S&W worth extra $$$ over Taurus?

S

SteelToe

New member
Okay so after long thought I have decided to go revolver for concealed carry. I have a few questions. First and foremost the Taurus compacts I like are under $400! The few S&Ws I like are $600+ ! and most do not even carry 7 rounds like the Taurus. Are S&W thought of as better performing? Longer lasting?

Also I like two of the Taurus I will post pictures adn company descriptions. I noticed one said it was made specicifcaly for self protection and it was made with the thought that the users life depended on it (which I like) but it only carried 5 rounds. Neither of the 7 shots that I like say this. Is the 5 shot more fail safe or sturdy?

One last question. On the two guns I will show you one is Stainless and the other Blued. I kinda like the Stainless idea but the blued one says it comes with optional porting to reduce recoil. Is this option not available on the Stainless? Thanks all!

H_617B.jpg

Model 617 is a shot above the rest! A revolutionary design concept, the lightest seven shots of .357 Magnum force available. Optional factory porting reduces the Magnum’s felt recoil. Add to that our Unlimited Lifetime Repair Policy, and there really is no competition for this hard-hitting combination of customer-requested features.


H_617SS.jpg

Model 617 is a shot above the rest! A revolutionary design concept, the lightest seven shots of .357 Magnum force available. Add to that our Unlimited Lifetime Repair Policy, and there really is no competition for this hard-hitting combination of customer-requested features.


So in closing (as I know I add alot of info not needed ;) )

#1 would I be well advised to spend more $$$ on a S&W
#2 If I do go Taurus which of these 2 would be easier maintained and are these as good for self protection as the 5 shot taurus?

THANKS MUCH!
 
I believe the S&W will go up in value and the Taurus probably won't. I am curious as to why you are only considering these two brands? Perhaps look at Rugers or have you already done that? If capacity is a factor, why not consider autos? These would both have serious recoil/muzzle blast with the .357 loads, and many recommend using +P .38 specials instead. Now you are getting into the range of 9mm effectiveness at best.

Also, can you try either out at a local range before purchasing? Might find out they aren't to your liking....
 
IMHO (and I'm not an "authority".........) the S&W is worth the extra money if you are going to train with the gun, shooting at least a box of ammo a month through it. The S&W is an extremely long lived, well made gun, even now, and even though most of us old gunnies bemoan the loss of beautiful finishes and the appearance of the lock etc.

I shoot an assortment of S&W revolvers made from 1920 to 1980. They are as accurate and as durable as ever.

The key to getting a great S&W at an affordable price is to buy used. The difference between a new S&W and a used S&W is often $3-400. Again, here is Jim March's Revolver Checkout. Use it whether you buy new or used. By buying wisely at the used gun counter, you never lose money at trade-in time if you liquidate the gun. If you buy new, you will almost always lose.

In all honesty, I have to say that I do not have any experience with Taurus guns, except for one rental gun that was out of time. Thus, I cannot make the call if they are "as good". Flame away guys....... One thing is certain, they have not stood the same test of time. Another thing that is certain is that a used S&W will usually be less expensive. If you are not looking at a high round count after 5 years of carrying the gun, then a Taurus might be your gun. For a high round count though, I'd look for time tested durability. Then again, 50 rounds a month for five years is 3000 rounds........

I think it boils down to the same argument that is given for most higher priced safety equipment...... What is your life worth to you?
 
#1 would I be well advised to spend more $$$ on a S&W
#2 If I do go Taurus which of these 2 would be easier maintained and are these as good for self protection as the 5 shot taurus?

Re:#1... If return for your money is important to you in terms of personal resale... go S&W. American Labor costs are much more than Brazilian, hence the large price point differential. Both go BANG, just that one has a slight Portuguese accent...
Re:#2... 5 shot v 7 shot... size and speed reloading devices as well as holsters... 5 shot more closely matches the tried and true S&W Chief's Special, therefore quality accessories are easier to find.

Some persons will badmouth Tauri products and have justification. It is foreign made, I've heard their Customer Service can be iffy, but Q.C. is up (from decades ago)...

Me? I'd buy one now (probably the 5 shot 85/605 series), ammo and accessories, then start saving for either a Smith or the 7 shot Taurus...
YMMV
 
Comparing S&Ws and Tauri is like comparing Corvettes and Mustangs. Both are great models, but the vette costs SO much more. The Taurus will get the job done. The S&W will get the job done with panache.

I don't recommend porting on a self defense weapon. In a close contact situation, gases and powder escaping up through the ports could blind you, if only temporarily.

I don't recommend .357 in a snubby for Self Defense. Even in an all steel revolver, the recoil is far to0 severe (for most people) to permit quick and precise follow-up shots. Instead, I would recommend an all steel .38 Special loaded with 158gr +P LHPSWC (Lead Hollow Point Semi Wad Cutter). I find it to be much more controllable, and it has good terminal ballistics. Plus, that round is a low tech design that has decades of proven results.
 
hmm

I don't recommend .357 in a snubby for Self Defense. Even in an all steel revolver, the recoil is far to0 severe (for most people) to permit quick and precise follow-up shots. Instead, I would recommend an all steel .38 Special loaded with 158gr +P LHPSWC (Lead Hollow Point Semi Wad Cutter). I find it to be much more controllable, and it has good terminal ballistics. Plus, that round is a low tech design that has decades of proven results.
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Gazpacho the reason I wanted to go 357 is for the versatility. They can shoot 38 and 38 special as well right? Same round just less powder and shorter and whatnot? I was thinking if they are roughly the same price why not have the flexability even if I never shoot 357 mag once at least I would know I could. Is this logic flawed? I am VERY new to revolvers.

Someone else said maybe get an auto. I do own a p226 sig 9mm and could conceal it in my waist band as I wear semi baggy clothing. But I like the idea of a revolver and being able to just pull the trigger again if it jams. Also you always knwo a revolver is ready. What if one day I holstered my gun to go out for the day forgetting to chamber a round. Wouldnt be pretty if I pulled it and went click. Hmmmmm a lot to think about

My original plan was to save for a smaller sig 40 S&W or a ruger 40. ugh I just don't know.
 
I've owned both.

Although the S&W will increase more in value than the Taurus its only a consideration if you plan on selling it.

Both will increase in value eventually as any gun will.

With that being said, Taurus has a lifetime warranty...not that Ive ever needed one. The fit and finish of the Taurus is better than that of the newer Smiths. S&W had been fairly stagnant in the personal defense offerings whereas Taurus has been innovative and on the leading edge of marketing.

I use and carry a Stainless Model 85 that is as accurate as any other and it is very concealable. I gave 210$ for that gun several years ago. The closest Smith to it was 410$, almost twice the price and it had less of a fit and finish.

I shoot mine quite often and it appears to shoot as well as the day I bought it. For concealed carry I would suggest the Stainless Version as it resists sweat a little better.

My vote is for the Taurus. Less money,looks better, does the same thing.
 
I have an older Smith 4" and a New Taurus snubby. I love 'em both.

The Smith is one of my guns I'm really proud of; it's a beautiful weapon and is great to take to the range. Shoots excellent and is great for showing off, and I carry it with .357 when I'm up camping or in the mountains.

The snubby is strictly for CCW, so I didn't really care about looks/resale value -- I just wanted something effective and absolutely dependable. I'm confident in the Taurus to accomplish that, and while I don't show it off it serves its purpose well.

That's kind of how I look at it ... for concealed carry all I care about is reliability and how well I shoot with it. Names and looks don't matter.

It puts me in the odd position, though, where my "range" guns tend to be more expensive and better known name brands than my PD weapons.

But for defense ... it's not about cost or value, it's about whether or not you can rely on it when your life is on the line. And the price tag has nothing to do with that.
 
I have several Tauri, and I'm not going to post my usual defense of Taurus because I'm as tired of repeating myself as I'm sure some folks are tired of hearing it.

If you want a good revolver, Taurus makes good revolvers. I carry an 85 Ultra-Lite, and it is dependable. You have posted two Tauri pics, so I assume you are leaning in that direction. If you like one over the other, buy it.

I agree with the points made on training, and porting. Porting is not a good idea for self defense carry.

I own a NIB SW625jm. It is the best made revolver I have, and it cost over $600.00. I also have a used SW 66, .357/.38spl.+p 4"Brl. that I recently purchased in great condition used for $295.00.

Look at both SW & Taurus, then buy the one you want. Wheelies all require about the same amount of maintenence. It really depends on how YOU want your guns to look, and perform.

Good Luck again...
 
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My vote is for the S&W. Along with the reasons listed above, S&W's have better triggers from the factory. I was at the range once and a guy shooting next to me was shooting a medium framed .357 that just had the trigger done. I was shooting my stock L-framed .357 Mountain Gun. He asked me if I wanted to shoot it. Of course I did. Very nice. I then let him shoot my .357. He said "This thing doesn't have a trigger job, hmmm?"
 
+1 for S&W, ESPECIALLY if you are going to use it for CCW/Self Defense!! I would prefer to bet my life on S&W quality. Of course, I prefer S&W over Taurus even for target shooting and plinking because I like high quality guns.
YMMV and it's your life/money, so make your choice and accept/enjoy it.

Good shooting and be safe.
LB
 
I own a non-ported Taurus 617SS (stainless). It was my very first handgun.

Good points:
It cost less than most other options when I was very cash-poor.
It has been unfailingly reliable.
It holds 7 rounds as opposed to 6 for most revolvers or 5 for most snubbies.
My wife can shoot it well.
It's got a good trigger on it. Not great. Good.
It makes an excellent nightstand gun loaded with quality 38+P's.

Bad points:
For a snubbie it's too bulky and heavy.
Even with that extra bulk and weight it's still painful to shoot .357. It's not big and heavy enough for that.

Honestly, although I have no plans to get rid of it, the 617 is a case of trying to be too many things at once. It's too big and heavy to be a decent CCW piece (that 7-shot cylinder is thick). Too small, short & light to be a decent gun for full-house .357's. I've since bought a used full-sized Taurus 66 and plan to buy a S&W 642 for CCW. I want the 642 simply because for the same size it's lighter than the equivalent Taurus. I'll still keep the 617 for the aforementioned nightstand duty.

A lot of people dislike Taurus. I suspect a fair amount of it is reputation, or even personal experience, from earlier years when their quality control was much less stringent. In the case of one person I suspect his constant harping to me that Taurus is crap and S&W is The Ultimate is simply because he knows I'll buy guns at his shop and he makes more money on the S&W's.
 
Either way you go I would not myself go with the "porting" of the barrel option. I have not owned a ported gun but many on this forum dislike it on self defense weapons for feasible reason's. such as porting is louder and blast hot gases up towards face if fired closley to ones body such as in a self defense manner. and blinding red hot flare right in ones sights at night blinding one from seeing to take a consequtive shot.
 


I wouldn't worry too much about who's full sized tirggers are better on a sample of 1 each (by some biased individual). The compact frame revolvers are another story.

You don't need a great trigger on a PD pistol, only a decent one. You will be shooting at 10-25 feet under a great deal of stress (if you should be unlucky enough to need it).

Just make sure that the trigger on the one you buy is decent before you sign all the proper forms....


-tINY

 
Along with the reasons listed above, S&W's have better triggers from the factory.
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If you compare the 2 most will find that Taurus has the better trigger in the small framed revolvers. Stop by a local store that sells both and give them a try.
 
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