The "T" question comes up every so often. The answers are always the same.
I've owned and used a few over the years. One in particular, the older version of the 856 that was discontinued, was the only one that gave me any problems - a gritty and too-heavy trigger pull that refused to smooth out.
The new ones I currently have - a 9mm 905 revolver, a G3C and a GX4, both in 9mm, are quite different. The revolver has a heavier than I'd prefer trigger, but it is as smooth as butter all the way through. No grittiness, no change in weight, maybe 14 lb but smooth.
The two semis both have decent triggers around 5 to 6 lb. They are solidly made and reliable. I really like the GX4. It has interchangeable grip pieces and uses Glock pattern sights. It's been very accurate and I haven't had a malfunction in coming up to 500 rounds. I've played with the GX4 so much that I haven't even broken in the G3C yet. (not unusual for me.)
An older one is a Rossi (sister company to Taurus) 462, a 6-round 2" .357 revolver that's a Smith clone. Or at least it would be if our company made a 6-shot Chiefs Special. Not many around, they recalled them because of what appeared to be a malfunctioning hammer block. I was able to repair mine with S&W parts and it functions perfectly.
I also have a pair of 1990's vintage .44 Special Taurus revolvers, both Model 431s. The fit and finish on both is incredible, and looking at the inside, they could pass for S&W internals under anything but a close inspection by an expert. I say, and others have too, that this is a model that S&W should have made.
Since this is an S&W forum, it stands to reason that the majority of folks prefer S&W. I know I do. But in over 40 years of buying, selling and trading guns of many different brands, I wouldn't say Taurus is the worst by any means, and neither are they the best. What they are is a good, serviceable firearm at a decent price, and especially when it comes to folks on a budget, they are worthy of a look.
