Thoughts on the Taurus 692 Executive 3" convertible

[Hawg Rider]

I'll preface this Thread with the fact that I am a dyed-in-the-wool S&W handgun guy. Yes, I have a couple of Colts, and maybe a Ruger and some SIGs, but by far the majority of my modest collection is S&W revolvers...mostly N-frames and K-frames. I've been hoping to buy a Model 686 3" (CS-1; original box) from my son's boss, but so far no luck. I don't have any L-frames, and that CS-1 would be a great addition. Patience is not one of my strong points, so I started looking around for similar revolvers. Of course there's the new Colt Python 3" (SS or blue). But then there's the new Taurus 692 Executive Grade, 3" bbl., 7-shots. To me the 692 looks very similar to a 686, and has some great features including a 9mm cylinder. Although the MSRP is around $1000, they're selling online for ~$850. That price is substantially lower than the online prices for either the 686 or Python ($1000-$1400). I haven't handled the new Python or the Taurus, but I hope to at the next local gun show. Reviews of both are outstanding, but I'm actually leaning toward the Taurus. Any thoughts?

 

[Echo40]

I think that if you want it then you should buy it and see for yourself.

A lot of folks hate Taurus because admittedly, their Customer Service is among the worst in the industry, so anyone whose first Taurus happened to be a lemon typically has an extremely poor opinion of the company for that reason, and isn't shy about recounting the details of whatever horror stories they had dealing with Taurus CS.

That being said, I own two Taurus firearms, a Judge Magnum and a PT92, both of which have been fine. In fact, the PT92 in particular really impressed me due to just how fantastic the overall fit and finish is.

2017 Taurus Judge Magnum with aftermarket Altamont Super Rosewood Grips.

2022 Taurus PT92AFS-D.

2022 Taurus PT92AFS-D, fitted with aftermarket Altamont Pearl Grips.

Neither of these are Executive Grade either, just ordinary, off-the-shelf examples.

 

[rockquarry]

I'll preface this Thread with the fact that I am a dyed-in-the-wool S&W handgun guy. Yes, I have a couple of Colts, and maybe a Ruger and some SIGs, but by far the majority of my modest collection is S&W revolvers...mostly N-frames and K-frames. I've been hoping to buy a Model 686 3" (CS-1; original box) from my son's boss, but so far no luck. I don't have any L-frames, and that CS-1 would be a great addition. Patience is not one of my strong points, so I started looking around for similar revolvers. Of course there's the new Colt Python 3" (SS or blue). But then there's the new Taurus 692 Executive Grade, 3" bbl., 7-shots. To me the 692 looks very similar to a 686, and has some great features including a 9mm cylinder. Although the MSRP is around $1000, they're selling online for ~$850. That price is substantially lower than the online prices for either the 686 or Python ($1000-$1400). I haven't handled the new Python or the Taurus, but I hope to at the next local gun show. Reviews of both are outstanding, but I'm actually leaning toward the Taurus. Any thoughts?

For about $50-$60 more you can buy a Colt King Cobra 3" without the porting. The Taurus may be a great revolver but the Colt will likely retain value better and be more desirable should you ever want to sell or trade. The porting of the Taurus would be a plus to some buyers, but probably a drawback to many more.

 

[nyeti]

A couple things. I have the non-Executive 692 2.5" barrel and it has been exceptionally good and especially for the price. I shot the prototype of the 692 Executive and I was very impressed.

Taurus has turned their customer service and warranty around 180 degrees since their move to Georgia. Currently they are one of the best in the industry and that weakness was put as a top priority for their CEO. The Taurus of the last couple years is making great guns, and especially at the price point.

 

[huthike]

I'm not a Taurus fan because of bad previous experience, but I have to admire their creativity with this switch cylinder revolver. Smith & Wesson hasn't done very much creative with revolvers in years and are being lapped by the competition.

 

[kraynky]

I think Taurus is making a comeback in a good way. I would not be afraid of buying one of their current model's. However, I'm not at all interested in a ported handgun.

I would perhaps look at a 44 special that wasn't ported. Their TH 45 semi auto is also tempting me a bit........

 

[chief38]

I have never been much of a Taurus fan, never owned one and have always shied away. I do understand their quality has improved a bit (that's good) but personally I would rather sacrifice quantity for quality.

My practices for revolvers are to go with vintage S&W's (pre 1995) or Colts. IMHO a vintage S&W or a Colt will always command top dollar down the road - can't say that about Taurus. Plus, I grew up in the S&W and Colt world - don't Remember any TV shows, major movies or series that featured a Taurus.

 

[CajunBass]

I've said it here a number of times. I really like the Taurus handguns I've owned, especially the 327 T.O.R.O. I EDC now.

Rather you want a ported gun is up to you. I had a Taurus 44 Magnum that was ported. Franky I didn't notice any difference in the noise or recoil over a 4" Model 29 I had at the same time, but I never shot anything but 44 Special in either of them.

Now that 327 with full magnum loads? It will get your attention.

 

[clang444]

I like the 9mm option, but the deal breaker for me on that Taurus would be the ported barrel. I'd also probably want to inspect the gun I was purchasing in person before putting my money down (I've seen too many stories about new guns with problems - not just Taurus but any manufacturer).

But I already have a CS-1, so I'm not in the market.

You should handle both the new Taurus and an L-frame just to make sure the Taurus will scratch that itch. A 4" L frame below might be an acceptable alternate with a better resale value. I really like my NYSP marked 681 below.

I do like the 9mm option though, maybe I have to get a spare cylinder and have it converted to 9mm and fit it to one of my guns...




: )

 

[swagmeister]

Might be an excellent weapon but I would have a very difficult time giving that much for a Taurus. I too had a bad experience with Taurus customer service, or lack thereof, many years ago. Hopefully, that has changed. Good luck.

 

[MarkAlt]

Last month, I procrastinated enough to miss out on a Taurus factory rebate offer by several days.

I figured, "why not"; submitted my sales info and a request to Taurus customer service asking if they might still honor a late request. Within 24 hours, I received a nice reply from customer service with a coupon code. Within one week, I had a package in the mailbox. Customer service left my request open until they confirmed I was happy and didn't need anything else.

This is my $400 Executive 856 which appears to have a tuned action. It's as smooth as my PCs. It came in a nice oversized Pelican case. Pretty hard to call that a bad buy.

The 692 is just getting out there in the wild, so I don't know much about that model. But I can say that, so far, the quality on their Executive series is outstanding...

Best to you in your search!

 

[Norton 750]

I retired from the gun industry. There are writers who refused to review Taurus products because of their inability to control tolerances. (locking bolt revolver cylinders, I am talking to you here) After I retired I worked in a retail gunshop until the owners son got up to speed. I have helped more customers use the Taurus warranty than any other brand. My own father, tighter than Gene Autrey's britches', refused to believe me, purchased one and sent it back to the factory TWICE before admitting to me I was right. They are built to a price. If you are a shooter, buy something else. If you want a bedside gun, buy it, try it, and if it shoots you are well served. But they are not a high volume shooters answer.

 

[paknheat]

I haven't owned many Taurus revolvers, but the ones I did were pretty darn good. The fit and finish on them was very well done & accurate to boot.

I would not hesitate to get another one if I was in the market for one.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[MarkAlt]

I must be the luckiest guy alive because I purchased 4 Taurus revolvers and 1 semi-auto in the last year. Not one issue.

Can't say that about my new model 63 that had a bit of rough machining and would not trigger-return, or the Colt Cobra that required a return to factory for a DLC recoat.

I'm not a high-volume shooter any longer, but do get to the range regularly to burn up some rounds.

Don't have a lot of dog in this hunt with brand names. I just buy what works these days. Be it a Colt, Smith, Ruger, Taurus, H&R et al …they're all welcome in my safe if they're a quality firearm.


All the Best,
-Mark

 

[Empe]

I have an older Taurus 85 snub nose revolver that was given to me . Its actually of decent quality ...for the price .
I keep it loaded with 158 grain .38 Special hollow points and have it hidden away in an easily accessible spot in the house . My wife likes because it fits her hand well and she's pretty good with it too.
This one was given to me and it's in excellent condition but I'm not sure that I would actually have purchased one.
As stated by a previous poster the 692 Executive is only about $ 75.00 less than than a Colt King Cobra target .
I'd go with the Colt over the Taurus without even hesitating.

 

[BB57]

I have an 856 Executive. It's very well made, accurate, and has a superb trigger pull. It's up there with the DA trigger on my Custom Shop S&W 625 and Kimber K6S.

On the negative side the grips would not accommodate a speed loader and would also prevent clean ejection of 1 or 2 of the cases.

Aftermarket grips are few and far between but I started with a pair that were styled with semi-speed loader cut.

And then carved it enough to get full clearance from both the speed loader and the cases.

In short, it's an excellent bang for the buck revovler with poorly designed grips. Unfortunately Taurus seems to see that grip design as a signature grip for the Executive series.

 

[bobsguns]

OP, allow me to suggest the S&W 19C? Smith triggers are 10 times better than a Taurus, accuracy is better & you won't take a beating on re-sale if you ever sell it. IOW, no downside to them.

https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/k-frame-12039

 

[Narragansett]

Personally, I know nothing about them other than to say I have a friend that bought a new 44 Magnum Raging Bull and said that it is shot out. Not sure what that means, but he specifically said it was loose.

Personally, I would not consider one because of the resale value

 

[BB57]

OP, allow me to suggest the S&W 19C? Smith triggers are 10 times better than a Taurus, accuracy is better & you won't take a beating on re-sale if you ever sell it. IOW, no downside to them.

https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/k-frame-12039

Normally I would agree with you, and in fact I really want to agree with you. However their Executive series triggers are excellent and are in fact much better than S&Ws standard revolver triggers. As noted above the Taurus Executive trigger is as nice as the trigger on my Custom Shop 625.

Now…for their regular revolvers, sure the triggers are not exceptional.

 

[Echo40]

Personally, I don't understand the thought process behind buying firearms based on their resell value, but then again, I never buy anything I dont intend on keeping, and have yet to sell off a single firearm I've purchased.

 

[rockquarry]

Personally, I don't understand the thought process behind buying firearms based on their resell value, but then again, I never buy anything I dont intend on keeping, and have yet to sell off a single firearm I've purchased.

Many gun enthusiasts sell or trade a number of guns over many years. They may have bought a gun and never intended to dispose of it, but interests change and so do personal situations. Buy something of top quality even if you have to spend a little more than what a lesser gun costs. Good quality guns are durable, they retain value well and are desirable to others at sale or trade time.

 

[nyeti]

When Taurus brought in the CEO that turned Walther around along with new engineers and staff they improved a lot. I was a general Taurus hater as well but I now own and regularly use several. I have also used their warranty which turned a gun in a week, and was easier to use and more responsive than others. By the numbers, Taurus runs almost identical to everyone else in the percentage of guns with issues. The difference is they are the biggest company and sell far more guns than the others so when gun shops say they have more problems with Taurus than others, they also sell a lot more. That is simply a price point thing. I am far more frustrated with QC and warranty issues from guns from the other companies that cost twice as much. I run a couple of the largest revolver training events in the country and I guarantee I see far more wheelguns in multi day training events than most. We have seen consistent good performance with students shooting the Taurus 856 series guns and particularly the Executive series. Personally, for what I use Taurus's for I do not own any Executive guns. They are beaters for me.
The 692 in the attached picture is a regular one and not an Executive (shorter barrel and no ports). It has been really good so far.

 

[BB57]

T

Many gun enthusiasts sell or trade a number of guns over many years. They may have bought a gun and never intended to dispose of it, but interests change and so do personal situations. Buy something of top quality even if you have to spend a little more than what a lesser gun costs. Good quality guns are durable, they retain value well and are desirable to others at sale or trade time.

I agree to a point. For example I own a Marlin 39A .22 LR, a couple Browning BLR .22s, and a few Winchester 9422s but unless it's given to me I will never own a Henry .22LR lever gun.

The Marlin, Brownings and Winchesters will hold their value against inflation and even appreciate - where the Henry just won't. It's not to say the Henry isn't a nice enough shooter, but it's also not an heirloom quality gun and is not made to nearly the same level of quality in fit and finish.

On the other hand, I own a number of S&W revolvers and a few collectible older Ruger revolvers and they will also hold their value and possibly appreciate. However, if I am buying one of these now it's going to cost me $800-$1100, compared to about half thst for a Taurus Executive that frankly shoots better and is made to a higher standard of quality and finish.

Time will tell if a Taurus Executive will hold its value, but with half the initial outlay I suspect it will as it's worth that price as a great shooter regardless of whether it every finds any snob appeal like the S&W revolvers (at least the pre lock S&Ws).

It pains me to say it but S&W is now asking for a lot more money for a new S&W than a new S&W is worth. Same with Ruger and their revolvers. Quality of both brands has fallen steeply while Taurus has significantly upped its game while keeping its price points reasonable.

 

[rockquarry]

I agree to a point. For example I own a Marlin 39A .22 LR, a couple Browning BLR .22s, and a few Winchester 9422s but unless it's given to me I will never own a Henry .22LR lever gun.

The Marlin, Brownings and Winchesters will hold their value against inflation and even appreciate - where the Henry just won't. It's not to say the Henry isn't a nice enough shooter, but it's also not an heirloom quality gun and is not made to nearly the same level of quality in fit and finish.

On the other hand, I own a number of S&W revolvers and a few collectible older Ruger revolvers and they will also hold their value and possibly appreciate. However, if I am buying one of these now it's going to cost me $800-$1100, compared to about half thst for a Taurus Executive that frankly shoots better and is made to a higher standard of quality and finish.

Time will tell if a Taurus Executive will hold its value, but with half the initial outlay I suspect it will as it's worth that price as a great shooter regardless of whether it every finds any snob appeal like the S&W revolvers (at least the pre lock S&Ws).

It pains me to say it but S&W is now asking for a lot more money for a new S&W than a new S&W is worth. Same with Ruger and their revolvers. Quality of both brands has fallen steeply while Taurus has significantly upped its game while keeping its price points reasonable.

I haven't bought a new or used Ruger or S&W handgun in many years so can't comment on current quality or prices, but there are many older such guns on the market (though I'm not much of a Ruger handgun advocate).

However, I've had good results with several new Colt revolvers. Granted we're talking about money here as well, but I'm always willing to spend a little more now on a good gun rather than wish later that I had.

I tried the cheaper route years ago when I used to trade a lot and learned that generally I had made some mistakes. Regardless, some of your points are good ones and well taken.

 

[Well Armed]

With the hundreds and counting QC and other reliability issues related to S&W revolvers including their new UC offerings, I'm baffled that so many members on this forum have e the audacity thumb their noses and proudly be hypocritical when it comes to Taurus who have a better modern-day record vs. S&W.

I own 2 Taurus revolvers, which are their forged stainleas model 85 ($208 shipped) that I've owned and carried for several years and their 22lr model 943 3" ($330 from FFL) . Never had an issue, and certainly don't have the same issues that dozens of members on this very forum are reporting with their $700-$1000+ S&W revolvers.

 

[rockquarry]

With the hundreds and counting QC and other reliability issues related to S&W revolvers including their new UC offerings, I'm baffled that so many members on this forum have e the audacity thumb their noses and proudly be hypocritical when it comes to Taurus who have a better modern-day record vs. S&W.

According to the comments in this thread, thoughts and experiences with Taurus products are fairly well mixed, good and bad.

 

[Well Armed]

Many gun enthusiasts sell or trade a number of guns over many years. They may have bought a gun and never intended to dispose of it, but interests change and so do personal situations. Buy something of top quality even if you have to spend a little more than what a lesser gun costs. Good quality guns are durable, they retain value well and are desirable to others at sale or trade time.

Taurus revolvers DO retain their resale value, though. People see used Taurus revolvers selling, for example, for $200-$350, depending on the age and model, and then falsely assert that the resale is low. What they aren't taking into account is that the NIB cost was also within the $250-$400 range.

I paid just over $200 for my Taurus 85 in 2016, and I'd have no issues selling it used for $250 or more. I purchased my 942 in 2020 for $330, and I guarantee I can resale it for around that price.

I purchased two S&W 686+ in 2.5" and 3" and a 2.75" model 69 in 2021 for $900-$950, and they'd be $700-$750 if I resold them.

 

[rockquarry]

Taurus revolvers DO retain their resale value, though. People see used Taurus revolvers selling, for example, for $200-$350, depending on the age and model, and then falsely assert that the resale is low. What they aren't taking into account is that the NIB cost was also within the $250-$400 range.

I paid just over $200 for my Taurus 85 in 2016, and I'd have no issues selling it used for $250 or more. I purchased my 942 in 2020 for $330, and I guarantee I can resale it for around that price.

I purchased two S&W 686+ in 2.5" and 3" and a 2.75" model 69 in 2021 for $900-$950, and they'd be $700-$750 if I resold them.

Maybe so. I think we both stand by our comments. Again, I haven't had experience with any late model S&Ws, only older ones.

 

[BB57]

I haven't bought a new or used Ruger or S&W handgun in many years so can't comment on current quality or prices, but there are many older such guns on the market (though I'm not much of a Ruger handgun advocate).

However, I've had good results with several new Colt revolvers. Granted we're talking about money here as well, but I'm always willing to spend a little more now on a good gun rather than wish later that I had.

I tried the cheaper route years ago when I used to trade a lot and learned that generally I had made some mistakes. Regardless, some of your points are good ones and well taken.

We are mostly on the same page.

For example this week I passed on a Tisas clone of the Beretta 84FS and instead spent almost identical money on a surplus Beretta 84BB, as the Beretta is higher quality, will hold its value better than the new Tisas, and has some history behind it.

To me it's a no brainer decision as to which one to buy.

 

[rockquarry]

We are mostly on the same page.

For example this week I passed on a Tisas clone of the Beretta 84FS and instead spent almost identical money on a surplus Beretta 84BB, as the Beretta is higher quality, will hold its value better than the new Tisas, and has some history behind it.

To me it's a no brainer decision as to which one to buy.

I agree, but many don't. I'd hate to base everything on price, then attempt to justify a "good buy" purchase that may not ultimately turn out well.