1st Pistol Purchase .357 Taurus vs S&W

E

elco93

New member
Hey All,

Friend of mine who has quite a gun collection reintroduced me to shooting at the local range a few weeks ago. Since that time I have thought about getting a pistol of my own for mostly home\self defense and also shooting for fun. Like most folks I am on a budget and still somewhat a beginner so I began looking at the .357's after reading a number of threads on this great site.

In my research I have come across the S&W 686P and a Taurus 66. Unfortunately the local dealer has neither in stock, he only had the 357 in the Tracker series for which I didn't particularly care for because of the barrel porting and sight aperture.

My question is that these are priced at $550 and $368 respectively so what is the $200 difference? Even on a budget I would still rather buy something of quality and pay a little more if the S&W has that much difference in the feel and lifetime of the gun. Has anyone shot both and can give me their opinion?

Any advice appreciated.
 
Smith, without doubt, over Tarsus.

However, in a medium frame, .38 Special/.357 magnum revolver, such a S&W's excellent L Frame series (686/681/586/581), I would not discount Ruger's equally outstanding -- some would even suggest superior, check the TFL archives for hundreds of germane postings -- GP100 series.
 
No question... ANY S&W over any Taurus... any day.

Some years ago I was given a Taurua 66... an utter turkey, though near new it spit lead something terrible and was not even a little accurate.

OTOH, my 90+ year old S&Ws shoot like champs.

FWIW

Chuck
 
S&W

My first revo was a Taurus 669CP. It didn't even make it through it's initial outing without failing.
 
NO difference in quality. The Taurus currently may even be BETTER than the S&W. Current S&Ws are pretty pathetic. I have owned a Taurus 66 6" 357 Magnum. Great revolver. Given the choice though, I would look for an older M66 S&W 357 Magnum 4".
 
Being that you are on a budget why not look to the used market. There are many usded revolvers in great condition for almost half the price of the new models. Probably the best deal on the market would be one of the old LEO trade-in S&W Model 66. A stainless steel K-frame .357mag revolver that you could polish out the few scratches it may have, put on new grips, and end up with a new looking revolver that functions perfectly for $350 or less.
 
Try a Rossi 357, they are very reliable well made revolvers for less money than either the S&W or the Taurus. A perfect way for a first timer to start out.
 
If you on a budget get a Taurus, S&W might be a better gun, but I'd go with the M66 anyways. Definitely good enough for a beginner or pro ;)
 
My suggestion is the 686 especially if you find a nice used one, and they are not all that hard to find.
 
Taurus

I have owned a Taurus .357 with a 6" barrel for over ten years. Very accurate and reliable. I hardly ever clean it, but it has no rust. Just bought a new Taurus PT940SS. Love it. In my experience, Taurus makes a great gun.
 
The S&W is a better gun. If it is worth the extra money is a question only you can answer.

I only have one DA revolver that is not a S&W. It is a Charter Arms that I gave $60 for used.

I would buy a used S&W over any new Taurus.

As mentioned earlier consider the Ruger if you don't want to spend the extra cash for the new S&W.
 
.357 S&W VS Taurus

Ya gets what ya pay for......every time. Go with the Smith & Wesson unless you can find an incredible bargain on A Ruger GP100 3". Personally, I don't own a Taurus, but I have plenty of Smiths in various calibers and will vouch for their reliability. ;)
 
I don't know guys I shot a new out of the box Taurus 66 two weeks ago in deer camp and I must say I was impressed! It was sort odd having a seven shot wheel gun but the balance and accuracy were right on. I think they are a bit under rated.
Now I’ve always been a big S&W fan, but unless someone here’s tried one of the new Taurus 66s and have found something I didn’t, don’t count it out.
 
S&W Vs. Taurus

What's the price NIB on that Taurus 66? Might just be a "sleeper" if the price is right and the shooting quality is what you say it is. I'm way too set in my ways, but it could work out for elco on this particular Taurus. :eek:
 
I agree with Sir William.

Smith & Wesson's QC has fallen off recently. That, and ever since they restructured a few years ago, they incorperated this key/lock thing just behind the cylinder latch that looks like ass and cat-food. The internals are made of sintered metal and plastic, not machined tool steel like the Days of Olde.

Taurus buys other company's designs after either the patent has ran out or they quit making them and starts cranking out guns. Their QC is so-so IMHO, but if you're on a budget and it's either a Taurus or a Jennings, I'd go with the Taurus. If it were between a New-in-box Taurus Anything and a clean used L-Frame P&R Smith & Wesson in .357, I'd go with the Smith instantly.

If I were going to purchase my first .357, I would go with one of the used, stainless, ex-police revolvers on the market going for $200 or so. Most times, they're pinned and recessed guns with good steel internals and with the money you save, you can either get a good carry rig, lots more ammo, a good reloading setup for .357/.38 cartridges, action job and new grips or whatever your heart desires.

SOG International (www.southernohiogun.com) has clean Model 66's (stainless, 4" barrels, adj sights) in .357 for $279.00. Pick one up, have a good smithy do an action job on it, clean it real well, swap out the grips for something a bit more ergonomic, buy a good Galco or G&G holster and you're in business. And for way less money than you were going to spend in the first place.

You could also try KY Imports, SARCO, or hit www.gunsamerica.com and just do a search for a good P&R Smith in .357. You don't have to buy new and, if it were me, I wouldn't.

Pz

Southern Ohio Gun has an ad in the December 3rd issue of Gun List (Page 67) that lists the Model 66's for sale, just in case they're not on the website. Another company called Bachman's has clean stainless Model 64's in .38 spl that can handle +P loads for $179 bucks.. same issue of Gun List, page 73.
 
Had a Taurus for several years, no problems. Still have it.
For any practical differences, none between it and SW. SW better finish and trigger pull. Taurus, more accurate and cheaper (although the sights did need to be moved to the right...but as likely my hold and vision as anything else).
 
I've shot both.

I felt the Taurus,, if given about $100 worth of trigger job,, would be what most Smiths are right out of the box.

The other $100 is pretty much in the details and brand name I guess.

Re: Rossi - doesn't Taurus own Rossi?
 
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