Pondering a Taurus 692
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TTv2
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The 6.5 inch stainless is at the very top of my list, but hard to find. Do not get the black oxide finish, it is the ugliest thing I've seen and I don't understand why Taurus doesn't do a cerakote instead.
So the only question you have to ask yourself is do you want porting or not? At that barrel length, I'd opt for no porting and get the 2.5 inch.
So the only question you have to ask yourself is do you want porting or not? At that barrel length, I'd opt for no porting and get the 2.5 inch.
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Styx
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I'm not sure about how I feel about the porting. I'm kind of indifferent about it at the moment. I'll have to search for some firsthand reviews from those who own one that's ported.
I agree with you about the black finish. I'd opt for the stainless, and then would probably put a S&W styls brushed finish on it.
Do know know what S&W frame size these are similar to? Will they fit an L-frame holster?
TTv2
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The Tracker is considered the large frame for Taurus and I believe these are the same frames their 5 shot .44 Magnum is made on, so figure it's roughly a S&W 69 Combat Magnum size, which I believe is an L frame.
CajunBass
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I don't know about that specific model, but I've always gotten good products from Taurus. I had a Tracker 44 not too long ago that I only got rid of because the opportunity for a Model 29 came along, but the Tracker was a really nice gun. Even had a really nice blue finish. I don't think they offer that anymore though. It was ported and I didn't see much, if any difference, but I only shot 44 Specials in it, same as I do my Model 29. I didn't carry it in a holster, but it did fit in one I've got for a K-frame Smith and Wesson.
Today I've got two of their 327's, a 2" and a 3" TORO model. They both have the ugly black finish, but I didn't care about the finish, and I didn't see any SS ones to choose from. The black seems durable. It does sort of come off at first, but it seems to wear well in a leather holster. I Ren Waxed the black finish which seemed to take off the "loose" stuff and they look a little better than they did at first. I've got 6? 700 rounds through the two of them and they shoot fine. Triggers are as good as any J-frame I've shot. That 44 Tracker had a pretty good trigger too.
Today I've got two of their 327's, a 2" and a 3" TORO model. They both have the ugly black finish, but I didn't care about the finish, and I didn't see any SS ones to choose from. The black seems durable. It does sort of come off at first, but it seems to wear well in a leather holster. I Ren Waxed the black finish which seemed to take off the "loose" stuff and they look a little better than they did at first. I've got 6? 700 rounds through the two of them and they shoot fine. Triggers are as good as any J-frame I've shot. That 44 Tracker had a pretty good trigger too.
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Styx
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Too bad they did away withnthe blued finish. That tracker is a pretty good looking gun.I don't know about that specific model, but I've always gotten good products from Taurus. I had a Tracker 44 not too long ago that I only got rid of because the opportunity for a Model 29 came along, but the Tracker was a really nice gun. Even had a really nice blue finish. I don't think they offer that anymore though. It was ported and I didn't see much, if any difference, but I only shot 44 Specials in it, same as I do my Model 29. I didn't carry it in a holster, but it did fit in one I've got for a K-frame Smith and Wesson.
Today I've got two of their 327's, a 2" and a 3" TORO model. They both have the ugly black finish, but I didn't care about the finish, and I didn't see any SS ones to choose from. The black seems durable. It does sort of come off at first, but it seems to wear well in a leather holster. I Ren Waxed the black finish which seemed to take off the "loose" stuff and they look a little better than they did at first. I've got 6? 700 rounds through the two of them and they shoot fine. Triggers are as good as any J-frame I've shot. That 44 Tracker had a pretty good trigger too.
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Styx
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Detailed pictures and range report please when you get around to it. I am still weary of Tauruses QC, but these are right up my alley in 2.5" or 3". I'm leaning 2.5.
If you don't mind me asking, how much it set you back?
TTv2
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I haven't had an issue with Taurus yet involving a wheelgun, but the potential is always there. Unless there's a serious finishing issue (which I doubt since these are all sandblasted) no pics, but I will post my thoughts next weekend.
Took the hit at a little under $625 out the door. I had hoped I could get it for $550-575, but the online retailers I'd been keeping an eye on just never got the one I wanted in stock, so I had to go elsewhere.
General Geoff
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My 6.5" 692 fits in a K-frame leather holster.
General Geoff
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I must have really lucked out, scored mine for $465 off gunbroker back in May of 2020. I was the only bidder.
TTv2
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Them days are long gone.
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Styx
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Yup... I'm hoping if the next election goes well, we'll have another 2016-2017 slump in ammo and gun prices.
I've owned several Taurus revolvers over the years. Had good luck with all of them. Even an early 80's model 82 police trade in I picked up for about 100 bucks a couple of years ago. Most of them got sold of about 10 years ago when I had to sell most of my collection. The only one I really miss is a 4 inch model 455. One of the most accurate revolvers I've ever owned. If I ever come across one in good shape I'd pick it up in a minute.
Geldarr
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TTv2
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If you want a short barrel that has even lower velocities due to the porting, sure. I got the long barrel, but if they had made a non prted 3 inch Executive, I would have paused to consider it.
Buckeye63
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TTv2
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@Styx wanted a report and I'm sure everyone else would like to hear how things went. I put about 100 rds of 9 and 50 of .38/.357 thru it today.
First, I started with 9 without using the moon clips as after my troubles with the J frame 905 without using clips I wanted to see if the larger frame had the same problems and it does not; you can shoot the 9mm without clips in the 692 without any problems.
The only issue I had was an occasional light strike with 9mm, but that could have been the ammo (Flinchtester Plight Box) or me not pushing the round into the chamber deep enough. I only shot with the moon clip one cylinder full, no issues, but I'd have to shoot more with the clips and with different ammo to know for sure.
No issues with shooting .38 and these were all handloads of mine. Trail Boss loads felt like shooting .22, standard .38 felt like shooting .32, plus P felt like regular .38, and .357 felt like .327 does. The 692 is the largest, heaviest .357 I've ever owned and shot and the weight plus the porting really cuts down on muzzle flip and felt recoil and reminded me of why I don't care for .327 in L sized or GP100 size frames and it's because the benefits of recoil reduction of the smaller caliber reach a point of diminishing returns.
Biggest challenge I had all day was getting the rear sight dialed in as I had to raise the rear almost to its max as Taurus had the thing cranked all the way down out of box. I was missing so much that I was starting to get mad, but the last adjustment I decided I'd had enough and backed the screw out a ton.
Didn't notice a POA shift between .38 and 9mm, but I also wasn't shooting paper. I'm thinking I'll put this on paper in the next few weeks, but I'd really like to get some 124 and 147 gr 9mm in first to see if it prefers a certain weight for 9mm.
Bottom line: This is the most expensive Taurus I've ever bought, the biggest .357 I've ever owned and the more time I get with it, the better I get. I like it more than the 905 and would recommend the 692 to anyone looking for a high value revolver that's cheap to shoot, but effective. I can't speak to the shorter barrel versions, but I presume they'll be as good as the long barrel.
First, I started with 9 without using the moon clips as after my troubles with the J frame 905 without using clips I wanted to see if the larger frame had the same problems and it does not; you can shoot the 9mm without clips in the 692 without any problems.
The only issue I had was an occasional light strike with 9mm, but that could have been the ammo (Flinchtester Plight Box) or me not pushing the round into the chamber deep enough. I only shot with the moon clip one cylinder full, no issues, but I'd have to shoot more with the clips and with different ammo to know for sure.
No issues with shooting .38 and these were all handloads of mine. Trail Boss loads felt like shooting .22, standard .38 felt like shooting .32, plus P felt like regular .38, and .357 felt like .327 does. The 692 is the largest, heaviest .357 I've ever owned and shot and the weight plus the porting really cuts down on muzzle flip and felt recoil and reminded me of why I don't care for .327 in L sized or GP100 size frames and it's because the benefits of recoil reduction of the smaller caliber reach a point of diminishing returns.
Biggest challenge I had all day was getting the rear sight dialed in as I had to raise the rear almost to its max as Taurus had the thing cranked all the way down out of box. I was missing so much that I was starting to get mad, but the last adjustment I decided I'd had enough and backed the screw out a ton.
Didn't notice a POA shift between .38 and 9mm, but I also wasn't shooting paper. I'm thinking I'll put this on paper in the next few weeks, but I'd really like to get some 124 and 147 gr 9mm in first to see if it prefers a certain weight for 9mm.
Bottom line: This is the most expensive Taurus I've ever bought, the biggest .357 I've ever owned and the more time I get with it, the better I get. I like it more than the 905 and would recommend the 692 to anyone looking for a high value revolver that's cheap to shoot, but effective. I can't speak to the shorter barrel versions, but I presume they'll be as good as the long barrel.
