Taurus Model 651SS .357Magnum

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Gunmeister

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Feb 15, 2004
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I'm the fortunate owner of 17 different handguns, Smiths, Glocks, Kahrs and now one Taurus.
I was browsing in our local gun emporium when I thought I saw a matte stainless S&W 649 on the shelf right next to a $300.00 price tag. Wrong, it was it's clone, a Taurus 651SS. The resemblance is amazing. The grips are a little different, the 649 has a barrel 1/8" longer than the 651 and the Taurus is 2oz heavier.
There was a time when the mere mention of the name Taurus when talking handguns would curl the upper lip and produce a look of pain on most gun owner's faces. I'm here before you today to tell you, "Them days are gone forever". I never thought the day would come that I would say that Taurus puts out some really decent quality revos, don't know much about their semi-autos but for the price, their revos are really nice. Today, I bought one. :)
I purchased a Taurus model 651 Protector .357Magnum, matte stainless steel with a shrouded hammer, just like the S&W649. The Taurus has an MSRP of $430.00 (I paid $300 + 6.5% tax). The S&W 649 has an MSRP of $629.00 and I have no idea what you could actually buy one for but I can't see $200 bucks worth of difference. At age 68, this Taurus will outlast me. The fit and finish of the Taurus is outstanding, it's very accurate for a 2"bbl snubby and when stoked with .357Magnum Cor-Bon 125gr she kicks like the proverbial mule (I still like that, just like a woman, a gun's supposed to let you know when she goes off) :evil: . I fired well over 200 rounds of .357 and .38spl with nary a hiccup. At 25oz it's just a tad heavy for a pocket pistol, which really doesn't seem like much to me after carrying many, many pistols and revos ( some a lot heavier than 25oz) for over 40 years. It slides right into my relaxed fit Levi pocket and draws as fast as you can pull a handful of revo out of your pocket, no snags or hangups of any kind. :D
I'm here to tell you that at $300 this is a lot of budget priced pistol and is one that is worthy of consideration for those who are budget challenged and for those who are not. Really a nice piece. Gotta get an Uncle Mike's pocket holster tomorrow and she's good to go.:cool:
 
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It's nice to see someone say something good about Taurus revolvers. I purchased my Model 82 after looking at new and used Smith & Wessons. New Taurus revolvers are very nice guns.
 
Agree! I own 3 Taurus revolvers (617T, 85UL, 905SSCH) and all have been fine guns. I won't say they're as nice as my S&W's, but they are well worth the price paid. Guess you can always get a lemon from any manufacturer.
 
Agreed.

I have six Taurus handguns (3 semi's and 3 revo's) and never a problem with any of them.

The 617SSCH and the 651B, which I have, are both well made, very reliable, and very concealable. Could not be happier.

Jim
 
You're preaching to the choir here! :D

M85, M617, M608 and last weekend a M851 BUL. I like them all. As far as the snubbies go, the M85 and M851 fit and shoot the best.
 
Congrats GunMeister

I love my 651SS. I find now that I miss the comforting weight in my pocket when it isn't there. 25oz. is very easy to get used to IMO. I just ordered the Rosewood grips for it off of Taurur's website, and am awaiting there arrival. She can buck a little with light bullets, but she is totally controlable. I get 6" groups at 25yds with mine (no rest, DA). I find that for mine 146gr Win Silvertips shoot very close to POA.

Taurus was also very good to me when I needed to get a part replaced on it. They said six weeks, and my gun arrived back at my door six weeks to the day. I was pissed at the time, but that might be because I called every other day for progress reports. It's tough when when of your babies gets sick.
 
I have three Taurus revolvers myself (617S, 94, and 66S) and they serve me well. The DA trigger on each is quite heavy, but I have had no problems with any of them. Congratulations on your purchase - may she serve you well.
 
I'm on that band wagon, I've had a few different Tauri, currently just a 651...no flies on it.

I'll probably sell it to finance a Smith (yes, I'm a gun snob), but to my eye, the beauty of the Taurus is that I can buy them used for $200, use them to figure out what bbl lenghts and cals that I like, and then I can still sell them for the same $200...it's like renting guns for the cost of feeding them!

Because of my time with the 651, I'll definately be keeping an open eye for a 649 Smith "Bodyguard".

Anybody want to talk me out of my LNIB 651?
 
If you are going to buy an Uncle Mikes pocket holster let me recommend the size 4. Uncle Mikes lists the size 3 for 2in snubs, but the size 4 actually fits the revolver a little better & should provide more protection from moisture (less exposed metal). I picked one up for my new 642 after comparing the two with the revolver, & in my opinion the size 4 is a much better fit. It is listed as being for small 9mm & 40 caliber autos, but it is cut exactly the same as the size 3, just slightly bigger.
 
I own 6 Taurus wheel guns. I have had NO problems with any of them whatsoever.

I am hoping Taurus will do a 9mm version with the 651's zero profile hammer. If they make one of those I will be first in line to buy it.

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The wife and I both carry 650's, mainly because the 651 wasn't out yet when I bought them. Thousands of rounds thru them and not a problem one. I would get myself a 651, but I'm kinda waiting to see what happens with that new I frame 9mm.
 
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