Discontinued Taurus

[Puncha]

Does anyone here own the Taurus Model 66I .357 Magnum 6" barrel revolver? How has it worked out for you? Is it accurate? Durable?

http://www.gunsonthenet.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=42876840

The example I am thinking of getting looks like the above but is in stainless steel.

How is the quality, fit and finish like on taurus revos built during the time period when the 66I was in production?

Lastly, not a model 66I related question but I notice that some older taurus revolvers have vent-rib barrels. What purpose does the vent-rib serve?

 

[MCgunner]

Does anyone here own the Taurus Model 66I .357 Magnum 6" barrel revolver? How has it worked out for you? Is it accurate? Durable?

http://www.gunsonthenet.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=42876840

The example I am thinking of getting looks like the above but is in stainless steel.

How is the quality, fit and finish like on taurus revos built during the time period when the 66I was in production?

Lastly, not a model 66I related question but I notice that some older taurus revolvers have vent-rib barrels. What purpose does the vent-rib serve?

Can't say about the Taurus model, but the vent rib is just cosmetic, really serves on practical purpose. The finest .357 ever made had a vent rib so some like to copy its styling. I can tell you that no Taurus or Smith and Wesson is a Colt Python regardless of styling.

Now, I can speak to my M66. I notice that auction is a M66. Don't know what the I is about. I bought my M66 at a gun show for under $200. It has perfect timing, no head shake or excessive play of any kind, has a smooth DA/SA trigger, and is accurate beyond belief! It's one of the best gun show deals I've ever made. Mine is a nickled gun, super shooter, and is a keeper for sure. If the gun you're looking at is in good mechanical shape and has a good price, BUY IT! Only thing I don't like about mine is it's a little heaftier than a K frame. It compares in size to a M19 I guess, but it's a little bigger gun than my old Ruger Security Six or my Rossi M971 I had. But, I'll take the trade off for its accuracy. It's more accurate than either of those two guns were.

Here's my 66 above my M10 S&W:

 

[Puncha]

Anyone else own an older model medium or compact frame taurus revolver? Any other reports on accuracy and reliability?

 

[SouthpawShootr]

I have a 431 in .44 special. Stainless, 3 inch. Like it alot. Other than my recently acquired 455 snubbie (in .45 ACP). This is the only medium framed Taurus revolver I have ever owned. Reason is I have a glut of medium frame S&Ws that I acquired long before I started purchasing Taurus handguns. I did have a Taurus 85 way back in 1989. Excellent gun. Fit and finish were above average. Accuracy was decent. I currently have Taurus 650, 455, & 85TI. I have been tempted to pickup a 66 on occasion just as a range beater. In fact, the guy who ran my NRA pistol instructor's course recommended one of these to have as a loaner gun to use for students who take the pistol course, but don't yet have a gun.

Vented ribs are aesthetic only. There's still a few in the line with vent ribs (Raging Bull comes to mind). Some might argue that it's a weight saving feature on those guns that have full length barrel ribs. However, in the Taurus line, the only guns that now have vented ribs really don't need them for weight saving (know anybody who carries a Raging Bull concealed?).

 

[Puncha]

Is this any different from the model 66?

http://www.outdoors.net/site/images...+ImageID+11021+AlbumID++UserID++curpage+11021

Has anyone here ever owned or shot the Taurus model 669? Is the cylinder/frame basically the same as the model 66? Any comments about general quality?