Are taurus snubbies good guns?

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megatronrules

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I ask as i've been comtemplating getting one as of late and was wondering if they are as good as a smith and wesson for example? I've heard that taurus has come up alot in the quality department of thair wheel guns and was wondering how true this is or is not? This is a current model taurus a sunb nose .357/.38 5 shot J-frame clone a "protector I believe model 650 or 651 whichever one has the shoulded hammer like a bodyguard. Any experiances you have with taurus' snub nose revolvers would be nice to hear as I'd like one for a carry gun thanks for any help.
 
I don't have a snubby but I do have a Taurus 669 which is a .357 Mag with a 6" ported barrel. It's been a great gun. I think the previous owner had some trigger work done because it has a good double action and an incredible single action trigger.

They're quality control doesn't seem as consistant as some other makes but you have to sacrifice somewhere to get them down to their price range. If you get a good one it will be good. If you get a bad one it usually shows up pretty quickly. If possilbe buy from somewhere with a return policy to save you the headache of waranty repairs if it does turn out to be a lemon, which doesn't happen very often.

I'm thinking of getting a 445T, the titanium .44 Spl but what I REALLY want is a snubby 5 shot 10mm.
 
I have a Taurus model 85 SS snubbie, and it's a great little gun.
The gun is small enough to fit in your pocket, and weight is not really an issue.
The gun has a smooth action, and point of aim is right on at 15 yards.

I have never really shot it much (200 rounds), but it has been good so far.
 
I have had mixed results. I purchased a 605 Custom when they first came out. It went out of time after about 500 magnum rounds. I did not really care for that gun. I purchased a Ultralight 38 snub for my mom. It has done fine for her no reliability problems. So in the small frame revolver market for me Taurus is batting 50%.

I prefer smith's to Taurus. none of my Smiths have every given me a problem. They also have far better customer service. Its a good thing Taurus gives a lifetime warranty you will probably need it.
Pat
 
I just picked up a Taurus 651. And I must say, I am pleasantly surprised by the quality but most surprised by the outstanding trigger pulls! The double action pull far exceeds either of my S&W snubs. I'm impressed. (although I haven't fired it yet.)
 
I have 3 Tuarus snubbys, an 85,605 and 606. I've put thousands of rounds through them without a single problem.

They may not be as well finished as a S&W but they're good guns at a decent price. I'd buy another Taurus gun in a heart beat.
 
Model 85 Blue with gold accents (life's too short to carry an ugly gun)

It has been very reliable and fun to shoot doesn't weigh much and handles +P just fine. I put a Crimson Trace grip on it and carry it all the time. Highly recommended
 
I have a Taurus 617S snubnosed .357 magnum which has performed flawlessly. The yoke screw worked loose once but that is not uncommon with smaller revolvers in magnum calibers no matter the brand.
 
I bought two 85CH stainless snubbies about 8 years ago at a gunshow. Consecutive serial numbers. Figured I would use one until it broke, and then bring out the other one.
After hundreds of rounds, and a lot of daily carry, I still have the second one in the factory box. First one just keeps on ticking.
There are great little guns.
 
Qualitywise if Smith is a 10 out of 10, I'd say Taurus is 8. They still let a lemon slip occasionally, but Smith & Wesson has been building guns since the 1860s. Taurus went into business in 1933, and only seriously started building high quality stuff in the 80s on the same level as S&W.


I would buy any of their newer models (650, 850, 651, etc) without reservation.
 
I have a Taurus model 85 Total Titanium and I love it. The gun only weighs 17 oz and, with the porting system, recoil even with +p's is not an issue. Trigger is not as nice as my Colt DS but it is still pretty good. I highly recomend my Taurus.
 
I"ve got a 85 blue with the gold accents and rosewood grips. My carry piece when I can't take the .45.

Been a great little shooter so far, no complaints.
 
I've got a 650 that I really like. It's been great in the year or so that I've had it. Not very light, but still 125s and 110 .357 loads are nasty. 38 +Ps do alright as well as practice 158 wadcutters. It's the only revolver I've purchased recently that I actually light the factory grips. The 651 has the shrouded hammer (you can cock it, but it has a frame extension to prevent snagging). The 650 has a hammer completely enclosed by the frame and does not have a single action mode.
 
I own the .357mag 651 Total Ti with the shrouded hammer. NO PORTS.

You are restricted to using nylon brushes on the Ti surfaces, making cleaning the cylander of .38spl carbon rings in the chamber a bit of a chore...OK its a real female pooch.

I will paste an email I sent to a buddy considering one below:
--------------------------

OK, now the "Lessons Learned" on the Taurus:

*.357mag POI*
.357mag POI is 10"-12" low of POA...at 10 yards. This is true for 158gr & 125gr. Can't use 110gr .357mag, due to flame-cutting of the top strap of the frame. 158gr LSWCHP .38spl +P shoots to POA. I suspected as much before I bought, however, as most snubbies are regulated to the .38spl 158gr LSWCHP +P load.

*.357mag Recoil*
I don't mind it. It is not painful, though it might be for some. YMMV. The problem is multiple shots. A LONG time between 1st & 2nd round out of the tube.

*Galling*
Heat+Titanium+Steel=Galling

The number-one issue with Titanium revolvers: the Titanium-to-steel interfaces. Somewhat rough when the revo is cold. Get worse as the revo heats up. Freaking nasty when shooting .357mag.

Much friction between the little spring-loaded center pin in the center of the extractor that the cylander rotates on when the cylander is closed. It is fine when closed, but scraping it across the recoil shield of the frame when opening/closing the cylander generates ugly friction.

For an exploded view:
http://www.taurususa.com/pdf/revolver_manual.pdf

Similar issue with the thumb cylander release, but worse, as the contact surfaces are greater.

This can be managed with lithium grease at the contact surfaces and by shooting .38spl, not .357mag. Managed, but not completely eliminated. You gotta be firm when opening/closing the cylander. It will never be as slick as my all-stainless S&W 686.

***********

My no-bull recommendation is to rent a taurus snubbie & S&W snubbie side by side. My experience with the galling & .357mag POA/POI issues tells me that an aluminum/steel snubbie in .38spl (that can shoot +P) might be a better answer. Save .357mag for all-steel snubbies, IMO.

The S&W snubbies are having issues with thier finish flaking off on their new Sc & Al snubbies. Quite the quandry for the snubbie buyer, IMO. The ideal snubbie might be a gently used S&W 642/442 from a few years back, right after they were rated for .38spl +P.

**************

FWIW, S&W 637 (Al alloy/st steel) is being sold at fireslae prices. This is the one with the exposed hammer. As cheap as the Taurus Al alloy & Ti snubbies. S&W is just trying to move them, I guess, 'cause all dealers have a severely reduced price. If you don't like the hammer spur, a Dremel tool will fix it for you, quick.
 
I bought a Taurus 617 brand new that had a cylinder that would not rotate correctly.
I have never owned or fired a S&W revolver, new or used, that ever failed on me.
 
I have never owned or fired a S&W revolver, new or used, that ever failed on me.
Click to expand...
I have. NIB Smith 19 that was so badly out of time it wouldn't fire every time.
 
My father CCs a Taurus 85. It has never failed, even with a lot of shooting. The bluing is isn't very uniform and the grips can sorta kinda get in the way of many speed-loaders. The trigger isn't exactly great either but it is smooth. Otherwise it is an excellent pistol.
 
taurus 905ss\9mm

I recently received a taurus model 905ss revolver in 9mm,using 5 shot moon rings. The gun was spotless,woman who sold it only put 25 round through it{?}. the gun was bought for 250.00. Anyone know if these guns are any good, and was the price OK. Thanks. You can also e-mail me at [email protected]
 
smamet

I heard taurus had to pull their 9mm models due to some problems. I am not sure what they were exactly. I would love to have a small airweight 9mm revolver. But I am waiting on smith to do it.
Pat
 
I'm waiting for S&W to come out with a 642 9mm.

Can't comment on the Taurus 9mm because they're not on the "list" here yet. But when they are i'm gonna snatch one up.
 
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