Gunshow (I want to get a Taurus)

[Texasred]

Tommorrow I'm going to the show and would really like to get a little 38 special as a pocket gun for CCW. My normal carry is a Glock 30 and it's a little two big for every carry situation and when I wear shorts or tuck my shirt in I can't wear it without feeling very awkward.

Well I'd like to get a Ruger SP101 because it is so heavy duty but it's a little too big.

I'd like to get a Smith but don't think they can handle regular shooting and practice, plus they are a little pricey.

So for the first time in my life I am considering a Taurus.

How do they handle regular use?
Do they have a long service life like a Ruger or Smith?
Warranty?
Well made?
Any other suggestions maybe a Rossi (gasp)?!

My revolver experience is as follows:
Ruger GP100, Smith and Wesson 686, Ruger Super Redhawk 454, and Charter Arms 38. The only one I still own is the 454, and still have a bunch of 357 and would like to get another. Will the 357 cylinder compromise the size much?

 

[calaverasslim]

Went to the gun show today in San Antonio and saw some M36's, both 2" and 3" for well under $300. couldn't believe it.

Saw and number of M10's, M15's and a few M19's for about 250 for the 10 and 15 and about 280 for the 19.

Unfreekinbelievable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[The_Shootist]

calaverasslim

Dude - how come I never see prices like that at gunshows I go to? Must be bad karma left over from a past life.

A Model 19 for UNDER $ 300? What condition was it in???

 

[tinygnat219]

Well I'd like to get a Ruger SP101 because it is so heavy duty but it's a little too big.

Depends on what you are looking to use it for. This used to be the most compact thing Ruger offered. Have you checked into the snubbie version?

I'd like to get a Smith but don't think they can handle regular shooting and practice, plus they are a little pricey.

Smiths are workhorses. They will handle regular shooting and practice far better than Taurus's guns ever will. What are Smith prices like where you are?

So for the first time in my life I am considering a Taurus.

Let me share my Taurus experiences with you, then you can make your own decision.

How do they handle regular use?

Define "regular" like, once a week, once a month, once a year? For me, they couldn't handle once a week at 50 rounds through them. I have had 7 different Taurus products with the revolvers being the 905, 2 Gauchos in .357 and a Model 94. All were junk the 905 and 94 had metal shavings embedded in the actions under the sideplate, while the Gauchos had a nasty trigger slap, along with misfires every 3rd cylinderful or so.

Do they have a long service life like a Ruger or Smith?

My experience, no. They couldn't handle regular range time

Warranty?

Lifetime. Transfers with the gun. I do like this feature as it has forced other manufacturers to do the same. The problem is with their execution of the Lifetime warranty. In short, it sucks. Rude customer service, no call backs, and no details other than "cleaned barrel" for some of their tickets.[/QUOTE]

Well made?

Hell no. Their QC leaves a lot to be desired, even Taurus fanboys will admit to this. They LOOK good, this would explain why I have owned 7 of them. However, form does NOT follow function.

Any other suggestions maybe a Rossi (gasp)?!

Owned by Taurus

My revolver experience is as follows:
Ruger GP100, Smith and Wesson 686, Ruger Super Redhawk 454, and Charter Arms 38. The only one I still own is the 454, and still have a bunch of 357 and would like to get another. Will the 357 cylinder compromise the size much?

You have some nice revolvers in that bunch, but seem to be limited to the "big bubba service" spectrum. Check out the S&W Model 60s. They have these in .357 Magnum although I would be cautious about firing that round out of such a short barrel. It doesn't matter who the manufacturer is, it will SHOCK you unless you practice a lot with it. My suggestion, pick up something in .357 Magnum but carry .38 SPL in it. You won't regret it, and you can still fire the .357 in it.

 

[New User]

My Taurus Model 65 is a great shooter . . . after I did some work to it. A fifteen dollar Wolff Trigger Spring Kit fixed the excessive trigger pull weight (very easy to install, but the trigger spring was a little difficult for this handgun rookie). My other problem was with machining marks on the frame in the area normally occupied by the cylinder. Two high machining marks rubbed the bottoms of cartridges in the cylinder when it was cycling. An hour of sandpaper followed by a half hour of nail "polishing" files and the problem was fixed.

The only other hiccup was a light strike the last time I hit the range, but it fired the next round just fine. I was not the guy pulling the trigger, so I don't know what happened.

All in all, I'm happy with the gun, but I will examine the next Taurus I purchase very carefully before I walk out the door with it.

 

[Schmidlin]

actually my Taurus has had 600 rounds thru it and has had not one issue. Better trigger then any SW in the place where i bought it and alot nicer looking then most SW.

Ive talked to alot of gun owners who have older Taurus models and they are still holding up just as good as their rugers and SWs. Its all a matter of want. If you need a great gun for low price then Taurus Rossie or even charter arms are great to go with. If you want new instead of used get a Taurus.


People just look down on them because they arent classy enough. Sure they do have some QC issues and CS problems. But they are doing alot to fix that people just like to bitch. Ive heard alot of bad stories about ruger and SW as well, but its okay its.

 

[Indifferent]

I actually went to buy a S&W, ended up getting a Taurus.

It was built heavier (feel of parts, etc)
And the trigger was smoother

5 more days and its mine, all mine, except during Christmas when my wife goes shopping

 

[Schmidlin]

i went looking for a ruger and bought a Taurus. And for those exact reasons you posted. Smoother trigger and felt alot nicer in my hands.

 

[FerFAL]

Owned Taurus, Rossi (older ones) , S&W and Colt.
Taurus are the worst, no doubt.

How do they handle regular use?

I owned 3 Taurus, none was worth the price I paid and they all had problems.

Do they have a long service life like a Ruger or Smith?

No, you are comparing a 2nd grade gun with Ruger and Smith that offer some of the best revolvers made.

Warranty?

Yes, for life.
It guarantees that you can send your gun back as many times as you want your entire life, and always receive a gun that still doesn’t work well.
A never ending headache, that’s how I can describe my experience with Taurus warranty.

Well made?

It’s steel, but fit and finish is poor even if looks are sometimes nice. My Taurus Tracker looked nice, but performed poorly.

Any other suggestions maybe a Rossi (gasp)?!

I had an old Rossi ( pre Taurus merge) and it was ok, but now that Taurus owns it too I’d expect it to be just like Taurus.

FerFAL

 

[weregunner]

Here's the scoop on the Taurus snubbies:
http://www,taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=8478.0

I've got an older (20 =years) 85CH snubbie and even a related 6 shot Rossi 462.

Have that and 4 other Taurus revolvers as can be seen in the signature of mine.

The older Taurus 66 and 65 have given sterling service and are still going strong after many thousands of rounds of very hot .357 magnum and +P .38 Specials having been shot through them. Accurate, too.

The newer 66 and 82 are doing well,also, without any hitches and as accurate and reliable as the older ones.

 

[CajunBass]

I'd like to get a Smith but don't think they can handle regular shooting and practice, plus they are a little pricey.

Where do people get this idea? The average shooter won't wear out a Smith & Wesson revolver in two lifetimes. (The "little pricey" part may or may not be true.)

Having said that, I've owned three Taurus revolvers. They all three worked fine. The last two I had were about as nice as any revolvers I've ever owned. The first one, oh maybe 25 years ago wasn't bad, but the grips looked like they were carved from a 2x4. Didn't hurt the way it shot though.

 

[Texasred]

Well I'm off to the gunshow this morning in Pasadena, I'll let you know what I find w/ pics. Thanks for all the advice, (weregunner) I'll think I'll consider them all. Used Smith, see if the SP101 is too big, Taurus to try on for size.

 

[Glockman17366]

I've had a Taurus 85 Multi-Alloy for at least 10 years. Initially, it had a problem with light-strikes. The factory installed a heavier spring and this gun has been 100% reliable ever since.
For most of the 10 years I've owned it, this has been my most frequently carried gun (just slip in into my pocket (holstered, of course)). I always felt well protected.
I like the Multi-Alloy (aluminum frame, titanium cylinder and barrel shroud) due to it's light weight which is important when one pocket carries.

I've recently added a Taurus 851. This one is very similar to the 85, but has a shrouded hammer (the 85 has an exposed hammer).

Neither of these little revolvers are range guns but are shot every 1-3 months.

Any gun you carry should have 200 or so rounds through it prior to being considered dependable...this is for any brand of gun.

 

[bikerdoc]

taurus 605B 3 inch barrel 357
My EDC for 2year - shoot weekly -no problems
also have an old 92 auto flawless for ten years
Keep them clean!!

 

[Loomis]

I was at a range yesterday and took a look at all the guns available for rentals. On the bottom shelf I happened to notice an older blued K frame S&W 4" heavy barrel, no underlug, square butt, small grip revovler. It had a pinned barrel and recessed chambers. Except for lots of wear on the wood grips, it appeared to be in excellent condition, but hard to tell becuse it was so dirty.

I immediately called the range/shop owner over and asked to have a look at it. He pulled it out and handed it to me. I started criticizing him for using such a gun as a rental, letting all the noobs beat the crap out of it, and letting it get so caked up with residue. I mean it was FILTHY! Like it had just been fired 2500+ times non stop without any attempt to even wipe it down.

His response? He said it's the only rental gun he's ever had that never breaks down, never malfunctions, and doesn't need to be cleaned several times a day. Oh, and this praise was uttered by a die hard glock fanatic.

 

[Blofeld]

My advice (too late) is that gun shows tend to be over priced on guns, underpriced on ammo, and fair priced on beef jerky.

Not to say you can't get a good deal if you know what you're looking for and know what it's worth, but gun show prices, for whatever reason, tend to be a little high on guns.

Now ammo, I try to take my ammo budget with me to the gunshow, always the best deal.

Anyone else have this experience?

 

[popeye]

I had pretty good luck with a Rossi 905? I think, a while back. One of the few gun store clerks I recognise as knowledgeable told me most of his Taurus revolver buyers were swayed by the lifetime warranty even though it's fairly common in the industry. Also most of these people were first time buyers that loaded the gun and stuck it in a dresser drawer.

 

[Ala Dan]

Back when Rossi was a separate entinity, Rossi built nice firearms for the
money. Today, as a corporate partner of Tauri International I would not
own either; if it was given too me at absolutely 0 cost~! :banghead:

 

[lee n. field]

Well I'd like to get a Ruger SP101 because it is so heavy duty but it's a little too big.

..

So for the first time in my life I am considering a Taurus.

Suggest you check the specs. Weight is the same, the Ruger is about 1/2 inch longer, IIRC. Not significantly different.

I picked up a Taurus 605 a couple months back.

How do they handle regular use?
Do they have a long service life like a Ruger or Smith?
Warranty?
Well made?
Any other suggestions maybe a Rossi (gasp)?!

1&2) Don't know yet. Seems well enough made. ~500 rounds through it so far, including some .357 (ouch!).

3)Lifetime.

 

[gun4funtime]

Lots of Taurus bashing here!

I would buy another Taurus!

I have owned quite a few, no complaints at all.

Can't say that for the junk S&W Walther I had. It was just that 1 gun, but man what junk and super poor, rude customer service from Smith.? not really expected from them.

Taurus has been a great product for me. I have used their warranty 1 time, no problem. Bought it used.

Every one has a favorite brand, company to use and buy. Ford VS Chevy argument often applies.

Buy what you like, fits your hands and shooting style, and what the use will be.

Most major companies, Taurus included really make great products, just a matter of what you prefer. Your money, your choice. Don't get caught up in the product bashing, its a preference.

 

[JR47]

We have a couple of posters here who have migrated from forum to forum with an ever-increasing tale of woe about Taurus products.

NOBODY buys seven guns from the same manufacturer, time after time, if they're having so much trouble with each one. This saga started, or reached an area where I was a member, in the RimfireCentral forum. Quite a different story there in it's presentation, about a Model 94 .22 lr. That, at least, has been improved as questions were asked about both the claims, and the sequence of events.

I've owned a pair of Model 85 Taurus revolvers since the early 1980's, or so. They have been reliable to a fault, accurate, and so on. I shot one loose by using a steady diet of +P and +P+ ammo, and Taurus rebuilt it, and returned it, in six weeks. I still own, and shoot, them.

I own a Model 66, stainless, 4", that's seen a steady diet of .357 Magnum loads since 1993 without any signs of wear. I use it to teach with.

Where do people get this idea? The average shooter won't wear out a Smith & Wesson revolver in two lifetimes. (The "little pricey" part may or may not be true.)

Just plain wrong. The K-frame .357 (Model 19) had severe wear problems after only a few years of qualifying using .357 loadings. Ask the Police. The Model 29 was known to go out of time after as few as 500 full-power .44 Magnum loads. Not the Ruger-only loads, either. The N-frame .357 is a hearty beast, and it would take two lifetimes to wear it out, though.

 

[Virginian]

After owning multiples of everything you can think of, the only two DA guns I have left are a roughly 20 year old Taurus 431 44 special and a new Taurus 605. I just like those two guns. The 605 is a blast shooting cans at 15 to 20 yards, and easy to carry with some genuine stoppers aboard. I am and have been happy with Tauruses over the years, and have never had any real issues with Colt, Ruger, S&W, or Rossi. Every once in a while you will get an absolute junker out of the box from any of the major makers. But, they all seem to make things right, even though it may be a bit painful getting there sometimes. I have seen a Smith Performance Center revolver that locked up on the first pull of the trigger. A Colt King Cobra with no cylinder bolt installed. A Ruger revoolver with a very uneven about 25 pound trigger pull. They all got fixed fine. I did see a Taurus 92 that would not run thru a magazine full, but a new mag solved that one.
I do not own stock in any of the gun companies, and my ex wife doesn't either, that I know of, so I don't hate any of them ether.

 

[dairycreek]

So for the first time in my life I am considering a Taurus.

How do they handle regular use?
Do they have a long service life like a Ruger or Smith?
Warranty?
Well made?
Any other suggestions maybe a Rossi (gasp)?!/QUOTE]

Based on purely personal experience with a half dozen Taurus revolvers I am NOT a Taurus fan. My experience has been that - if you get a good one - then they perform adequately. If there is something wrong with them then getting them repaired is a real PITA as Taurus customer service is just terrible to deal with. While their warranty is lifetime it takes a heap of patience and perseverance to get something done.

Quality control with Taurus has been (in my personal experience) a real unpredictable thing. Exactly half of the NIB Taurus revolvers I purchased were defective and had to be sent back to the factory. My experiences with their customer service were extremely disappointing.

Won't buy another one as life is just too doggone short for the frustration.

 

[JR47]

Sounds like a Kimber. There must be one heck of a lot of Taurus guns bought and sold every year. Otherwise, how would so many people have so much trouble, yet they still continue to sell so many?

Based on purely personal experience with a half dozen Taurus revolvers I am NOT a Taurus fan.

That seems to be the latest line. Same buyer, and multiple guns that have been a problem. I would NEVER buy six, or more, of the same brand of revolver, when they have been such a problem. It beggars the imagination to do so. Then again, what were the problems? Many appear to have been the result of buying obviously defective pieces, and then complaining about that fact.

 

[MCgunner]

Personally, I won't buy a Smith. Just too much and I don't like the lock design on 'em. Taurus is fantastic in my experience. I've been totin' and shootin' my M85UL now for a dozen years. I bought it for carry when I got my CCW when Texas made that a law. I alternate the .38 with my Kel Tec P11 which I tend to carry more, but I won't be without a light .38! I also had a SP101 for a while and while it's a fine gun, it's too heavy for a pocket which is where I prefer to carry. Taurus is IMHO the BEST alternative to Smith and Wesson variety and pricing. They have a large selection and much better prices and the quality is fantastic, the warranty lifetime.

I can't understand how one would buy a gun sight unseen. I check out any revolver I buy, new or used, but especially the used ones. I've never had a REAL problem with any brand in 35 years. I did have a POS RG, but that's another subject, LOL. Oh, I did have a Beretta Minx 22 tip up that wouldn't fire reliably OR feed or eject. Never got that thing working and Beretta is a PITA to deal with. Got rid of it to a dealer at a gun show. That was my one gripe, but I don't condemn Beretta in general for that gun. Others have had good luck with the .22 Berettas. I've owned Ruger, Smith and Wesson, Taurus, Rossi, and others. Currently waiting on Ruger to send me a magazine release spring which broke on my P90, so hell, even the tough as nails Rugers can break. I've split a forcing cone on a Smith K frame and busted a firing pin on a Rossi 971 before. Stuff happens. I don't let that reflect on the brand, it just happened. It's the best argument for carrying back up IMHO.