Model 85 Taurus locking up!

[NorcalGSG]

Picked up my new model 85 today. Here's what happened:
1. Wiped it down, couple passes with the bore snake just for the sake of making sure everything was nice and clean.
2. Drop of oil on the back of the hammer, cylinder, and hammer areas.
3. Shot about 150 rounds of 147 grain Miwall FMJ reloads. Re-boresnaked two or three times while shooting also.

Here's the problem- the cylinder locked up and stopped turning five times on me. This happened both when double action and single action firing. I inspected all my empties and didn't notice any primers that are sticking out the back. The cartridges are about 3/16ths shorter than the cylinder, and I didn't notice any of them having the bullets sliding out the front, preventing the cylinder from turning. The gun doesn't seem to lock up when its empty, just when there are cartriges in it.
I haven't taken the grips off or anything apart to look inside yet. Just wondering if anyone else has had this happen? I think I am going to take it into a gunsmith to see if he can figure it out. I know Taurus has their repair policy, but who feels like sending off a brand new gun and then not having it for who knows how long?
Thanks in advance
Sincerely,
-bummed with my Taurus purchase!

[bigbob76]

Picked up my new model 85 today. Here's what happened:
1. Wiped it down, couple passes with the bore snake just for the sake of making sure everything was nice and clean.
2. Drop of oil on the back of the hammer, cylinder, and hammer areas.
3. Shot about 150 rounds of 147 grain Miwall FMJ reloads. Re-boresnaked two or three times while shooting also.

Here's the problem- the cylinder locked up and stopped turning five times on me. This happened both when double action and single action firing. I inspected all my empties and didn't notice any primers that are sticking out the back. The cartridges are about 3/16ths shorter than the cylinder, and I didn't notice any of them having the bullets sliding out the front, preventing the cylinder from turning. The gun doesn't seem to lock up when its empty, just when there are cartriges in it.
I haven't taken the grips off or anything apart to look inside yet. Just wondering if anyone else has had this happen? I think I am going to take it into a gunsmith to see if he can figure it out. I know Taurus has their repair policy, but who feels like sending off a brand new gun and then not having it for who knows how long?
Thanks in advance
Sincerely,
-bummed with my Taurus purchase!

I have had a similar experience; once with a Taurus revolver in .17 caliber and once with a North American .22 magnum mini revolver. In both cases it turned out that regular over the counter ammo was too hot apparently. When I used a different brand of ammo they didn't lock up. I believe this is unacceptable, and I'm done with anything but tried and true models from other companies.

[Z ME FLY]

Picked up my new model 85 today. Here's what happened:
1. Wiped it down, couple passes with the bore snake just for the sake of making sure everything was nice and clean.
2. Drop of oil on the back of the hammer, cylinder, and hammer areas.
3. Shot about 150 rounds of 147 grain Miwall FMJ reloads. Re-boresnaked two or three times while shooting also.

Here's the problem- the cylinder locked up and stopped turning five times on me. This happened both when double action and single action firing. I inspected all my empties and didn't notice any primers that are sticking out the back. The cartridges are about 3/16ths shorter than the cylinder, and I didn't notice any of them having the bullets sliding out the front, preventing the cylinder from turning. The gun doesn't seem to lock up when its empty, just when there are cartriges in it.
I haven't taken the grips off or anything apart to look inside yet. Just wondering if anyone else has had this happen? I think I am going to take it into a gunsmith to see if he can figure it out. I know Taurus has their repair policy, but who feels like sending off a brand new gun and then not having it for who knows how long?
Thanks in advance
Sincerely,
-bummed with my Taurus purchase!

This is a common problem that I hear on Taurus and some charter arms revolvers. I am not too sure what the fix would be but normally most people I have read about send it back to Taurus since it is free. Sometimes it fixes it and sometimes it doesn't. If you want to spend money bringing it to a gunsmith go head but maybe talk to them ahead of time to see if this is something that they have fixed before.

Yes I agree this is unacceptable on any gun. If it can't cycle properly what good is the gun? Single shot and that's it?

[uxo2]

I have had that happen but all it needed was a detail cleaning.

From the inside.

Also...I have to ask.
Did you clean the cylinder face and forcing cone of carbon?
Some taurus revolvers have a tight gap.

[NorcalGSG]

I noticed it seemed to have a very tight cylinder gap, but I didn't measure it. I'll go to my shop and check it with feeler gauges tomorrow. Good point. Also, once in awhile I noticed the thing really spit some copper jackets out the side! I didn't clean the cylinder face with a brush yet, just wiped with a rag. I'll definitely persue the detail cleaning next. Thanks guys. This is definitely an annoying problem for a brand new gun.

[uxo2]

Also, once in awhile I noticed the thing really spit some copper jackets out the side! .

spit some copper jackets out the side


That is not right.
check your timing.....
As to what caused it?
Possibly forcing it to rotate...defective to begin with??

Warrenty

I seem to be the minority that have always gotten
a good Taurus.

[NorcalGSG]

uxo2- Yes, the S&W powers are smacking me down for not getting that 642 airweight I knew I should have ordered instead of just buying this thing since it was in stock!!!!!!!!!!

[Z ME FLY]

uxo2- Yes, the S&W powers are smacking me down for not getting that 642 airweight I knew I should have ordered instead of just buying this thing since it was in stock!!!!!!!!!!

Don't beat yourself up too much about it. I always thought about buying a taurus or a charter arms revolver but never could do it. I have read a lot about the problems they have and also some good things too. It just seemed like a better idea to wait for a used s&w, colt, ruger revolver to come around. That's how I got my Colt Trooper for $450 Thought about getting a s&w or a ruger but wanted a colt for the longest and got lucky. You just have to wait and have money ready when it comes along. If cleaning doesn't work, or it works then the problem comes back, try sending it back to taurus to see if they can fix it.

[NorcalGSG]

Well she got sent on an all expense paid vacation to Florida today to be looked at. Hopefully Taurus can make it right, we'll see. Thanks

[uxo2]

keep us posted...

[NorcalGSG]

Update: She arrived on 3/25, and Taurus cust. service said to expect a 4-5 week turnaround time. Guess there is quite a backlog of work in the Taurus service dept. We'll see how it goes....

[uxo2]

4-5 weeks .....well atleast I am still in

[Z ME FLY]

let us know how it turns out. Make sure when you get it back shoot a good 50-100rds to make sure it is ok. Check it out every so often and good luck! I have read stories that after it takes a trip to Taurus it gets fixed and works for awhile then breaks again. If that happens, I suggest you take it to a gunsmith since bringing it back to Taurus would probably result in the same work. If the gunsmith can't fix it then send it back to Taurus, or if it costs too much to fix then send it back.

[NorcalGSG]

Yeah I keep telling myself that if it comes back and works, then I won't be too mad about the whole buying a new gun and not having it for two months. But if it comes back and craps out again, well let's just say that then I will be frustrated!!!!!!!! Oh and yea, when it gets back, she's getting the torture test! I've got about half an ammo can of miwall reloads left to burn up, that outta do it.

[Z ME FLY]

Yeah I keep telling myself that if it comes back and works, then I won't be too mad about the whole buying a new gun and not having it for two months. But if it comes back and craps out again, well let's just say that then I will be frustrated!!!!!!!! Oh and yea, when it gets back, she's getting the torture test! I've got about half an ammo can of miwall reloads left to burn up, that outta do it.

Haha just remember the first couple of shots make sure you have a hat or hoodie on just incase it blows up! JK..

I use to look at the Taurus line and tried to force myself to buy one because they are around $200-$300 but after reading all the reviews good and bad, I figured I should just wait because I know it sucks not having one of your guns for months. Make sure you follow up with them to describe the problem because they may not know exactly what's going on.