I know they are not real popular among some folks here but I somehow managed to buy a Taurus handgun.

It's the M85UL...Ultralite, 5 shot, .38 Special, 2" barrel, fixed sights, and blued. Picked it up NIB about a week ago for $350 OTD w/ a Jaguar holster and box of Blazer 125gr FMJ ammo. It weighs 21oz and is pretty handy to carry. I've not been without it for the entire week.

So far I've ran about 50rds through it and man does this little bugger shoot! At 10yds the 125's hit about 3" above POA and will cluster all five rounds into about 1" when shooting offhand and double action. To practice rapid fire from the holster I've used 158gr cast over W231....I can usually keep all five rounds on a 10" steel plate at 10yds. When I do miss it is over the top...maybe not a bad thing!

This is my first ever small double action revolver....and I like it!! I'll be looking into the S&W version later this year as a second carry gun to give the wife. They are a little lighter...she likes the Taurus so I'll keep working with her on that first.

Dan, why do you need to carry concealed in Armagh where everyone loves one another? I think you made a decent choice on the Taurus. They're not bad and they make only really affordable light carry gun. Have you priced a Titanium model Smith? Ouch.

We do love one another....but we hate outsiders!!

Yes...I have looks at the Ti Smith's....that's why I got the Taurus as a "beginner" carry revolver. I had a Kimber...which your buddy now owns...and it was too big for me.

You made a good choice. Taurus gets a bad rap. I have a model 627, 4" 357 mag, and it has seen the plus side of 3,000 rounds with out a problem.

Dan I actually like the Taurus revolvers. I think for the money they will do as good as any other! I almost got a Taurus Raging Bull 44 before I found my PC 629.

I hope it never needs fixing, cause we've all heard the horror stories from those who have experienced their "customer service".

I wish you well with your Taurus.

what s4s4u said as long as its works not bad when i worked
in a gun shop about the only things we sent back was the
taurus.
good luck
larry

Dan I have the standard 85 in stainless and it weighs in at 22 oz empty with wood grips. I like the low maintenance of stainless. It too is a very impressive shooter. I used a needle file to widen the rear sight groove which really helps my older eyes when I have that space on either side of the front sight, especially in low light while at the same time adjusting my windage for my chosen load. I have probably shot 8-900 rounds through mine both lead and jacketed without any difficulty. I have settled on the 125gr hornady xtp over 5.5 of unique as my standard reload for practice and plinking. Several of the new 125 +P loading are giving the 38 special new life. Some manufacturers are even designing slug especially with the 38 in mind. I know both hornady and Magtech have a colored coating or insert in the hollowpoint to ensure expansion at 38 special velocities.

I had one in stainless also. Carried it in a fanny pack while they were still in style. Worked and shot great.

Dan the rest of us........we forgive you.HAHAHAHA

Dan,

I've been carrying a 2" Taurus model 44 snubby in .44 special as my main off duty gun for 10 or 12 years now. You can't get this little powerhouse anymore! I believe that Taurus even discontinued its replacement model (the 485 or 845 - something like that). I load it with 5 standard Blazers with 200gr. Gold Dot hollowpoints. It's compact, reasonably light, and has been very dependable. I don't shoot it alot, but if I had to guess I'd say I've put 200 round or so through it. Thats just a guess. I took 4 turns out of the main spring when I first bought it to smooth it up a bit (I don't dare take any more in order to maintain good hammer strike) and find it very easy to maintain. The finish looks as good as the day I bought it (I carry it ALOT in my Galco Fletch high ride)and it shoots those Blazers point of aim at 50 feet!
I can't speak for today's Taurus revolvers, and I have heard all the rhetoric about the lack of quality in today's Taurus, but I can say that I like the Taurus .38 snubbies that I have had in my hand. The younger semi-auto cop types that I know have occasionally snickered at me when they saw what I was carrying off duty. That is until I cleared the cylinder for them, put the snubbie in their hand, and they see the BIG hole in the end of it.(as well as the .44 caliber hollowpoints in my hand) Course, then they want to try my "little/big gun", and I jokingly deny them for snickering at it in the first place.
My gues Dan, is that as long as that .38 shoots and operates well for you, AND you find a good holster for it, you will reach for it going out the door more than any other.
Take Care
Renster