makes it a pass.

Larry

You're correct. The modern Taurus design has a lockup point on top of the crane and at the back of the cylinder. None at the tip of the ejector rod.

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AKA SixToEight

I have wanted a 3" Model 36 for a long time. I might invest $300 in one of these to see if it will satisfy the itch. With the threads I have read on the new J frame offerings, I'm not sure we can talk too nasty about Taurus.

I really wish that they'd tone down those huge "Taurus Armas Made in Brazil" rollmarks, or at least stop color-filling them so that they stand out like that.

It just hurts the aesthetics of an otherwise attractive-looking Revolver.

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Shooting Comfort is bilateral.

I agree. A lot of imported models also seem to have to stamp serial numbers all over the place these days. At least they're not as bad as Ruger's old billboard rollmarks though.

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AKA SixToEight

I picked one up and shot it with my 642. Point of aim/impact the same on both guns. Trigger is very nice for a $299 price point and the finish is very good. I really liked the wooden grip. It more than looked nice. I have XXL sized hands and I never had to readjust my grip. I have a 36 and it needs the Tyler T Grip to keep it from moving around. As Taurus sometimes does, there is an extra rubber grip in the box. It took the same speedloader and hung up less than the 642 with rubber grips. I bought the gun just for fun, but got more than I expected. It does take +P ammo.

Years ago "Roscoe" was a slang term for a cheap revolver. Still is I guess.

I'm going to wait awhile until the early adopters have a chance to put some rounds through theirs and post the results.

If they don't shoot themselves or loosen up I'm going to pick one up simply because they're so inexpenseive and I like the look of them.

Why? What’s the appeal?
If you had the means and the choice to live either in a nice neighborhood or a ghetto, would you really choose the ghetto?

Just makes me want to search out a nice, early S&W Chief Special or Colt Detective.
And, what’s up with the silly lug under the barrel when it doesn’t even have an ejector rod lockup?

Is this for real? My first thought was that those wooden grips wouldn't work for my old beat up hands. I was wondering about aftermarket grips. If it does come with an extra set of rubbers, I just might try one for S&G.

I never noticed that under lug thing until I looked at this thread again. It barely protects the ejector rod end. Remove it or extend it back. It looks ridiculous. Probably a decent, usable gun for the money, though.

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Waiting For The Sun.

They’ll probably be able to get the barrel clocked right.

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I’m your Boogie Man, uh huh.

Every time that I contemplate a Heritage, I realize that I would rather have that $150 used to buy part of something that I really want. I wprefer the Ruger Wrangler or Single Six before the Heritage offerings.

I can still do without the massive, garish logo. I do have one of the older 85s, a recent acquisition, and am very happy with it.

Funny, there are folks out there that say the same things about S&Ws, especially from the last 20 years or so. I don't listen to them, either.

These are starting to make their way out, and a few videos on YouTube have popped up. This one seems to give a pretty good look at the gun. The finish is pretty nicely done, and it seems like the gap between the end of the ejector rod and the Model 10-esque part in the frame isn't actually all that noticeable on the actual gun compared to the photo renders. I'm a big fan of the fancy border on the cardboard box.

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AKA SixToEight

ROSCOE, great name.

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I’m your Boogie Man, uh huh.

Always like seeing new products come to market but this isn’t one I “have to have.”

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Some Might Say.

It would be way cooler if it had a half moon front sight.

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Who are those guys?

Being that the basis of this gun is the Taurus 85, it definitely more closely resembles stuff from the 70s and 80s. I'd love to see a more classic looking version for sure. Half moon front sight, exposed ejector rod, tapered barrel, the whole Detective Special/M&P works!

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AKA SixToEight

Looks nice but they should either add a front lock or take that ugly little nubbin off the barrel

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Sceva
OGCA SWCA NRA

For what it's worth, there is a front lockup point. It's at the top of the crane/yoke.

I wish that more revolvers would emulate that little nub from the Model 10 personally - I've always liked the look. It does look a little odd since it doesn't lock up there on this gun, but going off of that video there isn't much space between the nub and end of the rod so it doesn't look too bad.

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AKA SixToEight

I don’t find the lug objectionable
I guess it’s to keep from depressing the ejector rod while holstering and dumping your ammo.

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Who are those guys?

Hmm, that garish logo isn't really any larger than this one.

Attached Images

smith-wesson-model-442-darling-companion-jim-wilson-f.jpg (16.7 KB, 78 views)

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Live long and prosper

My Taurus 327 came with two sets of grips. A set of Hogue grips, and a smaller "boot grip" (as they called it). I just left the Hogue on and the other one is still in the box. The Hogues are great with the recoil of the 327 Fed Magnum. It will fool you if you think "It's just a 32."



I might be interested in one of these Heritage's. I had a Taurus 85 many years ago. Good gun. I keep saying I'm finished with 38 J-frames, but if I found one for a low price I might get it just for "grins and giggles" as someone said. Now a 6 shot, 32 Fed Magnum, with that finish. That would get my attention.

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John 3:16 .

Hidden in the small box are these extra set of grips and screw. May try it for fun, but the wood laminates are nice looking and functional too.

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Best Regards,
Mark

I'm not going to rush out an buy one but I will be scouting the Black Friday sale adds very closely. If I find a good deal I'll give a range report.