I recently picked up a Taurus 608 (8 shot .357) with a 3 inch barrel and fixed sights. They don't make this barrel length anymore and the new 608 has adjustable sights. This is also my first Taurus and I wanted to use it as my CCW even though it's pretty big (built on an "N" frame).
I've fired about 100 rounds through it right now. After the first 50, the cylinder started dragging on the forcing cone. I was shooting some old LSWC rounds, though, and a quick wipe of the forcing cone cleared things up. So, 100W is right on the money about the forcing cone problem and apparently it's nothing new because this gun was made in 1997. In all fairness, those rounds would have probably done the same thing to my other .357s also.
The trigger feels a little rough, but then again, I'm comparing it to my S&Ws and one Ruger. I'm hoping with more shooting, it'll smooth out some. If not, I might have a Smith polish up some stuff on the inside and see how that helps.The trigger is also very wide compared to anything else I've shot. It takes a little getting used to, especially with smaller hands.
The blueing is top notch and cylinder lock-up is as tight as can be. It feels well made and gives you the impression that it's built like a tank. The fixed sights are a hair off but not bad enough for me to send it back to them. I've found out that after market wood grips are impossible to find unless I go with the Hogue fancy series of wood grips, but spending 100 bucks for grips seems like a waste of money on a 250 buck gun. Grips for the snubbys and medium frame guns are easy to find, though.
I also wish Taurus had a way to email them, but I couldn't find anything on their webpage. Most of the grip companies list other large frame guns but none for the 608. I'm sure Taurus used this frame for other guns and finding grips would be easier if I knew which ones.
Would I buy another one? Probably, if the right deal came along.
