taurus vs. smith & wesson

700bdl870exp · 05-09-2006, 04:57 PM

hey been looking at some 357's for my pa and kinda narrowed it too either the S&W 686 or the Taurus 66. anyone got pros and cons to both. i think i favor the 66 beings its a little cheaper and it seems as of late that the S&W quality hasnt been what it was in the past. i guess its like everything else.

James B · 05-09-2006, 05:43 PM

Either gun will serve him well. I have had a lot os S&W 357's and all performed well. A lot of hot loads will probably cause it to need retimming. I currently have a Taurus 65. Same gun with fixed sights. Its been a very good gun for quite a few years. The Taurus will serve you just as well for less money. IME.

hardcorehunter · 05-09-2006, 05:55 PM

Taurus's are great, they are made in a old Beretta plant I believe. They just don't have the resale and collectability of a S&W IMO and many others. They are a heck of a gun though. I myself would get the S&W.

700bdl870exp · 05-09-2006, 07:52 PM

i did some looking and i think i favor the 66 over the 686. the S&W looks a little nicer maybe buti think the fuction on the taurus may bea little nicer. is it me or does the taurus kinda have a flat/matte finish?

James B · 05-09-2006, 08:36 PM

They have a couple different finishes that I have seen. I don't think they can be beat as a top value.

48thguns · 05-10-2006, 08:18 PM

I have both....not much difference. My Taurus is a 357Mag....very nice, no complaints. Regards, Rick.

redhead522 · 05-17-2006, 11:19 PM

Apparently Taurus has had some problems with quality control.

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=5&f=26&t=26753

eldeguello · 05-18-2006, 05:37 AM

"Apparently Taurus has had some problems with quality control."

http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=5&f=26&t=26753

_____________________________

The path to failure begins with a single step.

I've also seen a lot of S&W stuff in the past 10 years that has the same problem! I don't know if S&W has cured their quality problems yet. I'd prefer a gun made in USA, but have a Raging Bull .454, and it will shoot 2" groups at 50 yards........

il coyote · 05-18-2006, 06:51 AM

I own a Taurus new model 66(7 shot, 6"). In the 1 year that I've had it, it probably only had 50 rounds through it(My fault, not the guns) From what I can tell, it's a nice reliable firearm, thats not to bulky, and recoil is mild. And the price was good, too.

the only thing I don't like is that the gloss finish is almost too shiny. Any, and I mean any smudge, fingerprint, or streak stands out like a turd in a punch bowl, untill you wipe it down.

redhead522 · 05-18-2006, 12:00 PM

Don't get me wrong, I've also heard lots of problems with recent S&W production. Though does anyone know why this is? Did they change their production techniques like the Winchester 64s, or is it just poor quality control with unskilled/lazy labor?

I guess these companies make mistakes just like any, best just hope it doesn't happen to you.