Taurus vs. Smith and Wesson

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Drifter721

New member
Can anyone convince me that Taurus has significantly improved their current production revolver's trigger parts to the point that they would be anywhere near the quality or smoothness of a Smith and Wesson revolver?

I see some Taurus models that I wish S&W would have made. Probelm is, the first and last time I took a sideplate off a Taurus revolver to do a trigger job (early 90's Model 44), I was dissapointed with the very poor quality. The worst S&W I've ever seen, that looked like it was made on Friday afternoon by a drunk factory worker, was better than the machine work on that Taurus.

If someone could convince me that things have really really changed with Taurus, I might would buy one of their snub nosed ultra-lights in .45 Colt.
 
Why compare the two?

With Taurus, you get an acceptable gun for half the price of the Smith. Obviously, fit and finish aren't going to be the same as the higher priced Smith.

Smith uses flat springs for the trigger pull, Taurus coil springs. Flat springs are probably more expensive, and they make a much smoother trigger. I've yet to see a coil spring gun (Ruger included) that can match the trigger pull of a flat spring Smith.

As long as Taurus and Ruger and whoever else uses the coil springs, it ain't gonna match up without some serious gunsmithing work- and even then it's not certain it'll be as good as the flat spring.
 
What omegapd said. Plus this...

The fit and finish of most of the recent Taurus guns I've seen has been excellent, especially given the prices here in CA. I've owned only one Taurus gun - a Model 731 2" snubbie in .32 H&R - and it was high quality.

If you want a gun with a trigger as good as a Smith & Wesson, but a S&W!
If you don't want to spend the money S&W wants, buy a Taurus instead.
 
Not trying to be facetious, but you get what you pay for. However, there are MANY “hardly used” S&Ws (police trade-ins and others) that provide terrific quality, accuracy, and reliability for a bargain price.
 
Taurus revolvers are a good buy but check them out before you buy. My opinion about their autos is they are garbage. Lots of frame cracking. I have two Taurus revolvers-85 and 94 which have not failed me yet with thousands of rounds. I can not comment on Smiths as I never owned one and I won't comment on something I never owned.
 
If I had a choice it would be a S&W in the identical gun.I have two Taurus a 905 and 941 and like them both you have to admit that Taurus makes more different models then Smith ever did.If looking for a gun and no one makes it Taurus might.Don't know how they can make so many different models :)
 
Can anyone convince me that Taurus has significantly improved their current production revolver's trigger parts to the point that they would be anywhere near the quality or smoothness of a Smith and Wesson revolver?
Click to expand...
Probably not. :rolleyes:

IMHO Taurus has alway made a quality wheelgun. I carry a Taurus 85 Ultra-Lite, .38Spl.+p, 2", 15oz's, every day. It shoots very well at 10 & 15 yards, and it's even OK at 25. :)

I just purchased a SW 625jm, .45ACP, 4" Brl, and it is quality!!! But I paid over $600.00 for it.

After owning all of the following, it is still a mystery to me. The only lemon wheelie I currently own is my Ruger SP101. It came right out of the box with problems. :(

Ruger Single Six
Ruger SP101
Ruger GP-100
Taurus Tracker 627
Taurus 85 Ultra Lite
Taurus Total Titanium

SW 66
SW 686
SW 625jm
And an old 4" .357 Ruger & SW going way back. I don't remember the models.

I like the looks of the Taurus Ultra Lite 450. If I were you, I'd buy it. Probably cost you around $350.00 :) Half the price of a SW 625... :D
 
jvlip3

Off Topic but!!!

My opinion about their autos is they are garbage. Lots of frame cracking.
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How many Taurus Auto's have you owned where the frame cracked? :confused: How many Taurus Millenium Pro Auto's have you owned where the frame cracked... :confused:

Words mean things, don't you think??? :)
 
Ive had a couple Taurus's as well as a few respectable gun smiths that i know...and while they are inexpensive, for the most part, your money will be well spent if you take it elsewhere. Taurus guns have come a long way in the past 10 years, but their quality is still nowhere near in line with S&W. Their quality control and customer satisfaction seems to be hit or miss...some are more than happy(usually the less demanding consumers) and some are completly discusted with the products that they produce.
 
Jeffro250

.some are more than happy(usually the less demanding consumers) and some are completly discusted with the products that they produce.
Click to expand...
I guess that makes me one of the less demanding gun owners. :o I don't by junk, and I own Taurus Millenium Pro Auto's and 3 Taurus revolvers, All are quality handguns. BTW, which Taurus products do you own that are sub standard? You didn't say... :confused:

As history records it, Taurus & Smith Wesson were once sister companies, and Taurus had complete access to all of the Smith Wesson gun making technology (for lack of a better term) There are some SW models I wouldn't purchase. There are some Taurus models I wouldn't purchase.

I don't think anyone can compare a $650.00 SW625 model to a $300.00 Taurus 85 Ultra-Lite. Not the same guns, not even close, but both are very well made. You can even go back to the old, and tiresome argument regarding the Taurus PT-92, and the Beretta 92FS. (Let's Not) :barf:

While I have never purchased any of my firearms on price alone, I have sometimes not purchased firearms because the price was too high. I usually don't publish my gun list, however, as a less demanding consumer, I feel compelled too. :D
USP C 9mm
CZ 75B
CZ P01
Browning Pro-9SS
BHP Practical 9mm
Ruger P95D15 9mm
Ruger P345
Taurus PT-92SS5
Taurus Millenium Pro 9SS
Sig. 232sl
Beretta PX4 Storm (As soon as available)
SW 625JM .45 ACP
Taurus Tracker 627, .357
Taurus 85 Ultra-Lite, .38Spl.+p
Ruger SP101 .357
Ruger GP-100 .357
Ruger SRH Alaskan .454 Casull /.45 Colt (ASAP)
SW 66 .357
Browning Citori XT Trap .12GA
Winchester SX2 .12GA
Winchester 1300 Pump .12GA
 
I have fired several Taurus and S&W handguns and I have to say both companies make some nice guns. Both companies also have problems. Smiths are painfully overpriced and the trigger pull that some people claim is sooooo nice has been absent from the M686 that I fired. I have also fired a Smith 1911 and it handled beautifully. I own a Taurus Raging Bull and the lockup is better than anything I have ever seen on a revolver. Smiths are nice, but the price difference is considerable. If price doesn't matter then you're probably better off taking your chances on a S&W, but every Taurus I own has operated nicely, so I prefer Taurus.
 
I have owned firearms for 24 years, and bought my first Taurus only earlier this year. If I were to count up my handguns by manufacturer, I own more Ruger, S&W, AMT and Colt than anything else, with the odd Walther, Browning, Sig and Seecamp in there as well.

I had such good luck with my 9 mm Millennium Pro, that I was tempted to try a Taurus revolver. I now also own two 651s and a 650. I have been pleased with the performance, fit and finish of all the Taurii. I can afford to buy anything I want, but I prefer not to spend more than I have to to reach my desired price/performance point. So far, so good with the Taurii.
 
Off Topic

I had a PT-145 which cracked. It was sent back for repair and when returned exploded at the range. After demanding a refund through legal channels, they sent a PRO as a replacement. I promptly sold it. Also had the Berretta copy-it fired with it's safety engaged.It also broke it's transfer bar and firing pin all in under a 1000 rounds. Sold it. A buddy had his PT-140 shed it's safety. A guy at our range had his PT-111 shear its pins that hold the sub frame in. I base my opinions on my own personal experiance or observations. Taurus introduced the PRO series to replace the earlier guns. I go to the range to fire my guns not to come home with a bloody and bandaged hand. I still love their revolvers and will still buy them. But I stand behind my opinion on their autos.
 
One more off topic comment

Smith&Wesson,Ruger,Glock,Kahr,Kel-Tec,Berretta,Colt,Springfield Armory,Marlin,Winchester,Mossberg,and Remington have all issued recalls from time to time. The two most recent are S&W 1911 and Kahr's barrel recall. Taurus simply replaced the original PT series with the PRO series and left the defective guns out there. They should be recalled and replaced. All the other gun makers have owed up to their mistakes. Instead Taurus allowed these guns to stay out there and now we have numerous pictures of broken guns and stories on the internet which to my own misfortune I ignored when I bought mine. I stand by their revolvers but if my comments about their autos is hurting feelings, it can't be as bad as the pain in my hand.
 
I saw a really sweet Taurus Raging Bull in .480 Ruger at the gun shop the other day. At $465 its pretty tempting. The only thing is, I just got a Ruger SRH in .454 Casull about a month ago which I love. I'm wondering, is it really worth it to get the .480 since they are somewhat similar in performance? If I dont pick up this .480 I'm going with a Magnum Research BFR in 45-70.
 
Buy the Smith... If money is an issue buy a used Smith. The S&W is a superior firearm and the collectibility is there also...
 
I'd like to have the latest whiz bang, light as air, S&W revolver, but I can't afford the price tag!!! :eek:

Thus, I own an aluminum framed Taurus 85!! :p
 
My only experience with T:

My first revolver. A 669CP. It looks like a 686. It did not make it through one box of ammo on the first outing.

No more Ts for me.

Alot of folks have better luck with them though.
 
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