Trading a Taurus 66 for Ruger GP-100

[jad0110]

I recently purchased a NIB Taurus 66 stainless 6" .357 for about $360. I have really enjoyed this gun, no problems at all with 433 rounds fired (113 or over 1/4 of which were .357s). As much as I like it, I am running into two problems: First, I have found the 6" barrel to a bit clumsy and awkward for a night stand gun, oops. Second, I'm firing a greater percentage of magnum rounds than I thought I would, so I am a bit concerned with the longevity of a relatively light S&W L-frame-based gun standing up to the Magnum abuse I am giving it over a long period. What can I say, I really like things that go BOOM!!!

For these reasons, I am concerning trading the Taurus 66 for a NIB Ruger GP-100 4" stainless, specifically a KGP-141 http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=1705&return=Y. I'd like to keep the Taurus, but just can't afford to buy a new gun without putting some dough down from a sale. I saw a KGP-141 at a local gunshop recently for $505, which seemed a little steep.

My question is, what could I expect to get for trade on my Taurus (I know, they depreciate like a Cavalier, no offense to those that own one )? Would it be worth it to try to sell it myself, or is it not worth the hassle? Also, what have others been paying for their GP-100s?

 

[P95Carry]

My son traded his GP-100 to get his carry 637 and I guess only made about $350 on it - that was a LNIB 6".

True enough tho - a Taurus trade will most likely see serious loss and while I appreciate the need to fund the new (or used) gun - it'll be a shame because the 66 would be nice to keep around. Mine is a 4" and a very good revo which sees duty as a house gun - so not shot a huge amount.

The GP will most certainly be all the tough gun you want for hotter loads - and so if you can manage to find a good used one then try and snap it up. If possible try and wait a tad longer and save up a bit more, so you can keep the 66. If say, you only got $200 for it in a trade (guessing) - that's a nasty loss in cash terms.

 

[10-Ring]

The GP is a nice robust handgun...IMO, you done good esp. if you're planning to shoot a steady diet of magnum loads

 

[steelhead]

Never get rid of a gun that works!

1. You can overcome the night stand issue if you really want to.

2. I doubt you will ever be able to fire enough magnums, in your lifetime, to worry about damaging the frame on the Taurus (same goes for a K frame S&W). Plus, with a lifetime warranty, you are covered.

3. If the Taurus has run good and you are accurate with it - don't mess with a good thing. The GP100 is a great revolver but it might not be in "your" hands. Then what do you do?

4. Have patience, save money, and go buy a used GP100 when you find a good deal. No need to buy NIB.

5. If you really need/want the Ruger, then don't trade the Taurus. You will get hosed big time. Sell it yourself for $275-300. You would probably get around $175 on a trade.

6. $505, for the GP100, is steep by about $60-$75.


Good luck!

 

[edwardyoung]

Here's a $300 GP100 in Greenville. Keep the Taurus and get the Ruger

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=55587885

 

[Jim PHL]

Steelhead really nailed it. Be patient, save and look for a deal on a used 4" Ruger GP100 (or maybe a 3"). If you hated the Taurus, I'd say go ahead and get rid of it, but it sounds like you have a good one that you like and shoot well. You may be sorry if you get rid of it and don't like the Ruger as much as you thought you would or can't shoot it as well as the Taurus.

My advice, if you decide to "drop and add", is always to sell your used, then buy, rather than trade.

 

[weregunner]

Ditto on keep the Taurus and get the Ruger.I have a Taurus 66 and 65.These are serving faithfully with no breakdowns.You may find a need for the 6in. barrel . Since 2 inches of additional length gives better ballastics to most loads the advantage is worth it IMHO.Granted it might not be a big gain but another revolver gives you choices with what you want to do.

 

[chaim]

Don't do it. If you like the Taurus hold on to it and save. It isn't like you need to be in a hurry to buy the Ruger since the Taurus serves your intended purposes, it just isn't ideal due to the size. Another option, if you like the Taurus, get another. You can easily find a 66, 65 or Tracker in a 4" model and they'd probably be less money than the Ruger. The Tracker is definately more heavy duty than the K-framed based 66 and 65 (the same frame is or has been used for a .45LC, .45ACP, .41mag and .44mag), and even the 65 or 66 if bought in addition to your current model should give you peace of mind. Why? Because the shooting you currently do with the one .357mag revolver will probably be spread between 2 of them thus neither will get nearly as many rounds as your current 66 does now.

If you do sell it yourself, what do you want to get for it and would you consider an out of state FFL transfer? (For a MD dealer to accept it you'd need to use an FFL dealer around you to do the transfer). One of the guns on my list are the 6" K-frame sized Taurus and S&W revolvers (there are other guns higher on my list right now, but sometimes I act on impulse ).

 

[jad0110]

All great points...

Thanks for all of the different points of view, it kinda snaps me back into reality a little. I was figuring in my head probaby $225 trade for the 66 at best, and about $450 NIB for GP-100. Maybe a good used one for $300-375 like the one in Greenville. I really need to get out and rent a few different guns just to see how they compare to what I already have. A range just down the street from me has a Ruger Single Six, a GP100, and a S&W 586 to rent, so I may go give 'em a try before I do anything stoopid :banghead: . I'll use my 66 as a benchmark and go from there.

By the way, has anyone had experience selling guns on sites like Gunbroker.com or others? What was your experience/would you do it again?

Also, I probably ought to slow down as my wife is about to get into shooting handguns for the first time (she has experience with rifles and shotguns) so I probably ought to let her have a go before I partake for a 6th time this year, hee hee. She may well take to the 66, which you would think would give me her automatic blessing to buy something else for me to fill that empty void (yeah right). I am however a little alarmed that she has been eyeing my 642 for possible CCW lately !

Actually, she seems more interested in semi autos, so maybe she can take over my XD9. I have considered selling it at times, as it is kinda my "odd gun out". It gets used as a glove box gun sometimes which it excels at, and I put 100-200 rounds through it every 2 or 3 months. Dunno, I certainly like semi autos, but I love wheelies. Note that I'm 27 yrs old, aren't I supposed to foresake obsolescent revolvers for high tech semi autos???

 

[Jim PHL]

Prices will vary with geography, but, around here (Philadelphia, PA-home of the next Super Bowl Champs) you might get $225 for the Taurus in a sale, but I doubt you'd get that much in trade from a dealer who will want to re-sell it for $300 or so at the most.

But don't get discouraged, becasue I think you've overestimated what you'll pay for a used Ruger. (Probably $300 max around here for stainless, slightly less for blued.)

 

[jad0110]

I went in another gun shop the other day and they had a GP-100 4" stainless NIB for $459, so there are certainly deals to be had. I'll probably hold off a while for a like new GP for a lot less. While there, I also noticed a S&W 686 4" stainless (6 round cylinder) for $519. I picked up both, now I have two to choose between! I preferred the feel of the Ruger in my hand (not to mention the price), but liked the trigger of the Smith just a tad better. I suppose I could ask for comparisons of the two (strengths and weaknesses), but I think I saw another post here recently on such a subject.

BTW, does anybody know of any good aftermarket front site posts for the Taurus 66. I've never been crazy about the stock site, click on the link in my signature to see it. I'd prefer something a little taller, narrower (so I can see more light on either side of the front sight post and rear sights), and more visible in general.

Thank again for all your advice.

 

[bulbboy]

IMO - You would be trading up - I'd go Taurus to a Ruger any day!!

 

[22-rimfire]

I'd keep the Taurus. But I would also get a Ruger GP100 for night stand use. Mine is a 3" GP100 and it does the job quite nicely. Still a pretty substantial gun and it is fun to shoot with full 357 loads. I don't shoot it over about 25 yds much. It is pretty much a HD gun for me and I have plenty for woods use.

 

[haymaker18]

gunbroker.com

gunbroker is a great site. Don't even look at any other sites...I have had great experiences thus far. Keep an eye on recent reviews of sellers and you should know exactly what to expect (just like ebay--easy to avoid the bad guys if you just read the last month or two of reviews). I have purchased a new gun (Ruger Mark III Target Competition) and a used gun (Ruger GP-100 6inch stainless) in the last month--both were much better deals than I could have possibly hoped for anywhere near me. The only gun I bought locally was a Kel-tec P3AT because it was a better deal at the shop. The GP-100 is a great gun and the seller ended up being a gunsmith, so he did a trigger job on it before he sent it...eye still have fantasies at night about that SA trigger pull...

-Dan

 

[Majic]

The Taurus works just fine right now. You will be really sick when you see what a dealer will offer you for it in a trade. If you sell the Taurus online then you will have the wait to make sure the deal goes thru before you can take that money to apply to a Ruger (a time period of a few days that you will be out of a revolver). Save your money to buy a Ruger out right then if money is tight sell the Taurus and you won't ever be without a revolver.

 

[Confederate]

My advice to people is if you have a handgun you like, NEVER sell it or you'll one day bitterly regret it. I say this from years of experience. Sell something else. If you sell a gun you like, it will cost you much more grief and mental anguish later.

Am I wrong?

 

[Legionnaire]

Don't rush. I've bought and sold on Gunbroker. The trick when buying is watch and wait. Don't get into a bidding war, especially on a model that shows up regularly. Search the CLOSED auctions to see the prices of guns that actually sold to get an idea of what that model is going for.

And look locally. Only recently I was looking for a Ruger SP101 and pricing them regularly on Gunbroker. They seemed to be going regularly in the $325 range. But then I found one on consignment at a local dealer for $250! I jumped on that one because I recognized it as a good deal. So don't rush.

Best advice above is hold on to the Taurus while you wait for the right deal on a GP100. My 4" GP100 cost be $325 used in excellent condition, and it came with the original grip with rosewood inserts, another set of grey inserts, and a Hogue monogrip. Save your money and look around; you'll find a deal.

 

[jmcraven]

I wholeheartedly agree with Confederate on trading off guns

 

[Majic]

My advice to people is if you have a handgun you like, NEVER sell it or you'll one day bitterly regret it.

Unless you buy something better that you end up liking a lot more. I had a Browning Challenger II that was an excellent shooting pistol and I used it all the time. I got rid of it because it had been replaced with a HS Supermatic Citation that it could never compete with. I sold the Browning to a friend who had been lusting after it for a couple of years.
There is nothing wrong in moving up in quality. and seldom is there any regrets.