Author Topic: S & W worth twice the price of a taurus revolver? (Read 10496 times)

quasne.inc · « **on:** November 15, 2009, 01:19:47 PM »

Ive got the .45 acp revolver bug real bad, but I'm fairly new to guns and very new to revolvers. They say you get what you pay for. But is the Smith really twice as good or is it 1.5 as good and the rest your just paying for the name? Smith is the only one currently making a .45 acp revolver that I can see but every now and then I come across a Taurus tracker for sale. I would appreciate any advice from the more knowledgable out there. Thanks

Drilling Man · « **Reply #1 on:** November 15, 2009, 01:32:09 PM »

It is to me, but it may not be to you...

DM

quasne.inc · « **Reply #2 on:** November 15, 2009, 01:59:09 PM »

What are some of the reasons it is to you?

Swampman · « **Reply #3 on:** November 15, 2009, 02:02:37 PM »

The S&W is much better quality. That's the reason.

P.A. Myers · « **Reply #4 on:** November 15, 2009, 04:09:12 PM »

Shoot my 625 all the time, both acp and auto rim.

Have you ever watched the Barret-Jackson auto auctions on the Speed Channel? You don't see a lot of Toyotas or Hondas.

The only alternative to Smith quality is a Colt.

Drilling Man · « **Reply #5 on:** November 16, 2009, 06:21:50 AM »

Quote from: quasne.inc on November 15, 2009, 01:59:09 PM

What are some of the reasons it is to you?

Better fit and finish, smoother action, and higher quality all around. I enjoy shooting a higher quality firearm, and i tend to keep what i buy.

DM

PA-Joe · « **Reply #6 on:** November 16, 2009, 06:58:58 AM »

Rugers makes one with both 45 colt and 45 acp cyclindars!

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #7 on:** November 16, 2009, 12:11:03 PM »

Quote from: HellBound on November 15, 2009, 04:09:12 PM

The only alternative to Smith quality is a Colt.

I would say another alternative is buy a Ruger for less money and then spend a bit on action work.

rawhidekid · « **Reply #8 on:** November 18, 2009, 01:15:42 AM »

I take it from your post you want a double action, if so rule out the Ruger. You can save a little money buying used. The S&W will still be higher cost than Taurus in a used gun. The reason is better quality.

With Taurus you eather love them or hate them, if you are someone who has good luck try the Taurus. I personally have only had one bad Taurus out of half a dozen. Ask Graybeard his opinion on them.

gwhilikerz · « **Reply #9 on:** November 19, 2009, 02:28:38 AM »

I have owned several Taurus revolvers and never had a problem with them. But they are not of the same quality as S&W. Is a S&W worth twice as much? Not to me. But, heck, I shoot more Charter Arms than anything.

Autorim · « **Reply #10 on:** November 19, 2009, 04:10:32 PM »

All of my double action revolvers are S&W and all of my single actions are Rugers. I am happy to keep it that way although most of my Rugers have custom trigger work by Alan Harton. I have Smith revolvers in .22, .38, .357, .44 mag and .45ACP. Personally, I will not consider buying anything else unless it is a Colt or custom gun.

teamnelson · « **Reply #11 on:** November 19, 2009, 04:20:54 PM »

My answer is ... it depends. Since this is your first revolver, and you're not planning on shooting ICORE, a Taurus will meet your needs fine. I'm one of those who has several Tauri and no problems, and I also have several S&W including some custom and Performance Center models. They're like kids; I like them for who they are. My first very own (not my Dad's) revolver was a Taurus and I loved it. The difference in price will go a long way on ammo.

dougk · « **Reply #12 on:** November 20, 2009, 11:21:14 AM »

Yes. the S&W is worth 2x the Taurus. Research all the quality problems and customer dissatisfaction with Taurus.

Now if you asked if S&W is worth 2x a Dan Wesson, that is a different answer....

Drilling Man · « **Reply #13 on:** November 20, 2009, 01:03:19 PM »

Quote from: dougk on November 20, 2009, 11:21:14 AM

Now if you asked if S&W is worth 2x a Dan Wesson, that is a different answer....

The answer to that one would be, Dan who??? Do they still even make them???

DM

prairiedog555 · « **Reply #14 on:** November 20, 2009, 01:12:38 PM »

I have had and shot for many years a S&W mod. 19. It is a great gun. But I recently got a Taurus Tracker stainless in .22 mag. Fit and finish are very good. And surprisingly accurate. I am not sorry I bought it.
The real difference that I can see is in double action. The Smith is much smoother and lighter.
But in single action there is no difference.

dougk · « **Reply #15 on:** November 21, 2009, 08:07:37 AM »

Quote from: Drilling Man on November 20, 2009, 01:03:19 PM

Quote from: dougk on November 20, 2009, 11:21:14 AM

Now if you asked if S&W is worth 2x a Dan Wesson, that is a different answer....

The answer to that one would be, Dan who??? Do they still even make them???

DM

I guess I am destined to buy guns that they just dont make any more. Like Valmet... lol

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #16 on:** November 22, 2009, 01:40:35 AM »

yes it is.

bearmgc · « **Reply #17 on:** November 26, 2009, 04:03:33 PM »

I'm a slow learner. Out of 5 Taurus revolvers I owned, 2 worked without any problems. The last Taurus I bought was a Tracker in 44mag. Sometimes the cylinder wouldn't lock into position after firing a round. Now THAT's a darn good reason not to get another Taurus. Rugers and SW only now days.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #18 on:** November 26, 2009, 04:27:55 PM »

GET OUT THE CALCULATOR

this is what i did to justify that performance center smith and wesson

a gun will last your lifetime
so take the number of years left in you life [approximate]
devide that into the difference in the gum cost [subtract cheap gun from the one you want]
WOW $5 a year to have the BEST wasn't that easey

so your old don't have that many years......better spend it while you can

S.B. · « **Reply #19 on:** December 27, 2009, 02:21:17 AM »

Quote from: Drilling Man on November 16, 2009, 06:21:50 AM

Quote from: quasne.inc on November 15, 2009, 01:59:09 PM
What are some of the reasons it is to you?

Better fit and finish, smoother action, and higher quality all around. I enjoy shooting a higher quality firearm, and i tend to keep what i buy.

DM

Plus American made! I figure either use them or loose them?
Steve

pourboy · « **Reply #20 on:** December 27, 2009, 12:54:59 PM »

To rephrase your question: Why are Taurus revolvers only worth half the price of a S&W?

There is a tremendous quality difference. How many American Law Enforcement agencies have ever adopted Taurus handguns?

I watched a friend struggle with a Taurus 608, until he finally gave up and sold it. It was a good thing it had a lifetime warranty, because it certainly looked like he was going to need it. Nobody makes an infallible machine, but life and money are both too short to put up with the issues he did.

hillbill · « **Reply #21 on:** December 27, 2009, 01:53:54 PM »

10 years from now yu will make money on the smith, yu might break even on the taurus.thats a good deal, period.

Noreaster · « **Reply #22 on:** December 27, 2009, 02:49:30 PM »

I will never buy another Taurus hunting revolver. That being said, if it was a utility truck gun or something than I would do it.

Oldshooter · « **Reply #23 on:** December 27, 2009, 03:15:53 PM »

This is what I can tell you. I know nothing of Taurus, cept what i read here. I bought a model 29 Smith and Wesson in the 70's for $450.00. sold it in 2007 for $550.00 Wouldn't have but needed the money to buy my son his first new shotgun! Ask if a Taurus can hold that kind of value! If I can get another S&W i wont Probably sell it EVER!

rawhidekid · « **Reply #24 on:** December 27, 2009, 10:03:18 PM »

Oldshooter: I know what you mean, I never plan on selling my 625-9 .45 Colt Mountain Gun. I have been thinking latly it would be nice to have a model 10, 4" heavy barrel. Who knows, maybe next year.

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #25 on:** December 28, 2009, 08:15:10 AM »

I have not owned a Tarus, but my pal does..He loves his, but the identical pistol he bought for his son would never function correctly and was finally traded off...I would prefer a Smith for the quality you get and the resale value if you decided to move that way...

45-70.gov · « **Reply #26 on:** January 01, 2010, 01:10:18 PM »

don't forget

taurus has those STUPID NOISY PORTS

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #27 on:** January 02, 2010, 09:07:05 AM »

Quote from: quasne.inc on November 15, 2009, 01:19:47 PM

They say you get what you pay for. But is the Smith really twice as good or is it 1.5 as good and the rest your just paying for the name?

Well worth the price difference.

Old Fart · « **Reply #28 on:** January 04, 2010, 03:56:02 AM »

Quote from: quasne.inc on November 15, 2009, 01:19:47 PM

But is the Smith really twice as good or is it 1.5 as good and the rest your just paying for the name?

I'm not a Taurus haters, actually I kind of like some of them.
I've got a couple and they've turned out ot be fine little shooters.
The quality of these firearms is about in line with the price you pay.

All that being said I think my grandkids will appreciate the S&W's better when they finally inherit them.

crash corrigan · « **Reply #29 on:** January 06, 2010, 12:33:27 AM »

I have a Taurus Mod 85 ultralight in .38 Special. I had the hammer spur ground off. This is a stainless steel and alloy model. It is my everyday carry piece. Accurate and reliable. I have fired over 3K rounds through it and it will hit the 12" at 40 yds five out of five times if I do my part.

Loaded with Federal 129 GR Hydra Shoks I have confidence in it. My smith model 36 never shot that good. I also have two Charter Arms revolvers. One is a Patriot in 327 Federal Magnum and the other is a Bulldog Pug in .44 Special. The .44 sits in my truck at all times. If it gets ripped off I am only out $200 but it is loaded with Hollow Pointed Soft Lead boolits and will deliver them into a 3" group at 15 yds all day long.

The 327 I am still working on making up a good load but I am having trouble getting brass for it. It has promise but the jury is still out.

I also have a smith 596 6" tubed revolver. This gun will shoot into 1.5" at 25 yds with decent handloads and it is a fine piece of American weaponry. I will never sell it but it is too big to conceal and too heavy to lug around all day even on a decent holster. A great target gun but limited in use.

I also have 3 Ruger Blackhawks and they are all a joy to shoot and carry well all day long. They are reliable, strong as a bank vault and dependable and will keep their value.