1) S&W is a more expensive gun than Taurus - is the extra expense worth it, i.e., is it reflected in better quality?
2) I saw an ad for a Model 649 for $360. Is this fairly reasonable?
3) Is there any advantage in getting the stainless steel version?
4) What are your opinions on the .357 Mag vs the .38 Special for CCW?
5) What kind of add-ons should he consider, i.e., night sights, laser?
Rock_Jock:
I am a retired cop. Left back in 1990 when we still carried wheel guns (S&W M15.. Best six shooter in the world!) Still have it and is shoots like a new pistol ( a new pistol with old blueing on it).
My current carry guns are Taurus M85, Keltec P-32, Keltec P-11, Glock 27/33 and Kimber UC .45 (3"bbl). How I dress usually governs which one I carry.
About a year ago I was in a gun store ans saw a stainless steel Taurus M85. It was in great shape, nice and tight, and a price tag of $180, Since I never owned a J frame Smith, I couldn't pass it up. Taurus has an unconditional warrantee on ANY Taurus gun, so I figurred... what the heck. The M85 shoots as good as any J frame Smith. But being steel, it's a bit heavy for pocket CCW(23 oz).
This year I traded in an old gun for a Taurus M85 Ultra Light (Retailed for $267). Shot it in with 100 rounds of 130 FMJ's and 100 Fed Nyclad 125+p's. Now I shoot the steel one and carry the Ultra Light. Since both gun's are identical to shoot, and together cost less than a Smith J, It works for me.
Got about 2000 rounds of regular and +p ammo out of the stainless steel M85( the one I bought used) and it is still tight and functions as good as it did when I bought it.
But I will admit that the Smith J IS a better made weapon (less machine marks etc., and will last longer before having to go back (I'm told that the light weight Taurus' tend to shoot themselves loose)
So... if you are buying a steel gun, I feel the Taurus will be just fine. If you are going for a light weight... I can't give any advice on that, unless your friend buys a used steel one and a new light weight like I did. Sounds a bit decadent, but I can shoot the crap out of the steel one and keep my carry gun like new.
As far as .38+p vs 357. The Smith J has a 1 7/8" bbl, the Taurus is a full 2". Out of these short bbls, the difference between the two is negligible, but the 357 will punish you much more, and the painfull recoil will slow your rate of fire down.
As far as add on's Bootgrips Bootgrips, Bootgrips!
I would trust either gun Smith or M85, with my life.
2) I saw an ad for a Model 649 for $360. Is this fairly reasonable?
3) Is there any advantage in getting the stainless steel version?
4) What are your opinions on the .357 Mag vs the .38 Special for CCW?
5) What kind of add-ons should he consider, i.e., night sights, laser?
Rock_Jock:
I am a retired cop. Left back in 1990 when we still carried wheel guns (S&W M15.. Best six shooter in the world!) Still have it and is shoots like a new pistol ( a new pistol with old blueing on it).
My current carry guns are Taurus M85, Keltec P-32, Keltec P-11, Glock 27/33 and Kimber UC .45 (3"bbl). How I dress usually governs which one I carry.
About a year ago I was in a gun store ans saw a stainless steel Taurus M85. It was in great shape, nice and tight, and a price tag of $180, Since I never owned a J frame Smith, I couldn't pass it up. Taurus has an unconditional warrantee on ANY Taurus gun, so I figurred... what the heck. The M85 shoots as good as any J frame Smith. But being steel, it's a bit heavy for pocket CCW(23 oz).
This year I traded in an old gun for a Taurus M85 Ultra Light (Retailed for $267). Shot it in with 100 rounds of 130 FMJ's and 100 Fed Nyclad 125+p's. Now I shoot the steel one and carry the Ultra Light. Since both gun's are identical to shoot, and together cost less than a Smith J, It works for me.
Got about 2000 rounds of regular and +p ammo out of the stainless steel M85( the one I bought used) and it is still tight and functions as good as it did when I bought it.
But I will admit that the Smith J IS a better made weapon (less machine marks etc., and will last longer before having to go back (I'm told that the light weight Taurus' tend to shoot themselves loose)
So... if you are buying a steel gun, I feel the Taurus will be just fine. If you are going for a light weight... I can't give any advice on that, unless your friend buys a used steel one and a new light weight like I did. Sounds a bit decadent, but I can shoot the crap out of the steel one and keep my carry gun like new.
As far as .38+p vs 357. The Smith J has a 1 7/8" bbl, the Taurus is a full 2". Out of these short bbls, the difference between the two is negligible, but the 357 will punish you much more, and the painfull recoil will slow your rate of fire down.
As far as add on's Bootgrips Bootgrips, Bootgrips!
I would trust either gun Smith or M85, with my life.
