Gunsmith Question - Taurus 357 Revolver

[Bowhunter57]

I was considering the purchase of a Taurus (Stainless Steel) 66, in 357 Mag., but after talking to two different Gunsmith Shop Owners, maybe not. Apparently, they see quite a few (more than other brands) of the Taurus revolvers in their shops for repairs.

My question is to both Gunsmith Shop owners and Taurus revolver owners:
Are you seeing a fair amount of repairs, for Taurus revolvers?

I appreciate your honest opinions and experiences.

 

[hickslawns]

No personal experience but it IS a Taurus. Just a step above HiPoint. Save a little longer. Buy a better brand. It holds it value better if you do. The old: Pay once, cry once.

 

[Bowhunter57]

No personal experience but it IS a Taurus. Just a step above HiPoint. Save a little longer. Buy a better brand. It holds it value better if you do. The old: Pay once, cry once.

I'm inclined to agree with you. I was just seeking out some actual people that have had any issues with these revolvers or if it's just "trash talk" from old Brazilian manufacturer days.
I see a Ruger GP-100 in my future.

 

[Isaacorps]

I had a Taurus judge I won in a raffle. Biggest POS I ever owned. Sold that thing down the river and swore off Taurus for good

 

[giles]

Let's be real, are you really going to own it long enough to run into problems? At the rate you trade/upgrade around give it a try.

I've owned a few PT1911s and they worked just fine. Probably ran a couple thousand rounds in them and traded off before the issues. I never seen them as getting passed down generations, so cheap was just fine. Not everything in life has to be the best of the best. This is my way of thinking with crossbows. My $300 does the same as $3,000 for the way I hunt. And when it needs rebuilt, I just buy another one.

 

[GoetsTalon]

Buy once cry once! I thought it was 1997 but after looking at the sales slip it was 2000. Brand new $445.00 from Rt 53 rec. Find a good older used Smith and you will be good to go.

 

[Jamie]

.357magnum = 686

never shot a Taurus that I cared for. buying cheap guns is like buying cheap cars. you get what you pay for. they seldom work well for very long and they don't retain their value.

 

[Ohiosam]

In the past Taurus has had a poor reputation for reliability and a worse customer service reputation. However I have a Taurus 1911 that has been great, and I know others who’ve had similar luck with their 1911s. But I’ve heard some real horror stories about quality and CS. But they stay in business so enough people must be satisfied. lately I have been hearing that Taurus has significant improvement in quality.

 

[Geezer II]

.357magnum = 686

never shot a Taurus that I cared for. buying cheap guns is like buying cheap cars. you get what you pay for. they seldom work well for very long and they don't retain their value.

Got 2 Springfield 1911's and a Colt 1911 - all bout 20 years old the Sringfields are more accurate and have a better fit then the Colt. Dang name brand got a cheepy Rossi 5 shot revolver 38 spl that shoots as good as my S&W mod 19 & 686 - lol

 

[Bowhunter57]

Let's be real, are you really going to own it long enough to run into problems? At the rate you trade/upgrade around give it a try.

Not everything in life has to be the best of the best. This is my way of thinking with crossbows. My $300 does the same as $3,000 for the way I hunt. And when it needs rebuilt, I just buy another one.

giles,
I understand my "track record" with buying and selling, but I'm attempting to alter that behavior by keeping what I use. Therefore, I'm being more serious about what I buy and having a purpose in mind, BEFORE buying it. I used to own a Ruger GP-100 in a SS 6" that shot great and I never had any issues with it. I seriously regret selling it.

In recent years, revolver prices have skyrocketed and I'm weighing out whether to spend the money on another one or just purchase a Canik TP9SFX and spend the difference on ammo. Thing is, I still have the 357 Mag. reloading dies, loaded ammo from my last revolver and other components. I wouldn't have to reload for the Canik, the accuracy would be just as good and it would fit my needs for a varmint hunting handgun. I've even given thought to using it in a few pistol competitions.

I'm not making this decision until the month of June. I have an estate to settle that may allow me to acquire several handguns. I'm standing by until then.

 

[GoetsTalon]

Here's another option. I went through phases when I got into varmint hunting. It can get crazy money wise when you start getting into the rifles. This is what I used starting out. .22 hornet did killer on ground hogs when they were still around.

 

[Jackalope]

I have a PT145 Millenium pro in .45 Acp. Had it for about a decade and put well over 1,000 rounds through it without a FTF or FFE. Never had a problem with it.

I don't want to take my Kimber Micro in the swamps so I carry the Taurus on the boat when I'm out fishing or in the woods. Also because, let's face it, a hog, gator or, rugaru isn't going to give two craps about getting hit with a 380. .

I knew it would eventually turn into a beater gun and had no intention of reselling it. But like others have said if you're gonna buy something that you plan to keep in relatively good condition go for resale value.

 

[Strizzi]

I have a few Taurus revolvers that I got when my uncle passed and a 942 in 22mag I purchased. I’ve never had an issue with any of them. I’ve taken a few deer with my 66 and have approximately 1000-1500 rounds through. I do tend to take good care of my guns and try to always keep them clean & oiled. I did have one Taurus semi auto I purchased that was a complete piece of shit however that was about 10 years ago. The two semi autos I own now have been flawless (tx22 & 1911).

Taurus quality has been great over the last 6-7 years compared to their previous reputation as shit guns. They will never have the resale value or “class” of a smith, colt, or ruger however I wouldn’t and haven’t hesitated to buy another Taurus.

Edit: I also own a 686 however I choose to take the Taurus 66 into the woods. If it was ever lost, stolen, or whatever I would rather replace a $350 gun over a $800 gun.