Any suggestions or experience with Taurus M85 2"

D

Dave in SC

Inactive
I am currently thinking of purchasing a model 85 2" snub-nose to have a small, relatively inexpensive .38. How is the fit/finish? Is it accurate for a 2" handgun? Will it stand up to mainly +p loads? etc. Thanks for all the info.
 
Dave,
I've been carrying a Taurus 85CH in stainless for about seven years now and have absolutly no complaints. Accuracy is good for a snub nosed handgun and I have fired several hundred +P rounds through mine on top of a couple of thousand midrange and wadcutter target loads. This is the gun I carry either as a backup or primary weapon almost all the time. I added Uncle Mikes boot grips when they came out for the Taurus and recently installed a Brownell's spring kit. In my opinion this gun is one of the better buys on the market and it has a life time warrenty. Jake
 
I have the 85UL and like its light weight and accuracy. One caveat: poorly crimped bulets can backout of the case because of snappy recoil. The alloy version isn't +P rated which is just as well: 2" barrel means big flash with 110gr loads and heavy recoil with 158gr. Good combat gun: not as refined as some S&W but I had less trouble with it than with most S&W offerings.
 
I have two of the model 85. Both blued if that makes a difference. They shoot great. Never tried any +p loads in them but have shot lots of midrange stuff without any problems. I have shot at bricks at about 30 yds and had no problem hitting them every time. Only problem I ever had was I couldn't use speed loaders on them with the stock grips but pachmyers fixed that one. All around good guns for very little money.
 
My wife has carried a 85CH for several years
and we are both impressed with it. I think
this is one of the best values in a revolver.
Good-looking, reasonably powerful, accurate
for it's type, reliable and comfortable to
carry. Good choice!
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Dave in SC:
I am currently thinking of purchasing a model 85 2" snub-nose to have a small, relatively inexpensive .38. How is the fit/finish? Is it accurate for a 2" handgun? Will it stand up to mainly +p loads? etc. Thanks for all the info.[/quote]

I've had two of the stainless conceal hammer versions (actually, one was for my mom).
The triggers seem to vary from one gun to the next. As a defensive handgun (I assume you're going to carry), this doesn't matter too much.
I like the concealed hammer versions for two reasons: A) double action only, less likely for an acidental discharge; B) concealed hammers don't hang up in your pocket during a draw.
The 85 can use +P ammo, but I read in Guns and Ammo that Taurus doesn't reccomend a steady diet of them. The guns I owned weren't ported, but muzzle flip was very controllable. Remember, these are close quarters, defensive handguns. Both were very reliable (Taurus has a lot of variation in this aspect too).
I sold both and bought an 85 Multi Alloy (aka Ultra Lite) strictly because of the weight (the SS 85's are about 21oz., the Multi Alloy is 13.5 oz.). I carry in a pocket holster...the weight does make a difference. The Multi Alloy is ported...lot of controversy on this for defensive use, but I like it.
I did have problems with misfires on the Multi Alloy. It wasn't hitting the primer hard enough. Taurus did fix the gun (their warranty system is great!!). I've read on this and other forums of similar problems. I suspect Taurus either had a bad lot of components OR they wanted a light trigger pull to attract lady buyers.
I would reccomend this little handgun to anyone looking for a value defensive handgun.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Dave in SC:
I am currently thinking of purchasing a model 85 2" snub-nose to have a small, relatively inexpensive .38. How is the fit/finish? Is it accurate for a 2" handgun? Will it stand up to mainly +p loads? etc. Thanks for all the info.[/quote]

I've had two of the stainless conceal hammer versions (actually, one was for my mom).
The triggers seem to vary from one gun to the next. As a defensive handgun (I assume you're going to carry), this doesn't matter too much.
I like the concealed hammer versions for two reasons: A) double action only, less likely for an acidental discharge; B) concealed hammers don't hang up in your pocket during a draw.
The 85 can use +P ammo, but I read in Guns and Ammo that Taurus doesn't reccomend a steady diet of them. The guns I owned weren't ported, but muzzle flip was very controllable. Remember, these are close quarters, defensive handguns. Both were very reliable (Taurus has a lot of variation in this aspect too).
I sold both and bought an 85 Multi Alloy (aka Ultra Lite) strictly because of the weight (the SS 85's are about 21oz., the Multi Alloy is 13.5 oz.). I carry in a pocket holster...the weight does make a difference. The Multi Alloy is ported...lot of controversy on this for defensive use, but I like it.
I did have problems with misfires on the Multi Alloy. It wasn't hitting the primer hard enough. Taurus did fix the gun (their warranty system is great!!). I've read on this and other forums of similar problems. I suspect Taurus either had a bad lot of components OR they wanted a light trigger pull to attract lady buyers.
I would reccomend this little handgun to anyone looking for a value defensive handgun.
 
As her carry pistol, my wife chose an "85" Total Titanium model. It's a great pistol and we both like it very much. She shoots the non +P 125gr. Federal Nyclad HP.

Will

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Mendacity is the system we live in.
 
Have owned a stainless 85CH since '92. Great little gun...no problems with +P (other than normal muzzle blast/recoil which is common to any snubgun). Have owned a lot of 2-3" snub .38s over the years. I like the Smiths and Colts (Cobra especially), but...The 85 is hard to beat for PRICE, function, accuracy, and looks. I like the DAO feature (bedside gun for spouse) and have never had a malfunction with this piece. Trigger pull is as good as most Smiths and Rugers (Colt still has a better DA pull). Bottom line: after 9 years, I still own, shoot, and rely on a loaded Model 85CH for home defense. Two thumbs up...
 
I have a stainless model without the factory porting. It has a kick to it but that is to be expected from any 2" snub. It can handle +P loads without a problem and I personally think that it looks nicer than the S&W versions (I love S&W pistols but I can't say the same about their revolvers). I would recommend getting one.

Share what you know, learn what you don't -- FUD.
edfudal.jpg
 
I have one. My girlfriend has a 85UL. As long as you stick to jacketed rounds in it, it's a fine gun. Good enough for what it was designed for: a close quarters back up/hide out gun. We have not had any problems of note with ours.

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Glocks may come, and Glocks may go, but WALTHERS are FOREVER!!!


Off my meds (quit smoking), armed to the teeth, and loose on an unsuspecting society!!!
 
Frontsight
The kit has a reduced power mainspring and two reduced power trigger return springs. I tried the lighetst trigger return spring but didn't think it was strong enough. The other spring worked fine though, giving my gun a smoother and lighter trigger pull. The gun in its original form had a hesitation just before the sear would release that was distracting at times for me. I also polished some of the rough spots off some of the moving parts to help smooth things up. I DID NOT touch the engagement surfaces of the sear, bolt stop or hand while doing this and used a small Dremel tool felt polishing bob with a little rouge to do the polishing. When you see the bolt stop and sear area you'll understand why I was reluctant to abuse the gun with my home gunsmithing skills. I would recommend testing the gun for reliability after installing the springs. This is a gun that I rely on so I fired a couple of hundred rounds through it to make sure there would be no problems. Every gun is different and some may not like the lighter springs so I would test it extensively. I do consider the kit well worth the time and effort and like the results on my gun. By the way, I also installed spring kits from Brownells in the Rugers I compete with in CAS matches and really liked the results in those gun also. Jake
 
My mother carries a 85 with a 3-inch barrel, and I have fired it and I must say that it is a good gun. She has been carrying it for about 2 years and it still holds up extremely well. I would recommend the 85 myself.

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Trespassers Will Be Shot
Survivors Will Be Shot Again
 
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