Taurus copy of a Model 17 ?

Engine49guy · Oct 26, 2010

Picked up this older Taurus made version of a Model 17 last weekend (Middle) and while the site is dedicated to everything S&W
thought it might be interesting to do a little comparison to the Model 17 it was patterned after.

Interestingly its a 5 screw gun with a 6th screw behind the trigger stop that is not found on any S&W I am aware of.

Barrel is heavier then a Model 17's with a wide rib similar to the Model 19 .
Fit and finish is better than current Taurus made guns ....Still not quite up to S&W standards,

Model 19 (Left) Taurus (middle) Model 17 (right)

The Trigger spring is coil type but very light and smooth ... blueing is so dark it is almost black,

Cylinders are recessed like Colt does but not individually like S&W.

Accuracy seems to be quite good.

Saw a similar one in an old Catalog called the "scoutmaster Model 94".

Not sure of the model number but it has a large 79 stamped in the crane.

I remember them at the gunshows back in the 80's but havent seen anything similar in a while.

Does anyone have any information about these and if so what is your impression of it.
.

S. Hammer · Oct 27, 2010

That's a Model 96. For a while Taurus offered the 6"ers like that in 3 calibers. The .38 was a Model 86. and the .32 Long was the model 76. When they came out with .32 Magnum it was a Model 761. One of the guys I used to work with had a 96 like yours, and he loved it.

CajunBass · Oct 27, 2010

I looked at one like it last week at my favorite dealer, and it looked pretty good. Lockup was tight, timing seemed good, as did the fit and finish. You're right. It was almost black, and the grips were really nice looking.

They had it priced at $299.00, which means it could have been bought for $250-275.00. I was kinda tempted, but I've got a 17 and a Dan Wesson 22, so there really wasn't a "need" for it. I left it for someone else.

stantheman86 · Oct 27, 2010

I like some Taurus revolvers, mostly the older fixed sight .38's like the 82 (copy of Model 10 HB). Don't care much for the newest ones.

My 2 1997 produced Model 82's ,late 70's 83 and my 1992 80 shoot straight, go bang 6 times on 6 trigger pulls and after some spring replacement are reliable shooters. I don't shoot them much, or do much with them than pull them out once in a while to shoot a handful of cheap .38's in the backyard......with a safe full of S&W's and Rugers, passing them up to shoot a Taurus on range day is like reaching past Filet Mignon in the fridge to grab meatloaf.

spelasr · Jul 9, 2014

I actually have a model 86 that is off at Taurus as I type this for repair under their lifetime warranty. it is a 6" model and chambered in .38 Special. It is in VG to EXC Condition and is extremely accurate. They call it the "Custom target" and it is modeled to compete with the S&W K38 "Target Masterpiece". Here are a couple of pics.

Engine49guy · Jul 9, 2014

Forgot all about this one and havent shot it since this post 4 years ago...Interesting the upper sideplate "5th" screw is gone on the one above, is it a coil main spring as well ?

Budnjax · Jul 9, 2014

in a different league

Taurus is simply not close to S&W in fit or finish. People buy them because they are cheaper or they don't know better. I used to work for a wholesaler who handled Taurus revolvers back in the 1970's. We had a number with blown cylinders when they fired S&W ammo in them. Have they improved today? Yes...and so has S&W (in many ways). But there is a real reason why Taurus is cheaper....

Maximumbob54 · Jul 9, 2014

I actually really like that older generation of Taurus revolvers. I've bought a few and got one dirt cheap because it does need a little bit of work. I only recently found out Taurus still covers some of these guns and may repair it for free if I pay the shipping. Sounds like a deal to me. I too have no clue what they use for bluing but they polished the heck out of the steel and it has a slick smooth feeling glossy black finish to it.

Taurus copy of a Model 17 ?

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