I have gone to several Taurus forums and one person in particular has really been down on Taurus. Makes statements like" it is life threatening to carry one for self defense" because they are complete junk etc. I would like to commend Taurus based on my personal experience as an owner and on what a couple of my friends say about their Taurus hand guns. I have owned a Judge for about 10 years: not one single problem and I shoot it monthly with my self made #4 buck shot .410 ammo and jacketed hollow points. I feel it is the ultimate home defense hand gun (in the night stand drawer). I don't have children and remove it when I have company with kids. I also have a defense strobe light with it. I and several buddies all have slim 709 9mm semi autos and all of them shoot flawlessly. I have put over 1000 rounds through my 709 and clean it every time after shooting at the range. I have just ordered a PT-22 ply. I am beginning to think the guy who dislikes them so much may have been a fired, mad as hell employee. I will let everyone know what I think about the PT 22 after i clean and lube it out of the box and shoot 3-500 rounds through it. I plan on carryiing it as a pocket backup for my 9mm which I carry at all times. There is one site that talks about renting out concealed carry autos for use after the mandatory course for a CC liscense in Texas: the Taurus 709 being the only one they get 10,000 rounds through with out breakdown. All other compacts end up with broken parts before 10,000 as a rule they say. So to all you Taurus owners out there: keep them clean, don't limp wrist them, and keep on shooting. I am not associated with Taurus in any way. I just shoot them. A reliable CC weapon at a great cost for an old retired gun lover.
Upset Taurus haters
- Thread starter fisherman
- Start date
Onward Allusion
New member
I wouldn't say they are junk, but QA is more spotty than say S&W, Ruger, Beretta, or Glock. The Taurus guns I've handled generally have rougher edges, more visible tool marks, and thinner finishes. Personally, I have no problems trusting a Taurus revolver with my life. Their semi's, not so much.
First off, I'll say I don't own any, and I'm not planning on it. So, this is just a "baseless" opinion, so I don't recommend them or bash them, directly.
based on what I've read for a long time, (and allowing for the Internet making a couple of bad apples into barrels of bad apples), it seems that, like a lot of things, if you get a good one, you got a good one.
But, if you don't, it seems to be more time, trouble, and aggravation getting a bad one fixed than with other (and especially US made) guns.
If forced, I would choose a Taurus over a Llama, but then, I've HAD Llamas and the experience was not satisfactory.
Personally, I would (and do) spend a few dollars more, and get a S&W, Ruger, or some other US gun (if one fills my needs) than a foreign one, counting on the fact that, worst case, I will be dealing with a US company under US laws, and without the complication of international shipping to get repair work done.
Plus, having been a union worker for most of my life, I like (at least the fiction) of "keeping my money in the US for US workers".
I do have a number of foreign made guns, (mostly historical ones) when it comes to getting new, for sport or protection, I'll look first to US products, generally, and don't put lowest price as my most important factor.
but, that's just me...
based on what I've read for a long time, (and allowing for the Internet making a couple of bad apples into barrels of bad apples), it seems that, like a lot of things, if you get a good one, you got a good one.
But, if you don't, it seems to be more time, trouble, and aggravation getting a bad one fixed than with other (and especially US made) guns.
If forced, I would choose a Taurus over a Llama, but then, I've HAD Llamas and the experience was not satisfactory.
Personally, I would (and do) spend a few dollars more, and get a S&W, Ruger, or some other US gun (if one fills my needs) than a foreign one, counting on the fact that, worst case, I will be dealing with a US company under US laws, and without the complication of international shipping to get repair work done.
Plus, having been a union worker for most of my life, I like (at least the fiction) of "keeping my money in the US for US workers".
I do have a number of foreign made guns, (mostly historical ones) when it comes to getting new, for sport or protection, I'll look first to US products, generally, and don't put lowest price as my most important factor.
but, that's just me...
Bill DeShivs
New member
I'm pretty sure all Taurus repairs are handled in the US.
My 1986 vintage Taurus 66 .357 and 99 9mm (both purchased brand new), are still going strong, thousands and thousands of hot rounds through both, with nary an issue. Just lucky I guess!
Lots of people love to talk smack about guns, trucks, bows and tools they have never owned or even used. Take them with a grain of salt.
Based upon my experience, I wouldn't trade either one of my Taurus handguns for a Kimber... nothing but issues out of the several I have used. Overpriced Jamomatics!!!
No Kimbers under my roof any longer. But, if you listen to some of the self appointed experts online, Taurus is junk and Kimber is a high end weapon. Subjective topic I guess.
Lots of people love to talk smack about guns, trucks, bows and tools they have never owned or even used. Take them with a grain of salt.
Based upon my experience, I wouldn't trade either one of my Taurus handguns for a Kimber... nothing but issues out of the several I have used. Overpriced Jamomatics!!!
No Kimbers under my roof any longer. But, if you listen to some of the self appointed experts online, Taurus is junk and Kimber is a high end weapon. Subjective topic I guess.
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FrankenMauser
New member
Some people have positive experiences with a company. Others do not.
When it comes to Taurus, those that do not have positive experiences tend to be a bit more vocal.
I've had two Taurii. To put it as 'nicely' as possible: They were both pretty lackluster, poorly designed, and poorly made. One of them even broke in a manner that made it a serious danger to the shooter.
Most Taurii work just fine. ...Right up to the point when they fail.
When it comes to Taurus, those that do not have positive experiences tend to be a bit more vocal.
I've had two Taurii. To put it as 'nicely' as possible: They were both pretty lackluster, poorly designed, and poorly made. One of them even broke in a manner that made it a serious danger to the shooter.
Most Taurii work just fine. ...Right up to the point when they fail.
I too have been on the Taurus wagon with a couple of purchases, a Braztec imported 92 Win copy is a great little carbine after I stoned the action , replaced plastic parts and plugged the holes where the stupid safety was stuck on top of the bolt. Second was a Taurus copy of a Colt Lightning Rifle, never could get it to shoot three shots in a row without major malfunction even after a visit to the factory. Traded that poorly made rifle at LGS and have never returned ( he knew it’s track record).
Some folks have a reason to report negatively about a Taurus.
Some folks have a reason to report negatively about a Taurus.
I traded a Hi-Point for a 90s era Taurus 38 special revolver to see if the gun snobs were as wrong about Taurus as they were about Hi-Point. I found they were wrong and as a result I bought a Taurus TCP new. That led me to buy a Taurus PTY-111 G2 that has never malfunctioned and is accurate. The last Taurus I bought is a 2002 605 357 Magnum. Since they have made the 605 since 1995, I searched to see if there were problems with it and found that it has been reliable. Based on my personal experience, I wouldn't hesitate to buy more Taurus handguns and based on my experience with a Hi-Point handgun, I bought a Hi-Point 9mm carbine (that is reliable and accurate).
I have a Ruger and 2 S&Ws but my go to guns are Taurus.
I have a Ruger and 2 S&Ws but my go to guns are Taurus.
Let's be honest. Taraus is not the quality of major American brands. They are second rate and compare with Charter Arms and H&Rs from past. If they work for you that's all that
matters. To me I'm not going to buy or use 2nd rate guns. For same money I can find a
good used S&W or Ruger. I know quality of Taraus has improved over the years but I don't
want any.
matters. To me I'm not going to buy or use 2nd rate guns. For same money I can find a
good used S&W or Ruger. I know quality of Taraus has improved over the years but I don't
want any.
My daughter bought a brand new Taurus TCP that didn't survive its first range session, was immediately returned to Taurus for repair, and was shipped back to her 16 weeks later. I had a Ruger that needed a repair, was back in my hands in 10 days.
16 weeks is too long, I won't buy another Taurus, their customer service is abysmal.
16 weeks is too long, I won't buy another Taurus, their customer service is abysmal.
Cheapshooter
New member
I have been very happy with my Taurus guns. A Judge Public Defender Poly, and a 22POLY. Both have been excellent. The only problem ever was obviously ammo related. Primers were backing out of the primer pocket, and jamming the cylinder. I tried several brands without any problem. Then I tried rounds of the same brand from a different batch. Again, no problems. Obviously lose primer pockets in a particular batch.
The 22POLY digests everything I feed it.
I have a friend who buys lots of guns. Many have been from Taurus. He had a problem with one Taurus revolver. He sent it in, and had it back in a couple weeks working perfectly. I guess if you only have one gun, two weeks, or two months is too long to wait for repairs. Not an issue for me. Sig had my P320 almost three weeks for the trigger upgrade.
The 22POLY digests everything I feed it.
I have a friend who buys lots of guns. Many have been from Taurus. He had a problem with one Taurus revolver. He sent it in, and had it back in a couple weeks working perfectly. I guess if you only have one gun, two weeks, or two months is too long to wait for repairs. Not an issue for me. Sig had my P320 almost three weeks for the trigger upgrade.
I've had 2 Taurus PT1911's... and I have 2 Kimber 1911's. Note the past-tense with the Taurus. I don't consider the Kimber to be a high end pistol, it's in the middle of the pack.
In my case, 1 PT1911 shot so far left, it voted Democratic last election. I swapped in a different barrel, and even mix-maxed parts from the other pistol to see if I could get it turned around... but nothing doing. The other PT had soft slide metal... the underside of the slide peened into the firing pin retention plate, so much that I couldn't strip the slide.
As far as my 2 Kimbers... well, when something goes wrong, I'll let you know.
I generally believe this is true, I've had problems or shortcomings with every brand of firearm I think I've ever owned. Having said that, there are a few manufacturers I avoid... Taurus now being one of them. YMMV.