If you could only own one of these choices

bspillman · August 9, 2018, 12:39 PM

I’m looking at the Taurus 605 357 and the Smith n Wesson 637 38 plus p. If you had to chose between the 2. Which would you pick and why please? Thanks in advance.

lee n. field · August 9, 2018, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bspillman

I’m looking at the Taurus 605 357 and the Smith n Wesson 637 38 plus p. If you had to chose between the 2. Which would you pick and why please? Thanks in advance.

Mmmm. Either?

I've got a stainless 605 in my pocket right now, that I've had for 10 years (give or take). It's fine. But I almost never shoot .357 through it.

The S&W gets you practically the same gun, but without Taurus' legendary customer service. </sarc>

Quote:

Features
• Lightweight alloy frame for easy carry
• Stainless steel barrel and cylinder
• External hammer
• Rated for continuous +P Use

Is an external hammer something you want?

bspillman · August 9, 2018, 02:05 PM

I like the idea of having the single action option if I chose it. But no the external hammer is not a must. Thanks.

Targa · August 9, 2018, 02:15 PM

The 605’s I have shot have been excellent and nicer to shoot than the J frame Smiths. I don’t care for .357’s out of any of these snubbies, .38’s for me.

FITASC · August 9, 2018, 02:15 PM

Then you might want to consider the S&W 649:

https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/model-649

While it has a hammer for SA use, it is shrouded so pocket carry doesn't result in a snag from the hammer spur.

In either event, I would take the S&W.

**44 AMP** · August 9, 2018, 02:18 PM

S&W over Taurus, every single time.

Why? a lifelong history of ownership of S&Ws. My father had some, and I've had at least one since reaching legal age to own one, over 40 years ago...

I know what to expect, and if it ever happens I don't get it, I have an American company to deal with.

bspillman · August 9, 2018, 02:18 PM

Thanks for the suggestion but that’s more than I’m looking to spend. Thanks again.

Wishoot · August 9, 2018, 02:30 PM

I have a 637 and it's been 100% reliable. +P is a handful to shoot, but practice makes it easier to manage.

lee n. field · August 9, 2018, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bspillman

Thanks for the suggestion but that’s more than I’m looking to spend. Thanks again.

The "hammerless" (fully enclosed hammer) 442 and 642 are relatively inexpensive. there are good reasons to go hammerless with these type guns.

buck460XVR · August 9, 2018, 04:16 PM

A 637 is my EDC. I, myself, like the SA option. In a coupla decades of carry, never had the hammer snag. Have had to pull it several times for dogs running at large and threatening my dog. Never had to pull the trigger, but had the gun cocked a coupla times. Practice with it both ways at the range and at SD distance, accuracy is very similar. What I like about the 637 is, because of it's size and weight, many times I forget I even have it on.

kenny53 · August 9, 2018, 04:44 PM

My wife has a Taurus 85 in her night stand, doesn't get shot much but it works fine. I had a S&W and it was a better gun. I gave the gun to my oldest son. Don't over look Ruger. I love my SP 101 and it is hard to beat the GP 100.

**Aguila Blanca** · August 9, 2018, 05:17 PM

I would have to choose the S&W because the other choice is a Taurus.

Friends don't let friends buy Taurus.

lee n. field · August 9, 2018, 05:27 PM

Is the LCRx affordable for you?

lee n. field · August 9, 2018, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buck460XVR

A 637 is my EDC. I, myself, like the SA option. In a coupla decades of carry, never had the hammer snag. Have had to pull it several times for dogs running at large and threatening my dog. Never had to pull the trigger, but had the gun cocked a coupla times. Practice with it both ways at the range and at SD distance, accuracy is very similar. What I like about the 637 is, because of it's size and weight, many times I forget I even have it on.

Your choice. I contemplate bobbing the hammer on my 605, myself.

Charlie98 · August 9, 2018, 06:37 PM

Quote:

I would have to choose the S&W because the other choice is a Taurus.

Friends don't let friends buy Taurus.

+1

Doc Holliday 1950 · August 9, 2018, 10:13 PM

Since I bought my first S&W a 686+ 3" 357 in magnum IMHO the Smith beats the Taurus in every area.

lee n. field · August 10, 2018, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bspillman

Thanks for the suggestion but that’s more than I’m looking to spend.

If you said it I missed it. What are you looking to spend?

pete2 · August 10, 2018, 08:42 AM

Never ever would I choose a Taurus over an S&W-------------------NEVER!

Nathan · August 10, 2018, 09:13 AM

Smith....better trigger, better machining, better finish, better collectibility.

Really no comparison. If you like the Taurus, their revolvers have an ok rep.

CajunBass · August 10, 2018, 10:14 AM

I don't care much for "J" frame size revolvers, but if I was going to have one, I'd get a Ruger LCR, mostly because I like the grip better.
(My real choice is a Ruger LC9s. I like it and shoot it better than ANY small revolver.)

However, between the Taurus and the Smith & Wesson. I've owned both, had no trouble with either. I just don't care for them, so pick the one you like best.

T. O'Heir · August 10, 2018, 11:40 AM

The Smith. Taurus has reputation for extremely bad customer service. Mind you, it'd be a 2" Smith 19 or 66. I know they'll fit my hand.

August 9, 2018, 12:39 PM	#1
bspillman Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2011 Posts: 559	If you could only own one of these choices I’m looking at the Taurus 605 357 and the Smith n Wesson 637 38 plus p. If you had to chose between the 2. Which would you pick and why please? Thanks in advance.

August 9, 2018, 02:15 PM	#5
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,441	Then you might want to consider the S&W 649: https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/model-649 While it has a hammer for SA use, it is shrouded so pocket carry doesn't result in a snag from the hammer spur. In either event, I would take the S&W. __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

August 9, 2018, 02:18 PM	#6
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,813	S&W over Taurus, every single time. Why? a lifelong history of ownership of S&Ws. My father had some, and I've had at least one since reaching legal age to own one, over 40 years ago... I know what to expect, and if it ever happens I don't get it, I have an American company to deal with. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

August 9, 2018, 05:27 PM	#13
lee n. field Senior Member Join Date: October 12, 2002 Location: The same state as Mordor. Posts: 5,568	Is the LCRx affordable for you? __________________ "As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. "

August 9, 2018, 10:13 PM	#16
Doc Holliday 1950 Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2014 Location: Bout as south as it gets Posts: 1,238	Since I bought my first S&W a 686+ 3" 357 in magnum IMHO the Smith beats the Taurus in every area. __________________ Shoot well and be Accurate, Doc

August 9, 2018, 02:05 PM	#3
bspillman Senior Member Join Date: October 28, 2011 Posts: 559	I like the idea of having the single action option if I chose it. But no the external hammer is not a must. Thanks.

August 9, 2018, 02:15 PM	#4
Targa Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2014 Posts: 2,084	The 605’s I have shot have been excellent and nicer to shoot than the J frame Smiths. I don’t care for .357’s out of any of these snubbies, .38’s for me.

August 9, 2018, 02:30 PM	#8
Wishoot Senior Member Join Date: June 5, 2009 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 1,093	I have a 637 and it's been 100% reliable. +P is a handful to shoot, but practice makes it easier to manage.

August 9, 2018, 04:16 PM	#10
buck460XVR Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2006 Posts: 4,342	A 637 is my EDC. I, myself, like the SA option. In a coupla decades of carry, never had the hammer snag. Have had to pull it several times for dogs running at large and threatening my dog. Never had to pull the trigger, but had the gun cocked a coupla times. Practice with it both ways at the range and at SD distance, accuracy is very similar. What I like about the 637 is, because of it's size and weight, many times I forget I even have it on.

August 9, 2018, 04:44 PM	#11
kenny53 Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2015 Location: My back yard Posts: 971	My wife has a Taurus 85 in her night stand, doesn't get shot much but it works fine. I had a S&W and it was a better gun. I gave the gun to my oldest son. Don't over look Ruger. I love my SP 101 and it is hard to beat the GP 100.

August 9, 2018, 05:17 PM	#12
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,459	I would have to choose the S&W because the other choice is a Taurus. Friends don't let friends buy Taurus.

August 10, 2018, 08:42 AM	#18
pete2 Senior Member Join Date: May 15, 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 2,566	Never ever would I choose a Taurus over an S&W-------------------NEVER!

August 10, 2018, 09:13 AM	#19
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,325	Smith....better trigger, better machining, better finish, better collectibility. Really no comparison. If you like the Taurus, their revolvers have an ok rep.

August 10, 2018, 10:14 AM	#20
CajunBass Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2005 Location: North Chesterfield, Virginia Posts: 4,767	I don't care much for "J" frame size revolvers, but if I was going to have one, I'd get a Ruger LCR, mostly because I like the grip better. (My real choice is a Ruger LC9s. I like it and shoot it better than ANY small revolver.) However, between the Taurus and the Smith & Wesson. I've owned both, had no trouble with either. I just don't care for them, so pick the one you like best. __________________ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

August 10, 2018, 11:40 AM	#21
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	The Smith. Taurus has reputation for extremely bad customer service. Mind you, it'd be a 2" Smith 19 or 66. I know they'll fit my hand. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!