TAURUS got me. Broken gun.

[evan price]

I bought a Taurus 327 snub in bi-tone a few years ago from a major online retailer. It's been mostly a safe queen in the box with a very low round count. This weekend I had it out shooting Federal American Eagle 100-gr factory ammo (all it's shot ever) and after shooting one cylinder, when the cylinder was opened the crane and cylinder fell out into the dirt.
Looks like the crane retainer screw sheared off in the sideplate. I put the cylinder back in and made sure it was pressed fully into position, and the cylinder free-spins. I don't know what happened to the cylinder stop, it is stuck down. Maybe a piece of the broken screw is in there.
Going to have to ship this basically brand new gun to Taurus and see how their world-class service holds up.
This gun has had not even one box of ammo through it. This is why I never put any gun into CCW rotation without shooting the heck out of it first.

 

[45_auto]

It's been mostly a safe queen in the box with a very low round count.

This is why I never put any gun into CCW rotation without shooting the heck out of it first.

How many rounds does it take for you to put it into CCW rotation?

 

[BSA1]

evan price,

That stinks.

Although I believe Taurus says it will only pay for shipping for returns to the factory for one year I would still make a telephone call to them about them paying for the shipping or at least allowing you to only pay their rate.

 

[wideym]

Unless things have changed at Taurus, don't bother calling them. You will spend twenty minutes or more on waiting to talk to a customer service rep, only to be told to send it in for repairs.

They will not cover shipping costs to them but will not charge you to ship it back to your front door after repairs.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

That exact same thing happened to a friend of mine. His Judge went back to the shop and a few months later he bought a S&W Governor.

 

[joem1945]

Welcome to the taurus "I got screwed club". That's why I will never buy another taurus POS. 2 down and 2 to go.

 

[JR47]

One, it's ' a few years old". The manufacturer has set guidelines for Warranty work, ALL of them. It's been used over those "few years", as well. Somehow, manufacturers are supposed to have a crystal ball that allows claims such as this to be verified?

Two, I'd be willing to bet that the screw isn't sheared, but missing. There is a plunger, and a spring inside the frame that powers the cylinder stop. With the removal of the screw, and the cylinder open, the crane falls out, freeing the plunger and/or spring. This drops the cylinder stop, and the cylinder spins freely.

It IS possible that the screw sheared at the portion holding it into the frame, but that is certainly a rarity. Usually, this occurs almost immediately, or after a LOT of rounds, and repeated tightening of the screw.

S&W revolvers have similar problems with that screw loosening. My Model 19 did the same thing several times, until I replaced the screw. FYI, S&W charged me for the screw, and would have charged me to ship the gun to them.

I suppose we think that tires on a car never driven but a "few miles" over only a "few years" should be treated as new if a problem arose? Or a stove?

 

[Hookeye]

Must not be enough warnings on the web from all the gunsnobs.

 

[Hookeye]

Maybe one of the screws is in the wrong location (short where long should be)?
Maybe they just used short screws all around and not used the one long they should have.

As for Taurus, I have seen many with problems (shop I worked for sold them).
From metallurgy, machining and assembly issues. Possibly even design.

Across different models, within model (from different suppliers over long time period- not just a "bad run").

Some folks think sending a gun back once or twice is OK, if they save $100 over a "comparable item". Evidently warranty work makes them feel special, gives them something to talk about.

So bad the Taurus fanboys, the quality of the product............even when I worked at the shop, got so friggin' tired of the nonsense I refused to even touch one. Yup, let the other sales guys handle that crap.

They now refuse to even try to debug them. Customers demand they carry that brand, they sell a lot of them (even volume adjusted Taurus has more problems than all others combined)......nope. Got a prob? Send it back.

It's got that great warranty use it. They'll ship it back for the customer......and log it in, give 'em a call if it shows up in 6 months.

Yeah...............you might get the gun back in a couple of weeks, or maybe months..............Taurus Limbo we call it.

Flip a coin............to see if it's fixed when you finally get it back.

Back to the possible screw issue......

Is that a part they make or one they get from a supplier?
If the latter, is the supplier ISO certified?

BTW ISO crap is just a scam, political, does not guarantee any quality.

 

[Drail]

All because Taurus bought the cheapest screws they could find. At the very least Taurus should send you a whole bag of new screws (which will most probably also fail).

 

[Old Fuff]

When the cylinder stop screw/assembly failed (for whatever reason) and the cylinder assembly fell out the cylinder stop spring & plunger probably went too. This would allow the cylinder to free spin.

Find a paper clip and bend one end of it to make it straight. Then use it as a probe inside the screw hole to determine if the screw is broken (the probe won't go far) or completely missing. If the screw is missing (actually it isn't a screw but a cap, spring and plunger), contact Taurus and see if they can send you a replacement and a cylinder stop spring & plunger.

If so, it will take nothing more then a screwdriver to fix your revolver, but when you (or whoever) does this but a drop (and no more) of blue Loc-Tite or clear fingernail polish on the cap and then tighten it down.

If the paperclip/probe reveals that something is stuck in the screw hole then it's more likely the gun will have to be returned for service repairs.

As an alternative source for parts, try Numrich at www.gunpartscorp.com

 

[BobWright]

evan price said:

This gun has had not even one box of ammo through it. This is why I never put any gun into CCW rotation without shooting the heck out of it first.

Please elaborate. Why CCW rotation?


Bob Wright

 

[shootniron]

Sorry for your problem.

Mess with the bull and you stand a VERY GOOD chance of getting the horns.

I have bought the only 2 that I will ever buy...both (revolvers) have been back twice and they are in the safe...not functional...as I type this. I have paid return postage on them my last time...and I will tell everyone that I see what a pile of junk they are.

GUN SNOB...you better believe I am...TAURUS made me one.

 

[BSA1]

What is it about threads about Taurus, (Bears and 22 ammo shortage) bring out off topic rants about their poor quality, how they are pos and how I will never buy another one? Then we have posters who say they have Taurus handguns that don't work but they are keeping them anyway.

I wonder if all of the Taurus bashers are as critical of the poor quality of Smith & Wesson handguns? Google Smith & Wesson air weight cracked frames for example. S&W has turned out a lot of guns of poor quality over the years. Many more than Taurus.

To the O.P. pictures are worh a thousand words. A few pictures will help us understand the problem and offer advice that may save a trip back to the factory.

 

[gamestalker]

I had the opportunity to learn from someone else's bad decision to buy Taurus back in the 80's. But against my better judgement, I have bought quite a few 9mm's and .40's, all but one has been reliable and trouble free. The one that did have a problem was easily rectified with 45 minutes of being on hold, and a free part shipped out to me. All in all, I had the firearm up and running in about 10 days.

Fast forward to my most recent issue, that being a 4" 608. That revolver is a pile of sloppy junk. In my defense, I didn't buy it, one of my sons bought it for me as a gift, other wise, a quick feel and function test and I wouldn't have even considered purchasing it. Because I couldn't see spending the money for shipping and having to run it through an FFL, I just DIY fashion the parts to repair it. It's a bit tighter, and the issue with the firing pin spring has been resolved, but it's no where near the quality that can be had from a decent $500 or $600 "K" frame M66 or M19.

As for me, I'll never buy another Taurus.

GS

 

[evan price]

There is a piece of the screw threaded into the frame. I got it unscrewed with a small cotter pin and a dab of super glue. Maybe I can get taurus to send parts.
Checking my box of ammi, 18 rounds expended, plus the six in saturday. Total rounds fired is 24.
I like to put enough rounds through that I learn its quirks and aim and prove it is durable.
I have a ccw rotation, depending in what mood I am, how I want to conceal, etc. some conceal with a teeshirt, some a sweater. Some nothing more than speedos.
I have some guns that are range toys. Some for hunting. Some primary home defense. Some are for carry.
Reason this wasnt fired much is the first time I shot it was without hearing protection and it felt like someone drove a 16d nail into my eardrum. I wouldn't want to use it for carry and need it. Can't ask a goblin to wait while I put in easrplugs.

 

[Old Dog]

I've had guns from makers such as Colt, Smith & Wesson, Beretta, H&K and Ruger that had parts that broke.

Strangely, I've never been compelled to go on the internet and complain about these guns.

 

[BigBore45]

All my Taurus guns are good. Wanna junk gun get a charter arms.

 

[shootniron]

Then we have posters who say they have Taurus handguns that don't work but they are keeping them anyway.

BSA1...Please tell me what I am to do with my POS Taurus guns...Taurus won't fix them properly. Unlike you, perhaps...I will not sell a non-functioning and problem gun to someone.

I have owned 2 Taurus guns...unfortunately, I bought both of them at the same time...otherwise, I would have never bought but one. At any rate, Taurus has a perfect record with me, neither gun was worth bringing home.

Now, as to the comment about being critical of other brands...WHEN...WHEN...WHEN...I get a bad one from another company, and I pay postage back to them twice on new guns that they REFUSED to pay return postage on, and it comes back to me, unfixed...I will be critical of them, also. And, remember...Taurus did this to me on 2 guns.

Oh yeah, buy all of the great Taurus guns that you want.

Do I bash Taurus...yes, I have PAID for the right to do that.

 

[BSA1]

Please tell me what I am to do with my POS Taurus guns...Taurus won't fix them properly.

I would keep pestering them until they fixed them right.

I posted the below thread about a Taurus M-941 I brought that was totally defective. It threw bullets in patterns at 7 yards. Not only did I call Taurus and got a prepaid shipping level I sent a certified letter to the CEO. They replaced my gun in less than a week.

You don't say if you brought them new but if you did I would have kept returning them on their nickel until they were fixed to my satisfaction in addition to writing to the CEO (I believe it is Anthony Acitelli) about the problem.

I understand your anger about having returned the guns twice and not having them repaired to your satisfaction. However complaining effectively and being persistent (or stubborn if you will) will eventually bring you the desired results. You do have more tolerance and money than I do. I would not own two new guns that do not work properly.

At any rate your rant did not answer the O.P.'s question which he seems to have traced to a missing screw.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=724540&highlight=Taurus+m941

 

[Old Dog]

Yep, I'll say it again ...

I've had guns from makers such as Colt, Smith & Wesson, Beretta, H&K and Ruger that had parts that broke.

Strangely, I've never been compelled to go on the internet and complain about these guns.

Do you guys whine when you get defective appliances (I bought a Whirlpool micro-wave oven that broke -- I didn't go on the internet complaining about it), automobiles that break while still under warranty, or any other consumer product that displays any flaws?

My question is: what message are you trying to get across by complaining about a specific product on the internet? And do you do this with EVERY other manufactured item you purchase that somehow isn't satisfactory? So does this particular manufacturer have a reputation for using screws that break?

Not defending this particular manufacturer, just wondering why people post these complaints on the internet ...

 

[mnrivrat]

My first question is if you ever checked the screws for tightness ? That is important to do periodicaly, unless you start out putting a screw locking material such as mentioned by Old Fuff. If the retaining screw was loose, that would cause the problem. That part is more than a plain screw as mentioned.
It is an assembly containing three parts. A plunger, spring, and a cap screw.
Once your crane fell out the spring and plunger would drop into the pivot shaft hole.
I'm not saying it is the OP's fault, but if people don't check there gun screws for tightness once in awhile it will lead to this sort of failure. Light weight guns are even more subseptable.

 

[JR47]

I've had much worse performance from Colt, S&W, HK, and Sig than with Taurus. BOTH in failures and in repairs. I've never been told of anyone who returned a Taurus, and got it back not repaired that "every gun that leaves here is perfect", like I was when I returned my USP for patterning instead of grouping. The gun came back with a new barrel, minus the o-ring. I called to get an o-ring, and that was what I was told.

My S&W Model 625 BROKE the hand on the first round fired, rendering the gun useless. My P229 cracked it's slide around round number 75. My Colt Series 80 Government Model had an over-sized rear sight dovetail. The rear sight moved with every shot. It took twice for them to actually read what I had sent, and to replace the slide.

My Model 29 S&W shot itself loose inside of 200 full-power rounds. I paid to return it to S&W. Last summer, a shop I frequent returned an order of 12 S&W revolvers because none of them was in time. That shop has since stopped handling S&W revolvers.

Where are the complaints about them? Where are the stories with people traveling from Forum to forum, telling everyone about that failure? You can certainly find them on dedicated sites, under the heading of problems. Yet, even there, they aren't "POS", and the owners are told to "keep sending them back" "and that "they'll fix it".

You needn't be a fan boy to see how insipid such talk is.

 

[antiquus]

I have a S&W that is going back for the 3rd time. Yes, I'm mad.

.327 full bore is as loud as .357 full bore, the bullet speeds are similar. However if you back it down a bit to 1200fps or a little less, you still have an effective round, no noisier than a .38 and recoil is very mild.

 

[Hookeye]

Been into handguns for a couple of decades.
My dad a dealer, his buds all handgunners, some of thick wallet.
Seen a lot of stuff, shot a lot of stuff.
Worked in a decent shop (volume) and sold a lot of stuff.

Prev to that I worked engineering, so know a bit about how stuff is made, and customer service/complaints (real and bogus).

Yup, any manufacturer can slip up.

Taurus does often, and has for a long time.

Buy 'em if you want. Send it back a dozen times. I don't care. I do however dislike folks acting surprised when one has a problem (internet/information age), or others who try to blow smoke up my butt in telling me that it's just a rare occurrence and other companies screw up as much.

BS.