Not to be negative, and I'm certainly not blindly loyal to any brand, but just a word of warning to you...I've purchased 7 Taurus guns, 5 of which have required trips back to the factory. The factory always took a month or two to return, and then usually the gun wasn't fixed. What I've written is just a fact of my experience. Obviously I had no bias against Taurus or I wouldn't have bought so many of them. That said, I no longer buy Taurus. I've only had experience with one Rossi, which belonged to a friend. It broke on us one day at the range. I've not seen or experienced any problems with a variety of S&W or Ruger revolvers. Go with the Rossi if that's what you want, but don't be surprised if when it's all said and done, you've got just as much invested in the Rossi, and you're still looking for a reliable CCW revolver. I'd spend the extra $50-$100 and go with a Smith/Ruger. When you go to a shop and look at guns, most are going to appear and feel like good guns, but it's not appearances that matter. What's going to work, and work over the long run is what matters.
Value Priced Revolver for CC
- Thread starter WV_gunner
- Start date
Microgunner
New member
I purchased a S&W BG38 for this very reason. It's rated for .38SPL+P, it's lightweight, has a laser on board from the factory, hammerless (a must for concealed carry), is very easy to shoot and affordable. I've been very satisfied so far.
I own a Rossi Circuit Judge and it's been amazingly good gun, my dad has owned a few Rossi singleshots with no problems, and my buddy has one of their and with no problems. So I'm not against buying one of their guns. And the owner of the store had said he has no problems with that model or the Taurus versions. I do appreciate all of the help from this thread.
[Went to the local dealer, I compared guns and I really like the feel of the Rossi revolvers. It's the same gun as a Taurus but $20 cheaper and the Rossi is polished. Probably the one I'll get.]
No disrespect meant, but it looks like you don't value your life very much, by buying the cheapest you can find, that you like.
Just consider from someone who's BT/DT-NTS: Playing on the range, and "carrying", is a WHOLE lot different than HAVING TO DRAW & FIRE AT A HUMAN - especially one with bad intentions towards you or a loved one.
I'd recommend you carry your 50th Anniv Ruger SA before ANY South American S&W clone, AND you can shoot either full-house .357's or .38 Specials, or .38 Special +P out of it.
With the $$$$ you'll save, all you have to do is buy ammo & practice.
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No disrespect meant, but it looks like you don't value your life very much, by buying the cheapest you can find, that you like.
Just consider from someone who's BT/DT-NTS: Playing on the range, and "carrying", is a WHOLE lot different than HAVING TO DRAW & FIRE AT A HUMAN - especially one with bad intentions towards you or a loved one.
I'd recommend you carry your 50th Anniv Ruger SA before ANY South American S&W clone, AND you can shoot either full-house .357's or .38 Specials, or .38 Special +P out of it.
With the $$$$ you'll save, all you have to do is buy ammo & practice.
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Likewise, it amazes me when someone like yourself is arrogant enough to make a comment like the quote above to an honest statement like mine. A simple answer is that the Taurus guns were what I could afford at the time, and they had some interesting guns. They also generally received good reviews at that time (things seem to have changed in recent years).
With that said, I would think that anyone who could not reason how another person might have to make a certain decision, and then has the nerve to pass judgement on the other...well that person either has the intellect of a young minded boy, or is a dim witted twit. Take your pick...maybe you're both.
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Lets see 5 bad guns out of 7 hmm looks like you have bad judgment. Even if they were what you could afford at the time. I think after 2 bad guns that were sent off to be fixed and were not then I would have given up. So I don't I am the dimwitted twit nor the intellect of a young minded boy. A mirror should be placed next to your monitor for self viewing.
dalegribble
New member
i always take these taurus bashers with a grain of salt. especially the ones that say they got burned 5 times and don't even post a model or caliber. i think at least half of these taurus bashers have never owned a taurus and the other half don't know how to shoot or maintain a handgun. not all but probably half of the problems people have with taurus could be solved with a good cleaning and the other half would be solved with a good gun education class. i've never had a problem with a taurus amd i'm not sure their returns are any higher than other major brands. or maybe me and all my taurus owning friends are just the luckiest sob's in the world.
I agree that's why I posted what I posted. If you went to the cheapest place for gas and got water in the gas 2 times would go back ? I would not . The same goes for anything. And this includes firearms. If I got burned by S&W and got a few bad guns then I would not go back to them or any other with that personal track record. I definitely would not keep buying them and then bash em .
The only reason I'm getting this gun is because my parents want to buy me a gun for my birthday. I already have plenty of shotgun and rifles. I have one for every situation pretty much. And my only handguns are only for the range pretty much, I want one to use for other reasons.
Now, every manufacture has problems with their guns. Thats not an opinion, that's a fact. And a lot of people like to be cool and buy expensive guns so they can talk down to the people that don't. But in all reality that cheaper gun will more than likely be just as good. Yes, Taurus has some issues with quality control, every business does. I'm sure not every S&W out there was perfect out of the box. I own an RG and it's supposed to be the biggest piece of garbage out there, but its really a pretty decent gun. So I'm not afraid to have a cheaper gun. A couple of my guns aren't decent brand name guns, but that sure doesn't mean they're junk. And I held the J frame, I didn't like it as much compared to the Rossi. And it's a .357 mag and holds 6 shots, and the $100 less is nice too. The store did have charter arms too, but only .32 and .44 special. A .32 is a waste in my opinion and I don't really want a .44 special. They had other stuff, even a 9mm revolver and a .460 mag. But I'm gonna get the Rossi snubnose in .357 mag it looks like.
Now, every manufacture has problems with their guns. Thats not an opinion, that's a fact. And a lot of people like to be cool and buy expensive guns so they can talk down to the people that don't. But in all reality that cheaper gun will more than likely be just as good. Yes, Taurus has some issues with quality control, every business does. I'm sure not every S&W out there was perfect out of the box. I own an RG and it's supposed to be the biggest piece of garbage out there, but its really a pretty decent gun. So I'm not afraid to have a cheaper gun. A couple of my guns aren't decent brand name guns, but that sure doesn't mean they're junk. And I held the J frame, I didn't like it as much compared to the Rossi. And it's a .357 mag and holds 6 shots, and the $100 less is nice too. The store did have charter arms too, but only .32 and .44 special. A .32 is a waste in my opinion and I don't really want a .44 special. They had other stuff, even a 9mm revolver and a .460 mag. But I'm gonna get the Rossi snubnose in .357 mag it looks like.
Dalegribble, what a foolish thing to say. I have no reason to doubt the truth of your experience with Taurus firearms. Why would you doubt mine? To insinuate that I have some sort of interest in demeaning Taurus firearms is just beyond stupid...wait...yes, I must make something up to defame any firearm with a bull logo...that's it, I hate the BULLLLL! Speaking of bull...one guy criticizes me for giving Taurus too much of a chance...the other one calls me dishonest for sharing my experience...and yet they get together as cheerleaders for each other
. Are the two of you dating?
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If cost is an issue, check out some used guns from a reputable dealer. WV probably has some gun shows that offer good opportunities to find good deals. If you see a gun that you want but it is too expensive to buy new, you could save a lot by going with a used one. Many older revolvers are more desirable to me than newer ones and there are many reasons for that.
Honestly, not to be a jerk, I'd take Dalegribble's advice over anyone else's. We've butted heads many many times on another forum, but I know he isn't just some idiot with a key board. I'm not implying anyone is, but I know he is a pretty good guy.
The local shows here are usually a waste when trying to find a handgun. People want to way too much. The best place to get a used handgun is from a dealer if want a decent price with some sort of guarantee it won't blow up in your face. There's an amazingly good gun store in Wayne, I was gonna go there but that's not happening now. But I really don't like the S&W as much. And I'd rather buy one new. And I've yet to see a used S&W under $500. The prices seem to be higher than if it was new. And even Taurus guns don't get much of a lower price, they're usually still over $300. I'd rather just spend a little more and get a new gun. The only benefit from buying used is mostly long guns, at least for what I find and buy.
The local shows here are usually a waste when trying to find a handgun. People want to way too much. The best place to get a used handgun is from a dealer if want a decent price with some sort of guarantee it won't blow up in your face. There's an amazingly good gun store in Wayne, I was gonna go there but that's not happening now. But I really don't like the S&W as much. And I'd rather buy one new. And I've yet to see a used S&W under $500. The prices seem to be higher than if it was new. And even Taurus guns don't get much of a lower price, they're usually still over $300. I'd rather just spend a little more and get a new gun. The only benefit from buying used is mostly long guns, at least for what I find and buy.
I’m a 40 year old college professor, and I consider myself to be a fairly objective researcher. Although I'm much less than perfect, I wouldn't consider myself an "idiot with a keyboard". Regardless, though, of my age, profession, or any other qualifier, I’d just have no reason to be dishonest about my experience with Taurus. I was only trying to help you (WVgunner) by sharing (which I honestly regret at this point). Still, I hope you enjoy whatever you buy, and get good use out of it.
You asked for advice on a public forum. If you didn't want anyone questioning your forgone conclusion, you shouldn't have posted. Maybe you should have just sent Dalegribble a PM.
I've owned Taurus so I'm not speaking from total ignorance, either. It's not that all their guns are bad, it's just that they are hit and miss. But it's your money.
P.S. Now, if that is all that is within your budget, you should just say so. When I was in school, all I could afford was a RG in .38 spl. I shot it very little, though it never malfunctioned. When I could afford another gun, I sold the RG for $20 and felt guilty.
WV_gunner said:
Wow! What a way to treat people who were just trying to be helpful. I offered first hand advice that you are free to accept or reject as you see fit.
But to imply that any of us are just "some idiot with a keyboard" is just preposterous. There are some very intelligent and knowledgeable people on this forum and I respect the advice and input that they offer. If you are having some personal issues, find a constructive outlet for your frustrations, lest you reveal yourself as a frustrated ne'er-do-well with a keyboard.
To refute you, I could site my two degrees in electrical engineering, my MBA, my several professional licenses or my patents. But I don't think any of this is necessary. I'll just consider the source.
Microgunner
New member
So, you take the advice to choose the budget line of a budget manufacturer (that's double cheap if you're keeping score) from a person who's chosen to name himself after a paranoid ignoramus?
And then call the good folk who're trying to help "idiots with a keyboard".
Goodness gracious!
And then call the good folk who're trying to help "idiots with a keyboard".
Goodness gracious!
Maybe you should read what I posted a little more clearly. I never ever said anyone on this forum is an idiot with a keyboard. I only stated I know Dalegribble is not one. Then I state I'm not implying anyone is. And the first line I clearly said I wasn't trying to be a jerk. And I do respect the people on this forum and their advice for the most part. But I also know a few people, and not just on this forum, like a certain gun and hate everything else. Some have good reasons, some just like to brag how much money they spent. I'm not that kind of guy. I like the cheap stuff and the expensive stuff. But I like finding the fine line between the two. I don't want an uber expensive gun and I don't want something that's gonna blow up in my face. I'm not saying anyone here is this way, but I do many people say a certain brands are junk and they've never held one. So I don't take everyone's advice on the Internet to be 100% truthful until I'm around the forum for awhile. I'm a new member and Dalegribble is the only member I know of that's from another site. So naturally I'm gonna listen to him more for now. And I already know the Rossi/Taurus guns are good in my opinion. I did read everyone's post on this thread and I did research the guns that were suggested. If the local dealer didnt have the Rossi I'd probably be getting the .44 special Charter.