Taurus Revolver Quality

M

maustypsu

New member
I'm looking at buying a lightweight .38 or .357. I've seen the Taurus model 85 UL for around $300. Seems like it would fit the bill. I've shot full size .357 Taurus revolvers and liked them. My father has a 9mm semi that hasn't had any quality issues.

I keep 'hearing' about Taurus QC problems but I've never 'seen' any myself. For all of you who have had problems with Taurus, have they been with revolvers? I've searched a bunch of other posts and people talk about Taurus in general. Just wondering, aside from the apparent trigger work I'll have to have done, is there any reason I should spend $100-200 more to buy a LCR or S&W airweight?
 
According to my local dealer, the issues with Taurus center around the newer composite semiautos. The quality on the revolvers, and the PT-series seems to be all right.

Now, here's where the "HOWEVER" comes in...

Their customer service is not up to other companies. They don't have a good reputation on warranty work, and really satisfying the customer. The resale value of Taurus handguns is low.
 
I have a Taurus 85UL that's been 100% reliable. I carry it often. I load with Hornady Critical Defense, and the kick is pretty strong. Get a set of grips that really fit your hand to control that. I got Pachmyars on mine that I love.
 
The resale value of Taurus handguns is low.
Click to expand...

Picked up a used Taurus 96 yesterday. It looks a lot like a vintage Smith 17. Anyway it was $239 , not sure what they went for when new.

I was very leery but took a chance , hopefully it will function properly and shoot well.
 
Taurus's quality can be hit and miss, I have only had one, a 455 which is a snub 44 special 5 shot. It had problems which took a gun smith to fix, it was a barrel to cylinder fit problem where the clearance was too tight.
I also work in a gun store and have see a lot go across the counter, simply put you get what you pay for. Taurus's do have problems but no more than any other cheaper gun.
My suggestion if this is a carry SD gun, then spend more and get a good Smith or Ruger,, the resale will also be better.
If you do buy a used Taurus put the money down and ask to put one box of rounds through it first, if the shop has a range, if they say no, then for sure get something else.
 
I remember when I had this problem when I picked up my GP-100. At the shop I go to, i was looking for a stainless GP100, but the two guns I could pick with was the GP-100 I wanted (but blued) or a matte stainless Taurus Tracker in .357. I must admit, those Taurus's are sure tempting (and they were the same price, to boot). But when I felt the sheer heft of the Ruger, I had to get it. (Plus, it had a recessed crown that the Tracker didn't). I know how I act- Even if I roll the dice with a Taurus and come to love it- I will always think, man- If this is this good, I wonder what the Ruger would have been like?? Ever since I picked up my GP, I haven't shed one tear for the Tracker yet :)
 
I owned 4 Taurus revolvers and three of them had timing problems, 2 of them had the timing problems and cylinder lock up problems. All of them would work screws loose after a while, no matter how much lock-tite I used. Dealing with Taurus CS was a nightmare, they held on to one pistol for over three months and returned it un-repaired. I took one to a smith (617) and when that worked it was a joy to shoot. Other than that, I can whole hardly advise you to avoid the lure of the Taurus.
 
hmm, this last post discourages me..I'm looking at a used 669..I think I'll stay away from it.
Timing problems and screws coming loose...???????? WOW
 
my 605 has had the cylinder catch get stuck twice. after reading about others experiences with taurus I decided to fix it myself, apparently I didn't quite get it the first time. I took the cylinder apart and had to drive the catch pin out with a punch it was stuck so bad. I should probably treat it like my old Smith & Wesson 19 and shoot mostly .38's rather than as many .357mag's as I do.
 
yep

The loose screw thing was the only problem I've heard a lot about when it comes to the revolvers. Most also say you'll have to get some trigger work done. But a lot of people have trigger work done on any gun they buy so if you're going to spend that money, why not save some where else. But the screws bother me. The timing and spacing issues are a concern too.

I might as well spend the extra cash and let the Obama stimulus, bailout and Socialism plan work the rest out I guess.

Thanks for the opinions.
 
I bought a Taurus M85 NIB. The gun froze up solid around the 200 round mark. Timing and forcing cone issue. After dealing with Taurus CS, I made up my mind that the M85 was my first and last Taurus. I no longer own it and have replaced with a S&W Airweight.

In my opinion, Taurus is pretty hit or miss with their QC across the board with both their semis and revolvers. Their CS is just pretty much miss. If you get a bad Taurus, any money you "saved" by buying Taurus will quickly evaporate in shipping charges trying to get the thing working right.

Do yourself a favor, spend the money up front on a better made gun. You won't regret it.
 
If you will do a search on "Taurus quality" or Taurus Customer Service", etc, you will find an awful lot of reading material. :)

Much of it will not be confidence-inspiring.

I have only owned one Taurus (a 3" 441 .44Spl) and while it was not the gun my S&W 696 was, I had no problems with it. A friend in another state owns it now and when I visit him (once a year or so), I still carry it.

Do I regret buying it? Not at all.
Do I miss it? Not really.
Would I buy another? Nah, I think I'm done with the Taurus lottery.
 
Damn...more horror stories with Taurus guns..I had no idea they were that bad. I'll stay very clear of their guns.
Thanks a lot everyone..that's why I like this forum.
 
I owned several Tauri, both revolvers and a 1911. Only problem I had was a terrible DA trigger pull on a 17hmr. This was quickly fixed by a little polishing. I'm primarily a SW person but nothing's sacred anymore. I bought a SW Mod 637 Airweight that, out of the box, had a gritty thumb release and once refused to open the cylinder. Sent it back to SW; they supposedly fixed it and back it came. Same "gritty problem, back it went again. Came back and no noticeable difference. Not to mention this gun has the heaviest DA trigger I've ever experienced. Luckily I have a good friend who's a gunsmith. He's got it now for some work. I'm sure when it comes back it'll be fine. But it's sad that you have to go through this with a Smith. I have to add that my older Smiths are smooth as glass.
 
Taurus revolvers. I had mine years ago and went through the usual stages: hope, disbelief, defeat.

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Well, I have six Taurus Revolvers, 3 in 357 Magnum and 3 in 38 Special. I had two "incidents": a broken firing pin after 15,000 rnds+ in a Mdl 85. Had a smith put in a new one in about 5 min; 10,000 rnds later it's still going strong. Had excessive barrel to forcing cone gap on a 357; sent to Taurus, they adjusted the yoke & replaced the cylinder & returned in about 1 month. I've since put a couple of thousand rounds of 357 Mag through it w/nary a hiccup. I am more than satisfied w/my Taurus® revolvers & would buy another in a heartbeat.
 
I just sent in my Taurus 94 for repairs.The cylinder freezes up every 3rd DA pull,and it missfires at least 1/3 of all rounds,even going as bad as pulling the trigger 9 times and having all the rounds not go off.I am HOPING that it comes back fixed,but I wish I would have spent more and got the s&w .22 snub the gun store had,and not settling with a Taurus 4".
 
Taurus autos

I can speak from only the auto end of Taurus, My first Taurus was and still Is the PT 92 In 9MM, I have had this gun sinse the mid 70s with no problems with It , but also I have to add I don't shoot it a great deal. I also have PT 145 Millennum Pro3.3" Brl. In 45ACP, Also a PT 24/7 In 40S&W 4", also another 24/7 3.3" shorty In 40S&W, also a PT 1911 In stainless, 45ACP So I have not had any of the problems that I hear about with taurus wheel guns, all my revolvers are Hi hunter, Rossi, Ruger, S&W & Colt. And my carry gun is the Taurus PT145Mil. Pro. 3.3 " Brl. 45ACP And for what it's worth Taurus does have a life time guaranty, but I guess that's not very good if one has to keep sending it back for repairs and that one have to pay for shipping and Insurance!!! So like someone said " You pay your money and you take you chances " Someone else once said " it's better to have it and not need it, then to need it and not have It " Semper FI to all, Hank D.
 
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