Taurus 605 Executive Grade - Worthwhile?

[KMO]

I've stayed away from Taurus guns ever since a bad experience with that manufacturer about 15 years ago. But, I've been pleased to learn about how Taurus has raised its standards recently, and also begun offering their Executive Grade line as a rival to S&W's Performance Center lineup. So, I thought I'd give Taurus another try, and purchased the 605 Exec Grade .357. My disappointment started when I received the revolver. The stainless barrel had a blemish on the side, but at least I could repair that easily. The real problem was evident when I looked down the muzzle from the front. It was almost like they bored the barrel off-center, and this was obvious to the naked eye. I called Taurus, and after dealing with their customer service staff, I'm convinced Taurus has a very long way to go before they can be considered in the same league as Ruger or S&W. After multiple phone calls and emails, including several lengthy on-hold sessions on the phone, I finally reached a staff person and coaxed a shipping label out of Taurus. I sent the 605 off to them. They have put such a bad taste in my mouth that I almost hope they never send it back. I'm ready to write off the loss just to avoid any further hassles with Taurus staff. I was really hoping for something better from Taurus, but until they can acknowledge the importance of satisfied customers, they will always be a second-rate manufacturer.

[Sharkbite]

Taurus makes budget friendly (cheap?) guns. A high end Hi-point still aint a great gun.

[Bill DeShivs]

Did you shoot the gun? Did it shoot to point of aim?
It would be very difficult for a manufacturer to do an off-center bore axis.

It would be very possible during hand finishing to remove a little more on one side of the barrel surface than the other. Not that I'm saying even this is particularly satisfactory- but saying the bore is drilled off center is probably not correct as the guns are designed around the bore axis.

[KMO]

Bill, if you took one look at the muzzle of this revolver, there is no way you would have fired a single round through it. It wasn't even round...perhaps custom for oval-shaped bullets?

[jetinteriorguy]

I picked up a used Ruger Security Six a few years ago for a reasonable price that obviously had an off centered bore. I was able to shoot it and put 50 rounds through it before purchasing it. It shot to point of aim and was more than accurate enough to suit my needs and ability so I went ahead and bought it. It’s been reliable and I carry it in my car when I’m working.

[4V50 Gary]

I still wouldn't touch it. Transfer bars are liable to break and you don't want a rock where a gun is needed. OK for range but not for self-defense. Several of us had to make replacement transfer bars from better steel.

Buy American (Ruger, Colt or S&W).

[Scorpion8]

I've used various Taurus handguns for years and never had an issue with them. Cheap? Maybe less expensive but you're not paying for a name like S&W (which also have many flaws). A Taurus .357 Mag is my daily woods carry, in Alaska.

[Wyoredman]

Funny, two threads in a row today where I am sticking up for Taurus.
As I stated in the other thread, I have a Taurus 445 in .44 spl. I bought the gun years ago at a gun show. I figured it was small and light and would work pretty good as a bear gun/truck gun here in Wyoming.
I didn't know much back then.
No one told me that Taurus made crappy guns.
I am glad i learned it since on the internet!
The thing has worked flawlessly since I bought it.

[gnappi]

KMO wrote:

"offering their Executive Grade line as a rival to S&W's Performance Center lineup"

I've been a S&W buyer for many decades and I'm sorry to say that the current "Performance Center" is no longer the Performance Center of old so that's not saying much unless Taurus is making the Executive Grade to the late last century PC standards. If so I'll be impressed.

I had and still have a number of Taurus Beretta 92/96 clones and they are excellent but everything I've tried or read of since then have been abysmal.

I truly do hope they have upped their game because S&W needs competition.

[JustJake]

About the same as Charter Arms’ “executive” line?

[44 AMP]

My disappointment started when I received the revolver.

If the gun had visible defects, why did you take delivery??

Always keep in mind that the gun someone reviews (in what ever media, video, print, etc) is not going to be the gun delivered to you. Like reloading data, the test gun and your gun are not the same gun.

Your gun should be the same as the one reviewed. Your reloads should give about the same results as the test gun, however, should is the goal, one not met 100% of the time for various reasons.

Sometimes a bargain is a bargain, and sometimes the saying "buy quality, pay once, buy cheap, pay often" applies.

Done that often enough in my life to recognize the value of quality often goes beyond the purchase price.

With Taurus, it seems to be hit or miss. Get one well made, they're decent, but enough aren't well made that it is talked about, often.

I hope Taurus takes care of your issues, from what you've said, their customer service isn't as good as I would hope for.

[KMO]

Update: The Taurus nightmare continues...
As stated, I fell for the Taurus so-called "Executive Grade" marketing label because I wanted to believe Taurus was making a legitimate effort to ramp up the company's image by providing an improved level of quality production. So, also as stated, I took the bait and bought a NIB Model 605 Executive Grade. That was my first mistake, believing in Taurus. My second mistake was my own failure to properly inspect my 605 with my receiving FFL dealer upon its arrival. We both missed what can best be described as a crooked bore. It was straight, just not straight down the middle. I think Taurus free-handed the bore angle for this 605. I never even fired it, and sent it directly to Taurus, where it has been for about six months now. I must state this very clearly...The level of customer service provided by Taurus USA is literally the worst...pathetic...unprofessional...choose your own adjective here. At long last, however, TUSA has promised to replace my NIB revolver. But, they claim to be behind in their own (fake) production schedule, and therefore can only replace my defective Model 605 when their actual production catches up. Guess what? That promise to replace my NIB never-been-fired revolver is an empty promise. They apparently will never catch up with their own (fake) production schedule. Taurus is no "hidden gem," as some like to say about this company. This manufacturer does not deserve your trust. They have not improved, not one bit. Don't trust their creative marketing schemes. They are the same old Taurus. Their products are “iffy.” My advice…Stay away from this manufacturer. Far away.

[2wheelwander]

"Taurus makes budget friendly (cheap?) guns. A high end Hi-point still aint a great gun."

This. Also agree with todays S&W 'Performance Center' comment. With plenty of P&R early Smiths in great condition still available at reasonable prices, nothing modern they offer entices me one bit.

[Ricklin]

I must wonder what the heck they are thinking. I have a Taurus 94 and I enjoy it. I would not mind adding a Taurus 942 to the collection, I've a bug of late for .22 Magnum.
15 or so different models, in both .22 and .22 Magnum. Why O why are our total choices either 2 or 3 inch in the barrel department.
I would prefer my .22 mag have enough room to burn it's charge. Please Taurus 5" barrel.

[fastbolt]

While the idea of the Executive Grade being hand-built and fitted by one person is appealing (as was the video I watched), it's arguably hard to overcome the reputation that's accompanied too many Taurus revolvers over the years. Time is still money, and the time it takes to assemble and fit a revolver is something to consider against the bottom line. So, too, is the cost or Repair, of course. Does the Executive Grade revolver with a problem get returned to the person who made it, or to a one-size-fits-all Repair Dept?

FWIW, this tidbit from an article reviewing one is always a good thing to keep in mind, I'd think.

Instead of staging the trigger, I needed to embrace the Zen of the Double Action, and keep that trigger moving once it started, without any staging, without any pauses. If accuracy is 90% about trigger control, then I needed to do a better job of controlling that trigger, and keep it moving smoothly and consistently, instead of starting, stopping, and starting it again. The problem was more with the trigger actuator than the gun, itself.

I've had to remind former revolver shooters of something they ought not have forgotten (after having used pistols for many years).

https://revolverguy.com/range-report...ecutive-grade/

[TheFlash]

I know Taurus continues to get bashed on various forums by those who have not received a good sample from the company.

I've never previously been a Taurus customer until about 1 year ago.
I bought one of their 856 all-stainless models - in .38 Special.
Took delivery and that is an excellent little snubbie!
The machining is good, the accuracy at 15yds is to point of aim and good groups. The DA and SA trigger is good. Not Colt good but smooth and easy to stage and not heavy.
My experience was very good - so I have a personal (one data point) favorable experience with Taurus.