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Post by TMan on Oct 30, 2004 22:19:11 GMT -5
I was looking at the gun counter the other day and they had several Taurus revolvers that really looked good. In particular was a 608 that was ported. I was also looking at a S&W 686, but it didn't say 686 P and the box said +6. However, it had 7 holes in the cylinder. There was also a Rossi, which appeared to be a nice gun, but didn't fit my hand very well. How about the Taurus? Is its claim to fame "less price", or is it really a quality revolver worth owning?
One of my range officers let me shoot a box of ammo through his Taurus, and it seemed to me that it was a quality shooter. It was the best I've ever shot with a gun that I never shot before. However, I think I had faith in it because he had it for a long time, I was sure the sights were right (he is the best shot I've ever seen - better than the air marshals even), and it might have instilled a bit of cinfidence it me.
I want another .357M, but since my order for a Python may never be filled, I'm looking elsewhere. Any recomendations will be greatly appreciated.
By the way, I love revolvers. I've never left the range bleeding or burned from shooting revolvers - I have from semi-automatics!!! DA, if you are reading this, thanks for telling me not to give up on revolvers.
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Post by Mikolev on Oct 31, 2004 0:02:37 GMT -5
I bought a Taurus 608 w/ a 6.5" ported barell in .357Mag. It's a great shooter and very accurate. It's very comfortable to shoot and the ported barrel really takes alot of the bite out of the .357 mag. rounds. It's the only Taurus revo I've ever shot, but based on it's performance, reliability, ergonomics and price, I'de buy another one if I had the money.
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Post by "DoubleAction" on Oct 31, 2004 10:22:14 GMT -5
I was looking at the gun counter the other day and they had several Taurus revolvers that really looked good. In particular was a 608 that was ported. I was also looking at a S&W 686, but it didn't say 686 P and the box said +6. However, it had 7 holes in the cylinder. There was also a Rossi, which appeared to be a nice gun, but didn't fit my hand very well. How about the Taurus? Is its claim to fame "less price", or is it really a quality revolver worth owning? One of my range officers let me shoot a box of ammo through his Taurus, and it seemed to me that it was a quality shooter. It was the best I've ever shot with a gun that I never shot before. However, I think I had faith in it because he had it for a long time, I was sure the sights were right (he is the best shot I've ever seen - better than the air marshals even), and it might have instilled a bit of cinfidence it me. I want another .357M, but since my order for a Python may never be filled, I'm looking elsewhere. Any recomendations will be greatly appreciated. By the way, I love revolvers. I've never left the range bleeding or burned from shooting revolvers - I have from semi-automatics!!! DA, if you are reading this, thanks for telling me not to give up on revolvers.
Jack Weigand once did the ported gun fighter package for Taurus, until they began doing it themselves, which tells me alot about the guns.
The best input and remarks one can get on the revolvers are from the pistolsmiths. Some have components that are surface hardened, which causes the softer unhardened metal to become exposed during grinding, filing, or polishing.
Eventually you might seek the services of a pistolsmith for a certain trigger job or other work.
Most of the current manufacturers have been offering the same in house custom packages which was once offered only by pistolsmiths. The revolvers have been taking the same route as the 1911 for a few years now, with factory options never offered before. The money you save in the factory custom packages will far out weigh the cost in having to ship the gun out for work to be done later. |
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Post by TMan on Oct 31, 2004 21:09:50 GMT -5
.... One is the cylinder drag on the barrel's forcing cone as the fouling builds up... Okay, what is the "barrel's forcing cone"? Gosh DA, I couldn't really tell from your post if you were telling me to go for it or run away from it. Does Taurus have surface hardened compoents? Does Taurus have "factory custom packages"? I couldn't find them on their web site, unless it is their SILHOUETTE offerings. Then they have a HUNTER and TRACKER series. I'm totally confused. |
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Post by "DoubleAction" on Nov 1, 2004 17:42:42 GMT -5
TMan; The Forcing Cone is that part of the barrel that meets with the cylinder. The distance between the two is known as cylinder gap, which can be measured using an automotive feeler gauge.
TMan; I know that you are one who expects certain refinements incorporated into the moving parts of a firearm. I'm not suggesting that you choose between any certain manufacturer; I will suggest that a refined double action trigger should have a single stage stroke of no less than 8 1/2 lbs, or a two stage stroke stacking at 8 lbs. on the cylinder lug engagement. If your factory trigger is much heavier than this, I'm sure you will be wanting better in the future. I have heard of a certain skilled pistolsmith who could hone the Python to a 5 lb. double action single stage stroke.
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Post by TMan on Nov 1, 2004 19:09:10 GMT -5
DA, I have a confession: I shoot my double-action revolvers in single-action mode. I just prefer the way the cylinder flops out for unloading and loading vs. the single-action revolver. I may never buy another single-action revolver, unless someone tells me some wonderful merits of them that I don't know. When I shoot in double-action mode, my groups spread out and move towards the NW quadrant of the targets. I think it is because I'm pushing with the heel of my hand to counter the force of the finger pulling back on the trigger. Also, as I've mentioned before, I've had surgery on my trigger finger and it is sensitive. So, I really like a light trigger pull. My pool heater is costing far less than I expected, which leaves me a little more for revolvers this year. Hey, budgeted is budgeted. ;D I understand why you just wouldn't tell me to take my checkbook and go buy a SuperShooterXXX because I might be unhappy with it and think ill of you because of it. At this point I'm considering: Taurus 608SSx Taurus 627SSx Smith & Wesson 627 PC (if I can get one) Smith & Wesson 686 P You mentioned once that the 686 was on the same frame as my 617 (.22LR), which I enjoy shooting, but wish I hadn't gotten the 10 round cylinder because it is a pain to clean. I just really, really, enjoyed shooting my friends Taurus, but it was an old one and probably no longer in production. Mikolev wrote very favorable comments on his 608, which has me leaning in that direction. The Smith & Wesson 686 I looked at in the store just didn't impress me much. The hammer especially didn't look like it was made well. One other thing to keep in mind: I doubt if I'll ever shoot .357 M loads - I'll stick to the .38 Specials.  |
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Post by "DoubleAction" on Nov 1, 2004 19:44:15 GMT -5
TMan; Because revolvers are mechanically operated by hand, they are more of a personnal choice handgun. What feels good in one person's hand, may or may not feel the same way in another's. The newer S&W revolvers feature the in frame floating firing pin with the MIM hammers. The older S&Ws feature the firing pin in the case hardened steel hammers. The 686 and the 617 shared the same frame size and grips, but are of two different frames; The 617 is the K-Frame, and the 686 is the L-Frame ( A strengthened version of the K-Frame).
Taurus is not in the business to build cheap versions of other guns, as many would like to think. In recent years Taurus has arrived with some very affordable handguns, aimed toward a quality product in a competitive market place. My youngest brother has had more than several Taurus revolvers and semi-autos.
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Post by TMan on Nov 2, 2004 14:26:29 GMT -5
DA, thanks for the info. I just got back from the range, which was closed for maintenance. So, I went and looked at revolvers again. It was kind of a toss up between the Taurus Tracker 627SS4 and the 608SS6. I liked the grips better on the Tracker, but I liked the weight and feel of the 608. Both are ported, so that wasn't a factor. Then one of the range officers came over who knows me quite well. "Oh get the big one - you'll like it a lot better". Like a lamb to the slaughter I am...  I was just looking at my wife's clothing bill for Neiman Marcus for the month. The sales tax was more than my Taurus 608 cost. Suddenly, I just thought of a good use for this gun... Naw, I still love her... Anyhow the 608 was $339.77, which I thought was a good price since Taurus has a MSRP of $547, and my favorite on-line site has it for $384. Their regular price was $429, so I thought the sale price was great. Hmmm, that still leaves quite a bit left in the budget. I suppose I could save it, but then I'd just die and the money would go to my kids to squander it. Hey, I'll squander it - much more fun. ;D |
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Post by "DoubleAction" on Nov 2, 2004 16:49:13 GMT -5
TMan; Take the extra money and use it for some speedloaders and a few thousand rounds of Georgia Arms ammunition. ;D
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Post by TMan on Nov 2, 2004 21:23:30 GMT -5
Okay, I'm sitting here wondering what are speedloaders? Rather than ask and have someone think I was a complete moron and probably voted for Kerry, I did a search on Google. From what I saw, apparently HKS doesn't make them for the Taurus 608, which is an 8 round cylinder.
But, after looking at the pictures, I don't understand why I would want them anyhow. You still have to load the speedloader, so what is the difference in loading it vs. just dropping the bullets into the cylinder? I could understand it if I was carrying it and needed to rapidly reload, but I couldn't carry this - I couldn't keep my pants up? Then someone my mistake me for Bill Clinton ;D
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Post by garumn on Nov 3, 2004 3:24:28 GMT -5
Let me tell you I have the Taurus 627ss4 tracker and I love this gun. It has nice weight and the ported barrel make this gun fun to shoot for long periods of time. I have about 1500 rounds through this of all loads and never a problem. Though I dont like the looks of the grip it feels great in the hand.
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Post by "DoubleAction" on Nov 3, 2004 16:58:32 GMT -5
TMan; The logic in using the Speedloaders is having the ability to quick load the revolver during a shooting stage. If I'm planning on shooting revolver at the range I will preload up to twenty speedloaders before departing my home. After I arrive at the range, my time is better spend shooting, rather than loading. I do the same with magazines for the semi-autos.
After all the pre-loaded speedloaders are used up, I will then load the cylinder by hand, one round at a time. If I carry a revolver for protection, I'll always carry along a speedloader.
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Post by tptplayer on Nov 3, 2004 20:58:09 GMT -5
I use moonclips with my S & W 625. They are great for ICORE. I also keep it (and them) handy under my bed to greet guests.
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Post by TMan on Nov 3, 2004 21:33:19 GMT -5
DA, that makes a lot of sense - I just never considered a large quantity of them. I did buy one today for the Ruger just to see how they work.
Tptplayer, ever wonder why you don't get much company? ;D
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I was just looking at my wife's clothing bill for Neiman Marcus for the month. The sales tax was more than my Taurus 608 cost. Suddenly, I just thought of a good use for this gun... Naw, I still love her...