I have a Taurus 94 that I bought in 2001. Between me, the kids, the wife and friends we've averaged about 3,000 rounds a year through it. Some years more, some less. Yeah, I wish it was a Smith but I doubt I'd have shot a Smith more.
Taurus revolvers, any good? Opinions appreciated
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harrison12
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I wouldn't recommend one. There is no way they even come close to an S & W. When I first started shooting again they had Tauruses at the range for rental guns and a couple of lonely old S & Ws. They hand you the Tauruses first and I tried them but after that went and dug the old S & Ws out. As old and tired as they were, they were still a better, more balanced and way more accurate gun.
You get what you pay for, but it is possible to get a good deal on a good S & W if you keep looking.
You get what you pay for, but it is possible to get a good deal on a good S & W if you keep looking.
I've owned several Taurus revolvers over the years. A model 605 2 inch .357 that was my primary carry gun for years. I actually sold that one for $100 more than I paid, as the new 605's are not finished like the old.
Bought a new 94 .22LR. worst double action trigger ever. Nothing helped, not even springs so I traded it off. Had a 7 shot model 917 .22 (blued) for a while. Very accurate, decent trigger after two new springs, but it was just too heavy for a medium frame .22 LR. More trade fodder.
My wife bought a model 85 Ultra Lite. Very accurate for a snub, better than my model 642, in fact. Unfortunately the gun jumped time in just a few rounds. Taurus repaired it. Then the yoke screw assembly stripped and went missing. It took nearly six months to get the three little parts form Taurus. The new assembly held by just one thread like the old. I loctited it an traded it of for a big loss.
I still have one Taurus revolver, a 441 blued .44 Special 3 inch. Found it in un-fired but used condition. Dates from around 1993. Beautiful fit and finish. Decent trigger and not a bad shooter either, especially for the price I paid.
Bought a new 94 .22LR. worst double action trigger ever. Nothing helped, not even springs so I traded it off. Had a 7 shot model 917 .22 (blued) for a while. Very accurate, decent trigger after two new springs, but it was just too heavy for a medium frame .22 LR. More trade fodder.
My wife bought a model 85 Ultra Lite. Very accurate for a snub, better than my model 642, in fact. Unfortunately the gun jumped time in just a few rounds. Taurus repaired it. Then the yoke screw assembly stripped and went missing. It took nearly six months to get the three little parts form Taurus. The new assembly held by just one thread like the old. I loctited it an traded it of for a big loss.
I still have one Taurus revolver, a 441 blued .44 Special 3 inch. Found it in un-fired but used condition. Dates from around 1993. Beautiful fit and finish. Decent trigger and not a bad shooter either, especially for the price I paid.
4barrel
Member
Hard choise--Should I buy a Rambler or a Corvette????????????????????
I've had a Taurus 2" 617 for several years now. I've put 2,000 + rounds of assorted 38 special +P, +P+, and .357 magnum ammo through it only had one problem I let it set for a year or so and all the factory lube froze up. After a degrease and re lube it has worked just fine; it's as accurate as I am.
From my reading and personal experience I've concluded that Taurus makes two types of handguns; one that is a decent value and will give years of no frills service, or one that will never be right, no matter how many trips back to the warranty station it gets. I got lucky and got a good one, the first time out, so I don't think I will press my luck by buying a second Taurus product.
From my reading and personal experience I've concluded that Taurus makes two types of handguns; one that is a decent value and will give years of no frills service, or one that will never be right, no matter how many trips back to the warranty station it gets. I got lucky and got a good one, the first time out, so I don't think I will press my luck by buying a second Taurus product.
Tunachaser
US Veteran
I have had no luck with them. Some folks swear by them, but I would rather not try to save money on a hand gun, buy a cheaper hammer and put the extra money on the gun.
ancient-one
US Veteran
I have an older steel Model 85 with a semi-concealed hammer. The function, fit and finish is good. The barrel is aligned correctly and there are no blemishes on the finish and there were some S&W's shipped that you can't say that about. My Smiths are all older and are fine guns but regardless of some of the opinions, not all Taurus products are worthless.
Been lots of good luck with them here. There have been some trips back to the mothership but that can be said of several S&W, Ruger and other brands that I have.
Model 44 8 3/8" has been a great hunting revolver
Model 669 357 Mag 4" has been super accurate, easy shooter
Model 856 Hy-Lite 38 Special is in my pocket
Model 94 4" 9 shot 22LR, trigger is finally nice after thousands of rounds
Model 94ULSS 2" 9 shot - 22LR lightweight (sort of) great snubbie practice
Model 44 8 3/8" has been a great hunting revolver
Model 669 357 Mag 4" has been super accurate, easy shooter
Model 856 Hy-Lite 38 Special is in my pocket
Model 94 4" 9 shot 22LR, trigger is finally nice after thousands of rounds
Model 94ULSS 2" 9 shot - 22LR lightweight (sort of) great snubbie practice
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Pure junk.
I have seen first hand more Taurus products than any other gun go back for repairs. Those who say that they have the same amount of problems as anyone else is wrong!!
Most of the area gun shops have stopped carrying Taurus products because they are sick and tired of customer complaints and poor service from Taurus.
I tried Taurus several times and each time the gun broke during normal use.
They cannot be trusted to protect yourself or enjoy at the range. And this is not my opinion. It's fact!
I have seen first hand more Taurus products than any other gun go back for repairs. Those who say that they have the same amount of problems as anyone else is wrong!!
Most of the area gun shops have stopped carrying Taurus products because they are sick and tired of customer complaints and poor service from Taurus.
I tried Taurus several times and each time the gun broke during normal use.
They cannot be trusted to protect yourself or enjoy at the range. And this is not my opinion. It's fact!
Knightrider03m
Member
I've had a 85.... pretty nice gun.
Stevie
Member
Hmm..a friend bought a Taurus .22 Tracker revolver recently...and had all sorts of trouble with it.
The main issue he was/is experiencing was that it was only capable of going through 4 or 5 cylinders full of ammo before it got too tight from powder debris to run without help turning the cylinder.
Just a few left-over flakes of powder behind the ejector star would/could lock it up!
The main issue he was/is experiencing was that it was only capable of going through 4 or 5 cylinders full of ammo before it got too tight from powder debris to run without help turning the cylinder.
Just a few left-over flakes of powder behind the ejector star would/could lock it up!
Brian41
Member
I have a Taurus .41 mag snubby as I couldn't find a S&W. I carry it often in the field and shoot it rarely. It's been okay so far. I've had two other models with good luck too.
I'm not sure I'd take my chances on another but my experience has been positive.
I'm not sure I'd take my chances on another but my experience has been positive.
I've owned 3 Taurus revolvers prior to switching to S&W. First was an older "686" 6". Very good copy of S&W's without the lock as it was made in the 80's. Shot well & the trigger was nice. Traded it in for a decent amount.
Next 2 were a 44 mag with 4" ported barrel & 651 CIA model 357 mag. These had the lock built into the hammer. No problems with either. The 44mag was very accurate and the porting did a great job. Ended up trading them away as I moved into S&W. I figured I'd rather have the quality of a used smith (prelock of course) for the same price as a new Taurus.
But I would agree with above that they would be a fine choice for a truck or beater revolver.
Next 2 were a 44 mag with 4" ported barrel & 651 CIA model 357 mag. These had the lock built into the hammer. No problems with either. The 44mag was very accurate and the porting did a great job. Ended up trading them away as I moved into S&W. I figured I'd rather have the quality of a used smith (prelock of course) for the same price as a new Taurus.
But I would agree with above that they would be a fine choice for a truck or beater revolver.
model 49 rick
Member
liked my old Taurus just fine
My very first gun was a Taurus model 66. It was their version of a model 19. It was blued, and the trigger was pretty smooth. I thought long and hard before selling it ten years ago, but I wanted that model 19 Smith a lot.
I may have just gotten lucky, but I found their quality to be good. I also own a model PT-99 which is exactly like a military M9 except that the safety is frame mounted, not slide mounted.
Their lifetime warrany is backed up by reality in my opinion. In the 22 years I have had that PT-99 I have shot the lands from one barrel and gotten a free replacement, and had the slide replaced due to a tiny crack in the frame that allowed the rear sight to dislodge. They lived up to their warranty without a word, and that says a lot to me.
My very first gun was a Taurus model 66. It was their version of a model 19. It was blued, and the trigger was pretty smooth. I thought long and hard before selling it ten years ago, but I wanted that model 19 Smith a lot.
I may have just gotten lucky, but I found their quality to be good. I also own a model PT-99 which is exactly like a military M9 except that the safety is frame mounted, not slide mounted.
Their lifetime warrany is backed up by reality in my opinion. In the 22 years I have had that PT-99 I have shot the lands from one barrel and gotten a free replacement, and had the slide replaced due to a tiny crack in the frame that allowed the rear sight to dislodge. They lived up to their warranty without a word, and that says a lot to me.
M3Stuart
Member
At the end of my Taurus .22 story; I paid $370ish OTD for a Taurus 94 4", sold it for a loss, then bought a S&W 34-1 (with nary a turn line) for $450 OTD. I do wish that I'd just paid the $450 up front and saved myself all the time I wasted...
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it's good the taurus guns come with the lifetime warranty...you,as a taurus owner will become very familar with same!
trapper704
Member
I pack a 38 titanium and can put 4 out the 5 n a paper plate at 20 yds. all I can ask out of an everyday carry. Taurus is not a bad choice, just as good but alot less expensive. When I think I might need a gun for certain I pack a 45 springfield and three clips , spray and pray. hope you stay out of the way, if you piss me off.
I had a Model 94. I fired many rounds through it and the trigger/action was pretty stiff when new but it smoothed out nicely after putting a bunch of rounds through it. The $300 price difference will buy a lot of ammo. Take a chance, you might be surprised.
marmax
Member
I own a Taurus 94 in a 2inch. I want a 617. Like you said there is a big gap in price. The Smith is superior in about every way. I will say that maybe I got lucky but I did my homework and my 94 is a shooter. 1st thing to do with a 94 if you buy one is take the rear sight apart and clean all the oil off and then lock tite it back togeather. The little screws will fall out and that little blade will go flying. Taurus's lifetime warranty doesn't include sights. They know this is a problem and will not fix it. (Easy fix)
2nd thing is use copper coated 22's and clean the cylander frequently when you first start shooting. Like every 50 rounds. I have done this and I have never had a problem with the cylander binding.
3rd look for a deal. You won't get much for it in selling it but if you get one like mine you won't want to sell it. It is very accurate.
Good luck in your choice..
2nd thing is use copper coated 22's and clean the cylander frequently when you first start shooting. Like every 50 rounds. I have done this and I have never had a problem with the cylander binding.
3rd look for a deal. You won't get much for it in selling it but if you get one like mine you won't want to sell it. It is very accurate.
Good luck in your choice..
I have heard a lot of storys about poor reliability and bad service. Are they true? I don't know. I guess maybe if there is that much smoke there may be some fire. (of course the "junk" storys were all on non-Taurus sites)
The only thing I can tell you for sure is, I had a Taurus .45 ACP 2" Bbl. revolver for 2-3 years only fired maybe 200-300 rds...No problems, just a little too large & heavy for CC.
The only thing I can tell you for sure is, I had a Taurus .45 ACP 2" Bbl. revolver for 2-3 years only fired maybe 200-300 rds...No problems, just a little too large & heavy for CC.
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