Taurus Brand Question: An Honest Question?

[Leighman1964]

Comparing a Taurus to a Smith and Wesson is kinda like comparing Rosie O'Donnell to Sophia Loren.

Sometimes yes, other times not so...

Some of the mid-late 1980's model 85 framed .38's (blued and stainless) exhibited equal (or better) fit, finish, timing, and accuracy as Smith's J-fram offerings (during the same period).

This coming from a J-frame fan from wayyyy back!

 

[Maximumbob54]

You can't ask this kind of question here. You may as well ask which is better, a Glock or a M&P. You are going to have to sort through all the dreck to glean a short handful of honest replies. The best I can say is no matter what gun you go to buy either new or used you need to check everything you can with a very critical eye for all the details. ALL new guns are susceptible to poor quality control these days and to be honest they always have. But the good news is these days it's a buyers market and they all come with some kind of warranty to cover you. Both Taurus and S&W express a lifetime warranty in writing. Inspect before purchase and test your firearm as soon as possible to insure proper function. Do your part and you will end up with a decent firearm.

 

[GKC]

The year before last (pre-panic) my small town LGS stopped carrying Taurus products due to increasing QC problems.

The two local gun shops I frequent still carry Taurus products, but they don't recommend them. I've heard them tell customers exactly that, who were asking to see a Taurus.

One shop provides a lifetime warranty of their own on any guns sold there, but they exclude Taurus guns from that warranty because they've had so many problems with them, and such difficulty dealing with Taurus. In fairness, I don't know if they've tried dealing with Taurus recently, but their exclusion is still in place. The gun smith in their shop won't work on them, because he has so much trouble getting parts.

 

[Wrench6]

I have a Taurus Raging Bull in .41 mag. Haven't had any problems out of it. Enjoy shooting it a lot.

That being said, the trigger is not as smooth as my model 57, or even my Redhawk. Fit and finish is not as good either. It did not cost all that much, especially compared to my Smiths. But I like having a variety of guns (within my budget) and it is fine by me.

 

[rwsmith]

Hold out....

I was straining to buy a 686 and a friend suggested the similar Taurus model. He. said he really liked his. I held out for the S&W though, and I'm glad I did. I think a lot depends on WHEN it was made, as they seem to have gone up and down on QC.

 

[joonbis]

I recently passed up a s/w ng snubnose for a Taurus tracker 455 snubnose. I feel I made a good choice. I love this gun and payed half the price. I have three s/w revolvers and also love them. This is my first Taurus and may not be the last. I can tell you that this one stays.

 

[joonbis]

Forgot to mention that the life time warranty goes with the gun not with original purchases like most. I have read where s/w has turned down warranty issues over this. All but one of my s/w were purchased new.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I've owned 7 or 8 different Taurus guns. Revolvers, semi auto's, and rifles. Never again. At least 4 were bought new. Had problems with each and every one.

A great price is never worth the time and aggravation.

 

[FishingPilot]

We have 2 Taurus pistols: TCP 738 in 380 Auto, PT-709 Slim (9mm). Both of these are our carry guns. We've never had an issue with either, except for getting magazines. We've put a few hundred through each one. Just as reliable as any other handgun we own. We also have a Rossi 357 Mag with 6in barrel. I believe these are also produced by Taurus. Again, no issues.

 

[S&W357]

We have 2 Taurus pistols: TCP 738 in 380 Auto, PT-709 Slim (9mm). Both of these are our carry guns. We've never had an issue with either, except for getting magazines. We've put a few hundred through each one. Just as reliable as any other handgun we own. We also have a Rossi 357 Mag with 6in barrel. I believe these are also produced by Taurus. Again, no issues.

I would buy a Taurus but not a 7 or 8 shot revolver. When
a gun company has to get 8 357 rounds in the wheel -they have to make the wheel thickness less and i know that's what happen
to my gun .... Buying a 380 from Taurus-yes,i would...

 

[FishingPilot]

I would buy a Taurus but not a 7 or 8 shot revolver. When
a gun company has to get 8 357 rounds in the wheel -they have to make the wheel thickness less and i know that's what happen
to my gun .... Buying a 380 from Taurus-yes,i would...

The Rossi I have is a six shot revolver.

 

[Andy Griffith]

I'm not going to say anything, Picture tells a 1000 words !!!

Handloader just not paying attention, watching TV or drinking is likely the cause of that.

Lots of pictures of S&W, Ruger and etc. that look like that too. Even in Elmer Keith's books, there are a few blown up guns. (I think he even blew one or two )

I've got a few now.
Haven't had any problem with mine, and wouldn't hesitate to buy more. A 905 stainless with a 3" tube and full length extractor rod would be my idea of the perfect handgun, but they won't sell me a 3" barrel.

The problem with all the new guns from all the makers- they've lost their ever lov'n mind on pricing!

 

[BC38]

I have 3 Tauruses
PT111 G2 9mm
738 TCP 380acp
M605 357
Never had any problems or issues with any of them.
They aren't S&W or Colt quality, but they are a great value IMO.

 

[kcode]

Over the years I have owned three different ones. A PT-99 which is a 92 with adjustable sights and a M85. Both were mid eighties build and function perfectly. The M85 has a better trigger than my M36 smith.

I bought a PT111 Millenium shot a box of shells through it and traded it to a Walther PPK/S. Just did not like the way it felt and shot, but no problems with it mechanically.

 

[Maximumbob54]

The M85 has a better trigger than my M36 smith.

It's funny you mention that since the trigger in my Taurus M605 has one heck of a smooth trigger. The Taurus design does away with the rebound slide for its own design. They both use coil springs and besides the rebound slide the internals are fairly similar. I assume it's the fact of no friction from the rebound slide means less of a gritty feel in the trigger. Not that it's that hard to polish the contact surfaces of the rebound slide and the frame but that surface gets crud build up again over time. Just thinking out loud I guess as I'm not getting to any more point than that.

 

[rwsmith]

A friend recommended......

A friend recommended a Taurus similar to the 686 that he was very happy with if I couldn't raise the cash. I stretched and got the S&W and I'm glad. Some people would say that someone that recommends a Taurus to replace a Smith is not a 'friend'.

 

[maxheadroom]

I think the revolvers are very good. Springs seem to be a bit stiff for many women in the smaller revolvers but very good quality for the money. The PT92 IMO is as good as the Beretta or better. I own both and like my Taurus better than the Beretta. I have had several of the revolvers and like the Smiths, Colts and Ruger better not because they are so superior but because I like the brands. I prefer the Ruger Red-hawk over the Smith, its less expensive and is built like a tiger I tank, I don't think you can really go wrong with a Taurus revolver. The gun snobs and brand loyalists who deny being brand loyalists will say all the reasons you can make up why Taurus is junk, but its BS. Now some of the semi autos are junk. I had a Slim 9 and 40 and both had a lot of problems feeding and extracting, and its just part of the way the gun is designed. The PT92 is one class act. I have read some fools who say fit and finish is not a good, but that is just BS. Save money and buy the revolver in Taurus and you will not be disappointed.

 

[CajunBass]

I've owned several Taurus revolvers. Mostly 38/357, but a couple of 22's also. Never had a bit of trouble with them. They weren't as smooth or as pretty as a Smith & Wesson, but put holes in paper just as well.

All of mine were older ones, from the mid 90's back to the late 70's, and I checked each of them out before I bought them, same as I would a Smith & Wesson.

I'd certainly buy another one.

 

[Brian41]

I've had three of their revolvers and no problems with them. They do make guns nobody else does or made in quantities so small you can't find them. I have a Taurus 5 shot snub in .41 mag about the size of an L frame. I like the gun but would have bought a S&W instead if they made one like it. I may have been lucky with the ones I bought or maybe it is because I never had a high round count in any of them. I would buy another if there wasn't a S&W model made like it.

 

[David R]

Go to a shop, Look at at one of each. Hold the smith, feel the cylinder and trigger. Look at the fit and finish. Now do the same for the T. Make your own decision. When I did that, smith was FAR better.

David