8-shot revolver

[pmbiker]

I've come to a dilema, a crossroads if you will and I am seeking the combined wisdom of the esteemed members of the THR revolver forum.

Now that the BS'ing and butt kissing are taken care of here's my problem. I want a new .357mag revolver. I've owned a Ruger GP and a smith Mod 28. Both very nice guns but for one reason or another which I can't begin to explain, I sold them both. Now I've got that itch again. This time I want an 8 shooter.

The first choice is a S&W Mod 627 in all steel. The new M&P or TRR revolvers are nice but steel is real. I'd like to find a used model without the lock and there are some out there, but the priceabout a grand or slightly less.

Another option that's got my interest is the Taurus mod. 608. With a new price literally half of the used 627, is it half the gun that the Smith is? I've read that some earlier Tauri had some teething problems, is that worked out now?

The third option is just to find a 686 7 shot as a compromise.

Primarily this will be a range/target pistol but as with all my firearms ('cept the rimfires) must be counted on for HD duty. Accuracy is very important because inaccurate guns suck, but absolute reliability is a must. If the Taurus still holds a bad reputation and even new models still suffer the same ills of the earlier models I would gladly skip over to the Smith.

 

[Rover 'n Rugers]

Don't have any experience with the 8 shot guns but do have a 686 7 shot Mountain Gun which is more compact and weighs about 8 oz less than the 627. Not a total answer but here is a discussion of Taurus from Enos' Forum:

http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=54764&hl=taurus

 

[Mike Kerr]

To me this post mirrors one of my recurring thought process. Like you I formerly had a GP, and in my case a 27 rather than a 28. Don't know why I sold them or why I sold the 686 I bought as a replacement. I also sold other Rugers, Colts and Smiths in .357 and I really don't know why. Like you I have looked at the 627 and a guy at the range let me fire his. Frankly I was not overly impressed or overly unimpressed.

I have never fired the Taurus 608 but its price point is so much better it creeps into the thought process. Like you a 686+ creeps into the thought process and a Taurus 617? is also a low cost seven shot. I hope you get a lot of response to the thread. The questions need answers.

Regards,

 

[Floppy_D]

My buddy has the Taurus 608 you mentioned, and I love it. It feels well built, and he's put some mighty heavy loads through it. I missed the chance to pick it up for $250 used and passed it on to him, and I kick myself everytime I see it.

I highly recommend you pick one up and hold it before you rule them out.

 

[pmbiker]

Thanks for the link Roversnrugers, lots of good info there. Seems to be that the general consensus is that the Taurus guns are good quality firearms, but may suffer with heavy loads/high round count. I also found that all of the Tauri 608s are ported. I'm not a big fan of ported weapons, especially one that may do night stand duty.

I've arrived at a place in my life where I'd rather buy the one I want than the one I can afford. My income now allows me to buy 2-3 high quality firearms a year and not have to sell/trade them to get what I want.

I am not, however, a brand whore and will not dismiss a manufacturer simply because it's not popular. I want to get the best my money can get me.

 

[craig_o]

My Dad has a 627 and it's a great shooter. CABO holsters are supposed to be good, and Tucker Gunleather also makes high quality rigs for big wheelguns. Dad's got a Tucker on the way.

As to Taurus, the link in my sig line is worth looking at.

 

[FLORIDA KEVIN]

I shot one at the range several months ago ! I was impressed I hit 8 out of 8 on a 12 inch metal gong at 50 yards firing double action ! it was a sweet shooter !! i would like to have one !

 

[pmbiker]

Florida Kevin,

Was that a S&W or Taurus?

 

[19-3Ben]

LOL. "Steel is Real?"

You've been hanging out on cycling forums haven't you?

P.S.- Me too. CroMo is all i ride!!! (Edit to add: and 531 reynolds)

 

[pmbiker]

No cycling forums, but I do ride. I've been into serious cycling in one form or another for about 20yrs. I currently ride an Independent Fabrications Crown Jewel on the road and a well built Turner Flux off road. At least one of them is steel.

 

[19-3Ben]

Hrm. Interesting. "Steel is real" is a mantra on several bike forums, and is repeated ad nauseum. But in all my years on THR and other gun forums, I've never seen it.
Good for you cycling. Great work out, and great fun.

 

[pmbiker]

"Steel is real" was a mantra before there were cycling forums. And yes, I adopted it from the cycling world.