Taurus Model 85 Quality?

I had one and sold it to a buddy simply because I wanted the .357 version. Gun was well built and has been problem free. It is one of buddies favorite guns. I ended up with a 605 and also love it, looks essentially the same save for steel frame. I find the new taurus models to be well built and a good value.
 
From memory, I've had at least 7 Taurus guns (all revolvers, but one). 3 of the revolvers, and the semi-auto had to go back to the factory, at least once. It took at least a month, usually closer to two, before I'd get it back, with no explanation of repair. I've since pretty much given up on Taurus. I wanted to like them, but over a 50% return rate, doesn't breed confidence.

As much as I've enjoyed reading the gun rags over the years, I've come to realize that most are nothing more than glorified advertisements, composed by authors who rarely to almost never, give a negative review. I bought a Taurus because I read that they were a "best buy" in the CCW market. Some were okay, none were great, and more than a few were quite bad. Unfortunately, most people buying based on the price (which I can certainly understand), will find this out the hard way.
 
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I think the Taurus's are OK, but for a about a $100 more, you could get a S&W 637 or 638, and that gun will hold value much better than the Taurus.

Although I sold my Taurus 608 to my brother, I love it, and knowing it's staying in the family make me happy.
 
I bought a new SS Taurus 85 about 18 yrs ago, I have put many +P loads threw it and the gun is looser for it but it still shoots well.
Unlocked 004.jpg Here is a pic of it along side of the smaller lighter S&W M-36. My Taurus 85 has never skipped a beat' it has been 100% reliable with over a 1000 rnds fired.
 
Qwiks Draw said:
Links that have to do with the 85. Gotta go to the source.;)
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...and then you should go to blueovalfans.net to find out which is better, Mustang or Camaro? :rolleyes:
 
I have had great luck with Taurus so far. So far, I bought:

617 (7-shot titanium .357)
605 (5-shot steel .357)
Raging Bull .454 Casull
1911

All have been fantastic, with not a single problem. I had a trigger job done on the Raging Bull, but only to lighten it, not to fix a problem.

That said, I've had friends who've had problems with the 85, and I don't think I'd ever buy one. It seems that most of the negative Taurus posts (if they're specific at all, and not just Taurus-haters) are about the 85.
 
My dad got a great deal on some Taurus security trade-ins from some wild guy in Alaska. (yep that's the one)They are model 82's, one of which is now mine. What can I say, it goes to the range with me every time. It may have been inexpensive but the dang thing is right on target without the benefit of adjustable sites. It's easy to shoot out the bull ring with it. No problems ever.

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I can't speak of the 85s but I have had 2 trackers. Both had problems with misfires. The ONLY time I didn't experience at least 30% misfires in DA was with federal primers. I suspect Taurus may use federal ammunition to test fire their guns and thus probably the reason that problem is not resolved when sent back. In one gun I shimmed the spring and in the other installed a stiffer spring and that cured that problem. If you look close you will notice that when shooting DA the hammer "short strokes" compared to SA. I would guess that may be the case in all DA revolvers but for some reson is more of a problem in taurus.

I have come to believe the problem with Taurus guns comes in two forms, an underpowered spring as previously mentioned and rough enternal parts.

On my second gun the cylinder stop would hang up on the frame and allow the cylinder to overrotate and fail to lock up. A few minutes with a stone and some fine emery cloth cured that problem. That gun also had what I assumed to be a bent ejector pin but was eventually cured with some polishing. IF I buy another it will be completely dissasembled and ALL parts polished.

I've been considering one of the EAA windicators. They are german made and I suspect would be of better or at least more consistant quality.
 
Barrel groove mystery

Greetings To All --

Does anyone know if there's a way to find out when Taurus began producing the Model 85 series with a 6 groove instead of a 5 groove barrel?

Taurus recently updated their entire website around mid-June. On July 3rd (yesterday) Taurus changed the groove spec on the website from 5 to 6 grooves for all the 85 series revolvers.

The model in question is an 85B2 that was produced in January 2004. A few months ago I accessed the Taurus website and input the revolver's serial number into "Find My Model" and the spec came back as 5 grooves.

Now when I enter the same serial number the website indicates that the barrel has 6 grooves.

Is there a source where I can confirm when the 85B2 barrel grooves changed from 5 to 6?

Thanks. Have a happy, safe 4th!
 
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The first Taurus 85 stainless I had broke the day I bought it. It had to be sent back to the factory. The gun shop I bought it from reluctantly replaced it. The next one broke after a few hundred rounds and had to be sent back to Taurus for repair. I got it back and didn't trust it. I finally got rid of it and have never looked back.
 
They were specifically the Taurus 85CH(concealed hammer) models. I bought the first in around 92 so the second would have been the same year. I don't remember how many grooves the barrel had. It took forever to sell because nobody wanted it, so I took a significant loss just to be done with it. I also bought a newer model PT145 to give Taurus one last chance and it had parts falling off on the first range trip. The gun was totally disabled and had to be returned to Taurus. I'm done with Taurus. I think they make good looking guns that appeal to those that don't know any better, but performance, reliability, and durability just weren't there in my experience.
 
I had one for about 12 years or so. A stainless UL and it was a good gun. I sold it and a 4" Taurus M66 to fund a Ruger SP101 3". I found the M85 too small and hard to shoot accurate for woods carry and the M66 to big. I love shooting my SP101. I carried the M85 a good bit but for me snubbies, being short and fat, don't feel right IWB. The 3" barrel on the SP101 seems to "anchor" the pistol better.

If you must go snubby, an M85 should work just fine. Just note, snubbies are hard to shoot accurately. They take practice. I feel I can carry a compact 1911 as easy as a snubby.
 
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I own 2 Taurus revolvers, both 41 magnum. One is a 4 inch ported tracker and the other is a I believe 3 inch snubby, Fired hundreds through the tracker and a couple hundred through the snubby. Both have been great and very accurate. I have a few Taurus semi's, no problems but the triggers their striker fired pistols 24/7's I've owned were gritty.

I tried a couple new Taurus striker fired at the shop the other day and the triggers were sweet.
 
Model 85 of Mine

I have a Taurus 85 made in the late 80's. It was owned by my grandfather and passed down to me after he died. He bought the gun for protection while traveling to the Airstream rallys. It is a nice piece and very simple to operate. I have made it my wife's gun while I carry a Springfield XD 40.
I have been told it can handle +P rounds and have been told by Taurus not to shoot +P rounds with it. I Shot standard .38 Special rounds without a single problem.
I took the gun on a camping trip and fired +P rounds. The gun seized up after every shot.
Shoot what the manual says to shoot and you got a good knock down .38.
 
I have been told it can handle +P rounds and have been told by Taurus not to shoot +P rounds with it.
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The one you have made in the late 80's were not +P rated, so you shouldn't shoot +P with it.

The newer models are +P rated.

The 85 is a fine gun. I had one early/mid-90's that I shot the snot out of.

No problems with mine.
 
My 85 is up to 1000 rounds of magnum ammo and she has done nothing but shoot smoother the more i fire it....


don't believe the taurus haters.....99% of their guns are flawless BUT if you make 250,000 then that 1% equals 2500...

Now name me one car manufacturer that doesnt have at least a 1% service comeback for warranty work!

I get tired of the Taurus bashers because in the days of the internet the few now have the ability to severely impact a companys rep over a few incidents!

Look around and you can find the same stuff said about some other reputable manufacturers.
 
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I have owned 2 Taurus M 85s. One a blue with hammer, and the other a SS hammerless. I sold the blue because it had a hammer, and kept the SS. It began to misfire, and I sent it back to Taurus about 3 times. They were never able to get it reliable, and I sent it to Actions by T. Teddy did an action job, but it still misfired. This was with factory ammo. He offered to redo it, but I was so sick of it I wanted a replacement. It took over a year to get it replaced.

My experience caused me to never buy one again. I have three S&W J-frames. I like them better. Wouldn't own another Taurus. I'd pay the extra money and get a Smith or a Ruger.

Regards,
Jerry
 
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