I didn't buy one of the South American trade-ins but I have 2 of the same model, 1997 production Taurus 82's. These were security trade ins from a company somewhere in PA. Taurus 82's were a favorite of security companies because they are cheap and (usually) function well enough. Wells Fargo dumped a bunch of them a while back.
This is how they looked when I got them, more or less the same as the SA trade ins. I paid about $200 each for them.
This Model 80 is my favorite of my 3 "Tauri", the action is slick and I added a 12 lb. Wolff mainspring. It's very accurate and reliable, it almost could pass for a S&W with it's DA pull and it will shoot right up there with most of my S&W 10's. The timing is dead on, it hits to POA with 158's and for $200 I got a good deal on it. There's a dealer on GunBroker selling beat up 80's right now, some going for less than $100 but they need a lot of help", most are missing grips or small parts.
I carried it for a brief time as an armed guard. I wanted a "knock around" gun and I trust it enough to go off if I ever needed it.
They are cheap and fun to work on, I am using mine to practice "action jobs" when I find time, something I would never do on a S&W or Ruger. I may try my hand with some stoning, polishing and buffing. If I mess up, worst case scenario I messed up a $200 Taurus and not a more expensive gun.
I experimented with Wolff springs and made the trigger pulls on mine very slick. On the one 82 I made the DA pull as light as possible, by clipping coils off the Wolff mainspring and return spring until it just sets off Federal primers and returns the trigger, and the SA pull is like a hair trigger. I don't use these for defense so I don't care about not being able to use other ammo types. Both guns are very accurate and I wouldn't hesitate to use the light one in an informal PPC match.
The other 82, I converted to DAO by filing the SA notch off.....I used the Wolff 10 lb. mainspring and return spring and it's very slick but not too light. I use this as a DA shooting "trainer" when I find cheap reloads that I wouldn't use in my Smiths and Rugers...... and without SA, I can't hammer cock it as a "crutch" when I'm not shooting well.
Be advised I have been told to avoid +P .38 in these older Taurus' revolvers.
I have heard they were South American Security guns but they could be prison guard guns too. For $150 they seem like a good deal, most of them are thrashed looking but no doubt they have very few rounds on them. I have read reports on mechanical issues with these but nothing that can't be fixed.
If I were buying one I would go with the earlier type with the "fixed" lanyard ring on the bottom.
A brand new Taurus 82 retails for about $320 so for $150 you're in for half the price of a new one, but the condition and function are going to be a grab bag and Taurus will not honor the lifetime warranty on these older guns. I read one forum post where a guy sent one of these trade-ins back to Taurus and they offered him a new 82 for $100.
With the drips and drabs of Corrections trade in 10's and 64's selling for $250-300 it makes the $150-200 Taurus 82's a little less attractive, but if you get a good one it should shoot as well and last as long as any S&W.But........ If you get a lemon it will be major headaches and money wasted and Taurus won't fix them.
