I am strongly considering picking up a 7 round .357 Mag/38 Special revolver with a 4 inch barrel. The Taurus 66 is available from multiple retailers for several hundred dollars less than any of the Ruger or S&W offerings. I always heard mixed reviews of Taurus products when I was growing up, but I have very limited experience with modern Taurus revolvers. Should I purchase a Taurus, or save up for the Ruger or S&W? Any opinions from owners of recently produced Model 66's would be greatly appreciated.
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Taurus Model 66 Reliability/Performance
- Thread starter wmg1299
- Start date
I have owned three older versions of the Model 66. All have been good. I've not owned a newer one. My experience with "classic" Taurus handguns, such as the 66, 85, and PT92 has been uniformly positive. The PT111 gen 2 is said to be pretty solid also (mine is good). My expectations would be lower for some of their models.
wild cat mccane
New member
One of my new 66ss had a binding cylinder this year. It Taurus shipped it back. It took 3+months but came back working fine.
The 66 trigger is nicer than the GP100 but a working man's level to the 686. I've owned all three at the same time.
If you want a revolve for fun, I think the Taurus 66 is the best option.
The 66 trigger is nicer than the GP100 but a working man's level to the 686. I've owned all three at the same time.
If you want a revolve for fun, I think the Taurus 66 is the best option.
lee n. field
New member
I am strongly considering picking up a 7 round .357 Mag/38 Special revolver with a 4 inch barrel. The Taurus 66 is available from multiple retailers for several hundred dollars less than any of the Ruger or S&W offerings. I always heard mixed reviews of Taurus products when I was growing up, but I have very limited experience with modern Taurus revolvers. Should I purchase a Taurus, or save up for the Ruger or S&W? Any opinions from owners of recently produced Model 66's would be greatly appreciated.
Check it over good before paying money. See Jim March's revolver checkout.
The only serious issue with Taurus stuff is their customer service is poor. Hence the 3 + months wild cat mccane mentions. Their early stuff(like 35 or so years ago) had QC issues though. Heavy tool marks left on.
"...trigger is nicer..." Factory triggers are irrelevant. They all need work.
"...trigger is nicer..." Factory triggers are irrelevant. They all need work.
The only Taurus handgun I currently own, is a 6" Model 66 short under lug, wood grip, in blued finish. It has been completely trouble free, & is in my opinion an excellent revolver. It was reasonably priced, and handles .38 Spl. & .357 loads with exceptional performance & accuracy. What more could I ask ??!
It also often serves as my CCW in an IWB holster!
Jim
It also often serves as my CCW in an IWB holster!
Jim
R.A.N.G.E.R
Inactive
I had the exact same considerations, except that I was considering the Tracker 627 line. While I preferred the 4” barrel model, I was at an LGS and got hooked by a 6.5” barrel 627 Tracker. It’s a nice shooter overall, everything works, but I’d like to do a little polishing of the internals, and possibly lighten or replace the springs to improve the trigger.
On another topic, I’ve heard it said that the model 66 has a heavier frame than the 627 Tracker models. That’s a plus for a magnum handgun until you consider carrying the extra weight, about 10oz, in a holster or backpack all day, or over a long distance or a climb. Still, it might add to longevity against the full power rounds, and the added weight may make it easier to control — the Tracker models are all ported to hlp control, theoretically, muzzle lift....
On another topic, I’ve heard it said that the model 66 has a heavier frame than the 627 Tracker models. That’s a plus for a magnum handgun until you consider carrying the extra weight, about 10oz, in a holster or backpack all day, or over a long distance or a climb. Still, it might add to longevity against the full power rounds, and the added weight may make it easier to control — the Tracker models are all ported to hlp control, theoretically, muzzle lift....
wild cat mccane
New member
I also put Wilson springs in my GP100--still the worst of the bunch.
Having owned many recent versions of all three, I question anyone who states the GP100 trigger can ever be as good as the 686 stock.
I do think the 66 has a great single action trigger.
Having owned many recent versions of all three, I question anyone who states the GP100 trigger can ever be as good as the 686 stock.
I do think the 66 has a great single action trigger.
wnycollector
New member
I have an early 1990's Taurus Model 82. It has been a rock solid gun that got much better with the addition of a Wilson Combat spring kit.
craddleshooter
Moderator
I have both a GP100 and a Taurus 66 and both are great guns. I carry the 66 around the property daily along with a couple of speedloaders and have had only one issue with it which was the particular ammo not the revolver...the ammo was Blazer steel and I found that it would bind the cylinder...changed ammo and have had no other problems with the 66...JM2C
Jbar4Ranch
New member
I spent 5 years as Gun Room Manager for Sportsman's Warehouse, and sent back more Taurus revolvers for warranty service than everything else COMBINED that we carried.
That said, of course they're not ALL bad, or Taurus wouldn't be in business, but they had a far, far higher incidence of warranty problems. The Judge was the worst of the worst. The Judge had a major recurring problem of the crane sliding forward out of the frame when opened. The single action Gaucho was runner up - it was so bad, they discontinued it shortly after introduction, "fixed" it, reintroduced it for a few months, the problems continued, so it was discontinued for good. I had a couple M66's that had rifling in the first inch of the barrel, then a chewed up section, then good rifling beyond that out to the muzzle. Rifling to rifling, jumping over the chewed up area and accounting for the twist rate of course, didn't line up. I don't know how that can even happen.
Autos were a different story, and I can only remember sending two back for service in five years.
All that being said, there are any number of Taurus owners who own one... or two... or three... and they'll come back and post glowing reports as a rebuttal to this post, but I dealt with THOUSANDS of them. I've had a couple M85's that were fine, and still have a 941 that works as advertised, but after my retail experience with them, I'd never, ever buy another Taurus revolver.
That said, of course they're not ALL bad, or Taurus wouldn't be in business, but they had a far, far higher incidence of warranty problems. The Judge was the worst of the worst. The Judge had a major recurring problem of the crane sliding forward out of the frame when opened. The single action Gaucho was runner up - it was so bad, they discontinued it shortly after introduction, "fixed" it, reintroduced it for a few months, the problems continued, so it was discontinued for good. I had a couple M66's that had rifling in the first inch of the barrel, then a chewed up section, then good rifling beyond that out to the muzzle. Rifling to rifling, jumping over the chewed up area and accounting for the twist rate of course, didn't line up. I don't know how that can even happen.
Autos were a different story, and I can only remember sending two back for service in five years.
All that being said, there are any number of Taurus owners who own one... or two... or three... and they'll come back and post glowing reports as a rebuttal to this post, but I dealt with THOUSANDS of them. I've had a couple M85's that were fine, and still have a 941 that works as advertised, but after my retail experience with them, I'd never, ever buy another Taurus revolver.
gunsrtools
New member
I have a model 66 and a model 85.
Older production and both have been good guns.
Older production and both have been good guns.
Model12Win
Moderator
Get a Smith.
Used police 66s can be had for not much money. FAR better guns.
Used police 66s can be had for not much money. FAR better guns.
gunsrtools
New member
Yes, that is true....And so are Ruger Security Six and GP 100.