Taurus revolvers???

[CZ223]

I used to be a big fan of revolvers, mostly S&W. I sold off all of my revolvers and it now seems that I may need to buy another one or two. The reasons are that my wife is getting her CWP once again. She used to like her model 36. The other reason is that I am going to become an NRA basic pistol instructor. In order to teach that course, I will need at least one DA revolver. I was just looking over at Gunbroker and it seems that most of the smiths are currently a little too pricey. I have always thought that the small frame Taurus revolvers were pretty good but never got around to owning one. I recently handled one at a local gunstore that felt like it had a handful of sand in it. Most are not like this.What do those of you that own them have to say.

I am particularly interested in their model 856, 6 shot revolver. If any of you own this gun I would be interested to hear your thoughts.

 

[plateshooter]

I don't have the models that you are referring to, but I do have 2 Taurus revolvers. One is a M85 in stainless that I have had for about 20 years, the other is a 44mag Tracker. I am completely satisfied with both. I have many hundreds or rounds through the 85, and 600 through the 44 (I have only owned it for a month or so). I would buy either one again.

 

[bikerdoc]

605 in 3 inch here for ten years, it is a good one.

 

[Walkalong]

I have two Taurus revolvers in .32 Mag that I like a lot. My buddy has one in .38 Spl that is an excellent gun.

 

[Erik M]

carried and shot a model 85 and a model 66 for years, never a hitch out of either one. I really regret trading the 66 off.

 

[Guillermo]

A used Model 10 can be found pretty cheap.

As far as new revolvers, Taurus and Smith are both a mixed bag.

Taurus has gotten better and Smith has spiraled down. Depending on the model, they are on par.

If an older Smith is not what you want, admittedly they are not the most elegant or smooth, look to Ruger on the used market. If you like them, they are bargains.

 

[mesinge2]

I am not a Taurus hater but the 856 has a Magnesium cylinder and specifically says do not use +P loads in this weapon. If I were to buy a small framed Taurus it would be an 85.

I have a m905 which is a 9mm version of the 85 and its been a good gun. The tracker is also a pretty good K/L frame sized gun and the 608 is an N frame-sized 8 shot 357 similar to Smith's 627. I have had a tracker that has now been sold and I still have the 608; it make a good home defense gun. But I wouldn't own the Magnesium one.

here's the 608 and 905:

 

[CZ223]

Thanks for the replies so far

I really like the idea of the 6 rounds as opposed to a 5 shot. If that means I have to give up the ability of using +P ammo, I may be okay with that. I also kind of like the idea of the 9mm

 

[ThomasT]

I have had several Taurus revolvers. The main issue I have had has been cylinder misalignment problems. They always went off but the 22s I had spit lead like nobodys business.

I do have a blued steel model 85 that will stand next to about any gun you want to put it against. I have shot it quite a bit without any problems at all. I want another Tracker 44 but only if I can hold it and check it out in person. No more Taurus guns from the auction sites for me.

 

[joed]

I've handled Taurus revolvers from time to time while at the range. Most are like was said, they feel like they have sand in them. Never had a high opinion of Taurus either and swore I would never own one.

That said, about 6 years ago I bought a Charter Arms Bull Dog. Absolutely the worst revolver I've ever handled. The owner of the gunshop tried to warn me but I wouldn't listen and ordered anyway. He sold it on consignment for me after the first outing.

About a month later he asked me to stop in. When I did he handed me a Taurus 445 in .44 Spl that he took in for consignment. A small 5 shot .44 Spl revolver about the same size as the Bull Dog. As hard as I tried I couldn't come up with a reason to say no. The action felt good, workmanship was good and the price was $260. I bought it with the terms that if I didn't like how it shot I could return it.

At the range there was no way I could complain. The little gun shot where it was pointed and because it was ported second shots were right on target too.

Six years later I still have that Taurus. To be honest I wouldn't part with it. If I were buying another Taurus I'd want to handle it first.

 

[redraidermgr]

My sister used to have a 608 with an 8" barrel. It was an excellent gun. Great action, well made, and very accurate. I was sad to hear that she had to part with it. I have considered buying one of their revolvers and would definitely purchase one for the right price. That being said I would, if at all possible, at least try the action or shoot the gun before i bought one especially one of their smaller pistols. Their Tracker and Raging series weapons are said to be very well made.

 

[weregunner]

This should be easy.

I own two 856s. Yep. One is the Magnesium Lyte model that is not +P qualified and one 856 that is. There are 3 variants of the 856. Follow if you can because this get convoluted. Well, sort of.

There are two variants that have a regular steel body and are +P able. One is a blue version and the other is a stainless steel version.
The 856 Mag Lyte model comes in a stainless steel finish so be careful when ordering. I made that mistake. Actually I ordered the standard +P stainless version and the store ordered the Lyte model. Rather than make them eat the mistake I reordered the stainless only version.

I have need for a Lyte model and stainless regular version.

Getting around the non+P problem is easy.

Buffalo Bore makes 3 standard pressure .38 Special rounds that have +P velocity without the +P pressures. Hornady and Federal make standard pressure FTX and Hydra-shok ammo as well. All of these will stop someone in their tracks.

For the Lyte 856 I use the standard pressure Federal Nyclad 125 round nosed JHP. It was designed as a practice ammo that keeps lead exposure to a minimum or no exposure at all. The micron thin coating of nylon sees to it.

The 125gr Nyclad also has an extremely excellent real documented world track record as a defense round. The record goes for several decades or longer. The lead hollow point expands greatly and penetration is deep. That includes being shot from snub revolver short barrels.

For the Taurus 856 I use +P Remington or Winchester 158gr. LWSCHP which have been the standard against which all other .38 Special rounds have been measured against.

Speer+P,135gr. Gold Dot also work well out of the 856.

Colt Detective Special holsters fit the 856.

I also own a older Taurus 85CH that is standard pressure only qualified.

Newer 85s are all +P capable.

Either the 856s or the 85s are excellent picks. These are durable and accurate.

 

[Lightsped]

I have three M85s (two steel models, and one total titanium model). I also have a Raging Bull and a M980. All of these have been good guns. No problems with any of them...

 

[weregunner]

I've got 17 Taurus revolvers of various types. 3 are 25 + years old and still going strong.

No problems here.
2 model 327s
2 model 66s
1 model 65
1 model 85CH
1 model 94
1 model 941
7 model 441/431s
1 model 82
1 model 96
1 Rossi 462

 

[rangefinderII]

I have/carry a Model 85CHSS and a Model 605B. I use .38SPL in both and both are accurate and reliable.

Last year I got a Model94SS with a 2" barrel, for practice, and it's been a good shooter. Some folks have said the trigger pull is heavy but I don't find anything wrong with it. It just took a bit of getting use to.

All three are fine weapons.

 

[buddyemily]

+ 1 on the 605. I own one and it shoots great.

 

[carbuncle]

I had an 85 for a couple of years and was a great little gun. Never a hiccup, carried well and the only thing I ever shot out of it was Cor-Bon +p ammo. I need to pick up another one some day!

 

[bdb benzino]

I have had a model 605 357mag, and still have a model 905 9mm. Both are solid guns and have good triggers. I kept the 905 because the wife loves it and it is fit nice and tight. After getting proper moon clips from Ranch Products it is a sweet little CC revolver. Taurus revolvers have been good to me, but I can't say that about their semi-autos though.

 

[bikemutt]

I've got 608's in both 6" and 4", and just picked up a gently used Tracker 4" 7-shot chambered in .357 mag. I love the triggers on the 608s, still warming up to the Tracker's. Oh yeah, almost forgot the 5-shot .38 special I keep in a living room drawer, just in case, also an excellent shooter for it's size.

I have yet to shoot a 6-shot Taurus.

 

[Frank V]

I had a Tracker for awhile in .44 Mag. I did kind of like the gun, it shot well, but had chatter markes in the bbl. I firelapped the bbl & most of them dissapeared. The gun didn't shoot a whole lot better, but didn't lead when using cast bullets.
I found I just wasn't using it much so sold it. The thing I really didn't like about it was the "Ribber" stocks. I have never liked rubber stocks, but that could be easily corrected.
Overall, I think Taurus is a pretty good gun. They do sell a lot of them.
Frank