Ruger, S&W or Taurus

[73Jim]

Hello all,
I'm looking for a .357 revolver in SS with a 6" barrel. I have held and shot the GP100 and the 686, if I had to pick a winner I would chose the GP100 over the 686 but I like them both. The problem is the Ruger is impossible to find and the S&W is a little easier to locate, but the Taurus 66 is easy to find and is more affordable. I haven't shot one and my opinion is that Taurus isn't on the same quality level of either the Ruger or S&W. Am I wrong? Does anyone have a Taurus 66, what do you think?

Thanks

[Budd]

Many have had trouble free experiences with the Taurus. Many have had problems with the Taurus.

I love my GP100 as it has been flawless. I don't own a SW - but many do and really like them as well - especially non locked versions.

I'll stick with my Ruger and not gamble on the function of the Taurus.

[morrcarr67]

I'm one of the few Taurus people on this forum. I have owned many and have never had any trouble with them. Both revolvers and semi-autos.

Here are my latest two Taurus'

738 TCP and 709 Slim



I even sold my Smith and Wesson Bodyguard .380 when I was told I was getting this TCP 738 for my birthday.

[movie zombie]

it is my understanding that if you're handy and can do your own work, a Taurus is ok...but only ok.

a friend has rugers and even then he takes them apart to smooth out roughness in his revolvers.

smiths? worth the $ imo.

but you can't go wrong with either a ruger or a smith.

[Jeepergeo]

You are comparing the equipment from quite different manufacturers, sort of like comparing a Lexus to a Hyundai.

Smith and Wesson - Established and proven, smooth, and reliable. $$$

Ruger - Established and proven, not as smooth, but reliable. $$

Taurus - Established, but looking for a niche, not smooth, reliability issues reported. $

So if a few hundred $ is a breaker for you, go with Taurus but don't expect S&W quality. If you want the best of the bunch, go with S&W. Ruger is right in the middle, will save you a few bucks and later you can have a gun smith smooth it up to nearly that of a S&W.

Shooting any of them will be fun.

[kurac]

S&W all the way. The Ruger is robust and they are usually pretty accurate but the S&W will have a better SA & DA as well as re-sale value which is important if you ever want to upgrade to say a 44mag

[Vacaville]

I've got a Taurus 85 .38 spl snubbie. It is very functional and works fine, except, and it's hard to put my finger on why, but it doesn't feel like it's made to last like a Ruger or a Smith and Wesson. The trigger is great ............... now (after a lot of dry firing).

I have two Ruger handguns and they feel SOLID. I could probably throw my Blackhawk off a cliff and it would still work. As for Smith and Wesson, I don't have one, but have handled a few and they have an excellent balance, great triggers, and are very well made. If you've got the cash, go with the Ruger or S&W. If money's tight and you just want a reliable gun, the Taurus is OK.

[uxo2]

i like Smith trigers and looks BUT after shooting
a GP100.
The Ruger wins.

Stronger frame..lock..
Mine has not lost it timing
after 300rnds of heavy loads.
It is easy to tune the trigger..

[WWDHD?]

I've got both Ruger GP100 and an SP101 and like them both. S&W revolvers are great but expensive and honestly, a bit confusing to me with so many models! IMO, I would not go with a Taurus revolver because of reviews I've read with their heavy triggers and poor customer service. Have not shot one though.
If you got the $$$, get a S&W but the Rugers are great too. Good luck.

[Old4eyes]

If you are a gambler you might try the Taurus. I've got a Tracker .357 and it was bad out of the box. Severe timing/lockup issue which was bad enough that if some of the rounds had fired off, they would have blasted into the forcing cone. It took two trips to Taurus for repair, the first time it came back the repair depot said the problem was using .38 special rather than .357, for which the gun was designed.

The shop where I purchased had two other Trackers which also had problems, but I don't know if they were the same as mine. The shop stopped selling Taurus after confronting them at the Shot Show and receiving a very lame answer on the problem.

Having bashed them on that, I work with a buddy who raves about his Raging Bull, part of the reason why I thought we could buy the Tracker.

It's a roll of the dice with Taurus.

I've got a GP100 and a Smith 686. The Smith is more refined but you'd have to feel the difference between the two to decide. I know of one guy that prefers the GP100 trigger over the Smith. To each his own.

Go for the Smith or the Ruger, run, don't walk, from the Taurus.

[golfrj]

Smith, Lifetime guarantee, Quality, Reputation, Very Knowledgeable people on their forum... JMHO

[73Jim]

Seems to echo the sentiment I've received from my friends. I'm getting a GP100, if I can find one!

Thanks again calguns members!

[Dark Mod]

I prefer a smith, but rugers are nice too. If your a reloader a GP100 is alot of fun, since you can safely exceed max load.

[skibuff]

You are comparing the equipment from quite different manufacturers, sort of like comparing a Lexus to a Hyundai.

Smith and Wesson - Established and proven, smooth, and reliable. $$$

Ruger - Established and proven, not as smooth, but reliable. $$

Taurus - Established, but looking for a niche, not smooth, reliability issues reported. $

So if a few hundred $ is a breaker for you, go with Taurus but don't expect S&W quality. If you want the best of the bunch, go with S&W. Ruger is right in the middle, will save you a few bucks and later you can have a gun smith smooth it up to nearly that of a S&W.

Shooting any of them will be fun.

I think this ^^^^ puts it in a nut shell.

I have a smith love it. A Taurus and it works good and was a good value. Had an old Ruger security six and it was a great gun.
Don't forget the Dan Wessons they a smooth guns also and have the interchangeable barrels.

[paul0660]

I have had Taurus and Rossi and no problems. They have all been sort of work guns so I am glad I didn't pay more for them, they eventually look pretty used. One thing I have heard is that Taurus does not pay shipping to them, even under warranty, and has a long turn around on repairs.