I have only one Taurus, a long discontinued Model 96. It looks like a S&W K-22, but the action uses a coil hammer spring and is not as refined of a pull as a S&W. It goes "bang" and is reasonably accurate and cost a fraction of what a K-22 cost back in the early 1990's.
Taurus Revolvers
- Thread starter Harry Callihan
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The only revolver I have currently is a Model 83, which is a dead ringer for a heavy barrel S&W Model 15. Great gun, except for the .362 throats. Not very accurate of course but still a useful weapon for self defense.
I have or have had several other Taurus autos and revolvers. In general I believe they offer value, especially if you stick to metal frame autos and the older revolvers. In those two segments there's some real value out there on the used market. The 900 series autos (908,909,911, et al) are probably the best deal.
I have no experience with the current poly guns but they seem to be much better. Taurus customer service is spotty at best.
I have or have had several other Taurus autos and revolvers. In general I believe they offer value, especially if you stick to metal frame autos and the older revolvers. In those two segments there's some real value out there on the used market. The 900 series autos (908,909,911, et al) are probably the best deal.
I have no experience with the current poly guns but they seem to be much better. Taurus customer service is spotty at best.
I’ve had a few and problems with a couple. The problems were taken care of by the factory for free.
That being said, I’ve never managed to hang on to any of them. All ended up as trade bait. Lesson learned…..never thought enough of one to keep it.
That being said, I’ve never managed to hang on to any of them. All ended up as trade bait. Lesson learned…..never thought enough of one to keep it.
Grayfox
US Veteran
I have never owned a Taurus. However, my late best friend had several of their revolvers and absolutely swore by them. I have shot most of his and never had any problems what-so-ever. Fine guns as far as I know.
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Pisgah
Member
I have always owned at least one Taurus revolver since 1980 -- at one time I believe I owned five. My impression remains what it has always been -- 95% of a S&W at 50% of the cost. The one time I had to use their warranty service it was superb. Currently I have a Model 605 .357, and in side-by-side comparisons with a couple of new J-frames -- I kept the Taurus.
Kid Shileen
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Taurus has always had a lifetime warranty. I had a model 82 which was very much like a Model 10 Smith. I currently have a model 85. No issues with either. Wish I still had the model 82.
My LGS owner/gunsmith, who needs four safes for his personal S&W collection, is a strong advocate of the G series of Taurus handguns made in their ISO9000 plant in Georiga, essentially Glock clones with a MS copied so closely they had to pay Glock a patent infringement settlement.
Their new G3C for under $300 is easily the best budget handgun on the market. Have over a thousand rounds through my G2C and it has never burped even once.
As to the revolvers, have owned several, never a problem with any. This 3" 85 purchased back in 79' is more accurate than my 3" SP101, and after a little buffing and a Wolff spring kit has a very smooth trigger. Would have zero hesitation in buying a new Taurus revolver,
Their new G3C for under $300 is easily the best budget handgun on the market. Have over a thousand rounds through my G2C and it has never burped even once.
As to the revolvers, have owned several, never a problem with any. This 3" 85 purchased back in 79' is more accurate than my 3" SP101, and after a little buffing and a Wolff spring kit has a very smooth trigger. Would have zero hesitation in buying a new Taurus revolver,
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MarkAlt
Member
Taurus just doesn't get a lot of love here.
Think I have 4 or 5 of their revolvers, one or two are somewhat recent and the rest go back 10-20 years. Many thousands of rounds through all of them (much more with the .22s) and not a single problem. My Taurus model 66 4" (from the Brazilian hardwood days) has impeccable fit and finish and keeps putting any 357s I feed it on target with as much grace as my model 13.
It's unfortunate that Taurus dropped the higher quality finishes within the last few years (or so?) Their bluing was as good as any Smith and the high polish stainless models were very nice.
The "problem" with Taurus is that they (much like Ruger) don't have much collector interest. 15 years ago, I paid $350 for a beautifully blued .22 Tracker revolver ...and that's about what it's worth today.
If you want a great shooter, keep them on your radar.
Think I have 4 or 5 of their revolvers, one or two are somewhat recent and the rest go back 10-20 years. Many thousands of rounds through all of them (much more with the .22s) and not a single problem. My Taurus model 66 4" (from the Brazilian hardwood days) has impeccable fit and finish and keeps putting any 357s I feed it on target with as much grace as my model 13.
It's unfortunate that Taurus dropped the higher quality finishes within the last few years (or so?) Their bluing was as good as any Smith and the high polish stainless models were very nice.
The "problem" with Taurus is that they (much like Ruger) don't have much collector interest. 15 years ago, I paid $350 for a beautifully blued .22 Tracker revolver ...and that's about what it's worth today.
If you want a great shooter, keep them on your radar.
brendonjames65
US Veteran
I have only one Taurus, a stainless Tracker M992 with 6.5” barrel and interchangeable 22 mag/22 LR cylinders. I read a positive review on Gunblast regarding this particular model so I went out and purchased one. I really like this revolver a lot and have used it extensively for target shooting and varmints.
I have predominantly used the 22 WMR cylinder. It’s very accurate and I’ve used it to dispatch rock chucks out to 50 yards. I was pleasantly surprised how well made and accurate it was.
I won’t lie, I previously was somewhat disdainful of Taurus guns and kind of looked down on them as a lesser gun to a S&W but I feel it is just as good as any currently produced S&W revolver. They are a fine gun from my experience.
I have predominantly used the 22 WMR cylinder. It’s very accurate and I’ve used it to dispatch rock chucks out to 50 yards. I was pleasantly surprised how well made and accurate it was.
I won’t lie, I previously was somewhat disdainful of Taurus guns and kind of looked down on them as a lesser gun to a S&W but I feel it is just as good as any currently produced S&W revolver. They are a fine gun from my experience.
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I have or have had several. All tracker (686 size) frames. My buddy has the 4" 44 tracker and he really likes it. I had the 6.5 357 tracker and sold it because that extra inch really changes the balance. I later bought a 7" 686. I bought an aluminium frame 2.5" 45LC, yes a 5 shot 45 colt taurus tracker. Dirty ammo jams it up. I later bought the 6.5" 992 and the 3" 692. 22lr/ 22wmr and 357/ 9mm convertibles respectively.
I have
2.5" 45LC ultralight, 6.5" 992, 3" 692. I would trade them up for the 2.75" 69, two s&w to cover both the 22lr and 22wmr and the 2.5" 986. Unless somebody wants to trade me 4 $900 guns for my three $350 and $550 guns, I'm not selling any of them, probably ever.
Their convertibles are THAT much bang for the buck. Two guns, 4 calibers. That's not to mention that I have like a dozen 686,586,620,581, etc.
I have
2.5" 45LC ultralight, 6.5" 992, 3" 692. I would trade them up for the 2.75" 69, two s&w to cover both the 22lr and 22wmr and the 2.5" 986. Unless somebody wants to trade me 4 $900 guns for my three $350 and $550 guns, I'm not selling any of them, probably ever.
Their convertibles are THAT much bang for the buck. Two guns, 4 calibers. That's not to mention that I have like a dozen 686,586,620,581, etc.
dubshooter
Member
I have quite a few J and K frames. I have owned an 80’s model Taurus 66 that gave me no problems. Actually preferred the way it tore down internally.
I have really considered trying one of those 856 snubs for ~$270. I have an FFL that does free transfers. No real need for it. I have Colt D Frames, so it would be a beater gun that, if functioned, could replace those colts in the holster for far less money. And if Ameriglo sells that replacement front sight from the 3” guns, would be a great option
I have really considered trying one of those 856 snubs for ~$270. I have an FFL that does free transfers. No real need for it. I have Colt D Frames, so it would be a beater gun that, if functioned, could replace those colts in the holster for far less money. And if Ameriglo sells that replacement front sight from the 3” guns, would be a great option
GypsmJim
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About 25 years ago I went into my LGS to buy a 2" model 36. He had one and I was about to pull out my credit card when he said look at this Taurus model 85. It was cheaper, the fit and finish was good, but what changed my mid was that it had a safety bar, while the Smith had a firing pin on the hammer.
I still have the 85 to this day. It is reliable, but I can't hit the broadside with it. A few years later I DID buy a 36, although it is a 3", and it hits the bullseye.
So, I don't know if its barrel length or its a Taurus thing, but other than that I can't really say anything bad about it.
I still have the 85 to this day. It is reliable, but I can't hit the broadside with it. A few years later I DID buy a 36, although it is a 3", and it hits the bullseye.
So, I don't know if its barrel length or its a Taurus thing, but other than that I can't really say anything bad about it.
Those fancy sights are a very poor match for the 856, but taurus for the last 5 years or so is light-years ahead of what it was. I recommend any of their new model revolvers.
dubshooter
Member
Good to know, thanks. I just saw they sell that front sight for $30. I really like those Ameriglos on my Glocks, thought it would be a good option.
The problem is that the gutter sights aren't deep enough to accommodate the whole orange square. Maybe I'm picky (I am) means nothing for self defense. A few inches high or low at 7-10 yards center of mass doesn't matter
dubshooter
Member
True. For self defense doesn’t matter. But when shooting with the guys and trying to hit steel at 50-75 yards, it would drive you nuts
I have a 431. 5 shot 44 special, always fires, good trigger and shoots where the sights are pointed. Decent gun and looks good. I should sell it as I now have a 696 no dash, a 396 and a 296 and never shoot the Tarsus anymore even though it shouts as well as any of the S&W 44 spec 5 shooters I have.
STEALTh Inst.
Member
Back in the 90's we sold a lot of Taurus handguns. The company had built its line on ripping off some of the finest and dependable firearms, hoping the world would accept that the Taurus rip-off Beretta 92 was as good as original. Their revolvers, all clones of S&Ws, were terrible. We had 1 out of 8 or 9 come off the range the first time with the cylinder advancing pawl or cylinder lock not working. The company continues to make weapons that in no way compare to the the major quality manufacturers with substandard metallurgy and parts. Most every PD I have trained with will NOT authorize them as duty weapons. Now with the proliferation of Tupperguns, Taurus is on a roll. Buy cheap, expect cheap. A defensive Taurus is like a skydiver buying the cheapest parachute he can find. Conclusion; NO raging bullsh*t for me.
I've probably owned a dozen or more Taurus revolvers over the years, BUT they were all the older blue guns, mostly with wood grips, probably from the 90's and older.
They were all good guns, but I've never really looked at their newer offerings.
They were all good guns, but I've never really looked at their newer offerings.
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