Rob96
Member
Good morning all, I am interested in the Taurus Model 66 but am wondering about their quality, reliability and durability. Can anyone offer up their opinions on the current revolvers from Taurus.
Taurus Model 66
- Thread starter Rob96
- Start date
TTv2
Member
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2016
- Messages
- 4,990
I don't have the 66, I recently got the 327 snub and it's flawless. Taurus quality has picked up a lot over the years, but I would suggest getting the stainless models as the black ones are not blued, they're black oxide. They look fine in pictures, but in person they are rough to look at.
That aside, the Taurus revolvers are the best bang for the buck these days and about the only double action revolvers I buy now.
That aside, the Taurus revolvers are the best bang for the buck these days and about the only double action revolvers I buy now.
CajunBass
Member
I had a seven shot Model 66 some years ago, and it was one of the nicest revolvers I've ever owned. The fit and finish would rival anyone else's BUT that gun had been made in the early 90's I guess. I traded it off for something else, like I've done so many times, you'd think I would learn better. More recently I had a Taurus Tracker 44 mag that also had a beautiful blue job which surprised me. I'd never seen another Tracker with a blue finish, just the matte black that TTv2 mentioned. Best I could find out was that gun had been made in 2015, so again it was somewhat older production.
But overall, I've had good results with Taurus revolvers over the years. I don't know how many I've owned, but it's been a few. I'd check out a new one, just like I would a used one, but if it checked out, I wouldn't hesitate to buy it.
But overall, I've had good results with Taurus revolvers over the years. I don't know how many I've owned, but it's been a few. I'd check out a new one, just like I would a used one, but if it checked out, I wouldn't hesitate to buy it.
I recently got an 856 UL, and it has been good so far. Taking the cylinder down to clean it and go over it was a bit different, there are some tiny little detent balls and springs that can easily get lost taking the side plate off. What I found looking them up was some of the new Taurus revolvers can have an issue with the cylinder binding up, mine kind of made a weird noise when I spun it by hand, and spinning clockwise it would catch and stop sometimes. Looking at how it is assembled, the spring must catch at the end when spinning it clockwise, but there isn't a need to do that, as the cylinder turns counter clockwise with the action. I cleaned it up, and checked it over, timing spot on, cylinder alignment spot on, free spinning cylinder. It is a simple little revolver, fixed sights, that have a night sight built in, and I was impressed the purchase came with two grip options in the box.
I got the Taurus, becuase I wanted a 3" barrel ultralight to try it and not sure if I would really like that size and weight, 17 oz. It was too good of a price not to try one.
I got the Taurus, becuase I wanted a 3" barrel ultralight to try it and not sure if I would really like that size and weight, 17 oz. It was too good of a price not to try one.
chaim
Member
It seems that Taurus revolvers have had their strong years and weak years over the last couple decades, so if you are looking at used, be sure of the year of production. From the early 90s to around 2010, I think Taurus made some nice revolvers. About 10 years ago, they had a few years where they had serious issues with cylinder binding. The last 5 or 6 years, they've really been on the upswing and are making some nice revolvers again. I have an 856UL that is about 5 years old now and its had no trouble. I bought a 3" 856 Defender a couple months ago and I love it, I'm carrying it more than my two SIG P365s at this point. Their QC isn't as good as Ruger and S&W traditionally have been, so you may be a little more likely to have issues, so do look it over carefully and check lockup before buying if you can. If you get a bad one, they have a lifetime warranty, and they are enough cheaper than Smith, Colt and even Ruger, that you can usually buy two for the price of one. While a little more risky as far as your chances of getting a lemon, you will most likely get a good gun at a terrific price.
Edit (next day):
I almost forgot my bottom line advice...
If you own other guns, get the Taurus. If you get a good one (which is the most likely situation), you'll have a terrific gun at a good price. If you get one that needs work, they have a lifetime warranty, they'll eventually make you right (if they can't fix it, they'll eventually replace it).
If this will be an only gun, get something else first. It would be terrible if you are unlucky and get a bad one (which is a little more likely than with Ruger, Smith or Colt) and you are left without a gun for self defense while waiting on Taurus to make it right. If finances make getting something else impossible, well, then get the Taurus. A gun is better than no gun, and Taurus these days is better than most other budget brands. If you are unlucky and get a bad one, they'll fix it, and you aren't any worse off while waiting than if you didn't buy anything if Taurus was the best you can afford.
Edit (next day):
I almost forgot my bottom line advice...
If you own other guns, get the Taurus. If you get a good one (which is the most likely situation), you'll have a terrific gun at a good price. If you get one that needs work, they have a lifetime warranty, they'll eventually make you right (if they can't fix it, they'll eventually replace it).
If this will be an only gun, get something else first. It would be terrible if you are unlucky and get a bad one (which is a little more likely than with Ruger, Smith or Colt) and you are left without a gun for self defense while waiting on Taurus to make it right. If finances make getting something else impossible, well, then get the Taurus. A gun is better than no gun, and Taurus these days is better than most other budget brands. If you are unlucky and get a bad one, they'll fix it, and you aren't any worse off while waiting than if you didn't buy anything if Taurus was the best you can afford.
Last edited:
theotherwaldo
Member
I had possession of a stainless Taurus 66 for about a week before I found its owner and returned the gun and its holster to him.
I never fired it.
I sometimes wonder if I missed something... .
I never fired it.
I sometimes wonder if I missed something... .
snowman357
Member
I gave up on taurus firearms years ago. I had a beretta copy model 99? and a taurus 66 never had a problem with either of them they were older guns purchased very late 80's or early 90's. It seams like those were the golden years for quality taurus guns. I had 2 other taurus guns so bad I got rid of every taurus firearm I owned, if I had a ford taurus I would have gotten rid of that also. I have a model 94 I inherited and the trigger is bad and the barrel is screwed in to far. If you get a good one great if not plan on selling it, to many stories of guns going back for repair more than once. Not much in resale value if thats a factor
Riomouse911
Member
I bought a brand new 1988-vintage M-66 .357 in satin nickel with a 6” barrel and had it for a year or so before I needed to sell it to pay the rent. The gun was great, it shot nicely and was well made.
I currently have two older Taurus rimfires, a 94 .22LR and a 941 .22 WMR. Both are good camp-knock around type guns, but these guns do have stiff “rimfire revolver” trigger pulls that hinder a finer level of potential accuracy.
You should be good with a Taurus 66. Based on my past good luck, I certainly would not hesitate to buy one if I didn’t already have 9 other .357 DA revolvers to choose from.
Stay safe.
I currently have two older Taurus rimfires, a 94 .22LR and a 941 .22 WMR. Both are good camp-knock around type guns, but these guns do have stiff “rimfire revolver” trigger pulls that hinder a finer level of potential accuracy.
You should be good with a Taurus 66. Based on my past good luck, I certainly would not hesitate to buy one if I didn’t already have 9 other .357 DA revolvers to choose from.
Stay safe.
hemiram
Member
A couple of my friends have 66's, and they are totally fine. I nearly bought one myself, but got the bug for a trio of S&W 28-2's instead.
TTv2
Member
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2016
- Messages
- 4,990
It's not 1988 anymore. Taurus made some bad decisions and bad guns and bad customer service in between now and then. That soured a lot of people, but just as much as it's not 1988, it's also not 2006 anymore either.
I wish it was, both by grandparents would still be alive.
I have Taurus handguns made in the 2000s also. Just relating my experience.
TTv2
Member
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2016
- Messages
- 4,990
My point is is that what once was no longer is. We have to judge the present by that which is closest to it, not 30 years in the past.
This is an issue I see most frequently on gun forums. About the only companies that you can take to the bank delivers good quality is Glock, H&K, Magnum Research, and Freedom Arms. Taurus is batting close to 1.000 because they're trying to bat 1.000, the rest are resting on their laurels.
Triggernosis
Member
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2010
- Messages
- 495
Based on my past experiences with two brand-new S&W revolvers, I'd rather have a Taurus revolver any day than a S&W made since the 1980's.
blackd24
Member
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2020
- Messages
- 375
Sample size of 1 and can’t tell you the age but held a used one today in my lgs.. there must have been 1/8 inch of wiggle in the cylinder when the hammer was down. They wanted $399. I think it will sit for a while.
I would not purchase one sight unseen for that reason, but if I handled a new one that had good lock up I would give it a try. About 1/2 of smith and Wesson (I own 2) is worth trying.
I would not purchase one sight unseen for that reason, but if I handled a new one that had good lock up I would give it a try. About 1/2 of smith and Wesson (I own 2) is worth trying.
357smallbore
Member
If ya can get one from the late 80s to very early 90s that's the best time TAURUS made revolvers. I had a 66 from that time period. Flawless, accurate and a deep beautiful blue job.I have a model 92 AF and a model 94 from 89 and 93. Just as reliable and beautiful as the 66 I had.
Rob96
Member
Thanks everyone. Still on the fence.
some random thoughts to add to others here…
the taurus lifetime warranty now only applies to new owners who register the piece with taurus within 30 days of purchase.
the older taurus models are noticeably more crafted and solid. my humble 1985 model 85 is probably my best double-action snubbie revolver.
the only firearm sale that i ever want to undo was of my 2.5” stainless dao taurus 357mag. i didn’t like its factory-bobbed hammer because i often shoot single-action revolvers. a week after selling it i realized that i was stupid.
the newer model’s black oxide finish is unpleasant to the eye and touch. not bad, just yucky.
the taurus lifetime warranty now only applies to new owners who register the piece with taurus within 30 days of purchase.
the older taurus models are noticeably more crafted and solid. my humble 1985 model 85 is probably my best double-action snubbie revolver.
the only firearm sale that i ever want to undo was of my 2.5” stainless dao taurus 357mag. i didn’t like its factory-bobbed hammer because i often shoot single-action revolvers. a week after selling it i realized that i was stupid.
the newer model’s black oxide finish is unpleasant to the eye and touch. not bad, just yucky.
