Buy a new Taurus Model 85 for $219?

[DocB]

All of my dealer friends around here have been getting these in lots of 50 all this year. Their cost is well below $200. Really ticking off a lot of customers who got into one of these for nearly twice as much not that long ago. I don't even look at them let alone purchase one. I guess if you need a pretty good hammer you might consider one.

 

[GatorFarmer]

My initial cost, pre conversion, for my latter day 1858 Remington was even less than the Taurus cost, all of $199. Made by Pietta in Italy, it is functional and well made. Converting it costs more than the gun, but totals out to what many stores try to get for a basic J frame. My Armscor 4" .38 is also okay in its own unattractive little way.

I did not really warm to the small .380s I had in the past from Ruger and Keltec. My CZ82 broke a part and was traded off as is.

 

[Ahab]

I've had one

A local retailer is having a Father's day sale. This being Wyoming, that means a sale on guns. New in box blued 2 inch rubber gripped Taurus Model 85s are marked down to $219. This puts one at half the price of a J frame.

I last owned a Taurus Model 85 around 20 years ago. It lasted about 85 rounds too before locking up. Cost at the time was $169. A friend of mine got one the same day, his lasted about 600 rounds.

Normally, I would not look at a Taurus, but I have need of a new small auto or revolver and the price is tempting.

Should I chance it?

Yes. Mine has many rounds thru it and still works flawlessly.

 

[27 Man]

Sounds like I have been lucky twice. I own several guns but only two from the Taurus line. One is a PT1911 in .38 Super and the other is a 709 slim. Both are fine guns and have not been any trouble.

 

[Mainsail]

I got a Model 85 many years ago through one of the early on-line gun auction sites. It was being sold as used by a pawn shop in FL. I won it for $175 and when it showed up I could tell it was not 'used' but merely pre-owned; never fired as far as I could tell.

It shoots great and is reliable for about 50-75 rounds before the cylinder gap starts closing and it gets hard to turn. After 100-125 rounds it's done for the day. It's the gun behind the couch cushion where my wife sits, just in case. Yes, it's clean.

 

[Philadelphia Patriot]

I bought a Taurus 85 a little over a year ago. It's the "new model" with the bull on the rubber grips in a matte black finish. I like mine a lot, and it is definitely worth the $200-something I paid for it. I did switch out the trigger return spring with a lighter one from Wolf Springs. The action on it is actually very smooth now.

 

[GypsmJim]

About 25 years ago I went to my LGS intending to buy a SS Chief's Special as a carry piece. As I was looking at it the dealer brought out a SS Taurus 85 for me to compare. The fit and finish was every bit as good, but what impressed me was the tranfer bar, which the S&W did not have.

Fast forward to 2016 and I now have a whole bunch of S&W's, including a Chief's Special. I never bought another Taurus, but I still have the 85 and it has performed flawlessly all these years. I can't say enough good about S&W, but I can't say anything bad about the 85 either.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Ford Taurus, yes.

 

[GKC]

After 43 years of owning a lot of guns (not all at one time) I've distilled my gun buying and ownership policy to three criteria:

1) Made in the USA
2) Lifetime warranty with excellent CS (which includes paid shipping if repairs are necessary)
3) Record of reliability (which precludes new models, new releases)

It's been a long road to get to this point, and I'm not saying everyone should have these criteria. I'm saying they are for me.

I realize this precludes some excellent guns, like Springfield 1911s and polymer pistols, Armscor 1911s, or others that are good guns but don't meet my criteria. I've had some bad experiences, which have helped me distill down to these criteria (again, for me.) Those problems have been with Taurus products and with Kimber 1911s...I will never buy those guns again, and I'll never recommend them to anyone.

 

[rjm6120]

I bought a Taurus 85 a little over a year ago. It's the "new model" with the bull on the rubber grips in a matte black finish. I like mine a lot, and it is definitely worth the $200-something I paid for it. I did switch out the trigger return spring with a lighter one from Wolf Springs. The action on it is actually very smooth now.

I have the same newer version, except in stainless. Like Philly, I also am a fan of this gun. Good shooter too.

 

[Ptarmigan]

... and the other is a 709 slim. Both are fine guns and have not been any trouble.

My Taurus 709 Slim lives in my glove box and I trust my life with it.

 

[joe44va]

Probably 30 years ago, but I had a Taurus 85, 38 special, with a 3" barrel. It was a shooter and I'm still sorry I traded it in for an SP101 with a 3" barrel because I wanted 357 capability. The sights were small, but it shot well for a 3" barrel. the SP101 was traded for an M60-15 Pro with 3" barrel that is the best of the bunch.