Taurus

[gb6491]

I've a little Taurus model 85. It's an older gun with the large upper side plate screw (reminiscent of the 5 screw Smiths). It's been a wonderful little gun for me. I once held an impromptu shoot out of my snubbies and shot the 85 the best that day. It can more than hold it's own.

However, it's not the main focus of my post. Visiting my favorite local gun shop, I found they had a pretty much pristine Taurus model 431 of the shelf. Outside fit and finish is as good as many of the S&W revolvers I've owned over the years. Lockup is solid, timing is right on, the DA is smooth, and the SA is crisp with no creep. The only way I can see to test the durability of it, is to buy it and a $289 price tag helped with that decision. Did I mention the the 431 is chambered in .44 Special?

The Uncle Mike's rubber grips it came with make shooting "Cowboy" loads quite enjoyable. Speaking of which, once I figured out the elevation with the particular load the shop had on hand, it seems to shoot well enough at ten yards (excepting, of course, operator error ).

While the rubber grips make for soft shooting, I don't find them as pleasing to the eye as grips made from other materials. I found a nice set of wood grips on Ebay and have them installed now. I need to make a range visit with them, but I think they will do just fine.

Regards,
Greg

Forgot to mention that I picked up a nice metal poster at the swap meet this weekend.

[Bawanna]

Another great find to add to the collection. Love the metal poster too, that's awesome.

[68Firebird]

A couple of nice Tauri there, Greg. Have you considered posting the photos and description over at taurusarmed.net? A great group of gun fans (all brands) over there.

[JohnR]

That's a beautiful firearm! My S&W 67 came with those grips (or ones that look just like them), I like them well enough that I haven't even considered changing them.

[kenemoore]

Off topic, is that creamer in your coffee? Seems sacrileges for a Gunny to drink any thing that is isn't hot, black, and thick enough to float a horseshoe in. This is coming for an old Salty Dog, that still likes it straight from the pot.

[Bawanna]

Probably some sort of mix for Parkerizing left over. Don't want to waste it so he drinks it.

Most folks don't like my coffee, I like it pretty full flavored, not just colored water.

[ltxi]

No knowledge regarding today's production but those older Taurus revolvers were very nice guns.

[yqtszhj]

I’m finding that nice handguns less than $300 are hard to pass up recently.

[JohnR]

Full house magnum coffee for me, too.

[gb6491]

Another great find to add to the collection. Love the metal poster too, that's awesome.

I really like the poster myself!

A couple of nice Tauri there, Greg. Have you considered posting the photos and description over at taurusarmed.net? A great group of gun fans (all brands) over there.

Thanks! I did post some photos there in a thread about 431 grips. I keep seeing recommendations for medium frame grips, but mine definitely takes large frame grips.

That's a beautiful firearm! My S&W 67 came with those grips (or ones that look just like them), I like them well enough that I haven't even considered changing them.

Thanks!
They are nice grips for shooting and the look isn't bad. I just preferred something else, but I can see why you stick with yours.

Off topic, is that creamer in your coffee? Seems sacrileges for a Gunny to drink any thing that is isn't hot, black, and thick enough to float a horseshoe in. This is coming for an old Salty Dog, that still likes it straight from the pot.

LOL, it's half and half...a habit I picked up when I made Master Gunnery Sergeant. I did take it black when I was a young Gunny, but as a Master Gunny folks know what you are about and you hardly ever need to raise your voice. You're just naturally more urbane; like half and half in your coffee...or is that Bailey's. Sergeant Majors, on the other hand, still have something to prove and are guzzling their swill black while still barking at folks.
No disrespect to Old Salts intended, Marine Corps Sergeant Majors will know the deal

Probably some sort of mix for Parkerizing left over. Don't want to waste it so he drinks it.

Most folks don't like my coffee, I like it pretty full flavored, not just colored water.

Yep, no wasting that. I keep the solution in a big plastic Arizona Tea bottle.

No knowledge regarding today's production but those older Taurus revolvers were very nice guns.

I have to agree, especially where this one is concerned (circa 1992).

I’m finding that nice handguns less than $300 are hard to pass up recently.

Me too boss

Full house magnum coffee for me, too.

Special coffee for me

Regards,
Greg

[Bawanna]

Lets stick with Bailey's. More manly.

[gb6491]

Lets stick with Bailey's. More manly.

Even though I did like a touch of Bailey's on occasion, I think I'll just call it what it is.

[340pd]

As a range officer that is exposed to a lot of various gun manufacturers, I find Taurus to be a hit or miss maker. I think before purchase of a new of used model, have someone competent carefully look over the gun. There are times when saving a few dollars especially resale dollars may not be the best way to go. Now for fun, I still have the itch for a Bulldog in .44 Special.

[Bawanna]

I had a Bulldog for awhile, one of the ones I regret terribly parting with. It was a good one. Don't recall why it left me, funds for something else probably.

[gb6491]

As a range officer that is exposed to a lot of various gun manufacturers, I find Taurus to be a hit or miss maker. I think before purchase of a new of used model, have someone competent carefully look over the gun. There are times when saving a few dollars especially resale dollars may not be the best way to go. Now for fun, I still have the itch for a Bulldog in .44 Special.

Thanks for the input. You probably have been exposed to the brand more than I have. I've no experience with Taurus semi-automatic pistols and only with the three revolvers I own (almost forgot about the Ultralight 85). I've had the two 85s completely stripped down and their internals give me no reason for concern. From what I see and feel with the 431, I doubt it will either.

Charters are good if you stay away from several periods of their manufacture. I have a few myself and they always go bang when I want them to.
My Bulldog is the "Target" model. I mostly feed it a diet of .44 Russian:

My favorite in an old 3" Undercover:

It'll sling'em pretty good at 10 yds. if I do my part:

Regards,
Greg