Taurus Model 85: Comments? Opinions?

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Dr_B

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I recently picked up this used Taurus model 85. The serial number dates it to 1994. I'm thinking it will make a nice anytime/pocket/summer carry gun. I have had airweights, Rugers, and Colts (which I like the best), but this is my first Taurus. Any comments or opinions on this particular revolver?

Taurusmodel852.jpg
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Taurus builds solid, dependable firearms ...

As a dealer for 30+ years I sold lots of Taurus 85's ... The first ones did not come up to my expectations and I had a few complaints about accuracy, even close-up accuracy.
That is not the case today. I own several Taurus Revolvers and 1911-style pistols. They are worth every penny and a good bargain in today's economy.
Matter of fact, I am currently looking for a Model 85 in 4" for a friend who "can't hit the inside of a barn" with his 2" Colt Cobra.
 
Nice looking snubbie. I have a Model 85 ultralight stainless and it has been my car gunbox gun for a few years. I have fired it numerous times and it has worked ok, with a light, smooth action. I have a CT lasergrip on it and it is comfortable to shoot. I don't have any complaints about it. I am probably going to trade it on something else, because of a bad customer service experience with a different Taurus gun.
 
I have an 85 LW that's about 6 years old. I would have passed, but the deal that was offered was too good to turn down. The sideplate has never been poped off - because it didn't need to be. After dry firing around 800 -1200 times the double-action trigger pull smoothed out fine, and the single-action was good from git-go. It is one of the few revolvers that I can pull from a pocket and not snag on the hammer spur.

Much the same can be said about my model 445 .44 Special snubby.

Others report having problems, but I'm not one of them.
 
I have had good luck with at least Ten Taurus Revolvers. I have a 617, 627, and a 605 at the present time and they are excellent.
 
I have a ~ '90- '91 production 85CH. Identical to the one in your photo.

It's been a good little gun although I've probably fired fewer than 1000 rounds through it.

The factory grip panels were never a quite perfect fit to the frame and one of them squirms just a fraction when firing.

I've owned/own several .38 Colt D frames & Smith J frames. I'd rate the Taurus third place in comparison (trigger, fit, finish) , but I've been satisfied well enough to keep it all these years.
 
A might heavy (I carry an ultralite), but the steel gun is pocketable, I've done it. Hammerless is snag free, of course. Mine has a superb trigger and is quite accurate. I've had it since 96, not sure how many rounds I put through it, but in the 4 digit range. I've been shooting it quite a bit, lately. :D
 
When I first tried the trigger on this revolver, it sounded like sand was in the innards. But the entire gun was also very clean and looked like it had been fired very little. A couple of drops of oil around the hammer stopped the grinding. The trigger is smooth now and reminds me of the SP101 I used to have. My guess is this model 85 was someone's sock drawer gun and never really was used.
 
I have a mod. 85UL w/G.P. & compesator. It has only been fired 2 or 3 times. I picked it up for a good price & it was so nice with the rosewood grips, I just could not help myself! It sits put up, I probably will keep it. But it is the only Taurus gun I will own as I will never deal with Taurus or their products again! They cost me over $500 as had bought 2 of their other pistols NIB nether pistol worked and after many trips back to Taurus and beening lied to by C.S. I WILL NEVER BUY OR TRY TO OWN ONE! Just one old shooters opinion. I hope that you never have any problems with it. If you do, well it then my friend you will have problems! :banghead:Good luck, have fun, stay safe.
 
Have a older 85CH that is not +P qualified.

Got around that issue by using Federal 125gr.Nyclad round nosed lead hollowpoint in standard pressure.

Hornady's FTX ammo has a 110gr. standard pressure round as well.

Buffalo Bore has 2 standard pressure rounds.

One of those is a 158gr.LSWCHP standard load that has the +P type velocity with out the +P high pressures.

The 85 has been the bread and butter gun of Taurus for many decades and an excellent one at that.
 
I've got an 85 and an 850 (concealed hammer) and both are completely reliable.

Regarding the grit. I highly recommend using an entire can of action cleaner/degreaser to hose out the innards. There is probably still bits of metal left over from its original machining inside the action.
 
I like my M85 so much I'm thinking of picking up the 6 shot version of it.

About 1000 rounds through mine, mix of standard and + P and no problems whatsoever.
 
I had one with the bobbed hammer, a few years ago. I didn't shoot it a lot, but it worked when I did. I eventually traded it off for something else. I should have kept it, because I later on decided I needed a "snubbie" so I had to go out and buy another one. I didn't get another Taurus, but only because I found something else first.
 
I carried a 85 SS for 20 years . It to was an early non-+P model but it has the lightest, smoothest trigger of any revolver i have tried. Still looks very good today and has been used by several friend for there CC class's.
 
I have 4 Taurus revolvers one is mod 85 ul, my wifes gun she shoots my reloads and a lot of them. In the three years of shooting this gun we have had no problems. I like Taurus revolvers bot will not ever buy another Taurus auto, had two both no good. the only reason I had two was because I didn't learn the first time.
 
My wife has carried a Model 85 (had a smith bob the hammer) for, what, almost 20 years. She shoots it at least monthly, so they are well made, and if cared for like any handgun, durable firearms.

It didn't an action as smooth as, say as S&W when new, but today it's silky smooth. I'd hate to even guess how many rounds have gone thru it. It's never fired an +p stuff as my wife doesn't like the muzzle flash and recoil. Besides, a standard pressure quality hollowpoint works just fine "IF" you put them where they should go.
 
jeepnik If your wifes 85 is as old as you say its not a +P rated anyhow. Man they sure can have a smooth trigger. Add a wolfr spring and not many handguns can compareMine is 4 1/2lb DA and 2lb SA with wolf springs and firers everthing . Not a CC any more with that spring in it but good as a teaching gun.
 
hardluk1 said:
jeepnik If your wifes 85 is as old as you say its not a +P rated anyhow. Man they sure can have a smooth trigger. Add a wolfr spring and not many handguns can compareMine is 4 1/2lb DA and 2lb SA with wolf springs and firers everthing . Not a CC any more with that spring in it but good as a teaching gun.
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Yea, I'm aware it isn't rated for +p stuff. I guess what I meant was that she doesn't like +p stuff in other handguns, so it's no big deal. When the lasers that attached to the trigger guard came out she had to have one. One of the range masters nicknamed her "Ramboina". It's sorta stuck, but she's good natured about it.
 
My experience mirrors most posted here. I have one maufactured (probably) in 1990 and it has worked fine.


It's a regular blue steel one with the hammer.
 
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