S&W vs Ruger vs Taurus

You won't go wrong with either s Smith or a Ruger, both are good guns with excellent customer service should you need it.

Before investing in a Taurus, you really need to do a search on their customer service.
 
You won't go wrong with either s Smith or a Ruger, both are good guns with excellent customer service should you need it.

Before investing in a Taurus, you really need to do a search on their customer service.
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Good advice.
 
I've had several Taurus pistols and never had a problem with any of them. Can't say the same for my recent smith pistols (629,686etc) of which have all caused me problems. Having said that, ruger def makes the best revolver today. Hands down.
The reason I chose a
Taurus m85 over the LCR is they left the hammer off the LCR. Can't stand dao all the time.
 
I've tried all three manufacturers. Have since written off Taurus, and for CCW prefer S&W. Doesn't get much better for CCW revolvers than the Centennial line of S&W revolvers.
 
Over the years I have owned several of each..here is my take.

Smith: High quality, sturdy, reliable revolver with a trigger that gets sweeter the more its used. I have never fired a revolver with a trigger that can beat a well used Smith&Wesson.

Ruger: High quality, sturdy, reliable revolver with a hint of a distant westernish bloodline. The Rugers seem to point better in my hand and have slightly better ergonomics (to me)...consistant average trigger.

Taurus Mod 85 : Acceptable quality, acceptable ergo (with larger grip) with a lock that I dislike but value priced. I trust Taurus revolvers and do keep one in the Truck but that trust is just barely achieved.
 
I agree that if money wasn't a factor, I'd carry the scandium smith 360pd. But the fact is, money is a factor and I could buy almost 3 Taurus 85multi for the same cash. Are 2oz and the smith name worth triple the money? Not to me.
 
You won't go wrong with either a Smith or a Ruger, both are good guns with excellent customer service should you need it.

Before investing in a Taurus, you really need to do a search on their customer service.
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Agreed, and that includes a used Smith/Ruger that checks out over a new Taurus.
 
I agree that if money wasn't a factor, I'd carry the scandium smith 360pd. But the fact is, money is a factor and I could buy almost 3 Taurus 85multi for the same cash. Are 2oz and the smith name worth triple the money? Not to me.
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It's the quality that gets me. I paid $325 out the door (used) for the last Ruger SP101 I bought. They can be had all day long privately in the $350-$400 range, usually with accessories. So $325-$400 for a revolver that I know isn't going to break, and if it does, Ruger is going to fix correctly and in a timely manner.
 
S&W or Ruger. I gave up on Taurus a while back. Sold them for 4 years, sent a bunch back on warranty. At best 50/50 chance of a good one.
 
It is a question of personal preference. The Smith & Wesson and the Rugers are fine if you like the features. Historically, Rutgers were built heavier since they were investment cast rather than forged. There is also the issue of value. For my most recent J frame, I looked at both and chose the Ruger LCR. I have no regrets.

I keep hearing about quality control problems with Taurus. Maybe it is not deserved. Maybe it is. Plenty of customers like Taurus. I would look at them, but I would thoroughly investigate the weapon first.

Of course, internet forums are not authoritative sources of information and professional reviewers have a conflict of interest due to advertising. I do not personally know of a peer review publication covering these items.

Just understand a lot of information available is non-authoritative and may be slanted one way or the other.
 
I have owned snubs from all three, a S&W 637, a Ruger SP and a Taurus M85. Out of all three guns the Taurus was the only one i had problems with. It froze up solid at 250 rounds or so. After dealing with Taurus's customer service, I never trusted the gun again and dumped it.

The Smith and Ruger have been excellent guns. As far as CCW guns, I prefer the Smith. Better trigger, lighter weight than the SP. While the Ruger's trigger isn't nearly as good as the Smith, it does smooth out with use.

Between the two, I prefer Smith, however, if you like the Ruger better, there are no crimes in doing so.

As far as Taurus, save your money. It is possible to get a decent one but it is possible to get a terrible one. If you get a bad one, it will likely be very bad. Smith and Ruger have great customer service, Taurus, not so much.
 
I agree that if money wasn't a factor, I'd carry the scandium smith 360pd. But the fact is, money is a factor and I could buy almost 3 Taurus 85multi for the same cash. Are 2oz and the smith name worth triple the money? Not to me.
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In my opinion you aren't missing much by not being able to get a Scandium Smith. I purchased a 357mag S&W 340M&P. Wonderful in the pocket. Amazingly light. Nice night sight on the front. It was the perfect CCW revolver until I took it to the range and shot it with self-defense loads. Not bad with practice loads, but with self-defense loads, it was downright painful to shoot. I had read this about the gun many times, but figured I could handle it. Afterall, I didn't consider myself recoil sensitive, but after a few range sessions I just couldn't stand shooting it anymore. It actually hurt to shoot the gun. I know guys will jump on here and say the recoil of the Scandium models is tolerable, but if you want to find out for yourself, don't spend any money...just go out to your automobile. Open the hood, place your hand down on the front of the car, and slam the hood down onto your hand. If you don't want to get blood on your car, you can substitute a hammer for the hood (again just smack your hand with the hammer). Then having a good approximation of what it feels like to shoot a Scandium S&W, decide if it's really worth the cash paid. For me it wasn't, and I don't recommend them. A 642 at half the price, has many of the same features in gun that is tolerable to practice with.
 
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I think there might be some Taurus factory reps in this thread.

I prefer S&W snubbies due to the designs, performance, etc. Colts and Rugers are ok. Colts are collectors items in a snubby so they're not a great carry idea IMO. I have a Detective Special from 1959 that I would not carry and IIRC I either never carried, or carried once my 1974 Cobra.

I would not trust my life to a Taurus. I like my life more than that.
 
Title is in order of quality

S&W vs Ruger vs Taurus.

Not to bash any one of the gun makes esp Taurus who gets bashed often.


I own a S&W J frame and Two Ruger revolvers and one Taurus 94 which 3k++ rounds through it which I enjoy.


My S&W J frame is part of my EDC, really enjoy it.
Ruger is great, I don't like their LCR plastic things, I do own a LCR-22 for revolver trainning on DAO J frames but wouldn't want to own it in 357/38, I am not a plastic revolver guy.

Taurus I have to say it but I wouldn't want to own one of their 38/357 J frames, feels cheezy. Taurus 94/970/990's are pretty good.
 
not one of these again:rolleyes:


From my personal experience S&W have the best fit and finish and slightly better triggers than Ruger, although a Ruger will get the job done just as well as a S&W so there's no going wrong with either. I personally prefer S&W due to function, design, size, looks and the list can go on, also it helps that I can drive to the S&W factory in about an hour to drop off a firearm if I need repairs.

As far as Taurus, their horrible customer service leaves me with no interest in them. I handled a buddies Taurus .38 snub and it seemed solid enough but did not shoot as well as my J frames I have had.
 
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Concealed carry revolvers which do you prefer and why?

My preference is S&W because I've had the best experiences with that brand.
 
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