Taurus 942 snub?

[Elkins45]

My quest continues for a pocket 22LR I like and can shoot well. A shop I visited today had a snubby 9&2 for $359. The action and lockup felt good but I hesitate to spend the money without hearing from someone who owns one. Is the 9&2 worth buying?

 

[ontarget]

We have one. I bought it for my wife because she is quite recoil sensitive and won't train as much as I think she should.
So I figured a very low recoiling revolver would maybe get her to the range more.
Well, it didn't.
Nothing wrong with the gun though, it's been reliable. Don't even expect anything like a light trigger pull from it, and you won't be disappointed.
Other than the heavy (but smooth...ish) trigger I have no issues with ours.
Actually, it's a pretty heavy gun overall. I should have bought it in an ultra lite version.

 

[Tallball]

I owned one. The DA trigger was stiff. Other than that it was fine. It's just their small-frame revolver that they've been manufacturing since 1984, except in 22lr. Taurus has been making these for ages and does an okay job.

 

[maxxhavoc]

The 942's are good reliable little guns. I was hesitant to get one after my experience with an older model 94. Happily, the 94 is not even in the same league with the 942.

 

[Styx]

I picked up a 3" 942 at a LGS for $350 + tax during the gun and ammo shortage at the hight of the pandemic about 3+ years ago. I the trigger felt like a typical revolver DA trigger. Not under 10lb but not too heavy. It's a rim fire after all, and I reckon too light of a trigger is will induce more failures to fire. Nothing wrong with it and no other problems. Only put about 200 rounds or maybe a little less through it.

Took these years ago when I first purchased it.

 

[12Bravo20]

I have a 2" 942 and haven't had any issues with it. As with most DA/SA rimfire rifles, the DA trigger pull is heavier.

 

[JTHunter]

ontarget - is it possible your wife is "flinching" in anticipation of the shot, regardless of the caliber? Maybe it's her ears and not her hands & arms that are the problem.

 

[jstert]

i had the previous taurus 94 22lr revolver. both double- and single-action trigger pulls were atrociously stout. what feels just acceptable standing at the gun shop counter feels 50 times worse after 50 range rounds. i was happy to get rid of my 94. after some expense and trouble i conclude that 22lr handguns are best had in semiauto pistol or single-action revolver models by ruger.

 

[TTv2]

It was on my list, but Taurus took so damn long to ramp up production that a few months ago I ended up going with the LCRx instead.

Is the LCRx more worth the money? Idk, I don't think the .22 LCR's are worth the $500 that Ruger wants for them, but the sights are better than the Taurus, the trigger is probably better, and it's certainly lighter.

The Taurus is IMO worth the 300 or so and for trigger snobs (I have no complaints about my LCR's DA pull, you fellas need to learn to shoot) I figure if nothing less than a S&W Masterpiece is good to you, then spend as little as possible, all the DA rimfire revolvers are going to feel the same to you.

 

[Styx]

It was on my list, but Taurus took so damn long to ramp up production that a few months ago I ended up going with the LCRx instead.

Is the LCRx more worth the money? Idk, I don't think the .22 LCR's are worth the $500 that Ruger wants for them, but the sights are better than the Taurus, the trigger is probably better, and it's certainly lighter.

The 942 has been available and on the market for a few years now. I'm surprised you couldn't find one unless you were only looking locally?


Aside: Taurus and several other sources list the DA trigger weight at 12lb. American Rifleman even did a review where they weighed the trigger, and they also got 12lb. I didn't weigh mine, but that's right around what mine FEELS like. Most modern S&W and Ruger revolvers have a similar DA pull weight +/-, so again, that's why nothing stood out to me personally.

The trigger was smooth and clean a with double-action trigger pull that was just over 12 lbs. and a single-action pull of 4 lbs., 13 ozs. The trigger stroke is similar to that of the Model 856, making the 942 a suitable understudy for those centerfire snub-gun fans who want to work on their trigger control with less expensive ammunition. The revolver ran flawlessly throughout the testing process without any mechanical- or ammunition-related malfunctions.

An Official Journal Of The NRA | Review: Taurus 942 Revolver

Last year, Taurus USA replaced the Model 94 rimfire revolver series with the sub-nose Model 942 double- and single-action revolver line chambered in either .22 LR or .22 Mag.

www.americanrifleman.org

 

[lincen]

I have two of the 3” barrel 942’s, one is an Ultra-lite. For the money I don’t think you could get a better 22lr revolver. Sure there are better ones at twice the price. My Smiths and lone Colt 22 see little range time but the Taurus and Rugers do.

 

[12Bravo20]

Aside: Taurus and several other sources list the DA trigger weight at 12lb. American Rifleman even did a review where they weighed the trigger, and they also got 12lb. I didn't weigh mine, but that's right around what mine FEELS like. Most modern S&W and Ruger revolvers have a similar DA pull weight +/-, so again, that's why nothing stood out to me personally.

This just "nature of the beast" when it comes to rimfire revolvers. Yes some are better than others. Rimfire primers are harder to setoff versus centerfire primers. Every brand of rimfire revolver in stock configuration I have shot have had a heavy DA trigger pull.

 

[TTv2]

The 942 has been available and on the market for a few years now. I'm surprised you couldn't find one unless you were only looking locally?


Aside: Taurus and several other sources list the DA trigger weight at 12lb. American Rifleman even did a review where they weighed the trigger, and they also got 12lb. I didn't weigh mine, but that's right around what mine FEELS like. Most modern S&W and Ruger revolvers have a similar DA pull weight +/-, so again, that's why nothing stood out to me personally.

I had the UPC's for several of the 942's in my search history and would check every day from 2021 to a few months ago, that which I did find was price gouged due to low supply with prices OVER the MSRP. Not acceptable and it is still happening with several 942 models.

 

[Styx]

I had the UPC's for several of the 942's in my search history and would check every day from 2021 to a few months ago, that which I did find was price gouged due to low supply with prices OVER the MSRP. Not acceptable and it is still happening with several 942 models.

Last I checked a few months back, I seen some available on Gun.Deals, but you're right. They seem in short supply now.

 

[maxxhavoc]

i had the previous taurus 94 22lr revolver. both double- and single-action trigger pulls were atrociously stout. what feels just acceptable standing at the gun shop counter feels 50 times worse after 50 range rounds. i was happy to get rid of my 94. after some expense and trouble i conclude that 22lr handguns are best had in semiauto pistol or single-action revolver models by ruger.

Glad to say the 94 and 942 are NOTHING alike. The 94 had a horrible trigger pull. The 942 is worth looking at. No need to settle for a single action.

 

[tubeshooter]

I really want to give a 3" version of one of these a try. I think there is room for an affordable .22 DA revolver in the market. Or at least that's impression I generally get...


For me it would be this or a new Colt .22, which would cost 3x as much even if I found one. I have been seeing the Taurus guns popping up more often now. I feel like ~$350 would be a fair deal.