What the ….? This Taurus is pretty nice.

[sigp220.45]

I know Tauri provoke strong emotions. I’ve not had any experience until recently, when I bought this Model 85 for $135 as a potential car gun for my son. He used it for a while, then deftly swapped it out for a Model 37 I got cheap at a police supply place. So I guess its mine.

I’m surprised at how well it is made. The finish is well-done, the action is smooth, it has a neat front lock up, a “semi-target” hammer, and the nubby rubber grips are comfy. I took it to the range and it was adequately accurate.

It has earned a spot in the ceramic chicken on the china cabinet by the back door. It won’t fit in Homer.

Anybody else have one?

 

[ralph7]

Not a Taurus fan, but for the money you did good.

 

[44wheelman]

135?….did you buy from a guy behind a dumpster in the alley kinda transaction?

 

[sigp220.45]

135?….did you buy from a guy behind a dumpster in the alley kinda transaction?

Nope, a Tactical Timmy gun store. They alway underprice revolvers.

Here’s another I got there.

 

[max503]

I like my Taurus 605. $135 seems awfully low price. Where did you say that store's at?

 

[hittman77]

I’m not a Taurus lover or hater …. But every single 85 (or similar) has been perfect mechanically and very nice cosmetically as well.

Now, there’s been a couple others that were bad and that can happen with any brand.

You bought that super cheap. Good for you!

 

[ColbyBruce]

You did good

Taurus 85 and Rossi 68 revolvers have always been great performers for me.

 

[Hyperion]

I've got a Taurus 85 Ultra-Light. It looks good, shoots well, and has never failed.

 

[ShivasIrons]

The Model 85 is the revolver that Taurus does best IMHO.

 

[31FordA]

I’ve owned a couple of Model 85’s, only have one at the moment. It’s guarding the kitchen these days. The others all ended up with family or friends after I let them shoot one. Everyone I have had was a fine revolver, I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another for a sane price.

All of mine were bought as used guns. I don’t think I ever paid more than $175 for any of mine, but that was a while ago. These days $135 is a screaming good deal. Here in southeast PA a decent used snub revolver, when you can find one, is usually $499 and up. The last Model 85 I saw looked like it was run over by a truck and they wanted $550. It sold in a few days.

 

[Sevens]

I believe there is a Taurus model that is a better bet to be -NICE- than an 85 — it’s the Model 431, the 3-inch, 5-shot .44 Special. I’ve handled a few of these and it’s hard to believe these are Taurus revolvers.

 

[VictorLouis]

I buy every set of those Taurus grips that I can find in the bargain bin/s at shows, or LGS. Got to have them ready for any new J-frame that I may adopt, LOL. One need only to punch out the locator pin from the bottom of the S&W grip-frame. (It's located on a different spot on Taurus' guns.) But, not to worry, as the Taurus 'boot' grip has inner nubs that mate with one another, and there is no slippage.

 

[stansdds]

Taurus turns out some lemons, so does S&W and Colt. Taurus firearms are not as finely machined and finished as many S&W and Colt firearms, but they usually work just fine and cost a fraction of a similar S&W or Colt. My only experience is with a Taurus Model 96, which was their version of the S&W Model 17. Mine works just fine, but does not have the fine trigger pull of the a S&W.

 

[Valmet]

Never been a Taurus guy myself, but I’ve always held their revolvers in higher regard than their autos. I’d say you did well...

 

[Babysitr]

No Taurus fan here either, but I could see that one as a useful tool! dont look bad at all

 

[Mrnurse]

I had their Beretta 92 copy for years, ran fine, 3K rds had a few FTF but it was CCI 9mm junk.

 

[BubbaBlades]

A long time friend of mine just got out of rehab and informed me that he no longer has the hand strength to operate his Taurus 85 Poly revolver. He asked me if I had an easy to operate .38 special revolver.

I brought him a Rock Island 4" .38 to try and he could operate it in both single action and double action. He told me that he had $250 in the Taurus and I told him that I had $200 in the Rock Island. I gave him $50 plus the Rock Island and he was a happy camper.

The paperwork with his (now my) Taurus 85 showed a 2015 purchase date. The gun had been dry fired only.

I took the gun to my local range and fired 11 different types of ammo from 125gr through 158gr. All of the rounds printed over 4" left at 25 yards. 9 of the groups were good to very good.

Later, I removed approximately 1/32" from the inside right ear of the non-adjustable rear sight. The gun now has perfect windage with 10 of the 11 brands/types of ammo that I tested. An additional benefit of this modification is that I can now see light on both sides of the front sight blade when I am aiming.

 

[Pisgah]

i have owned Taurus revolvers since the mid-'70's and have never been disappointed with their quality or performance. Latest is a Model 605, which by direct comparison is fully the equal of any S&W being sold today.

 

[gwpercle]

I have a similar Taurus , but stainless steel , 45 acp and ported barrel .
100% satisfaction ... if they ever come out with one w/ a 3" barrel w/ adjustable sights ... I'll be all over it .
Mine is a model 455 and extremely accurate ... it's spooky accorate and this one is never leaving me ... it just shoots too well !
Gary

 

[Stevie]

I got a stainless Model 85 a few years ago when Taurus had a big sale on them. Awesome shooting little revolver. Shoots just as nice as any Colt or S&W .38 in my collection.

If I was going to complain about anything it would be that the usual HK speedloader doesn't work very well with the small Taurus