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Old November 19, 2012, 07:47 AM   #1
MTHall720
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S&W .357 686 VS Taurus .357

Anyone own or are familiar with both? I had the 686 years ago and wish I had kept it. After looking at prices on really good conditions used ones I am wondering about a backup second choice. Can't carry where I live so weight isn't an issue.
Thanks everyone.
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Old November 19, 2012, 08:30 AM   #2
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Check your PMs,please.
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Old November 19, 2012, 09:24 AM   #3
MTHall720
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Thanks for the help with this
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Old November 19, 2012, 09:46 AM   #4
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My experience is mainly on the S&W side of the equation because I've owned several S&W revolvers and only one Taurus. I am a S&W guy because I've always been very happy with their fit, finish, accuracy, triggers, and customer service. While S&W revolver are generally more expensive than much of their competition, they are IMHO, well worth the price.

The Taurus that I owned was a 445 snubnose in .44 Special. While it was, overall, a good enough gun, it did have a minor flaw. After 30-50 rounds (depending on the ammunition), the cylinder would begin to bind to the point that, while the gun could still be fired, the trigger pull became very heavy (the gun was DAO so I cannot comment on the SA trigger).
After a good cleaning the gun would be back to its former working condition leading me to believe that the problem was a slightly out-of-spec barrel/cylinder gap. While somewhat annoying, I didn't view this as a major issue because the gun was bought for CCW and I couldn't really imagine firing more than a few cylinders full in a self-defense situation anyway. I cannot comment on Taurus CS because I never had the opportunity to use it though what I've heard and read has not been encouraging. The primary reason that I no longer buy Taurus products is because their resale value is abysmal. When I sold my 445, I had difficulty find anyone who would give me even half of what I paid for it.

Another option you may consider would be a Ruger revolver. Rugers are less expensive than S&W revolvers though not as cheap as a Taurus (they are generally about halfway between the price of a S&W and a Taurus) and have excellent QC and CS. I've also owned a Ruger revolver before and was quite happy with it. The only reason that I sold the Ruger was because it was a bit too big and heavy for my needs (a 5 1/2" barrel Ruger Redhawk) and because it did not fit my hand as well as a S&W does. My younger brother now owns the Ruger and couldn't be happier with it.
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Old November 19, 2012, 10:27 AM   #5
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hi,
do yourself a favor. buy a 686 pre-lock. i had a taurus tracker 627 once. worst revolver i ever owned. if you want a cheaper revolver than a 686 consider a ruger gp100.
good luck
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Old November 19, 2012, 11:07 AM   #6
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I'm a Smith & Wesson guy, but I have owned revolvers made by them, Dan Wesson, Ruger, Colt, Charter Arms, Harrington & Richardson, and Taurus...probably a couple of others I can't think of right now.

I've never owned a 686, for some reason I always thought they were boring. Give me a 27 or a 19, but you can keep the "L" frames.

Having said that, the Taurus revolvers I've owned I found nothing at all wrong with them. If I just wanted a gun to shoot at the range, and maybe keep on the nightstand, or even to carry, the one's I had would have done just fine.
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Old November 19, 2012, 11:19 AM   #7
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At least consider the GP100 - it would be my first choice and the 686 second. Bad experience with Taurus revolvers.
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Old November 19, 2012, 11:50 AM   #8
artoo
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I've got aTaurus model 65,66,and 689 in each .357 magnum.

The Ruger GP-100 is also a good pick.

The one I have is in .327 Federal magnum and so is the SP-101 I own as well.

Any of the above are good picks.

Get what fits you and your needs.
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Old November 19, 2012, 05:28 PM   #9
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I owned both the S&W .357 686 and Taurus .357 at the same time. The 686 is a much better revolver. I traded the Taurus for a used S&W 66-4 And again, a much better revolver.
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Old November 19, 2012, 06:49 PM   #10
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Anyone own or are familiar with both?

There is no comparison between the two.

I happen to own a Taurus 617 2", .357 magnum and an S&W 586 which is the carbon steel version of the 686. The Taurus is a decent revolver in a handy package. The S&W is one of the best all around revolvers I own, and I'm lucky enough to own two S&W' M-27's.
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Old November 19, 2012, 06:53 PM   #11
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You might want to consider looking around for a Ruger Security Six to.
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Old November 19, 2012, 06:59 PM   #12
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Bad experience with Tuarus revolvers.

The Ruger may not be as elegant and smooth as the Smith, but it's the strongest and will hold up the best of the 3.
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Old November 20, 2012, 08:33 AM   #13
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Yea, for strength, NOTHING is as strong as a Ruger. My Super Redhawk in 454 embarrasses my Ruger Raging Bull. I dumped the Taurus after comparing the two. I do own a Taurus Judge Public Defender and for what it is it is a nice gun. S&W trumps Taurus new or old. I found a nice used 686 8 3/8" model from the 1980's at my local dealer. I can get it for $550.00 out the door. I really don't need another gun but.........someone talk me out of it.
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Old November 20, 2012, 09:39 AM   #14
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Quote:
You might want to consider looking around for a Ruger Security Six to.
+ one. The revolver I have owned the longest and will not sell is a well used Ruger Police Service Six 4 inch. These revolvers are strong reliable and handle the closest to a S&W K frame magnum. The Ruger Six series will take what the K frame cannot.
Again,
Good luck
Howard
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Old November 22, 2012, 03:34 PM   #15
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I own both in 4 inch

And the 686 would be my first choice of the two for almost any activity. My Taurus 66 is a great shooting gun. I can shoot the Taurus just as well as the 686. And it has worked flawlessly for me. Blindfolded I could not tell the difference in handling or shooting between the two. If I could only afford the Taurus I would not hesitate to buy another. I have had the Taurus for many years and bought it used. I have very little knowledge of the quality or workmanship of the newer Taurus guns being sold today. My son has a Taurus 605 he bought new recently that has been perfect so far. It is a handful to shoot full house .357s through. I have a 1 year old 686 with the IL that I am very fond of. And have put around 400 rounds through it with out any problems.
I paid way less for the Taurus than I did for any of my 686s. And expect I would receive less if I ever sold it. Buy what you can afford and upgrade as you can. My 2 cents.
Happy Thanksgiving to all on this great board.
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Old November 22, 2012, 10:09 PM   #16
Dave T
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I have both 586 and 686 S&Ws in the safe. I have looked at Taurus revolvers a number of times but when push came to shove I could never bring myself to actually spend any of my hard earned money on one.

My $.02 worth,
Dave
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Old November 24, 2012, 06:52 AM   #17
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My Taurus 66 .357 6 inch was purchased new in 1986 and after thousands of magnums and thousands of .38s, is still tight and solid.
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Old November 24, 2012, 08:08 PM   #18
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Quote:
hi,
do yourself a favor. buy a 686 pre-lock. i had a taurus tracker 627 once. worst revolver i ever owned. if you want a cheaper revolver than a 686 consider a ruger gp100
+1. I own about 20 assorted guns from various makers. The only gun that I have ever had problems with was a Taurus M85. Do yourself a favor, while the price is attractive, Taurus is just too hit or miss to spend the money on.

If the 686 is too pricey, the Ruger GP 100 is a great choice. Cheaper than the 686, more expensive than the Taurus but worth every penny.
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Old November 25, 2012, 01:50 PM   #19
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My Taurus 66 is a great gun. Yah I wish I'd spent a little more for the Ruger or the Smith but no complaints on my Taurus yet.
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Old November 25, 2012, 11:05 PM   #20
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INMY01TA's post is the best you can hope for with a Taraus.
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Old November 26, 2012, 12:31 PM   #21
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INMY01TA's post is the best you can hope for with a Taraus.
That's not entirely true. Taurus can make a good gun; the problem is consistency. The odds of getting a lemon from them are fairly significant.

Which brings us to warranty support and customer service. Should you have a problem, Ruger and S&W are phenomenal on that front. Taurus can be troublesome.
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Old November 26, 2012, 05:29 PM   #22
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I have eight Taurus® revolvers.
• Mdl 85B2CH 38 Special - 1994
• Mdl 669SS4CP 357 Magnum - 1996
• Mdl 85B2 38 Special - 1997
• Mdl 617SS2 357 Magnum - 2003
• Mdl 605SS3 357 Magnum - 2006
• Mdl 85SS2UL 38 Special - 2007
• Mdl 605SS2 357 Magnum - 2010
• Mdl 425SS2 41 Remington® Magnum - 2012

All have performed superbly and I continue to shoot them all almost every week.

I have only encountered these problems.........
• Mdl 85B2CH broke a firing pin (part# 19) after 11,000+ rounds. I replaced the firing pin & it's still going strong.
• Mdl 85SS2UL had the cylinder stop (part# 44) wear down after 10,000 rounds. Called Taurus® and they shipped the part right away. Installed new cylinder stop and now the gun works fine.

I have zero complaints with Taurus® customer service. The one time I had to send a gun in they fixed and returned it when they said they would. Specifically.....................
• Mdl 617 developed excessive cylinder to forcing cone gap (.011") after almost 6,000 rounds. I sent it to Taurus® and they replaced the cylinder (part# eight and adjusted the yoke [part# 9]) I've since put 3,000+ rounds through it and it's still going strong.


Taurus® is the only gun manufacturer that warrants the firearm; and not the original purchaser. You could be the 50th owner of a used Taurus® (1977 or later), or Rossi® (1999 or later); and you have a lifetime warranty. No other firearm manufacturer offers this, NONE!

I will not hesitate to buy additional Taurus® revolvers. They are an outstanding value.
Here is a wealth of Taurus® information..........


Taurus Firearms Forum - TaurusArmed.net
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Old November 26, 2012, 06:50 PM   #23
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No other firearm manufacturer offers this, NONE!
Except Hi-Point. And probably some others...
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Old November 26, 2012, 09:12 PM   #24
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Originally Posted by warningshot
INMY01TA's post is the best you can hope for with a Taraus.
The best you can hope for with any gun is to get a great gun.
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Old November 27, 2012, 07:36 AM   #25
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S&W makes excellent guns. Fit and finish is top notch.
Taurus does have some problems, and their guns aren't perfectly made. With that said I own a Circuit Judge (rifle version of the Judge) and couldn't be happier with it.
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