Taurus 650 CIA Snub Purchasing Question

My M605 has performed admirably through what most would consider severe duty CC. After nearly 5 years and several thousand rounds it's still going strong. When I damaged it Taurus repaired it no questions asked.

The only regret is I wish I'd have gotten the 650.
 
Veterans helping veterans...

Welcome to TFL...
There are many US armed forces veterans, armed professionals and first responders on the forum.
I'm a veteran too & served four years on active duty(Desert Storm era).
For a 1st weapon or a CC(concealed carry) model, I'd start with a DA only Ruger SP101 .357magnum or maybe a LCR .357magnum. They are robust & well engineered. A Ruger SP101 snub was my first firearm in late 1993.
Other good models include the S&W L frame 3"/4" .357magnum the S&W 642/442 .38spl +P or the SA/DA J frame 638 revolver.
A spurless or DA only(no cocking or hammer spur) is a good choice. It's safe, it won't snag or bind up with clothes & a police detective or lawyer can't make the bogus claim that you shot in a reckless way or were making threats. DA only sidearms have been issued to US law enforcement & security officers for decades. The LAPD calls them; "neutered". :D
You can practice or train with .38spl rounds then move up to .38spl +P or .357magnum for serious carry. Carry only factory made, high quality ammunition too. No reloads or hand-loads for home defense or concealed carry. Ammunition isn't cheap in 2013, but I'd still buy factory made loads for defense.
In .38spl, get the Ranger-T load, Corbon DPX, Speer Gold Dot 135gr +P JHP, the Hornady TAP or Critical Duty, the MagSafe SWAT load, or the popular Buffalo Bore 158gr Lead SWC HP +P. Carry at least 2/two spare speed strips or speedloaders too. Safariland & HKS are well made speedloaders. I'm left handed & prefer the new orange Quik-Strips. 2 strips can conceal in a Altoids tin too, ;).

ClydeFrog
PS: know & understand your area's gun laws & lethal force standards. Get a valid CC license too. Your DD-214 may be good for weapons training.
www.gunlawguide.com www.brownells.com www.shopcorbon.com www.magsafeonline.com www.natchezss.com www.grafs.com www.nra.org www.gunvideo.com www.uscav.com www.blackhawk.com www.usgalco.com www.safariland.com www.qmuniforms.com www.galls.com www.deltaforce.com www.cheaperthandirt.com www.ruger.com www.jgsales.com www.gunzilla.us
 
ClydeFrog thanks for the HUGE heap of info you just dropped on me right there! I'm literally taking down notes and will uses yours and everyone else's tips and advice in everything that has to do with my firearms purchases from hear on out. Thanks for the links and I appreciate your service to this great land! It's folks like you who paved the way for cats like me to do what I'm able to do today. You guys & gals (if there are any) are true gems and need to know you've truley made me feel welcome not only to this awesome form but to the Firearm community! Thanks.

AdamOwens
US Air Force
 
I have ten Taurus® revolvers.
• Mdl 85B2CH 38 Special - 1994
• Mdl 669SS4CP 357 Magnum - 1996
• Mdl 85B2 38 Special - 1997
• Mdl 617SS2 357 Magnum - 2003
• Mdl 605SS3 357 Magnum - 2006
• Mdl 85SS2UL 38 Special - 2007
• Mdl 605SS2 357 Magnum - 2010
• Mdl 425SS4 41 Magnum - 2012
• Mdl 605SS2 357 Magnum - 2012
• Mdl 85SS2UL 38 Special - 2012

All have performed superbly and I continue to shoot them all almost every week.

I have only encountered these problems.........
• Mdl 85B2CH broke a firing pin (part# 19) after 11,000+ rounds. I replaced the firing pin & it's still going strong.
• Mdl 85SS2UL had the cylinder stop (part# 44) wear down after 10,000 rounds. Called Taurus® and they shipped the part right away. Installed new cylinder stop and now the gun works fine.

I have zero complaints with Taurus® customer service. The one time I had to send a gun in they fixed and returned it when they said they would. Specifically.....................
• Mdl 617 developed excessive cylinder to forcing cone gap (.011") after almost 6,000 rounds. I sent it to Taurus® and they replaced the cylinder (part# 8) and adjusted the yoke (part# 9) I've since put 3,000+ rounds through it and it's still going strong.
• Mdl 605 had cylinder (failure to advance) problem. Taurus® deemed the gun to be unrepairable and via FedEx® sent me a brand new gun.

I will not hesitate to buy additional Taurus® revolvers. They are an outstanding value.

Here is a wealth of Taurus® information..........
• http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php
 
The only Taurus revolver I currently have is a Judge Public Defender Poly. It has worked perfectly from the get go. The one problem on the first day out was cylinder binding when shooting some 410 rounds. The problem was found to be the ammo, not the gun, and it has performed perfect ever since. Very accurate with both 000 buckshot 410, and 45 Colt loadings.
The other Taurus I have is a PT22 Poly semi-auto. It also has been a perfect shooter. Accurate, and reliable.
I have enough confidence in Taurus to have a Tracker 992 4" stainless at the top of my short list for this year's purchases.
 
I didn't check out the size of the 650 but from what I remember it's one of Taurus's medium or larger frame revolvers which would put it in the mid to high 20's ounce-wise. I would think your wrist would be fine shooting 357s (maybe not 50 or more at a time - but then your wallet will be sore, too). The thing to worry about would be the gun itself, the more pop the round has the more chance there is for damage like putting the timing off, etc. That is true for any gun, not just a Taurus. That's why they designed beefier framed revolvers when the 357 mag was developed. But unless there is a problem, there shouldn't be any damage for hundreds, maybe thousands, of rounds. If everything checks out initially it may take a while for any problem to develop.
 
I have a taurus 85UL that I purchased several years ago and frequently carry during the winter. I've fired approx 1000 practice rounds thru it without a hitch. I like it and would not hesitate to get another based on my personal experience. I also own a S&W DA and a Ruger SA.
 
Pianoguy it's actually one of the smallest revolvers Iv seen on the market..but it's a pretty has a pretty heavy feel too it. Making me think that putting .357 round threw it should be fine for quite awhile. I was really wanting to go to the firing range this week but with this crazy winter storm about to come threw for the second time I don't think that's gonna be a possibility. Calling for 12-16 inches. What a tease it is to have this firearm and not be able to fire it!
 
ive seen alot of rules of thumbs for 357 online. the one that made the most sense was "under 30 ounces, use it sparingly"
 
Along with my 650 i have a ruger sp101 but in 3 inch. Frame size is exactly the same, and weight is nearly identical too for those that are wondering
 
Taurus...

To my knowledge, the snub 650/CIA is a small frame or J frame size.
FWIW; I owned a small frame Ti .357magnum Protector in 2004.
It worked well with a deep concealment DeSantis Nemnesis pocket holster.
I put a rubber Taurus/CT lasergrip on it too.
The light weight & .357magnum caliber made it a good choice for personal protection. The DA/SA shrouded hammer did not snag or jab my side but it allowed a single action shot if I had to shoot weak handed or if I was weakened by injury.

I prefer DA only sidearms for regular use but a Ti Protector or the new polymer/alloy styles like the LCR are good for deep CC/back-up.

ClydeFrog
 
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