I just got a Taurus M85UL

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USP45usp

Moderator
So now, and I have my flame suit on ;) , I have questions:

1. Is the M85UL a good .38 or is it junk (and please be civil. In a way this can be taking as "baiting" but I want honest, and backed up, opinions).

2. What is the best round for it? I've heard that getting high velocity rounds is a waste of money because the round will never achieve it's full potential from a 2" barrel. So what would be the best load?

3. Anyone have an inexpensive pocket holster that will fit the gun, leather is better if you have.

4. I just bought a new gun for a left hand primary but just because to help realive some of the stresses over the past couple of months. It felt good to just buy something that goes bang.

5. How is their warrenty ;) (:D ) (don't answer, this is just a take off of another thread underway on the board, it was a joke).

Wayne
 
One of my carry guns is a M85 2" SS with Crimson Trace grips on it. I shoot Speer Gold Dot 135's (designed for short barrels). Sorry, but I use a Galco Speed Paddle OWB holster. I've shot 500+ rounds through it with out a gun related problem. This includes wad cutters, semi wad cutters, lead round nose, Winchester SXT's, Gold Dots, and 125 +P Corbons.. I installed a wolf lighter trigger spring improveing the DA alittle bit. I have left the hammer spring as stock, wanting reliability for carry use. It's a dream to carry when I want to go light but armed. Other wise I carry a CZ 75D Compact PCR in 9mm with 14 in the mag.(IWB) and one extra mag. on my weak side, if I think I need it...
CraigJS
 
Great Gun

I have a 85 UL and carry it almost everyday. It's my back up at work and it's very often my off-duty carry as well. I don't use a pocket holster (P3AT is my pocket piece), but I have a DeSantis leather pancake that works real well for me. I feed it 125 gn Speer Gold Dot HP's. The +p have pretty stout recoil in the UL but still very manageable. Hope this helps.
 
I have never understood the search for a reliable jacketed bullet for the snub .38 spl. They drop the weight and raise the pressures to get adequate velocity for the bullet to perform. The old LSWCHP has always worked either as standard pressure or in +P form.
 
Wow CraigJS and I think alike (great minds, you know)

Taurus 85UL with CT grips but with a Don Hume and 135 grn Gold Dots.
has always worked fine for me.

 
I just bought an 85 but with a steel frame instead of the UL. I put 100 rounds through it yesterday and it shot much better than I was expecting from a snub. Yep, this is my first snub revolver but I have shot others before and wasn't impressed. I put some Hogue grips on it and it was nice.
 
Take that flame suit off. The 85UL is a handy snubby, and plenty accurate for its intended purpose. Enjoy it. Reports on the Speer 135 gr. JHP's have been very good. It's designed especially for 2" barrel guns. I'm not in a positon to judge that myself (how many of us are?).

Chuck
 
I think the CT grips (if needed ever) will be a great asset in low light and home defence situations. Helpful in odd body positions, stooped over laying down etc. Also if ever needed its a snap to fire from the weak side with them!!
CraigJS
 
First, congratulations on your new gun.

1. Is the M85UL a good .38 or is it junk (and please be civil. In a way this can be taking as "baiting" but I want honest, and backed up, opinions).
Click to expand...

Yes, it is a very good gun. I love Taurus snubs, I've had 2, and I think they may be as good, or better, than the current production S&Ws. The only reason I bought my S&W 442 is because Taurus doesn't have something similar (aluminum Centennial style) and the next closest thing, the 850 CIA in titanium would have been a lot more money (due to the titanium).

2. What is the best round for it? I've heard that getting high velocity rounds is a waste of money because the round will never achieve it's full potential from a 2" barrel. So what would be the best load?
Click to expand...

The best loadings for a 2" or less barrel are IMHO (more or less in order):

-The new 135gr Speer Gold Dot that were designed expressly for short barreled snubs

-The old 158gr LSWC-HP in +P

-The 125gr +P Speer Gold Dot

-The old 158gr LSWC-HP in standard pressure

-The old 158gr LSWC w/ no HP or the lead HP in either +P or standard pressure

-everything else

3. Anyone have an inexpensive pocket holster that will fit the gun, leather is better if you have.
Click to expand...

I bought a Desantis Pocket Pal for my S&W 442 and it seems like it will work well. Just around $25 at Natchez's. Another option is to check out High Noon Holsters, they have some nice holsters and great prices on some of their work (though the pocket holster is around $50, the best deals are some of their IWB holsters).

5. How is their warrenty ( ) (don't answer, this is just a take off of another thread underway on the board, it was a joke).
Click to expand...

I've never had to use it. From internet reports you will have one of two experiences if you ever need warranty work- you will either have a horrible customer service experience with your gun at the shop forever with little to no feedback and with it possibly not even fixed, or you will have your gun back in a week or two with everything cleared up, and it may even be better than new (some people have had things like free trigger jobs or other work depending upon their non-reliability complaints).
 
I have the 85 ss and I am quite pleased. my load selection varies 129gr fed hydro shock (accurate) or 158gr speer +p . craige mentioned the gold dot 135 gr for snubbies those would be worth a closer look. for penatration 158 fmj or swc in +p is a proven choice.
 
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did I make a mistake?

Should'a bought a S&W.....why?...... because i did and I don't want to feel stupid. I think you will be very happy with your new Taurus, and you have a few more nickles in your pocket than I do now.:)
 
Haaa My first post here .... :)

I bought the 85SS with CT Grip for my wife . The dealer had a bunch of these there.

I tried 5 different ones before I chose the one I bought her.

3 of them were good , but trigger was a little tight and action not perfect.

1 had what felt like sand embedded in the trigger and hammer action and it kept locking up (Brand New ... I gave it to the gunsmith who got it working but said he was sending that one back)

The one I bought her was PERFECT. Smooth as silk trigger action , barrel perfectly aligned , lock up solid like it was welded into the gun.
 
My M85UL:

The action is very smooth & crisp, the accuracy was much better than I had expected out of a 2" snub.

I load standard pressure Winchester 110gr Silvertips hollowpoints in mine for carry and I use a Galco speed paddle holster when I wear it.

It's in my carry rotation for when I need deeper concealment than I can get with one of my 1911's.

Overall I think that it is a very good revolver, every bit as good as any S&W or Ruger wheel gun that I have owned.

I am not surprised to see all of the responses of everyone who has had great experiences with this sweet little revolver, it is a keeper. :D
 
Thank you all for the replies.

I just liked it as soon as I picked it up. Some may complain with the sights but stock out of the box I was picking up the sights almost instantly, the same as I had done with higher priced pieces such as the HK, Luger, and Kimber.

I love the light weight, I can dump it into my pocket, coat or pants, and it weighs no more than the keys that I used to carry in that pocket.

And there's just something about a small, lightweight, snubby. I firmly believe that every man, woman and child should have one of their own (children with parental guidence of course).

And thanks very much for the ammo req. I think that at this time I am going to pick up a box of 135gr Speer Gold Dot to start with, right now it's just loaded with 158gr JSWC which I have found in the past is a very good round for small game but out of a GP-100 and all I had in the house.

Wayne
 
The more I read about new snubbys I'm glad I chose my 85UL. Seems alot of S&W owners have problems with their new guns. Plus...I only paid $249 for mine BRAND NEW!!!
 
hey,

i didn't read the other posts but you did fine (dep. on what you paid, of course).

it is accurate (for me) out to about 10 yds, very light and concealable. shot a lot ot +P through mine with NO problems.

and if you do have a problem, taurus has a lifetime warranty that people who have had to use it say they back up very well.

mike
 
I ALMOST bought one last year was highly impressed with the gun and how it was made and had a great trigger. I would have gotten it but sitting right next to it was a S&W M10-8, just had to go with the Smith but still wish I had gotten both:p
 
I got my wife an 85 (but not the UL) with the 2 inch barrel. She loved it and is very accurate with most of the loads already listed in this thread out to 20 or 25 yards, which is beyond what the gun is generally ment for.

To compare, ours has as good a trigger as the S&W stubby we have and is much better than our Colt DS. But she did try 3 different ones before selecting the one we got. Another good point is price. So as long as you can try it and compare before you lay the money down I feel the 85 will be a good buy.
 
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