Other Good Revolvers
- Thread starter BabyBoy
- Start date
Taurus has a mixed history, there's plenty of vocal detractors, but then, every company has its share. If they were as much junk as people say they are, then I don't think they'd be so popular.
I'd consider a new Taurus, although, truthfully, I don't think I'd consider an older model, or even used new model.
I'd consider a new Taurus, although, truthfully, I don't think I'd consider an older model, or even used new model.
P. Plainsman
New member
On the single action side, U.S. Firearms makes well regarded Colt SAA replicas and related guns. So do a bunch of Italian import makers, but USFA is American-made and is reputed to be a cut above. They start around $500 and run to $1000 and up.
http://www.usfirearms.com/
At the "connoisseur" level, Freedom Arms makes superbly finished, custom-quality single action revolvers for hunting. Calibers range from .454 Casull to .22 rimfire, but it's all basically the same gun, in large and medium frame sizes. They run about $1600-$2000 new and are, by all accounts, amazingly accurate and resilient weapons.
http://www.freedomarms.com/
(Someday, folks. Someday...)
http://www.usfirearms.com/
At the "connoisseur" level, Freedom Arms makes superbly finished, custom-quality single action revolvers for hunting. Calibers range from .454 Casull to .22 rimfire, but it's all basically the same gun, in large and medium frame sizes. They run about $1600-$2000 new and are, by all accounts, amazingly accurate and resilient weapons.
http://www.freedomarms.com/
(Someday, folks. Someday...)
garry owen
New member
I owned a Taurus 608 for years and never had a problem with it.The 8 shot revolver is built on thier 44mag frame and I decided it was to damn big, but it shot well. Traded it in on a new Ruger GP100. I recently aquired a Taurus 85 ultralite and like it quite a bit. So all in all I've had good luck with them.
Blue Heeler
Moderator
Baby Boy - it's not easy to say this, but after Smith & Wesson there aren't any good revolvers. There are only some that are bearable.
You see, S&W got the design right. Rugers have poor spring systems. Rossi and Taurus have unsteady quality. Colts have useless cylinder releases and go out of tune faster than a $2 ukulele. Some of the 'Flash Harrys,' like Korth and Manhurin are just overpriced and tarted up Smiths, and, what's worse, they don't shoot any better.
Wan't to know which revolver holds the World centrefire record?
Smith & Wesson ( Model 14.)
I know someone will disagree. But they'll be wrong. They'll have a 'whatever' that they love and it'll shoot 'great' - it is the way of the World.
The truth is there for all to see - It is Smith & Wesson, everything else is second.
You see, S&W got the design right. Rugers have poor spring systems. Rossi and Taurus have unsteady quality. Colts have useless cylinder releases and go out of tune faster than a $2 ukulele. Some of the 'Flash Harrys,' like Korth and Manhurin are just overpriced and tarted up Smiths, and, what's worse, they don't shoot any better.
Wan't to know which revolver holds the World centrefire record?
Smith & Wesson ( Model 14.)
I know someone will disagree. But they'll be wrong. They'll have a 'whatever' that they love and it'll shoot 'great' - it is the way of the World.
The truth is there for all to see - It is Smith & Wesson, everything else is second.
P. Plainsman
New member
Feh. I own and love S&W revolvers and can certainly appreciate why many prefer them to all others. But this:
Smith's revolver line remains fully competitive with Ruger's (and I own equal numbers of each, and trust each marque with my life), but that is due to S&W's superior fit & finish, forged frames, and greater attentiveness to the CCW market, not to design.
is just erroneous. Ruger's current DA revolver design (GP100/Super Redhawk) is clearly better engineered than the S&W design, and is generally acknowledged as such. Simpler, easier to field strip, more durable, more secure lockup, more intuitive cylinder release mechanism (just push a button), more versatile grip design. Which is what you'd expect to find -- S&W's double action revolver design is old. The current Ruger DA revolver design is barely 20. Bill Ruger had the S&W and Colt predecessors to work from, and he improved upon them.
Smith's revolver line remains fully competitive with Ruger's (and I own equal numbers of each, and trust each marque with my life), but that is due to S&W's superior fit & finish, forged frames, and greater attentiveness to the CCW market, not to design.
I agree, Freedom is at the top of the quality charts but there is nothing wrong with a Ruger Vaquero or a Beretta Stampede.
Colt, SW, Taurus, Colt, SW, Taurus, Colt, SW, Taurus!!!
I don't think anyone is going to change their minds about their favorite revolver. I think all three are all quality guns and the price of each reflects that quality. I would hate to think that I missed the opportunity to shoot any of the three because I was so biased in my thinking...
Colt, SW, Taurus, Colt, SW, Taurus, Colt, SW, Taurus!!!
I don't think anyone is going to change their minds about their favorite revolver. I think all three are all quality guns and the price of each reflects that quality. I would hate to think that I missed the opportunity to shoot any of the three because I was so biased in my thinking...
I'd like to buy another S&W except they all have that stupid hole right above the cylinder release. On the other hand, my unfired pair of 696's are worth more now than I paid for them. Which reminds me......If I welded up that hole on a new 629 would the frame have to be heat treated or stress relieved in some way?
Jack Malloy
New member
As a former Smith shill, I can assure you that Colts generally are better fitted, better finished and a lot smoother. They tend to be more accurate as well, and if you are into tactical shooting with a wheelie, guess what? The cylinder release opens FASTER and smoother than a Smith.
If you like Smiths do yourself a favor and buy an older model before two peice barrells and key hole safetys ruined them.
I have had nothing but good luck from Taurus wheelguns, even used.
In all honesty, I would rather have an older model Astra than a new Smith. New Smiths don't even look much like Smiths, they look like cheap copies of smiths, what with those two peice barrels and those ungraceful humps between the top of the frame and where the top of the grip lies, which USED to be a graceful scallop.
Every time I see one, I cry.
Modern Rossis are good guns for the money. Some runs of Charter arms were okay, and some needed work.
Every maker turns loose lemons from time to time. But you have to wonder about makers who mutilate classic designs to save a buck or two.
If you like Smiths do yourself a favor and buy an older model before two peice barrells and key hole safetys ruined them.
I have had nothing but good luck from Taurus wheelguns, even used.
In all honesty, I would rather have an older model Astra than a new Smith. New Smiths don't even look much like Smiths, they look like cheap copies of smiths, what with those two peice barrels and those ungraceful humps between the top of the frame and where the top of the grip lies, which USED to be a graceful scallop.
Every time I see one, I cry.
Modern Rossis are good guns for the money. Some runs of Charter arms were okay, and some needed work.
Every maker turns loose lemons from time to time. But you have to wonder about makers who mutilate classic designs to save a buck or two.
azredhawk44
Moderator
What do you folks mean by "two piece barrels?" What are the two pieces?
The 2 piece barrel is like on the Dan Wesson in design. There is the inner barrel with the rifling which is a cylindrical tube and then a shroud that slips over the tube and is tensioned at the muzzle that gives the shape (on Dan Wessons the came with or without underlug and vent rib depending upon what you desired-they were easily changed by the owner unlike the S&W). Supposedly, this gives better accuracy as a side benefit.
:barf: 