I purchased my first pistol about a week ago. Taurus Tracker 357 mag. After putting 50 rounds through it im not sure im completely satisfied. I dont have anything major to complain about but am bothered by a few little things. The transfer bar rattles a little more than id like and the switch on the side to open the cylinder is a little loose and seems cheap. I also feel like the cylinder is a little hard to push open. Ive heard a lot of mixed reviews about taurus. The people who have them seem to like them and the people who dont have them think they are junk. So id like some honest opinions about taurus, did I buy junk or are they a decent pistol? Thinking about trading it in for a smith and wesson 686 but may hand the taurus over to my dad if I dont feel like im giving him junk. So please let me know what you think of taurus.
New to handguns. Is Taurus really that bad?
- Thread starter Kingcuda
- Start date
Some folks really like them. I don't own one and the ones my friends own seem to have issues. When they finally get them right, they seem to running ok.
Some get a good one right out of the box. I think they are more prone to problems than almost any other manufacturer. I won't own one. I don't look at them in the store and I don't handle them as rentals. I just leave them alone.
Some get a good one right out of the box. I think they are more prone to problems than almost any other manufacturer. I won't own one. I don't look at them in the store and I don't handle them as rentals. I just leave them alone.
Bill DeShivs
New member
Since you have nothing to compare, I think you are worrying too much. If all, most, or even 10% of Taurus's guns were bad-they would be out of business.
You already own it. Use it and care for it.
You already own it. Use it and care for it.
Taurus quality control has been spotty, but the problems have usually been of a more basic and evident nature. The good ones (the vast majority) are just fine and excellent value for the price. A rattling hammer block is not limited to Taurus, S&W has the same "problem", and you really have to strain to notice it when the gun is right up to your ear, fortunately an uncommon shooting position. I wouldn't worry about it.
Jim
Jim
I am not a fan of Taurus firearms. I have never owned one, and freely admit my dislike may be rooted in baseless bais.
That said, if I were to own a Taurus, I would own a semiautomatic pistol of theirs before I got one of their revolvers, only because a revolver is a much more complicated mechanical piece, and I would rather spend a little more for a Smith and Wesson or Ruger. Their autoloaders also seem to have a somewhat better reputation, from what I read.
That said, if your Tracker works for you, then shoot the blazes out of it.
That said, if I were to own a Taurus, I would own a semiautomatic pistol of theirs before I got one of their revolvers, only because a revolver is a much more complicated mechanical piece, and I would rather spend a little more for a Smith and Wesson or Ruger. Their autoloaders also seem to have a somewhat better reputation, from what I read.
That said, if your Tracker works for you, then shoot the blazes out of it.
Dislike of Taurus is not so much "baseless bias" as based on comments on sites like this one. Some people seem to have had problems with Taurus guns, ranging from serious to trivial and more than a little weird.
The trouble is that a few unhappy Taurus owners can seem like a crowd when they try to out do (or out lie) each other in relating their own experiences with the product.
In my limited experience, Taurus has or has had problems in its quality control. Most of those problems would have been detected by a simple one-minute check over at the dealer. Even so, most of their guns that I have seen and checked were OK.
Jim
The trouble is that a few unhappy Taurus owners can seem like a crowd when they try to out do (or out lie) each other in relating their own experiences with the product.
In my limited experience, Taurus has or has had problems in its quality control. Most of those problems would have been detected by a simple one-minute check over at the dealer. Even so, most of their guns that I have seen and checked were OK.
Jim
A pause for the COZ
New member
Well, I guess they earned the bad reviews.
Personally though, I have 3 Taurus guns. Not an issue with any of them.
I also have 4 Rugers.
Have had manufacturing defects on two of the 4. Thats a 50% failure rate.
Ruger make it right though. But still the three Taurus guns cost what one of my Rugers cost.
I will still buy another Taurus. If I get a bad one, i get a bad one. I am still ahead of the game.
Personally though, I have 3 Taurus guns. Not an issue with any of them.
I also have 4 Rugers.
Have had manufacturing defects on two of the 4. Thats a 50% failure rate.
Ruger make it right though. But still the three Taurus guns cost what one of my Rugers cost.
I will still buy another Taurus. If I get a bad one, i get a bad one. I am still ahead of the game.
I've owned a number of Taurus revolvers over the years. They've all been "older" ones, from the late 80's, to maybe mid 90's or so. I can identify them by their wooded grips, newer ones have rubber. I can't speak to their newer stuff, I've never even looked at it, but then I don't look at much of anything in the "new" case.
I've never seen anything wrong with them. On some the finish isn't as shiny as a Smith & Wesson. It's not a "bad" finish, just more of a matte is all.
I check out every gun I buy. I know what to look for and don't buy a gun, no matter what brand, that doesn't pass.
I've never seen anything wrong with them. On some the finish isn't as shiny as a Smith & Wesson. It's not a "bad" finish, just more of a matte is all.
I check out every gun I buy. I know what to look for and don't buy a gun, no matter what brand, that doesn't pass.
98 220 swift
New member
I bought a Taurus model 94 snub nosed 22lr about 6 years ago. Needed a good around the yard carry gun for vermin and the like. It seemed ok when I bought it. Double action was terrible single ok. Took it apart and cleaned it and the DA got better with use. It shot decent for a 2" barrel. I put a few 100 rounds through it and was shooting some scrap drywall for a target back. I found the bullets was hitting sideways. I inspected the barrel and saw no rifling. It was full of lead. After cleaning it for a couple of days all the lead came out and it shot properly again. After a couple 100 more rounds same thing again. This time I gave it a better looking over. The machine marks in the barrel and cylinder where very rough and the forcing cone was very over size. It was just poor machining. I sold the gun to a friend who knew about the problems and did not care. He liked the gun. A few years later me and him are at the range and he brings the 94 with him. We both put about a box threw it when it completely locks up on him. He sent it back to Taurus and they did fix it fairly quickly 2-3 months. But after all that I will never buy another Taurus. Anything can break but the terrible machining lacks of workmanship. The bad thing is a CCW this gun a few times. I know some people have good luck with them. And they all can break but I would give a good looking over at the barrel and cly to make sure they look decent.
lee n. field
New member
Here we go again, regular as clockwork, a "Taurus 2 minute hate" thread.
Run a couple hundred rounds through it. Still work? If yes, you're probably good.
---edit to add---
The things you're concerned about, I don't think matter that much. Transfer bars rattle -- it's in the nature of the part. Taurus' cylinder latch is (IMHO, YMMV) more rounded and less "grabby" than the equivalent S&W part, yes. But it still works. I don't think there's an aftermarket, and I don't know if a S&W latch can be made to work.
I'd be more concerned if it failed the inspection procedure. "What inspection procedure?" you might ask. See "Sticky: THE REVOLVER CHECKOUT - 10 year anniversary update..
FWIW, I've had two Taurus revolvers. Still have one, that I have no intention of getting rid of. I also have a "Taurus Customer Service rant", from over a decade ago.
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Magnum Wheel Man
New member
in general, you get what you pay for ( yes there are some good values / deals out there ) but in general you get what you pay for...
I had to repeatedly send a brand new S&W back to the factory for an excessive headspace issue ( they told me it was unsafe to shoot ) & each time I sent it back, they did nothing to repair the problem... I finally happened upon the area sales rep one day, at my local dealer after the 3rd trip back, dealer told me to tell the rep my story, & he attached a personal note, & the revolver was finally fixed ( & awesome ) but in the mean time, I'd spent over $900.00 on the revolver new, & had not gotten to shoot it in 6 months...
I've not personally had an issue with any of my other S&W's or any of my Rugers, ( I have many ) or any issues with either of my 3 Tauri... the Taurus has a "cheaper / less refined feel" but they all shoot fine ( 2 revolvers & 1 semi auto )
I think all the higher end manufacturers have taken a step or two backwards in the last couple years, & the cheaper brands have either gotten slightly better or stayed the same ( as mentioned, if you're making crap, you won't be in business long ) but anyway, the gap between better quality guns, & cheaper ones seems to have narrowed ( at least in the QC department )
even though I had so many issues with that particular S&W, & the S&W fan boys were doing everything they could verbally on the forums, to make it seem like it was my fault, not S&W's ( it was a brand new gun with clearly outlined written issues each time it went back for repair )... once the issues were finally addressed, it has a quality of feel that none of my other guns ( except a vintage S&W ) can match...
I'm at the point, that I say, they all make good ones, & all make bad ones... but when you get a good one from a better manufacturer, those are "really" good
I had to repeatedly send a brand new S&W back to the factory for an excessive headspace issue ( they told me it was unsafe to shoot ) & each time I sent it back, they did nothing to repair the problem... I finally happened upon the area sales rep one day, at my local dealer after the 3rd trip back, dealer told me to tell the rep my story, & he attached a personal note, & the revolver was finally fixed ( & awesome ) but in the mean time, I'd spent over $900.00 on the revolver new, & had not gotten to shoot it in 6 months...
I've not personally had an issue with any of my other S&W's or any of my Rugers, ( I have many ) or any issues with either of my 3 Tauri... the Taurus has a "cheaper / less refined feel" but they all shoot fine ( 2 revolvers & 1 semi auto )
I think all the higher end manufacturers have taken a step or two backwards in the last couple years, & the cheaper brands have either gotten slightly better or stayed the same ( as mentioned, if you're making crap, you won't be in business long ) but anyway, the gap between better quality guns, & cheaper ones seems to have narrowed ( at least in the QC department )
even though I had so many issues with that particular S&W, & the S&W fan boys were doing everything they could verbally on the forums, to make it seem like it was my fault, not S&W's ( it was a brand new gun with clearly outlined written issues each time it went back for repair )... once the issues were finally addressed, it has a quality of feel that none of my other guns ( except a vintage S&W ) can match...
I'm at the point, that I say, they all make good ones, & all make bad ones... but when you get a good one from a better manufacturer, those are "really" good
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gbclarkson
New member
I have owned 3 Taurus revolvers and each has fired with every trigger pull. My Ruger revolvers rattle also - that's not abnormal or indicative of a flaw. The movements of the cylinder will loosen with use, just like other revolvers in the low to mid price ranges. Your Taurus will be, most likely, a serviceable revolver for many years just like other production revolvers
Jbar4Ranch
New member
I spent five years as the gun room manager for Sportsman's Warehouse, and sent back more Taurus revolvers for warranty service than everything else combined that we carried. Taurus autos, on the other hand, I can only remember TWO that went back for service.
Prior to my tenure with SW, I purchased a couple Taurus revolvers, and they've worked just fine, but based on what I experienced at SW dealing with a wide variety of thousands of firearms, I would never put down good money for a Taurus revolver again. Likewise, even thought I've never owned one, I would have no problem buying a Taurus auto.
Prior to my tenure with SW, I purchased a couple Taurus revolvers, and they've worked just fine, but based on what I experienced at SW dealing with a wide variety of thousands of firearms, I would never put down good money for a Taurus revolver again. Likewise, even thought I've never owned one, I would have no problem buying a Taurus auto.
Prof Young
New member
Some minor problems . . .
I've owned two Taurus revolvers, a Public Defender and a 44 mag raging bull.
I've had some minor problems with the raging bull. The extractor rod return spring broke. I got a new one free from Taurus with just a phone call and it was easy to install. The screw that holds the whole cylinder assembly into the gun would work it's way lose until I put some loctite on it. I got it new for $450. I put a scope on it and have taken two whitetail with it. Still have it and love shooting it.
No problems at all with the Public Defender. I think they are generally a good buy in fire arms.
Live well, be safe
Prof Young
I've owned two Taurus revolvers, a Public Defender and a 44 mag raging bull.
I've had some minor problems with the raging bull. The extractor rod return spring broke. I got a new one free from Taurus with just a phone call and it was easy to install. The screw that holds the whole cylinder assembly into the gun would work it's way lose until I put some loctite on it. I got it new for $450. I put a scope on it and have taken two whitetail with it. Still have it and love shooting it.
No problems at all with the Public Defender. I think they are generally a good buy in fire arms.
Live well, be safe
Prof Young
WVMountaineer
New member
OP, you don't even know what you have and are questioning it based on what a hand full of people on the internet has said. Pay a lot of attention to what Magnum Wheel Man said. It holds merit and is coming from someone who knows of what they speak based on experience. I don't even know him and know that by reading his post.
They are not a Ruger. They are not a Smith and Wesson. They are a Taurus. YMWV (Your Mileage Will Vary) in the end to anyone else's but, you wont know unless you see for yourself. And, as Magbum said, if you buy enough of any brand, some are going to go back in today's world. No one is perfect in the rat race to feed the firearm demand. No one.
My experience with a Taurus revolver is they tend to have more slop at lock up. Obviously that doesn't affect their shooting as all were very accurate. I have a theory on this phenomenon as I tend to believe it is by design. But, I'll leave it at that. Aside from this and the over all obvious difference in quality, they are a fine firearm by and large and go bang every single time you pull the trigger. With no lead shavings or debris flying into your hand because of being out of time. Regardless of the rumors you hear about it being a big problem with their revolvers.
So, keep the gun and shoot it for a while. Take it apart and CLEAN the factory goop they put in it while assembling it. By all means buy a S&W or even a better made Ruger Redhawk and, see the differences for yourself before trying to determine if it is junk based on biased opinions. There are differences. As there very well should be according to the prices associated with each brand. After experiencing them you can then decide what gun fits your desired task and buy accordingly.
Nothing in life says you have to buy somebody else's preferences for all your purposes. Buy what fits your purpose. You might just find that a Taurus revolver has a niche when considering all things. And, remember this, not one Taurus hater that talks about how unreliable or bad they are would be willing to stand down range from one. Because as bad as they hate it and, try to influence you to not buy one, they know just as many Tauras's go bang every singe time as any S&W or Ruger. God Bless
They are not a Ruger. They are not a Smith and Wesson. They are a Taurus. YMWV (Your Mileage Will Vary) in the end to anyone else's but, you wont know unless you see for yourself. And, as Magbum said, if you buy enough of any brand, some are going to go back in today's world. No one is perfect in the rat race to feed the firearm demand. No one.
My experience with a Taurus revolver is they tend to have more slop at lock up. Obviously that doesn't affect their shooting as all were very accurate. I have a theory on this phenomenon as I tend to believe it is by design. But, I'll leave it at that. Aside from this and the over all obvious difference in quality, they are a fine firearm by and large and go bang every single time you pull the trigger. With no lead shavings or debris flying into your hand because of being out of time. Regardless of the rumors you hear about it being a big problem with their revolvers.
So, keep the gun and shoot it for a while. Take it apart and CLEAN the factory goop they put in it while assembling it. By all means buy a S&W or even a better made Ruger Redhawk and, see the differences for yourself before trying to determine if it is junk based on biased opinions. There are differences. As there very well should be according to the prices associated with each brand. After experiencing them you can then decide what gun fits your desired task and buy accordingly.
Nothing in life says you have to buy somebody else's preferences for all your purposes. Buy what fits your purpose. You might just find that a Taurus revolver has a niche when considering all things. And, remember this, not one Taurus hater that talks about how unreliable or bad they are would be willing to stand down range from one. Because as bad as they hate it and, try to influence you to not buy one, they know just as many Tauras's go bang every singe time as any S&W or Ruger. God Bless
Doc Holliday 1950
New member
KingCuda,
I've owned 4 Taurus and 3 Rossi in the past 15 years and 1 EAA 4" 357 & 2 Rugers and 1 -1967 Python 4".(my Safe Queen) & now 2 Rugers.
1- Millenium 40 cal semi.
1- 22mag 8 shot revolver.
1- PT 25 semi.
1- 38 spec. Ultralite
3- 462/461 357's
1- Ruger GP 100 4.2" 357
1- LCR 1.87" 357
Never had any problems with any(except the LCR). Had to sell the Millennium because of old Uncle Artheritice(could't rack anymore). Sold the Ultralite because damn thing's
recoil was too much pain.( dislike most ultralites ).
Traded the 22 mag. the PT25 and one 462 & the EAA 4" 357 to get the GP100 4.2 " and LCR 357s. For which my spouse and I are very happy with. Her LCR was perfect because of her hand anatomy. The LCR fit her perfectly.
My latest Rossi 461 blued is absolutely super and accurate. No shakes everything tight as a drum. The bluing is spotty
but when I went on their site all their blued models had bluing shading so I gather it's intentional. Some people think that's a sign of garbage. Don't think so IMHO.
The only one I ever had a problem with was the LCR's cylinder latch. Ruger had to replace it because nobody could open the cylinder to load or reload. Ruger fixed that in less than one week. I never had problems with the integrity of the Taurus or Rossi or the EAA so I can't talk about their CS.
Mag Man and MVWestV summed things up quite well. Just because something is less costly does not mean it is garbage and yesterday's bad news doesn't mean that it's today's bad news. I seem to remember that Ruger once upon a time was considered junk because of price and etcs. Look at it now.
I have come to understand that this Forum is basically a Ruger/S&W home with a few discussions on other models. These people are very very accurate and passionate and knowledgeable about
their Rugers and S&W's. They are experts and in most cases had bought or tried the Old Taurus and Rossi weapons and they for the most part were not very good about 90 % of the time. But, things do change. I hope this helps you in your quest for an inexpensive wheel. This Forum certainly helped me when picking out what I needed to get.
Doc
I've owned 4 Taurus and 3 Rossi in the past 15 years and 1 EAA 4" 357 & 2 Rugers and 1 -1967 Python 4".(my Safe Queen) & now 2 Rugers.
1- Millenium 40 cal semi.
1- 22mag 8 shot revolver.
1- PT 25 semi.
1- 38 spec. Ultralite
3- 462/461 357's
1- Ruger GP 100 4.2" 357
1- LCR 1.87" 357
Never had any problems with any(except the LCR). Had to sell the Millennium because of old Uncle Artheritice(could't rack anymore). Sold the Ultralite because damn thing's
recoil was too much pain.( dislike most ultralites ).
Traded the 22 mag. the PT25 and one 462 & the EAA 4" 357 to get the GP100 4.2 " and LCR 357s. For which my spouse and I are very happy with. Her LCR was perfect because of her hand anatomy. The LCR fit her perfectly.
My latest Rossi 461 blued is absolutely super and accurate. No shakes everything tight as a drum. The bluing is spotty
but when I went on their site all their blued models had bluing shading so I gather it's intentional. Some people think that's a sign of garbage. Don't think so IMHO.
The only one I ever had a problem with was the LCR's cylinder latch. Ruger had to replace it because nobody could open the cylinder to load or reload. Ruger fixed that in less than one week. I never had problems with the integrity of the Taurus or Rossi or the EAA so I can't talk about their CS.
Mag Man and MVWestV summed things up quite well. Just because something is less costly does not mean it is garbage and yesterday's bad news doesn't mean that it's today's bad news. I seem to remember that Ruger once upon a time was considered junk because of price and etcs. Look at it now.
I have come to understand that this Forum is basically a Ruger/S&W home with a few discussions on other models. These people are very very accurate and passionate and knowledgeable about
their Rugers and S&W's. They are experts and in most cases had bought or tried the Old Taurus and Rossi weapons and they for the most part were not very good about 90 % of the time. But, things do change. I hope this helps you in your quest for an inexpensive wheel. This Forum certainly helped me when picking out what I needed to get.
Doc
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I've had 3 Taurus products 2 which I still own. The first a PT-22 literally broke apart as I was firing it. I sent it back to Taurus they repaired it and I traded it for a S&W 642. The second a Taurus 94 snub has never given me a problem in the years I've had it. I carry it daily around the Homestead. My 3rd is a Tracker 627 .357 6" bbl which had a issue with light strikes when it was new. I sent it back to Davidsons and it was repaired under their lifetime warranty. I've put many rounds through it since without probs. I would buy another Taurus. 
V-fib
V-fib
Every production guy I have spoken with says very emphatically that quality control starts with the guys and gals on the production line. They are the ones who know when a machine is not working right, or when a part isn't correct. And they see more of the product in a single shift than any customer will see in a lifetime.
Now, I have never been to the Taurus factory, have never been to Brazil, and don't speak Portuguese. But my feeling is that for whatever reason (wages, working conditions, corporate culture) the Taurus folks just aren't where they need to be so that the workers are the primary quality control inspectors. Some of the Taurus problems I have seen were so bad and so evident that the parts should never have been assembled into the gun, yet were forced into place.
That is a sign of employees who have to work to a perhaps unrealistic quota system and who have not been educated and encouraged to care about quality. It is also a sign of a corporate culture that puts production ahead of quality or customer satisfaction. Correcting such a situation is not easy; balancing employee satisfaction against the primary goal of a company (to make money for its investors) is never easy. Certainly, this country has experienced problems in its auto industry with both poor quality control and a corporate culture with a "s***w the customer" attitude. It has happened before and will happen again. Taurus keeps saying that the problems have been fixed, and I have seen improvements. Let us hope their loss of a major lawsuit and customer complaints in general will result in a "shape up" at the company that will be correct and lasting.
Jim
Now, I have never been to the Taurus factory, have never been to Brazil, and don't speak Portuguese. But my feeling is that for whatever reason (wages, working conditions, corporate culture) the Taurus folks just aren't where they need to be so that the workers are the primary quality control inspectors. Some of the Taurus problems I have seen were so bad and so evident that the parts should never have been assembled into the gun, yet were forced into place.
That is a sign of employees who have to work to a perhaps unrealistic quota system and who have not been educated and encouraged to care about quality. It is also a sign of a corporate culture that puts production ahead of quality or customer satisfaction. Correcting such a situation is not easy; balancing employee satisfaction against the primary goal of a company (to make money for its investors) is never easy. Certainly, this country has experienced problems in its auto industry with both poor quality control and a corporate culture with a "s***w the customer" attitude. It has happened before and will happen again. Taurus keeps saying that the problems have been fixed, and I have seen improvements. Let us hope their loss of a major lawsuit and customer complaints in general will result in a "shape up" at the company that will be correct and lasting.
Jim