Sorry all you Taurus fans out there but I’m trading in my M85CHSS for the Ruger SP101 in 2.25” spurless. Some of you might recall I just bought the M85 used from my local gun shop in January. I didn’t notice the amount of “slop” in the machining of the front alignment pin or the yoke where the ejector rod goes through which caused too much movement in the cylinder alignment (at least for me). Ya’, I shot 150 rounds through the Taurus without any problems but since I plan on practicing a lot, I just wasn’t comfortable with starting out this bad. I talked to two different local gun smiths about it and they both said that even if I sent the gun back to Taurus and waited and waited I probably still wouldn’t be happy when I got the gun back. Then recently, I was buying some ammo at Academy and made the mistake of picking up a SP101. The gun was sooo much tighter and felt much better to me. I went back to the gun shop owner to trade in the Taurus on the Ruger. Of course I’m taking a small hit on the Taurus (not getting back 100% of the purchase price but I’m just chalking that up to the learning experience). Can’t wait to start shooting my new piece.
Taurus M85CHSS, out; Ruger SP101, in
- Thread starter DennisD
- Start date
That's the concern when buying a used handgun. One always wonders why the original owner sold it. Was there something wrong with it in the first place? Jim March's revolver buying checklist is a good place to go when evaluating a used (or new) purchase. Regarding Taurus revolvers, I've had good luck with them (M617T, M85UL, M905), but all were bought new. YMMV.
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Snubby, I kinda surprised myself when I bought the used M85. I usually don’t buy anything used unless I know the previous owner. The gun shop did give me a 30 day warranty on the piece so I felt pretty comfortable. Problem is, this is not a wear issue or even a defect, it is a manufacturing allowance (as I said, two different gunsmiths told me they see Taurus like this all the time, even NIB. They said Taurus is a hit or miss propositions; you might get a really good one or a not so good one). Guess I’m just too picky. I really liked the look and feel when shooting the M85 but like I said I decided to get the Ruger because I practice/recreational shoot a lot and wanted the durability that Ruger is known for.
My Taurus is 26yrs old and has had the same somewhat loose feeling the whole time and it has never had a problem through nearly 40,000rds. I think it is commom for a revolver to have a little "give" to help absorb excessive use. Gunsmith's opinions are subjective. When a 30yr gunsmith says I can't shoot my .32 WCF revolver unless I handload, because they don't manufacture ammo for this caliber anymore, I lost a lot of faith in "professional" gunsmiths. I politely picked-up a box of Remington 32-20's and didn't say a word to save him the embarrassment.
Matthew, the words “somewhat loose” are kinda subjective. I just thought being able to move the front of the cylinder back and forth about a tenth to an eighth of an inch too much especially when you also add in the rotational “slop“. Again, like I said I’m probably being a little picky. Someone will probably buy the M85 and be totally happy. I even considered keeping it in addition to the SP101 but I don’t think I would use it enough to justify the money I‘ll get back on it in trade. By the way, how are things in Austin? I live about 25 miles west of Houston but frequently ride one of my motorcycles into the hill country.
Dasmi, I don’t understand; you are a senior member but don’t own a gun yet? Man, you are going to be in trouble. This is only my 9th gun but I’ve been shooting about 30 years.
Dasmi, I don’t understand; you are a senior member but don’t own a gun yet? Man, you are going to be in trouble. This is only my 9th gun but I’ve been shooting about 30 years.
I just got back from the range a little while ago. I picked up a S&W 2 1/2" M66 earlier this week to add to my snubby collection and wanted to try it out. I also wanted to test out my SP101. I had an action job done, had the hammer bobbed, converted it to DA only and replaced the front sight with an orange insert. It turned a nice little gun into a great gun. I replaced the grips with a pair if Eagle walnut grips. They work great with light .38's or .38 +p's. If you plan to shoot a lot of magnums i would recmmend a pair of Hogue mono grips. Did i mention what great guns they are?
Sorry, DennisD. I think "somewhat loose", to me, means that the average person checking out a revolver may find it loose. Definately more loose than a S&W or Ruger. But S&W's and Rugers will eventually get that way, also. But that Taurus .38 has been through so much use and abuse that one might figure it is a defect. But she just keeps on ticking and has never gone out of time or let me down. Yes, some people are picky, but if the gun keeps on shooting there is no problem. Taurus are work guns. They don't really hold their resale value the way S&W's do. But they are great guns to take to the field, in my opinion.
While the SP101 is a great gun, i wouldn't hesitate to depend on any of my Taurus wheelguns for a defense gun. I have several thousand rounds through my 85, 605 and 606 without any problems at all. Almost all the rounds were either .38+p's (in the 85) or .357's. They're still just as "tight" as the day i bought them. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend a Taurus wheelgun to a newbie.
I might have already stated this but I think the Taurus is an OK gun in it’s own element. It’s just that I plan on shooting a lot and I’ll feel more comfortable doing that with a SP101 (you like Ford or Chevy, I like Dodge). If I only intended on using the gun as a CCW I would probably keep the Taurus. I just don’t think I need to have both.
Now a new wrench has been thrown into the works. My brother (ex officer) said he would sell me his Charter Arms 38 (an original not the new Charter company) he used to carry off duty along with the Bianchi shoulder holster. This gun is also much “tighter” than the Taurus and he is talking a cheap price so I certainly don’t need 3 snubbies.
Now a new wrench has been thrown into the works. My brother (ex officer) said he would sell me his Charter Arms 38 (an original not the new Charter company) he used to carry off duty along with the Bianchi shoulder holster. This gun is also much “tighter” than the Taurus and he is talking a cheap price so I certainly don’t need 3 snubbies.
The older Charters weren't finished as nicely as a Colt or a S&W but they were usally good quality. I owned a couple of the older Charter Arms guns. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one. If the Charter is "cheap" enough you could always use a back up. Every body should have atleast 1 backup gun in the gun safe