Taurus Revolvers. Good? Bad? Ugly?

[dbg326]

Hey guys, I'm looking mostly for people's experience with Taurus revolvers, good, bad, and horror stories.

This is looking down the road about 6 months, but I'm aiming to get my CCW permit this coming summer, and am leaning towards a revolver as a carry gun, mostly for the simplicity behind it. The Judge is appealing due to the ability to shoot the .410 shells, in addition to the .45 LC, but I'm thinking a more practical choice would be the Taurus 650 CIA .357.

Anyways, am I looking in the right direction, or am I completely misguided?

Oh and let's try to avoid the political side of carrying, if at all possible.

[broncobowsher]

I only have experience with the Judge. It doesn't like short brass .410 shells. They swell and stick when fired. Everything else is just fine. I would get another one.

Sorry, no experience with the smaller frame stuff.

[Bueller]

I had a Taurus 357 years ago that I bought new. Biggest piece of shit of any pistol I've ever owned, with manufacturer warranty service to match. I won't own another. Not because they made a bad piece, but because the service was so deplorable.

[FPGT72]

I have an old Taurus .38 revolver.....a J-frame copy.

I have owned it for about 20 years or so now....bought it used, and I don't know how many rounds I have in it. I have never had one single problem with it.

Don't tell anyone but years ago I would take deposits to the bank after the store I worked at closed....If you ever did this kind of thing you know the bags I am talking about...was a heavy cloth with a zipper and a lock. sometimes I had over $10k in cash, checks, and CC reciepts in the bag. Store closed at midnight, closing would take an hour or so....so I was at the bank at 130am. I really did not like having all that money....one of the other stores did get their employee robbed and beat up.
So I carried this little gun in the car and in my jacket pocket when I went to the night drop.

As far as fit and finish goes it is not that bad, as far as function goes never a problem in anyway shape or form.

[Anorak]

Buy American.

[Murray56]

I have a Taurus Model 85 Ultr Lite 38 spl.and have placed quite a few rounds through it. To date, no problems.
If you search through the forums, you will find there are mixed opinions.Somewhat like cars and motorcycles.

Mine have been positive. I have let a few friends fire this piece, and they like it as well.
I considered selling due to having such a large ineventory, and then remembered; they are for buying!
Not Selling!

For CCW this works nicely.

However, I also like my SP 101, and my S&W 686. Both are very nice handguns.

[fz6kd7]

I have the 85 poly nice gun but the space
between the cylinder and frame is pretty tight
Had a few remington shells stop the rotation
just fired 100 rounds of federal no problems

[dbg326]

Originally Posted by fz6kd7

I have the 85 poly nice gun but the space
between the cylinder and frame is pretty tight
Had a few remington shells stop the rotation
just fired 100 rounds of federal no problems

From what I've heard, the spacing is tight on a lot of these...and that has me a bit apprehensive, hence the question. If I'm going to be carrying, I want to know that it's going to go bang every time I pull the trigger.

For reference, in my area a used .38 special J-Frame, and the small frame Colts go for about the same as a new .357 Taurus (obviously depending on condition)

[rifles]

Originally Posted by dbg326

From what I've heard, the spacing is tight on a lot of these...and that has me a bit apprehensive, hence the question. If I'm going to be carrying, I want to know that it's going to go bang every time I pull the trigger.

For reference, in my area a used .38 special J-Frame, and the small frame Colts go for about the same as a new .357 Taurus (obviously depending on condition)

You might want to consider the used J frame or even a new Ruger.

Personally, I don't think it's right to try and save a little money on something that will only ever be used to save yours or someone else's life. It's gotta go bang with no chance of a failure. A 642 or 638 from S&W or an SP101 (if you want a stainless, heavier gun) or an LCR from Ruger are great CCW revolvers that WORK. No timing issues, no cylinder gap issues, just good reliable guns.

The difference in quality for ~$100 more than a Taurus is like night and day IMO.

As for the Judge, I personally think it's a gimmick for self defense. .45 LC is good, .410 not so much (maybe against snakes!). Ignoring the caliber arguments, the Judge is huge and weighs a ton, and a gun is only useful if you have it when you need it. .38 +P with a good hollowpoint like the 135gr Gold Dots gives FBI standard penetration and excellent expansion and you can carry it in a pocket holster or IWB anywhere you go in any clothes.

[papalobster]

I have had a blue steel 357 revolver, I think it was a 608 6 inch version. Tack driver would be my best assesment. I could keep all 8 on a standard paper plate out to 100 yards. And shoot right around 2" groups at 25.

I traded it off for a 44 mag 6" in blue. That one wasn't as good and teh crane loosened on me. I sent it to Taurus to have it repaired, an dthey had it fixed and back to me in a couple weeks. I sold that and picked up a Ruger SBH so I could fire so I could fire big thumpy rounds. The 44 double action didn't really feel good to me. More personal preference than anything.

My most recent purchase was Taurus 627 Tracker in titanium. Also really accurate. I did have some issues with flame gouging the front of the cylinder, so I sent it in and they fixed it up better than ever.

My experience with their customer service is exactly opposite of Buellers apparently. I had really good people on the phone and had decent turnaround time for repairs.

[dbg326]

Originally Posted by rifles

You might want to consider the used J frame or even a new Ruger.

Personally, I don't think it's right to try and save a little money on something that will only ever be used to save yours or someone else's life. It's gotta go bang with no chance of a failure. A 642 or 638 from S&W or an SP101 (if you want a stainless, heavier gun) or an LCR from Ruger are great CCW revolvers that WORK. No timing issues, no cylinder gap issues, just good reliable guns.

The difference in quality for ~$100 more than a Taurus is like night and day IMO.

As for the Judge, I personally think it's a gimmick for self defense. .45 LC is good, .410 not so much (maybe against snakes!). Ignoring the caliber arguments, the Judge is huge and weighs a ton, and a gun is only useful if you have it when you need it. .38 +P with a good hollowpoint like the 135gr Gold Dots gives FBI standard penetration and excellent expansion and you can carry it in a pocket holster or IWB anywhere you go in any clothes.

Oh I feel the same way, I just wanted to see if the Taurus was worth pursuing. Can't believe I forgot about Ruger...

The Judge is intriguing, but I'll admit, it is a monster, even with the short barrel, which probably does rule it out for what I want. Just wanted others' input.

As a followup, how big is the difference between a .38 and a .357, performance wise?

Thanks to all who have replied so far.

[rifles]

Originally Posted by dbg326

Oh I feel the same way, I just wanted to see if the Taurus was worth pursuing. Can't believe I forgot about Ruger...

The Judge is intriguing, but I'll admit, it is a monster, even with the short barrel, which probably does rule it out for what I want. Just wanted others' input.

As a followup, how big is the difference between a .38 and a .357, performance wise?

Thanks to all who have replied so far.

In a J-Frame, the biggest difference is price! S&W's .357 J-frames are scandium framed and cost $800+! Ruger is the only company that makes a .357 on a similar price point and model as their .38 in the LCR. It weighs a few ounces more and costs a little more. I don't think it's a big gain other than to just have the option to shoot .357 if you want to.

Ballistically, out of a short barrel, .357 and .38 +P are very similar, especially with a good hollowpoint. .357 is unpleasant out of any small revolver, and you don't gain much velocity in a short barrel, but do get a whole lot of blast, flash, and a sharp recoil. 20 rounds out of a 340PD S&W was enough for my palm to go numb.

[mb90535im]

Originally Posted by broncobowsher

It doesn't like short brass .410 shells. They swell and stick when fired.

I noticed that issue with mine a couple of times with the Winchester PDX 2.5" .410 loads. What were you shooting specifically that was jamming if you don't mind my asking?

[Clint Taurus]

I was looking at the judge until saturday when I happened into the gun shop and saw the the S&W "governor" .410, 45, 45 ACP. also available with laser spotter. oh and it's a six shot $899 here for the laser model. Feels better in my hand than the judge. Next week is my birthday. Guess what I'm getting?

[schlitz]

I've got a Taurus model 65 .357 with a 4" barrel. Luv it! It shoots anything I throw at it. Very smooth when shooting .38 special rounds (regular and +P) and its got enough weight so that .357 mag rounds don't beat you up too much. Buy it again? YEP.