Taurus 85

[pitboxer]

I just got a Taurus 85, bought from Gunbuyer. Never owned a Taurus before, and this is a big disappointment to me. Haven't yet shot it, but it is by FAR the stiffest gun I've ever handled. It's the stainless version and the cylinder release, the extractor rod, the hammer are all unbelievably gritty and tough. Surprisingly the trigger is the LEAST objectionable part. I've cleaned it, oiled it and put it thru dozens, maybe hundreds of dry fire cycles. Zero improvement. Even swinging the cylinder out from the frame is a chore. And once out the cylinder doesn't spin at all. This just seems wrong on a brand new gun. I recently got a S&W Shield 9mm and altho rough at first a cleaning and oiling took care of it immediately. Did I just get a bad Taurus? I've read good things about the revolver.

 

[HKSig]

I've read the same good things; sounds like a bad one. I haven't touched one, but the low prices and rebate make it look interesting.

 

[pitboxer]

I've read the same good things; sounds like a bad one. I haven't touched one, but the low prices and rebate make it look interesting.

I guess I'll call Taurus Monday and see what they say. They are supposed to have a good warranty, though for a brand new gun it's almost as though nobody even looked at it before it shipped.

 

[skfullgun]

I have not purchased a new Taurus in years. For a long time, I only owned their revolvers and avoided their semi's like the plague. I bought a used Gen 2 9mm because it was so low priced I could not say no. Out functions 100%! All that to say, I've always trusted Taurus revolvers to be dependable, but usually heavy, revolvers. I'd give them a call. Sounds like you got a bad one.

 

[skfullgun]

Let us know what happens. With the rebate,b the 85's are only about $175 shipped!

 

[pitboxer]

Let us know what happens. With the rebate,b the 85's are only about $175 shipped!

That's exactly what I paid with the rebate. I'll call em Monday and see what they say. If I have to send it back it'll still be a good deal, as long as it functions right. You're right, it is heavy. But shooting +Ps that's not a bad thing.

 

[Charlie]

There is always a reason things are "value" priced!

 

[Kosh75287]

I know of a shooter who had a similar problem with a stainless model. ON the advice of someone with more experience, he stripped it, blew out any grit or foreign material he could find with brake cleaning fluid, and soaked it over a weekend in 1;1 Mobil Synthetic Motor Oil: Marvel Mystery Oil. Then he wiped it clean and ran about 200-300 rounds thru it without cleaning it. He dry-fired it as many times as his schedule would allow for about a week, then cleaned it as described before. He ended up with a smoother (tho not perfect) double action pull, and a crisper s.a. let-off. Apparently the unburned powder and "grit" that built up inside the action will act something like a jeweler's rouge on the articulating parts, and smooth down burrs and other impediments to smoother operation.

Though I say THIS with tongue planted firmly in cheek, THIS may be one of those times to find someone with a pound of "Dirty Burning Unique" to load up some (200 or 300) lighter-than-usual reloads, and run them through the piece after it's completely cleaned. Then dry-fire it for a week or two. I am a big fan of Unique, who feels that its reputation at "flaming dirt" arose from is misuse rather than from its formulation, but in this case, its "least redeeming characteristic" may be your ally.

It MAY be less cost, bother & waiting to just take it to a gunsmith & let him see what the problem is, but I would dislike your finding out that you paid a fee just to find out that you should "shoot the heck out of it & let it wear-in". If the piece came to you NIB, try to resist doing anything to it until you run at least 200 rounds through it.

Okay, end of Master's Thesis...

 

[Sam Colt]

I've never bought a Taurus revolver that didn't have to go back to them for service out of the box. Bad timing and the propensity to lock up has been the major issue, but general fit and finish with unacceptable clearances is the cause. They are fine when they come back though. Maybe Taurus should think about running the end of the assembly line straight in the back door of the repair center so they can save money on shipping.

 

[Kosh75287]

LOL! I LIKE that! I can just see a desk-bound, pencil-pushing, M.B.A.-type losing his mind that the mere thought of it!

 

[pitboxer]

The idea of a soaking and thorough cleaning has some appeal. The gun FEELS like there's grit in it. And though it would be easy to send it back, I understand that though good, the Taurus Service Center is slow. I'm gonna take that tack before sending it in. If I weren't so old and half blind (don't tell em that at the range), I'd take it all apart and polish every mating surface. But one of the springs and detent are so small I can just see myself on hands and knees for half a day, to no avail. Thanks for the input folks. It helps to have help for my tiny little mind.

 

[Byrd666]

I've got a snubby version of one these I picked up 6-7 years ago. And while it's not perfect, it's nowhere near as bad as you are describing. After about 4-500 rounds, things smoothed out a bit. The DA trigger pull and action still feel way too heavy, hard and a bit gritty. But, it does what it supposed to do so I don't argue with it much.

 

[HKSig]

The polymer M85 is $139.99 at Palmetto State Armory now (after rebate). The blued one is $189.99 after rebate with a stripped .308 lower.
I may trade my Glock 23 for a S&W 620 instead of getting a Taurus.

 

[45tex]

I've owned more Taurus guns than I'd like to admit. They are hit and miss. If you get a good one you have a friend for life. Otherwise they seem to take too many vacations in Florida. Had a PT1911 that something fell off of every time it went to the range, but it never once failed to go bang or cycle. Took a revolver apart once and compared it to a J frame. The fit and finish appeared nice on both guns. But the Taurus popped apart and I had to pay a smith to assemble it again. If you can take it apart try the clean and reassemble and quality oil. The only real trouble I ever had with Taurus/Rossi revolvers was timing and light strikes. When they worked they worked well. Or they were paperweights. They will fix it forever, but it takes time. S&W still makes some reasonable priced revolvers.

 

[AR1911]

I've had to of the UltraLite versions. The first one would lock up when shooting +P. The empty cases would back out of the cylinder just enough to stop rotation. It was fine with standard or light loads. The new 85UL stainless I bought recently (before the deals ;/ )works fine with everything.

 

[pitboxer]

I've had to of the UltraLite versions. The first one would lock up when shooting +P. The empty cases would back out of the cylinder just enough to stop rotation. It was fine with standard or light loads. The new 85UL stainless I bought recently (before the deals ;/ )works fine with everything.

I'm going to the range this coming week and run a couple hundred rounds. I've cleaned and oiled it and dry fired till blue in the face. That has helped. Some. But the more I hear the more I think I need to "break it in". I won't be using +P loads, but neither the foreign made "lite" ammo. If breaking in is required a couple hundred rounds ought to at least show some improvement. If no back to the factory it goes.

 

[skfullgun]

I've always been a fan of their revolvers and own a few snubbie .38's made by them. I trust them as vehicle guns and usually keep one in a safe in my truck. I carry a S&W because they are failsafe and Barami makes the "hip grip" for the Smith.

 

[skfullgun]

It's tempting not to buy them at that price! Then again it just dawned on me, Taurus is really driving down the resale/residual value of their snubbies!

 

[pitboxer]

I've always been a fan of their revolvers and own a few snubbie .38's made by them. I trust them as vehicle guns and usually keep one in a safe in my truck. I carry a S&W because they are failsafe and Barami makes the "hip grip" for the Smith.

 

[pitboxer]

I wasn't aware of the hip grip. Looked it up and am impressed. Slicker than greased pig droppings. I'd have to actually try one before going whole hog, but it looks like a wunderkind.