Just for a change of pace...

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EdInk

New member
Just for a change of pace, let's discuss some GOOD things about Taurus.

I don't own any of them (probably won't ever) BUT a few friends of mine have had pretty good luck with some of their revolvers. (But one had a lemon too.)

Also, I feel that they do make SOME models that are/should be given credit as "decent" handguns. The models that come to mind are:

The Judge: IMHO a novelty but they seem to work reliably and they definitely sell alot of them. (Even if the gun is bad, the marketing is good.) They do look kinda fun as a toy.

24/7 OSS: Actually handled one of these and the ergos felt good. It was submitted for a go-nowhere military .45 pistol contract test and I think did okay. I would probably trust one myself after 500rds of no problems. (Still not my first pick though.)

Taurus 92: A close copy of the Beretta 92. IIRC early ones were even made on Beretta machinery. Plus the decocker is IMHO in a better location.

PT1911: While everyone under the sun has a 1911 variant, this one seems well made (better than SOME others in the price range) and it's hard to screw up a 1911, I would say if you get one for the right money, go for it.


Some other good things about Taurus, is they (if nothing else) are willing to try new concepts and produce new models to keep an updated catalog. Actually, product quality and market release can vary BUT at least they try, instead of being stationary.

Anyone else with anything positive to say about Taurus?
 
Taurus 92: A close copy of the Beretta 92. IIRC early ones were even made on Beretta machinery. Plus the decocker is IMHO in a better location.
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I've got one. It works just fine but I don't shoot it much.
 
Years ago I owned a Taurus tracker revolver in .357, 4in ported barrel. While the lock-up wasn't nearly as tight as a smith, ruger, or colt.....the gun functioned fine. I shot somewhere around 1000 rounds through while I owned it and it never failed and was always very accurate.

My shooting buddy has a PT-92. Was bought as one of his first guns back in the early 90's (I think), and has over 10,000 rounds through it....I have put at least 500 through it myself. It is very loose now and the finish is well worn, but it always goes bang! Pretty darn accurate too.

While Taurus may not be my first choice on a lot of their offerings, I would buy one if it fit my needs and the money was right. I just tend to stay away from them on my purchases because another manufacturer has a model I like better or is finished better.
 
Low Cost

Low cost is a big factor. Taurus offer several models at a substantially lower price than other manufacturers. I have owned five different models with no mechanical problems whatsoever. I regret having traded away my PT92. The only functional problems I have had with any of them I can attribute to my crappy reloads. There are plenty of Taurus bashers out there, but I hear few complaints supported by fact. I could bash any gun if I didn't have to support it with fact.
The models I have or had include the PT92, PT1911, model 65, PT740 Slim, and I think Model 82 (that was in the 70s, so I'm not sure). The 740 was too much power in a small frame for me. The 82 I sold because I needed cash.
 
i have 3 tuari, pt22, m85 and my most recent pt140 maybee 10 years ago. i wont be buying another both the pt22 and m85 have been back to taurus for something or another. no problems with the pt140 but ive tried to sell it on several occasions, there is no customer base and the resale value is pi$$ poor on them, i believe this to be for any taurus model.
 
I have a 709 slim and the gun is a beast. Good trigger, decent finish, sights, ect... It feeds any ammo reliably. It had one failure in about 500 rounds. I carry it sometimes in the summer and keep it with me when on the beach (since it's only $270, I don't care if the sand ruins the finish...).
 
Good experience with the 22-PLY and 25-PLY,,,

I don't know how well they will hold up after a lot of shooting,,,
But so far these little mouse guns have been worth the small price I paid for them.
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$201.00 at Buds Gun Shop,,,
Plus the transfer fee at the Evil Pawn Shop.

I am approaching the 1,000 round mark on the 22-PLY,,,
It has yet to fail me in any way at all.

The only problem is fail-to-fire with remington bulk pack ammo,,,
But I have about the same fail-to-fire rate with any gun using that ammo.

If I use MiniMags or Federal Bulk Pack it runs just fine.

I'm only around 150 rounds in the 25-PLY,,,
Ammo is a bit expensive so I don't shoot it as much,,,
Usually I send one magazine down range for every 10 from the 22-PLY.

But it's never jammed with the Aquilla FMJ's,,,
I have faith in the little thing due to it's solid performance.

So if anyone is looking for a reliable mouse gun,,,
You might consider giving the Taurii a try.

I also owned a 4" 990 Tracker in .22 LR,,,
It was an okay revolver but wasn't anything special.

I sold it not because it was a bad handgun,,,
It simply never made me smile when I took it out to shoot.

My personal experience(s) and observations lead me to believe their semi-auto pistols are higher quality than their revolvers.

That's just my opinion though,,,
Your mileage may vary.

Aarond
 
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I invited a friend to go shooting a while ago. She said she had a revolver.

When she showed up to my place it turned out to be a Taurus .357, don't know the model number but it had a ported barrel. I hadn't seen one like that before.

I shot some rounds through it and it was a very nice shooter. Good trigger, and almost no recoil with the ports.

It was her gun and not my place to comment on her choice. Seemed like a fine enough gun for her needs.
 
The only Taurus I have is a Public Defender Poly. Bought on a whim, but really surprised me at the range. Accuracy with the 45 LC ammo was way better than I expected at common SD range. Buckshot loads pattern well also at 10yds. Close up, snake range, say 10 ft. 7 1/2 shot holds a very dense pattern that no slithery critter could avoid.
First impression of Taurus-Very good.
Now I plan to get a PT-22 poly. No reason for it, just like the little rimfire.
 
I've wanted to try the 941 8-shot 22 magnum. If I can find one for the right price I will.

Seems to be no middle ground either love or hate, kinda like the S&W Sigma.
 
the resale value is pi$$ poor on them
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Which is actually an advantage if you buy used.

I found this Taurus 431 3" .44 Special for $268 last year. Nice smooth DA trigger and plenty accurate. The equivalent S&W (696) is probably nicer, but not for the extra $500 IMHO.


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PT1911: While everyone under the sun has a 1911 variant, this one seems well made (better than SOME others in the price range) and it's hard to screw up a 1911, I would say if you get one for the right money, go for it.
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I am picking one up tomorrow in 9 mm NIB in a trade for a S&W

I've wanted to try the 941 8-shot 22 magnum. If I can find one for the right price I will.
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Great little guns, I have 2 in the safe and the wifes is as smooth as a S&W action and mine is almost there being she shot hers a bunch more than I did. OTD was $260 NIB each
 
I've read a lot of bad about Taurus but only have 3 that I have inherited all revolvers, all were used as truck and carry guns for up to 12 years before being being passed to me and they were used a lot. No breakdowns, or need for smithing. I shoot them, though not a lot, so far aside from heavier triggers than I like they shoot nicely. On the other hand my brother bought a .357 Taurus and had to get it fixed right away, one chamber in the cylinder was under sized and couldn't be loaded.
 
I have never owned or shot any, so can't comment on quality. The only one I handled extensively in a shop was a used 94 ultra light that was awful, but being used who knows what abuse it could have taken from the previous owner.

The positive things in my mind with Taurus are that they still have an extensive lineup, good prices, and a variety of finishes. Speaking mostly from revolvers since that's my main interest, they have the widest selection of any major brand except perhaps S&W, offer most of their variants in blued finish (which I prefer immensely over stainless), and cost significantly less than anything new said to be higher quality.

The lifetime warranty is also nice, and I assume that most of their guns actually do work and don't need to be fixed or replaced, because otherwise, they'd likely be out of business by now.
 
I have a couple revolvers......

I have over the years owned a couple Model 85, .38 specials. But someone talked me into selling them each of them.
At present I have a Taurus Model 94, .22 lr. Revolver and a Model 605, I bought new, a couple weeks ago. I put a box of various shells through it over the weekend. That little gun will sting you some with 125 gr. 357's. Not too bad with .38 specials, though.
Oh, and I have an old Model 450, in .45 Colt. It is a ported snubby. Boy does it ROAR.
I have, so far, never had a complaint with any of my Taurus revolvers.
 
My Taurus 740 Slim has never malfunctioned, it's just that I can't shoot it accurately no matter what.

A big plus is that is so cheap, I use it as a range beater. I don't care if it breaks, I'll never send it for repair....it will be destroyed at my house.

But, like I said, it's never malfunctioned. I would not want to be on the business end of it.
 
i have a pt111 pro 9mm and i have to say it is one of my favorite to shoot. it is what i think a nine should be, small, rather accurate and hold quite a few rounds. hasnt done too well with the flat nosed bullets with its feed ramp but feeds great with anything else. for 325 in a ss slide great gun
 
I've had very good luck with my Taurus 617 2" seven shot .357 Magnum revolver. The only problem is the factory used some type of thick grease to lube the internals, which begin to thicken up after several months of non use. Removed the side plate gave it a good cleaning and a proper lubing and it is back in business.

Taurus makes two types of weapons: 1- good value for the price point that will give years of good service. 2- one that will never be right no matter how many times it is returned to the service center.
 
My first taurus was a used PT145. Paid $225 for it. Never malfuntioned, felt great in my hand and shot suprosingly well. I only sold it because I'm left handed and like an ambi safety.

Second taurus is a Tracker in 17hmr. I have a 2x6 scope on it and use it for small game. SA trigger is great! DA is as a non defensive DA trigger should be. Heavy but smooth. Gun shoots 1 inch @75 yards from a rest.

Picking up a TCP 380 tomorrow. I decieded I need a. pocket gun. And the TCP has gotten great reviews. All Taurus guns seem to fit my hand perfectly, and work perfectly. Why would I not buy one?
 
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