Won a Taurus M85 on GB the other day.

[Wildbillz]

Hi all
So I put a bid in and won this Taurus revolver the other day. Its a Stainless Steel M85 with 2.5" bbl. 5 shot 38Spl. Sort of like a Smith J frame. From the SN# dates it from early in 1988. I know a lot of guys dog Taurus but of the three I have hand never had an issue. I will be looking for a up grade grip for it. Something like a Batam boot grip for a J Frame. Should be at the dealers next week so I have to wait a bit. Anyone have a M85 or know of any known issues?

WB

 

[12Bravo20]

I have a M85 with a 3" ported barrel along with a new M856 and M942. I haven't had any issues with them. A plus is all of them use the same grips.

 

[Wildbillz]

Cool so a grip from a M856 or M942 will work on the M85?

Thanks
WB

 

[Biblethumpncop]

This is a grip from a Taurus 85CH on my 856. Is this the kind of grip you are looking for? I just have it in a drawer.

 

[Gork10]

I'v owned around a half dozen Taurus revolvers over the years. I think iv still got an old model 82 stuffed in the back of the safe. Never had any problems with any of them.

 

[RKRCPA]

I bought mine in 1984, still goes bang every time.

 

[lee n. field]

Hi all
So I put a bid in and won this Taurus revolver the other day. Its a Stainless Steel M85 with 2.5" bbl. 5 shot 38Spl. Sort of like a Smith J frame. From the SN# dates it from early in 1988. I know a lot of guys dog Taurus but of the three I have hand never had an issue. I will be looking for a up grade grip for it. Something like a Batam boot grip for a J Frame. Should be at the dealers next week so I have to wait a bit. Anyone have a M85 or know of any known issues?

WB

I'd be interested to see a pic, and internals, to see how it might be different from Taurus' current revolvers.

 

[Riomouse911]

My first revolver was a late 1980’s Taurus 66 .357, in satin nickel with a 6” barrel. It was a good revolver, I never had an issue with it. I still have a 94 and 941 rimfires, other than a stout trigger pull and an occasional light strike with the 941 these have also been good.

I hope your new Taurus works well, let us know how it shoots for you when you get a chance.

Stay safe.

 

[Tallball]

I've owned six or so Model 85's and still have one now. Never had any trouble with any of them. It's basically a S&W j-frame with a transfer bar safety.

If the DA trigger is way too stiff, replacing the hammer and trigger springs with Wolff springs costs about $15 OTD and takes 30 minutes or less.

Any holster for a S&W j-frame should work.

At some point in the 80's they changed they grips. I would expect 1988 to be the more common one that they used for a long time. My recent experience with a NiB 905 leads me to believe that the newest grips are different.

I usually end up with boot grips of some kind, like the picture.

Good choice. They're solid revolvers.

Taurus Model 85 38 special DAO

• Tallball
• Feb 12, 2022

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

^^^
Got one exactly like the one above and another with the regular style hammer.
I've carried and shot them for 30 years and no complaints.

 

[12Bravo20]

Cool so a grip from a M856 or M942 will work on the M85?

Thanks
WB

Correct. I am using wood Model 85 grips on my 856 and 942. They fit my hands better than the stock rubber grips do.

 

[RKRCPA]

Mine is pre ejector rod housing with a pinned barrel.

 

[Wildbillz]

Thanks for the picture and info Tallball. This is the exact grip I am looking for. Any idea on who made it and where I can score one? I will have to wait to post a pick till I pick it up.

Thanks
WB

I've owned six or so Model 85's and still have one now. Never had any trouble with any of them. It's basically a S&W j-frame with a transfer bar safety.

If the DA trigger is way too stiff, replacing the hammer and trigger springs with Wolff springs costs about $15 OTD and takes 30 minutes or less.

Any holster for a S&W j-frame should work.

At some point in the 80's they changed they grips. I would expect 1988 to be the more common one that they used for a long time. My recent experience with a NiB 905 leads me to believe that the newest grips are different.

I usually end up with boot grips of some kind, like the picture.

Good choice. They're solid revolvers.

Taurus Model 85 38 special DAO

• Tallball
• Feb 12, 2022

 

[Tallball]

@Wildbillz I bought that grip as NoS from Robertson's Ranch. They have a site and they're on GB. I look at them if I'm having trouble finding older grips. I like that particular grip for a 38. Gives me more to grip near the trigger guard, but the back is flush with the grip frame.

If I could have a Taurus small or medium framed revolver from any time period, it would be something like 88-90. They really seemed to be trying back then. Stainless is always a plus. Looking forward to pics.

Another grip option is the one like this that covers the back of the grip frame, too. This is apparently the factory grip to a Model 605.

Taurus Model 605.jpg

• Tallball
• Oct 11, 2023

 

[Wildbillz]

@Wildbillz I bought that grip as NoS from Robertson's Ranch. They have a site and they're on GB. I look at them if I'm having trouble finding older grips. I like that particular grip for a 38. Gives me more to grip near the trigger guard, but the back is flush with the grip frame.

If I could have a Taurus small or medium framed revolver from any time period, it would be something like 88-90. They really seemed to be trying back then. Stainless is always a plus. Looking forward to pics.

Another grip option is the one like this that covers the back of the grip frame, too. This is apparently the factory grip to a Model 605.

Taurus Model 605.jpg

• Tallball
• Oct 11, 2023

Thanks

Got a link by chance? I can't find a Robertson's Ranch that is selling gun parts. I did find a Robertson's Trading post on GB, is that them?

Thanks
WB

 

[Shotgun Willy]

I had one for a few years, but sold it due to hand problems. I had Pachmayr Compac grips on it and really liked them.

 

[12Bravo20]

The black rubber grips in the photo I posted earlier are the grips that come on the 856 and 942.

 

[jstert]

a 1980s first-gen taurus 85 is absolutely rock solid and aesthetically much better than the later gens . for shooting comfort i swapped my 1985 85’s oem wooden grips for pachmayrs. a true keeper.

 

[drobs]

Thanks

Got a link by chance? I can't find a Robertson's Ranch that is selling gun parts. I did find a Robertson's Trading post on GB, is that them?

Thanks
WB

I bought a NOS set of Sile rubber grips for my pair of Ruger Security Six revolvers from Robertson Trading Post not too long ago and was curious if they had the M85 grips you're looking for. No luck on GB, Ebay, or GunsAmerica.

I did a little searching just now and found 2 sets of those grips (Uncle Mike's Boot Grips) on Ebay from other sellers.

$44.89

Uncle Mike's Taurus - Small Frame Revolver - Black Rubber Grips with Screw 85 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Uncle Mike's Taurus - Small Frame Revolver - Black Rubber Grips with Screw 85 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

$60

Uncle Mike's Craig Spegel Rubber Boot Grips for Small Frame Taurus 85, 856 | eBay

Uncle Mike's number 90013.

www.ebay.com

There is also this set of Factory Boot Grips for $35.00

Taurus 85 38 Special Factory Boot Style Grips With Mounting Screw See Pics | eBay

You receive what’s in the picture.

www.ebay.com

These Pachmayr "boot grips" are also worth a look:

$24.99

Taurus 38 Special, Model 85 Pachmayr Grips Handles And Screw #23-435 | eBay

<p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0;">Taurus .38 Special, Model 85 </p> <br> <p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0;">Pachmayr presentation compact Grips handles and screw </p> <br> <p dir="ltr" style="margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0;">Needs cleaned better </p> <br> <p...

www.ebay.com

$29.95

Pachmayr Compac Grip & Screw, Taurus Small Frame Revolver, 85 605 941, Etc. TR/C | eBay

USA Sales Only.

www.ebay.com

 

[Wildbillz]

Thanks Drobs

WB

 

[MedWheeler]

I have a polished stainless M85 with the three-inch barrel, made in 1995. It's a solid revolver, my favorite for carry duty when I tote a "steel wheel." I call it "a poor man's SP-101."

 

[Tallball]

@Wildbillz , Yeah, it's Robertson's Trading Post. Sorry 'bout that.

As you can see, finding grips for the "mainstream" Model 85's is pretty easy. J-frame holsters are very easy to find, too. Nice solid choice for a small revolver, IMHO.

The newest grips are held on by the pin towards the bottom of the grip, instead of the screw more towards the middle. And the new dark finish is doo-doo. I'd prefer a 1990 model every time.

Taurus 905.jpg

• Tallball
• Oct 9, 2023

 

[12Bravo20]

I would rather have the nice blued finish over the matte finish on the newer revolvers.

 

[Yamifrk]

Seems like everyone is looking for rubber grips…but if anyone wants some wood grips for a small frame Taurus I have a couple sets. I’m still on the hunt for a set of wood grips for my early model 65 but haven’t had any success. I’m about ready to reach out to @Tallball, who has the round to square butt grips. I want the slimmer ones that leave the frame exposed, but I’m starting to think they only used them on a few guns.

 

[Wildbillz]

Well I picked it up last week and took it to the range. Shot as well as I could with a 2.5" barrel. Looks like I got a winner. Now to find a cheap holster and some grips.



WB