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Stinger22

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Hello all
I realize this is not a S&W gun but question is....I was afford a Taurus740 40S for $200. Went to a local gun shop and all they had to say about Taurus stay away this is coming from a salesman mind you. Thoughts about this brand please
Thanks
Jim
 
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Stinger22 said:
Hello all
I realize this is not a S&W gun but question is....I was afford a Taurus740 40S for $200. Went to a local gun shop and all they had to say about Taurus stay away this is coming from a salesman mind you. Thoughts about this brand please
Thanks
Jim
Click to expand...


Sounds like you ran into a very rare thing; a honest salesman!
 
I've had 2 Taurus experiences. The first was a couple years ago with a TCP .380 that I picked up used from the LGS. The gun functioned fine with one magazine, but not with the other---would jam or stovepipe every 2-3 rounds. After a year I traded it in for my Bodyguard---I just didn't trust the Taurus.
Fast forward to a couple weeks before Christmas, I had an opportunity to pick up a stainless PT111 Millenium G2 brand new for a great price, and I've been looking for a nice compact inexpensive 9. I went for it, willing to give Taurus another shot. I have only been able to put a box through it so far, but nary a hiccup, burp, etc. Shoots dead on with ragged holes at 10 yards, and it is actually a very pleasant gun to shoot. Fit and finish not an issue either---I am a fan.
 
Yea you'll generally get that response about Taurus. They are OK at best. I would rather add a little more $$$ and get something else. For example, Walther PPS are only $350ish and complete night and day difference from Taurus
 
Some models of the Tauri are OK. A good example is their semi-Beretta clone, the PT92 9mm.
Got one for near-nothing and have used it as a teaching/student loan-out gun, as well as a HD, bedside piece. Has never malfunctioned with any bullet weight, is as accurate as anything in it's class. They do that one right.
Some of the other models, it seems you either get a good one or are destined to use their much heralded 'lifetime warranty'.
 
Stinger22 said:
Hello all
I realize this is not a S&W gun but question is....I was afford a Taurus740 40S for $200. Went to a local gun shop and all they had to say about Taurus stay away this is coming from a salesman mind you. Thoughts about this brand please
Thanks
Jim
Click to expand...

Stay away is a much nicer way of saying what I might have said had you asked me first.

Good show for the salesman.

Here is one issue:

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2015/11/19/taurus-drop-test-video/

Here is another:

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2013/09/26/brazilian-police-recall-98000-taurus-247-ds-pistols/

The video from the second article appears to have been removed, but here it is:

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9_YWNo1f-o[/ame]
 
Taurus pistols based on established designs from other companies are fine. I had a PT92 (Beretta 90-series lineage) and a M66 Revolver (design came from when S&W and Taurus were holding company cousins). Never had any problems with these pistols. The only reason they're gone is because they weren't special enough to hold onto.

Taurus pistols/revolvers solely designed by Taurus? That's a mixed bag. The two I owned were horrid. I owned a Taurus Judge "magnum" that had constant timing issues. I had a PT709 Slim that wasn't reliable. Both made trips to Miami for repairs, but never stayed fixed for long.
 
In the last two years, I purchased a PT-111 G2, 140 G2, PT92 AFS, PT809c, PT-911 SS and a PT909. All of them have been trouble free and exceptional shooters.
 
After watching that video"RUN AWAY", Do not even load a round in the magazine..
I'd even feel bad if it was even sold off.. Then what to do??

BTW I own a Taurus 617T Total Titanium 7 Shot 357 magnum snub that is a lightweight sweet little beast.. I'm gonna sell it though..
 
I have heard some swear by their Taurus - particularly the 1911. I have not had a problem when I shoot them. Not impressive but I can make them go bang. I have also seen a lot of relative rookies trying to qualify for the CHL and come up with various misfires and 99 out of 100 times, they are using a low-priced Taurus that a spouse bought for them. My respectful advise, is if you are not sure of the specific Taurus firearm, you are better off using a higher quality gun to train on.
 
HEADKNOCKER said:
After watching that video"RUN AWAY", Do not even load a round in the magazine..
I'd even feel bad if it was even sold off.. Then what to do??
Click to expand...
IIRC that Brazilian video is really old and those were not guns sold on the open market, they were a relatively small special run made for the Brazilian police - all of which were recalled and destroyed. At least that's what I recall.

HEADKNOCKER said:
BTW I own a Taurus 617T Total Titanium 7 Shot 357 magnum snub that is a lightweight sweet little beast.. I'm gonna sell it though..
Click to expand...
LOL, sorry, but if you're making that decision to sell it based on the videos above or on other's opinions of Taurus guns, then that sounds to me like saying "I'm gonna sell my F150, because the same company made Pintos, and their gas tanks blew up!"

I've owned several Taurus guns, and a few Rossi guns (another brand owned and manufactured by Taurus). I've been lucky I guess - because they've all been good. Maybe not quite up to the fit & finish standards of S&W, but still good solid serviceable guns. Of course they haven't cost me anywhere near what comparable S&Ws would either.

Have they produced some duds? You bet, but then so has S&W (GASP! Sacrilege!). Has Taurus produced MORE duds, or a higher percentage of duds than S&W? Possibly - maybe even probably. Like I said, they only cost 1/2-2/3 of what a comparable S&W does, so to expect the same level of product quality isn't reasonable.

So basically, IMO, and in my EXPERIENCE, if you buy one you have an excellent chance of getting a perfectly serviceable gun. If it isn't, it can be sent back to the factory for repair on their dime. It is true that in some cases, some have had to be sent back multiple times. And some people have given up before the problem got resolved. But for everyone I know who has been persistent they HAVE made it right - or replaced it.

Just my experience and as always YMMV.
 
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Stinger22 said:
Hello all
I realize this is not a S&W gun but question is....I was afford a Taurus740 40S for $200. Went to a local gun shop and all they had to say about Taurus stay away this is coming from a salesman mind you. Thoughts about this brand please
Thanks
Jim
Click to expand...

You don't say if the gun you are considering is new or used. I
think you are refering to the .40 cal version of the 709 Slim,
single stack 9mm. The 709 was one of only three single stack
9mms to make it through their 1050 rd test without a single
malfunction. When I saw the 709 on sale locally for $219 new
a couple of months ago I bought one. So far I only have 100
rds or so through it with no malfunctions. I like it and think
it is a good gun for the money. To try to answer your question
directly; with ANY brand the specific model you are thinking
about is the real issue, not the brand. For a short blunt piece
of advice; forget the .40 you are looking at and buy a 9mm
709 if you are looking for a good compact auto at a good
price.
Ooops, the test I refered to was the G&A comparison test
of several different single stack 9mms.
 
NYlakesider said:
Sounds like you ran into a very rare thing; a honest salesman!
Click to expand...

Or one working on commission who wanted to sell a more expensive gun. Depending on the store, gun salesmen are often ill informed about the firearms in the display case. Other posters have offered good advice.
 
There is an old, old child's poem that goes like this:

"There was a little girl, who had a pretty curl...right in the middle of her forehead."

"When she was good, she was very, very good...but when she was bad, she was horrid."

I suspect her name was Taurus.

Ed
 
Had a real bad isuue with their p22 bolth where new bolth blew in pices. I ended up tradeing it for a. 32. Kel Tech thats got well over 5000 threw flawless. I did give a 2nd chance a few years back and bought a Taurus. revolver. Its been great. I wont ever buy another. Taraus in a semi auto.
 
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Gun Store Salesman advice is like Tauruses - Some good, some awful! I say that as a man who has fathered a gun store sales(wo)man!

My Taurus 85 is sweet. My M94 stinks. Their smallish semiautos get good reviews in magazines but I've never shot one.

Seriously my experience with sales people in gun stores is about like my experience with Taurus guns. 50/50. My daughter is one of the good ones.
 
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So, based upon the feedback above, if your use for this firearm is for self defense, I would say it is not prudent to risk your life on a spotty reputation. If you want it for range time only, then take the risk and see how the chips fall.
A friend runs a LGS. He stocks Taurus. The return rate is somewhere around 50%. Some do not function out of the box. He stocks them because they are in
demand and it's all related to price. He will not suggest one, and generally states that 'you can get a Smith for about $50.00 more'. Some people take the advice, and 50% of those who do not end up bringing them back. We assume the other 50% is happy.
You ask for my thoughts about this brand in the first post. Me, I avoid them and do not recommend them. That's my opinion and others will likely disagree.
 
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