I know this topic has been discussed in depth in various threads but I thought I would share my experience. Being a Smith and Wesson fan and knowing Taurus's reputation and quality control issues I have always stayed from their products. However about six months ago a friend of mine was looking to sell a Taurus 941. Being as he was in need of the cash and was offering it at a price I couldn't pass up I took it off his hands. While I will agree the action is not as crisp or smooth as it could be it has served as a great knock around gun. I have put countless rounds through it with zero problems despite my not babying it as much as my Smiths. It even got me out of a pinch when a rabid dog got around the house and I couldn't get to anything else in time. I agree that it may not be the Cadillac of revolvers and I won't be using it as a regular carry gun but I think Taurus is nothing to scoff at either. Perhaps it's just hit or miss with their products but I must say it has far surpassed my expectations. Maybe some of you who have more experience with them can share your experiences as well.
Taurus Quality
- Thread starter Cards_fan
- Start date
taurus USA magnun....
I purchased a new in box Taurus Protector Ti snub in 2004. The side of the Ti barrel stated .357 MAGNUN.
So much for the QC inspectors at the Taurus plant.
It shot okay & was very lightweight. I used a Desantis Nemnesis rig to carry it.
In 2005/early 2006 I owned a 82 nickeled .38spl revolver that was terrible. The cylinder constantly got stuck. I needed the Taurus revolver for armed security work and didn't want to rely on it in a critical incident.
I later traded it for a K frame S&W model 19 4" .357magnum.
I went to a big gun show last weekend & saw a new Taurus model .44magnum Tracker snub. It had rear sights milled into the back part & was extremely light. I could see shooting mostly .44spl loads out of the revolver. The sale price was around $800.00.
Do any forum members know if Taurus is selling that model as a limited run or is it a regular option in the Tracker series. I didn't see the .44magnum snub in the 2013 catalog.
Clyde F
I purchased a new in box Taurus Protector Ti snub in 2004. The side of the Ti barrel stated .357 MAGNUN.
So much for the QC inspectors at the Taurus plant.
It shot okay & was very lightweight. I used a Desantis Nemnesis rig to carry it.
In 2005/early 2006 I owned a 82 nickeled .38spl revolver that was terrible. The cylinder constantly got stuck. I needed the Taurus revolver for armed security work and didn't want to rely on it in a critical incident.
I later traded it for a K frame S&W model 19 4" .357magnum.
I went to a big gun show last weekend & saw a new Taurus model .44magnum Tracker snub. It had rear sights milled into the back part & was extremely light. I could see shooting mostly .44spl loads out of the revolver. The sale price was around $800.00.
Do any forum members know if Taurus is selling that model as a limited run or is it a regular option in the Tracker series. I didn't see the .44magnum snub in the 2013 catalog.
Clyde F
Bacteriophage
New member
First off, I've never seen anyone showing off a Taurus that they thought was a classic or beautiful gun or anything. They seem to be intended for starter guns or knockaround guns. That said, their lower price means, all else being equal, you have more to spend on custom work and ammo. A tuned-up Taurus can be "good enough" and cost less than a S&W. It's all in what you're looking for.
Interesting article about Taurus here: http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2012/10/daniel-zimmerman/taurus-puts-its-money-where-its-mouth-is/
Seems Taurus is pulling a Domino's Pizza and just admitting they used to suck, but are fixing it.
Interesting article about Taurus here: http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2012/10/daniel-zimmerman/taurus-puts-its-money-where-its-mouth-is/
Seems Taurus is pulling a Domino's Pizza and just admitting they used to suck, but are fixing it.
"Hit and miss." If you can handle the guns, check out the one you want, and know EXACTLY what you are doing, you can get a fine Taurus.
But if you were to pick the next one in the case....
For some time Taurus has been pushing the "we have improved" line, and fine if that is true. But having good customer service is only part of the battle. The ideal would be to have NO customer service because nothing ever goes wrong. That is not realistic, but if production and QC don't improve, even those 21 people will be swamped by complaints.
Jim
But if you were to pick the next one in the case....
For some time Taurus has been pushing the "we have improved" line, and fine if that is true. But having good customer service is only part of the battle. The ideal would be to have NO customer service because nothing ever goes wrong. That is not realistic, but if production and QC don't improve, even those 21 people will be swamped by complaints.
Jim
A local dealer was showing a potential buyer a NIB Taurus 357 and when he opened the cylinder, the latch broke off.
At the range last week a guy was shooting a Taurus Beretta 92 clone and the ejector spring broke.
Fortunate to know a dealer that sells quite a number of Taurus. He makes it clear that if there are problems with the gun to contact Taurus. He also tells buyers that if there is problems, Taurus can usually get them to work but it make take two or more trips.
Seem both good and bad with Taurus.
At the range last week a guy was shooting a Taurus Beretta 92 clone and the ejector spring broke.
Fortunate to know a dealer that sells quite a number of Taurus. He makes it clear that if there are problems with the gun to contact Taurus. He also tells buyers that if there is problems, Taurus can usually get them to work but it make take two or more trips.
Seem both good and bad with Taurus.
true Taurus stories.....
My good friend in Pittsburgh PA had major problems with a 4" barrel model 82.
He used Taurus USA lifetime warranty & the company sent him a new unfired 4" barrel .357magnum 66 K frame(stainless).
As stated the Taurus QC is now hit or miss.
Taurus should offer the $$$ back if a US customer is not happy.
ClydeFrog
My good friend in Pittsburgh PA had major problems with a 4" barrel model 82.
He used Taurus USA lifetime warranty & the company sent him a new unfired 4" barrel .357magnum 66 K frame(stainless).
As stated the Taurus QC is now hit or miss.
Taurus should offer the $$$ back if a US customer is not happy.
ClydeFrog
Sheikyourbootie
New member
My brother in law has a Taurus has racked up quite a few frequent flier miles, being sent back and forth for repairs. A doctor I work with has one on his ccw permit, shoots frequently at the range and has never once had a problem.
I don't think I'd trust my life to one, though.
I don't think I'd trust my life to one, though.
Bamashooter
New member
I have 2 Taurus handguns. One is a PT-145 I have been carrying for over 5yrs. The other is a poly protector 38spl+p I carry when I wear shorts or dressed casual. I wouldn't be carrying Taurus guns if they weren't reliable. Some folks bash them in spite of never owning one. The gun counter commando's say they are trash so they must be right. 
I've owned four Taurus revolvers. Never had a problem with any of them. The first one, back in the 80's might have been luck. I knew nothing about them, but then I didn't know much about Smith & Wesson back then either.
The other three were "calculated risks" shall we say. I knew enough about guns in general, and revolvers in particular to check them out before I purchased them, all used. One of them, a Model 66, seven shot, was one of the prettiest 357's I've ever owned. Man that thing had a nice finish.
Their newer guns don't interest me at all. Flat, slab sided barrels with slots, and ribs and such just don't do much for me.
The other three were "calculated risks" shall we say. I knew enough about guns in general, and revolvers in particular to check them out before I purchased them, all used. One of them, a Model 66, seven shot, was one of the prettiest 357's I've ever owned. Man that thing had a nice finish.
Their newer guns don't interest me at all. Flat, slab sided barrels with slots, and ribs and such just don't do much for me.
Kreyzhorse
New member
I've owned one Taurus. It was an M85 that I bought nib about 8 years ago. After freezing up solid after 250 rounds and dealing with the legendary Taurus customer service, it was my first, and last, Taurus.
It shot well when it was working but they are just too hit or miss and in my experience, their customer service was simply not engaged in actually providing quality service.
I'll spend the extra money for a better product from companies that actually back their guns. A lifetime warranty doesn't actually have any weight unless you are willing to back it up.
It shot well when it was working but they are just too hit or miss and in my experience, their customer service was simply not engaged in actually providing quality service.
I'll spend the extra money for a better product from companies that actually back their guns. A lifetime warranty doesn't actually have any weight unless you are willing to back it up.
As a gun enthusiast (and Taurus 85 owner), I would find these posts about how Tauruses are/have problems, if the cause of the problem would be posted. For example, broken mainspring, ejector rod unscrewed, split forcing cone, etc. "froze up", "stopped working", etc., reveal little/nothing about the "quality". More precise information please!
Funny thing about Taurus. I have always been told, "those are junk guns" , "warranty is crap and a pain to use" , "inaccurate, unreliable, and full of cheap parts that will always break, everything a gun shouldn't be." , "Bad gaps, and you can see machining marks!"
My experience however has been very different. My first gun was a model 82 38 special. I learned to shoot on this gun. The DA trigger was heavy, and just horrible. The Single action trigger was pretty good. But over thousands and thousands of rounds, it never lost accuracy, and always fired great. The only issue was after lord knows how many shots, I had a firing pin break. I took it to a smith, he replaced it, and handed it back in a week and said, free of charge, Taurus paid your bill. To this date, that is the only problem I have had with a Taurus.
Now I do not want to come across like I am a one gun guy. After I sold the 82, I picked up a stainless 689 6" Taurus 357. It is wonderful. DA and SA are smooth and crisp. Fantastic accuracy. NEVER had a problem with anything loosening up, cylinders getting stuck, or anything else. It is only fed 357 rounds too, not light 38's, so it does take a beating. Lockup is tight, no erosion on the top strap, and the forcing cone cleans up nicely. Wonderful revolver.
So my luck has been with the revolvers. Well, I also have a TCP the little 380 that has never once missed a beat even on el cheap-o ammo. But my favorites, and I mean the two I will never get rid of: PT100 with a PT92 slide, and a PT1911. The PT1911 is great. Never missed a beat, and never jammed or had any other failure on all kinds of cheap or expensive ammo. Very accurate too.
My crown jewel is the PT100 though. All stainless, nicely polished, a real looker. But when shooting the strong recoiling .40 gets old, I press a button, flip a switch, slide off the .40 upper, and slide on a 9x19 upper, flip a switch, change a mag, and start shooting cheaper 9mm's. Same trigger, less recoil, same accuracy. When that gets old, swap on the Caspian .22LR upper and keep going with 22LR. I have been researching and it looks like uppers for a PT58 will work too for a 380 option, and 357 sig barrels are readily available. So on one platform, I can have 22, 9mm, 380, 357 Sig, and .40 s&w. All with the same trigger assembly. Through all kinds of junk ammo, good ammo, flat nose, round nose, lead, jacketed, hollow points, and the new hollows I call Cavern points because the hole is so darn big, I have never had any failure with this gun, with any of the different uppers used that was not ammo related (cheap bulk Remington rimfires don't always go bang).
Do I recommend Taurus to everyone? No. Same way I don't recommend Chevy's or Fords to everyone. There are lemons, I have just been lucky enough to never get one. However with all of them I own, it seems strange that with all the complaints, I have never had an issue. I think they are worth the look. If you like them, they are reasonable, but I think people are overly critical of them and LOVE hearing about the problems to validate their own opinions.
It seems to me most people look at their gun brand like their chosen automotive brand or religion. No matter what you say to a smith and Wesson revolver guy he will never consider anything else. Just like Ford driver will never drive Chevy's or Dodges. Too bad really. All of them make some damn nice trucks, but all of them produce a lemon from time to time (that is why there are warranties).
Guns are mechanical tools just like cars. If you want the best gun, or the best car, buy the one that does not have a parts department because they never break.
My experience however has been very different. My first gun was a model 82 38 special. I learned to shoot on this gun. The DA trigger was heavy, and just horrible. The Single action trigger was pretty good. But over thousands and thousands of rounds, it never lost accuracy, and always fired great. The only issue was after lord knows how many shots, I had a firing pin break. I took it to a smith, he replaced it, and handed it back in a week and said, free of charge, Taurus paid your bill. To this date, that is the only problem I have had with a Taurus.
Now I do not want to come across like I am a one gun guy. After I sold the 82, I picked up a stainless 689 6" Taurus 357. It is wonderful. DA and SA are smooth and crisp. Fantastic accuracy. NEVER had a problem with anything loosening up, cylinders getting stuck, or anything else. It is only fed 357 rounds too, not light 38's, so it does take a beating. Lockup is tight, no erosion on the top strap, and the forcing cone cleans up nicely. Wonderful revolver.
So my luck has been with the revolvers. Well, I also have a TCP the little 380 that has never once missed a beat even on el cheap-o ammo. But my favorites, and I mean the two I will never get rid of: PT100 with a PT92 slide, and a PT1911. The PT1911 is great. Never missed a beat, and never jammed or had any other failure on all kinds of cheap or expensive ammo. Very accurate too.
My crown jewel is the PT100 though. All stainless, nicely polished, a real looker. But when shooting the strong recoiling .40 gets old, I press a button, flip a switch, slide off the .40 upper, and slide on a 9x19 upper, flip a switch, change a mag, and start shooting cheaper 9mm's. Same trigger, less recoil, same accuracy. When that gets old, swap on the Caspian .22LR upper and keep going with 22LR. I have been researching and it looks like uppers for a PT58 will work too for a 380 option, and 357 sig barrels are readily available. So on one platform, I can have 22, 9mm, 380, 357 Sig, and .40 s&w. All with the same trigger assembly. Through all kinds of junk ammo, good ammo, flat nose, round nose, lead, jacketed, hollow points, and the new hollows I call Cavern points because the hole is so darn big, I have never had any failure with this gun, with any of the different uppers used that was not ammo related (cheap bulk Remington rimfires don't always go bang).
Do I recommend Taurus to everyone? No. Same way I don't recommend Chevy's or Fords to everyone. There are lemons, I have just been lucky enough to never get one. However with all of them I own, it seems strange that with all the complaints, I have never had an issue. I think they are worth the look. If you like them, they are reasonable, but I think people are overly critical of them and LOVE hearing about the problems to validate their own opinions.
It seems to me most people look at their gun brand like their chosen automotive brand or religion. No matter what you say to a smith and Wesson revolver guy he will never consider anything else. Just like Ford driver will never drive Chevy's or Dodges. Too bad really. All of them make some damn nice trucks, but all of them produce a lemon from time to time (that is why there are warranties).
Guns are mechanical tools just like cars. If you want the best gun, or the best car, buy the one that does not have a parts department because they never break.
DBLAction454
New member
I don't spend my money on hit or miss products.
You get what you pay for (99% of the time) in gun world.
I can see the benefits for having a "knock-around" gun but seeing the issues some friends have dealt with when owning a Taurus and reading them here (always a with a grain of salt) I can't justify spending that money, even the low price, on junk. I'd rather spend it on ammo and run my quality weapons and be a better shooter
Seeing the words "Taurus" and "Quality" together kind of made me laugh
You get what you pay for (99% of the time) in gun world.
I can see the benefits for having a "knock-around" gun but seeing the issues some friends have dealt with when owning a Taurus and reading them here (always a with a grain of salt) I can't justify spending that money, even the low price, on junk. I'd rather spend it on ammo and run my quality weapons and be a better shooter
Seeing the words "Taurus" and "Quality" together kind of made me laugh
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gasmandave
New member
I bought a Taurus .38 spl 4" barrel back in the late 70's. It was rough but shot good, I think I paid $75. for it FTF. I also had a Mod 85CH. Traded it. It also was a good pistol. I've had one of the 9mm's. Not a big fan of 9mm. Sold it. I've looked at several of the newer models at some gunshops and have not been impressed with the triggers. Seem a bit rough. I recently purchased an older 5 shot, 3" barrel, fixed sight, round butt, 44 spl. (Don't know the model number) It is the best Taurus I've owned. Action is smooth as silk and hits well with 44 spl SilverTips. (middle top row)
I'd say that the comment about "Hit or Miss" is accurate.
I'd say that the comment about "Hit or Miss" is accurate.
44 Mag Fan
Inactive
The only Taurus that I can give an opinion on is my Ultra Lite 44 Special, model 445 with a 2 inch barrel. I have had this gun for about 2 years now and have had no problems at all. So far about 500 rounds thru it and it keeps on going strong. Not to much of a fan of the rubber grips, but they do the job. While it's not in the same category as my Smith model 29-10 with a 2 and 1/2 inch barrel, it also cost way less. I walked out the door with it for under $400 and that included 50 rounds of 44 special. All said, its a keeper.