Taurus is now offering a 9mm snub!!!

[chaim]

Very cool. I was looking at the revolver page on the New Products section of the Taurus website and I see they are bringing out a 9mm snub in a number of variations (well, blued carbon steel, stainless, either in the "concealed hammer" model which is more a bobbed DA only hammer, and an aluminum alloy UL model in blue or stainless finish).

Here is the revolver page.

They don't yet have the weight on the site but I would guess it would be about the same as the .38spl 85 and it would probably be less than the .357mag 605.

I'm excited.

I've been interested in a 9mm snub since I decided my 605 was too heavy for .38 and +P use only and too light for defensive use of .357mag. I'd guess in a snub 9mm would feel similiar to shooting a hot .38spl or mild +P. I think 9mm loses less velocity out of a short barrel so it should offer similar power to .357mag in a snub and certainly should beat out .38 and +P (especially since almost all 9mm loadings beat out .38 and even +P out of longer barrels, and top 9mm loads are close to .357mag levels in longer barrels). Also, I just love the 9mm chambering- it is very versatile with the cheapest available centerfire pistol practice ammo, very good defensive ammo and powerful +Ps all available.

The only problem is that no one made them anymore and 9mm snubs were both rare and relatively expensive. Well, with this Taurus introduction that may be remedied. Anyone else think that maybe Taurus was watching internet sites like THR and TFL?

Sticker prices (MSRP) are $383 for blued carbon steel (regular or "concealed hammer"), $430 stainless (regular or "concealed hammer"), $414 blued ultra-light (aluminum, regular hammer only), and $461 for the stainless ultra-light. That means in some areas these should start at around $300 and in most areas $350 or less.

I wouldn't be surprised to see it come out in the titanium before too long.

 

[charleym3]

Yeah but it's only a 5 shot. Worthless for IDPA. Dummies

 

[Alex]

I shoot IDPA and it sure wouldn't bother me to have one of these for the backup catagory and I might just be more inclined to compeat with it in the main catagories as well. After all IDPA was designed to be a practical sport where people competed with what they carried, really how many out there strap on an N frame 45 acp to go to the local grocery store for a loaf of bread and a gallon of milk. The simple fact that this is the most popular configuration for the revolver catagory means that there is more sportsmanship occuring in IDPA than was originally intended. And IDPA aside it still is one of the more practical snub nose configurations in existance, far better than a 38 special that I carry almost constantly. Sign me up for the first hammerless one I come across.

 

[firestar]

This may be the only gun that might bring me back to Taurus. Until now I was not interested in anything they had to offer. How is there QC on new models? I had a PT-22 and it was junk and a friend of mine had a Taurus .357 (S&W 586 look-a-like) and it was crap also.

 

[chaim]

How is there QC on new models?

Stay away from the titanium models and their revolvers are usually good (and the 905 isn't announced in titanium as of yet). I've had two and both were just fine. The 605 (another J-frame equivelent) was great, except as much as I love .357mag I don't like it in a small framed snub.

Actually, most of their autos are pretty good too so long as you stick with the metal framed ones (the jury is still out as to whether or not the polymer problems have been fixed).

 

[BlueHeelerFl]

I also like the idea on a 9MM revolver.

On www.sixgunner.com , there used to be an article by Paco Kelly showing velocity comparisons of 9MM and .38/.357's in Ruger SP101's and Blackhawk convertibles.

The 9MM ammo was very close to the performace of .357 ammo.
Since 9MM ammo is so short, the bulet has to travel though remaining length of the cylinder.

This extra distance allows the gunpower to burn more efficiently, and acts like an extension to the barrel.

In the SP101 the 9MM was almost as fast as .357 ammo, but with less recoil and muzzel flash.

A 9MM snub revolver with Federal EFMJ or Corbon Power ball ammo would make a great CCW choice. The ammo is almost guarranted to expand, and the short 9MM case with moonclips would allow for faster reloads than .357 lenght cases.

Chris Nemeth

 

[Mark IV Series 80]

Taurus is now offering a 9mm snub!!!

Only one problem: It's a Taurus!

I would look around for a S&W 940 or a Ruger SP101 in 9mm.

 

[Erich]

I won't be getting rid of my 940, but if Taurus can put out an alloy-framed 9x19 revo . . . I believe we'll be doing business for the first time since '86.

 

[chaim]

I just thought about another benefit of the 9mm snub. The ammo in a light .38 or .357 snub adds an awful lot of weight. The much shorter 9mm round, with much less brass to add weight, will probably cut a very noticable amount of weight off the carry weight of the gun (not that I can carry- I hate MD:banghead: ). I already knew I would get this when I saw it- now I just want it more.

 

[Felonious Monk]

I WANT to be happy with Taurus products, and thus far haven't owned one...

They have, in the last couple of years, produced a very well thought-out line of SD handguns. From all I've read, it would seem that when they get it *right*, their offerings are as good as any mass-produced handgun company's.

I LOVE the idea of a 9mm revolver. Cheap practice, effective ballistics for SD, AND a shared platform with my semis.

The only thing I'm not sure about is this "star clip, moon clip" thing...how much of a PITA are these things? Guess I need to rent/borrow a 9mm revo and find out.

Thanks, Chaim, for bringing this info to THR!

Regards,
FM

 

[Kahr carrier]

I wonder if Taurus is going to submit it to the Cal Doj for testing?? For the Approved list??

 

[Prodigalshooter]

I would jump on one if they offered the options of;
A) No porting
B)3" barrel
C)6-shot
D)NO PORTING



did I mention, no porting?

They make pretty solid revolvers, I had a very solid Tracker (.357), but just didn't care for the ports, gave it to my son.
I'd buy even a 5 shot snub w/o porting.

 

[Lightsped]

I too may be interested in picking up a 9mm snubbie soon. I have been very satisfied with both my Titanium Model 85, and my Stainless Model 85. No problems whatsoever.

 

[Glockorama]

Yeah, what the heck is it with taurus and porting?? These guys port EVERYTHING!! I do not like porting and it has kept me from buying several guns in the past. I think it should be an OPTION, not standard. I just don't get it. Are they even available without porting?

Taurus is an odd company.

 

[Erich]

They're supposedly available w/o porting, but it's hard to find a distributor who has their unported revos.

Felonious (Sphere? ) Monk, the moon clips are not bad, and they do make reloads a snap (once you figure them out). I have not had them bend on me, although I see a lot of worry online about that happening (as well as a few folks who report they've had such a problem). I got a pile of moon clips for my 940 from Brownell's and then some from Ranch Products in Melinta, OH (they were essentially indistinguishable from the S&W factory clips), and I also bought a moon clip stripper tool (think "hollow-handled, screwdriver-looking thing") from Brownell's. That last was a lifesaver: to remove the casings from the clips, one just slides the cylindrical shaft of the demooner over the case, and rotates the wrist. I can unload ten moon clips in a minute, easy. Loading them takes a little more time, but it's something you can do at your leisure before you get to the range (if you want); I generally load up a 100-round box worth before heading out to the range with the 940. When carrying the 940, I keep two loaded backup moon clips in a prescription medicine bottle in my offhand front (thanks again to whoever it was who gave me this tip!) - as I said, I've never had a problem with one bending.

 

[Felonious Monk]

Taurus is an odd company.

Forjas Taurus is a Brazilian company, trying to address the American market. It's kinda like Ford building cars for the Japanese market...doesn't really translate very well. They do "some" business, but they're always playing catch-up.

Kel-Tec builds ingeniously designed, marginally finished guns for a specific niche market (CCW), and supports them above and beyond most peoples' WILDEST expectations. As a result, they have a large and growing customer base, many of whom are almost "cult-like" in their loyalty. Me included.

Taurus builds interesting guns. Neat looking, they turn heads and people go "Hmmmm....I'm gonna check those out further".
So most of us like the seemingly neat designs.

But, dear Taurus: slipshod QC WILL NOT PLAY to the American market, ESPECIALLY when coupled with the "manana, manana" mindset for turnaround time to correct issues/problems/malfunctions. :banghead:

When/if they get these issues addressed, they could be even more of a major force in the CCW/SD handgun market.

 

[Handy]

Yeah, slipshod QC really offends American gun buyers! That's why Colt is still in business.


What?

 

[chaim]

The only thing I'm not sure about is this "star clip, moon clip" thing...how much of a PITA are these things? Guess I need to rent/borrow a 9mm revo and find out.

I hear they make reloading quick and easy. Much faster than a speedloader.

Thanks, Chaim, for bringing this info to THR!

No problem. I'm excited about it and figured others may be interested too.

Loading them takes a little more time, but it's something you can do at your leisure before you get to the range (if you want);

Erich,

Sounds like a great suggestion. Unfortunately, it could mean jail time here in MD. It is illegal to have a loaded gun in your car in MD and loaded speedloaders, mags, or moon clips is consdered a loaded gun in MD.

 

[Baron Holbach]

I have never owned a Taurus firearm and refrained from buying any due to the quality control issue. I would favor a NONPORTED, six-shot medium/large framed 9mm revolver with a barrel length of 4 inches.

 

[Sven]

Link didn't work for me... site down? Maybe a Brazilian ISP?

 

[10-Ring]

I've been waiting for the Tauri in 45 acp from last year...I wonder if these will just be more guns they won't import to CA

 

[Ala Dan]

Sounds like another diaster waiting to happen! Maybe
Tauri owner's haven't been using the "limited lifetime
warranty", that is offered with their other handgun's?

If I were in the market for a 9m/m caliber revolver;
I think I would seek out a LNIB Smith & Wesson
model 547.


Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[Mike Irwin]

IDPA, quite frankly, needs to get just a little more realistic with its rules and recognize that one HELL of a lot of people carry 5-shot revolvers.

Judging by the rules changes I've been seeing over the last couple of years, though, the morons running it seem wholly intent on turning it into just another semi-auto in favor of the .45 ACP shooting game.

 

[Dave R]

If they offered it in a 3" barrel, I'd be pretty interested. 'Course, they have about 80 revolver varieties, so a 3" 9mm may be one too many.

 

[Coltdriver]

I have a S&W 940 which is a Centennial style j frame in 9mm.

After deciding to purchase a j frame I did my homework and discovered that all of the previously posted benefits apply.

The 9mm in a 2 inch snub has 90 to 95% of the performance of a 357 with none of the unpleasant side effects.

From a purely subjective point of view, a 20 oz 940 shooting non plus p 9mm has a recoil very similar to a 15 oz 38 shooting 158 grain wad cutters. Very manageable.

The 9mm is designed to develop most of its velocity right out of the case and does not benefit from a longer barrel like the 38's and 357's do.

Because of the weight my 940 rides on a belted holster when I carry it.

Quick, concealable and cheap ammo. Who needs an automatic