Author Topic: Is Taurus Junk ? (Read 3079 times)

WildBill · « **on:** January 06, 2004, 07:38:02 AM »

I was wondering why Graybeard was not happy with Taurus , The main reason I bought my 454 was because GB gave it good marks in testing ,don't remember the post that said he had problems. Is my gun junk ,or have I just missed something? :shock:

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** January 06, 2004, 08:28:17 AM »

Wal now how do I answer that question especially in light of all the many hundreds of folks who've bought them on my say so?

How about yes and no?

So far the RBs I've run across have uniformly been mighty fine. I've heard a few complaints from others but have no way of verifying the veracity or lack thereof on those. Just can't speak to that.

First couple of Total Ti guns have also been mighty fine.

BUT the last two new Taurus handguns I've bought have been JUNK! Sorry but I just don't know any other way to put it.

First the Model 44 12". Barrel looked like an old black powder era gun that had not been taken care of when it arrived NIB. I cleaned it as best as I could and noticed tooling marks end to end. This was THE WORST looking barrel I've ever seen. How QC could let it out is beyond me. But what the heck it is only ugly so I figured I'd see how it shot. At 25 yards bullets were key holing. At least two of six would hit the target full broadside and at least two more of six would show obvious signs of tipping.

Sent it back and it was promptly replaced at no costs to me and they paid shipping both ways.

Next I get the Total Ti Model 460 in .45 LC. Geez what a POS! There was a ring around the cylinder when I pulled it from box. The orange plastic disk wasn't even in place but just loose in box. Dealer hadn't opened box before I arrived. Lock up was loose as a goose. The cylinder has more side play than any revolver I've ever owned to include guns with many thousands of rounds down them. Action was horribly gritty. Cylinder would turn when hammer was back and hand should have it locked in place.

Now as if that wasn't bad enough here is the kicker. There is a place on top of the top strap where rear sight attaches that appears to be to be a crack or casting defect.

First time to Taurus they claim to not even be able to see the crack. Second trip back (again at Taurus' expense) when I marked it for them they saw it but refused to agree it was a problem. They sent it out for magnaflux testing since they have NO IN HOUSE NDT capability.

Now over two weeks later I'm still waiting to see if it comes back as it left here or if I get a replacement.

BUT this is two of two for me now that were junk on arrival brand new. One replaced promptly and one I have no clue if I will ever be able to use it or if I'll just take it back and trade it to the dealer I got it from and eat the loss. What he will do with it I have no clue.

IF the same gun comes back to me rest assured I WILL NOT KEEP IT. I will give it back to the dealer I bought it from at whatever loss to me is required and I will then give Taurus at least a $million of free bad publicity to the world. I gave them that much or more free good publicity when they were doing right so feel it only fair to reverse it if they are gonna reverse the way they are as a company.

GB

Catfish · « **Reply #2 on:** January 06, 2004, 10:12:46 AM »

Boy, sorry to hear about Taurus treating you that way. I never thought much about Taurus untill they came out with the RB and I bought one of them. Never had any problems with it, yet, and it has alot less recoil than my Ruger .454, plus it alot more accurate. I will definately look over any Taurus befor I buy it from now on.

Pat Marlin · « **Reply #3 on:** January 24, 2004, 12:27:32 PM »

On this topic I've got to say every single firearm manufacturer has had their nightmare share of problems. How they handle the problem is important.

I've read as many bad post about Ruger and their customer service, and 454's, if not more than Taurus.

It seams now adays with all inexpensive mass produced firearm manufacturers, QC (quality control) somewhere gets compromised at some point. This does not mean the companies whole pile is junk. Neither is a Chevy, Ford, or Dodge.

I feel your pain GB, and I am waiting on a timing fix on my Raging Bull from Taurus USA, but we need to work with these manufactures and support them, if they will make it good. It doesn't take much for employee screw ups, even in customer service to happen, so I feel persistent communication is going to be needed.

I would hate to see a company like Taurus go under because of a few unhappy people. We need to support companies who take the chances to produce cool firearms like the Raging Bull, and the Total Ti guns.

I am an American, and sell a product produced by a small US company. American customers have gotten so spoiled and inpatient by cheap vastly available import copies... we have to have it perfect, yesterday, and at the lowest cost.

Yes, Taurus is an import, but their copies are innovative, and I hope with a little American patience, and input, they can get it together and continue to give us choices on cool innovative guns.

Thanks for reading,

Pat

GBO MGMT · « **Reply #4 on:** January 24, 2004, 05:55:44 PM »

Well Pat I've supported Taurus for quite some while now based on the quality of several of their guns I got initially. Now two in a row have been bad. Tomorrow makes precisely two months since I bought this last one. It left for Taurus the next day after I bought it unfired. I saw it one day when it came back just as it left. Was gone again the next.

I'm still waiting on Customer Service to do something a full two months after purchase. Everyone from the head of Customer Service to the head of repair operations to the head of the whole company is aware of this gun and the problems it has. Yet they still have it and I've still got $4450 invested in a gun I've seen for only two days since buying it and haven't shot yet.

Support Taurus? Sorry not me. Never again.

GB

Pat Marlin · « **Reply #5 on:** January 25, 2004, 07:38:38 AM »

GB.......

Now there is a situation here. This puts serious doubts in every Taurus owners mind, not to mention future gun owners cosidering the purchase of a Taurus product.

Why not invite the head of Customer Service, or the head of repair operations, or the head of the Taurus company to come aboard your forum, and address these issues?

This would give everyone the oportunity for a clean slate...

It would give the Taurus people a chance to address these problems.

It would give us owners an oportunity to address our problems or praises, and give the Taurus people an idea of what's happening with their products in the "real world".

It would be a great addtion to your forum, and increase membership.

I feel this way everyone could have something to gain here instead of throwing the whole mess into the tank.

Graybeard · « **Reply #6 on:** January 25, 2004, 08:14:38 AM »

They've been told of the site and also the Taurus Forum. They are aware but apparently don't care to bother.

GB

myronman3 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 25, 2004, 08:43:24 AM »

as a taurus owner and former supporter, just think what some shmuck like me would have as a course of action. outside of spreading the word, not much. some guns are good; and some are going to get by q.c. that shouldnt; it is a given. but it is what is done after a mistake that counts. if you are at fault; fix it. g.b. (and others who have had problems with their taurus guns) have given taurus every chance to fix their mistake; only to get the runaround. my r.b. works good; but what if a problem devolps in the future? can i still count on taurus to make good? in light of recent events i doubt it. this is the reason i am getting out of the taurus game and wont get back in. a shame too, as my dealer has a nice 607 sitting down there that has had an incredible action job done on it for 299. and it is parkerized, too. too bad; i aint taking no chances. i hate to see my list of double action options get smaller; if these companies dont pull their heads out.... it dont look good for d.a. fans.

MarkJ_Thompson · « **Reply #8 on:** February 15, 2004, 11:26:35 AM »

From what I have seen come through ANY Manufacturer can produce a bad batch. So far the Taurus handguns I have sold have been without flaw.

What I see is very poor Customer Service. If a consumer purchases a poor product and the Company provides him another POC (piece of crap) as a replacement, they donot deserve his business. On the other hand Taurus firearms are fairly inexpenese (comes back to "you get what you pay for") and they evidently aren't charging us for quality Customer Service.

With all this in mind figure you aren't going to spend much and you aren't going to get much.

One of the things I do if I am going to purchase a product for a Customer and I am unfamiliar with the product is to try to contact the Manufacturer. If they are difficult to contact and get technical advice they will be difficult to deal with in the event of product problems.

HappyHunter · « **Reply #9 on:** February 15, 2004, 12:07:05 PM »

MarkJ_Thompson,

You make some good points. But I do not agree with you get what you pay for.

If a manufacture offers a lifetime warranty, there should be a decent service department. Lifetime warranty seems to be a marketing tool with Taurus and not a tangable service. If a gun "gets by" (or is allowed to get by) QC and there is a problem it should be addressed and addressed promptly.

I am quick to praise a problem corrected by a company. I feel that customer service should be a given, not the exception. There is no excuse for selling a product and not having a decent service department...THIS IS A FIREARM FOR CRYING OUT LOAD!!! THERE IS NO ROOM FOR PROBLEMS!

In short if a company boasts of a lifetime warrnaty it is implied that they will have a quality control department that has it together and a quality service department as well.

Fred[/b]

Graybeard · « **Reply #10 on:** February 15, 2004, 06:36:49 PM »

I don't consider the $450 to $650 each I've spent on Taurus revolvers to be so inexpensive. It is more than I've ever paid for any of the S&W or Colt or Ruger revolvers I've ever owned and that's likely 250-300 guns.

GB

MarkJ_Thompson · « **Reply #11 on:** February 15, 2004, 09:15:22 PM »

My point was if you were to buy a similar weapon with similar features from another manufactuer the weapon would most likely cost more.

Taurus is marketing to the Americans with revolvers with words like Raging and Tracker, black and red grips and handling odd loads. It is like when you go to McDonald's (hopefully not often) and you see the picture of the Big Beautiful BigMac...Your mouth waters...You get to your table and open the little cardboard presentation box...And the BigMac turned into a Happy Meal burger but it say BigMac on the box, it doesn't resemble the picture and you eat it anyway...America!

Taurus evidentally thinks we don't know better. After reading about the problems you, at this forum, are having with Taurus I will not recomend them to another Client based on their poor Customer Service.

If any of you would like help resolving current problems with Taurus feel free to e-mail me. MarkJ_Thompson@hotmail.com

By the Way Excellent Forum Graybeard!

Pat Marlin · « **Reply #12 on:** February 16, 2004, 03:33:53 AM »

I've been waiting for my 454 Casull Raging Bull to return from factory warranty work, for week number 4 now.

I called and the first receptionist was very short (PMS-Biatch came to mind), and switched me to customer service. THe lady in customer service was very nice and checked on my handgun. She told me it was "in review", but that meant it was a good thing, and it was being worked on.

She also said 4-6 weeks is the normal processing time, but mine was on a "rush" (what ever that means). Then I was told they will ship it back FedEx, insured, and pre paid.

I really can't ask and don't exspect much more than that, from any company. If the repair work was complete, and done properly... my hat's off to Taurus-USA.

MarkJ_Thompson · « **Reply #13 on:** February 16, 2004, 07:45:53 AM »

Pat I am glad to hear they meet your needs.

It the others on this post are just saying Taurus offers a lifetime warranty and do not offer the rest of the package to back it. A lifetime warranty means you can reach a helpful friendly person when having a problem, the company employs enough technical persons to handle the work load and your product is returned in better condition than when you sent it in.

I know companies that send you freebies (free magazines, hats etc.) to make you feel a little better about having your product in the shop.

Pat Marlin · « **Reply #14 on:** February 16, 2004, 05:02:32 PM »

Hello Mark,

I couldn't make out your first point due to the typos, but I've got a wait and see additiude. So far they answered my questions.

We'll see when it gets back home.

THanks,

Pat

MarkJ_Thompson · « **Reply #15 on:** February 16, 2004, 08:41:14 PM »

Tis ottay . Knot meny sheeple onionstand me.

Pat Marlin · « **Reply #16 on:** February 17, 2004, 03:32:50 AM »

Now yur' gittin' tha ideer'.....

44hunter · « **Reply #17 on:** February 18, 2004, 01:45:08 AM »

Is Taurus junk?
It's really a matter of personal opinion, you will always find someone with a bad gun from any company. I have owned one Taurus and I felt it was an unsafe gun so much so that I traded it away after 3 months, my brother has 2 taurus revolvers and has had no problems. I personally own several ruger guns and couldn't be happier. I know there are people who have had a bad experience with Ruger.

Lawdog · « **Reply #18 on:** February 18, 2004, 12:03:59 PM »

Taurus started out life as a piece of junk and nothing I have seen from them has changed my mind. Remember Taurus was one of the firearms used when they made up and passed the "Saturday Night Special" law. Lawdog

Pat Marlin · « **Reply #19 on:** February 18, 2004, 01:24:46 PM »

Comparing a "Saturday Night Special" to a Taurus ie: Raging Bull,

is like comparing a "Yugo" to a "Ferrari".

DirtyHarry · « **Reply #20 on:** February 18, 2004, 04:33:21 PM »

The QC dept and Cust service dept at Taurus is sorely lacking at this particular moment in time. Yes Taurus started out with many problems but in the mid 90's started improving greatly. I have several Taurus revolvers that I would put up against any S&W or Ruger I ever owned and this is coming from a HUGE S&W fan.

Fortunately I have no real need for another handgun right now, because I will not buy a Smith until they get thier act together with the Klinton/Kalifornian type agreement they are still bound to, and I just cant bring myself to buy another Ruger until they do something about those horrendously bad triggers :grin:

Lawdog · « **Reply #21 on:** February 19, 2004, 10:13:46 AM »

Pat Marlin,

You would not believe the number of Raging Bull revolvers I have seen show up at the range, owned by new officers, that broke or showed stress cracks in the cylinders or frame after only a few shots thru them. In the eyes of most LEO’s the Taurus is much closer to a "Yugo" than to a "Ferrari”. If I am going to buy a sturdy revolver now a days it is going to be a Ruger. I can always have the trigger worked over to my satisfaction. You like Taurus, fine but that doesn’t change history or the fact that they were and still are JUNK. Lawdog

DirtyHarry · « **Reply #22 on:** February 19, 2004, 04:10:34 PM »

Quote from: Lawdog

You would not believe the number of Raging Bull revolvers I have seen show up at the range, owned by new officers, that broke or showed stress cracks in the cylinders or frame after only a few shots thru them.

Lawdog, That is amazing to say the least, I have owned 5 RB's,still own 2 and about 9 guys at the club own at least 1 and in one case 6 RB's and I have never been witness to any structural damage. If you were to put a number on it, on X amount of guns what percent broke? Just curious :grin:

Pat Marlin · « **Reply #23 on:** February 19, 2004, 05:33:43 PM »

Lawdog,

Fact is Taurus firearms are approved and currently used by LEO's across the country, and in other countries around the world. I doubt they would put thier life in the hands of "junk".

Sounds simular to a post I read on another forum about a guy that said 6 Taurus handgun barrels blew off at a gunstore and range back east, but when someone called the store and talked with personel, no one could confirm this aligation, and they replied they had no problems with Taurus handguns that exceeded any other manufacturer.

It is amazing that you have found so many problems at your range. I have read far more happy customer reports on the internet regarding Taurus, and I based this partly on my desicion to buy one.

Graybeard · « **Reply #24 on:** February 19, 2004, 05:42:29 PM »

Until my last two purchases I sure was happy with my Taurus revolvers. But boy were they junk still NIB. The M44 was handled quickly and properly. Sure wish they had done the same with the M450 but they didn't. Still in the end I persevered and did get a replacement that appears to be a good quality gun.

Still of late there have been way too many verifiable quality problems especially with the Total Titanium guns. I'd just warn anyone to look it over mighty closely before commiting money. After my latest experience with their customer service I'd sure hate to have to depend on it again. Still I won't knock Robert their head of Customer Service. I honestly believe he was doing what he could to make this right. I just don't think the head of repairs or the head of the company were or are as concerned about customers as Robert is. Just an observation from someone who recently spent over two months fighting them to get a gun replaced that was junk and in my personal opinion unsafe out of the box.

Now I've not personally witnessed a single bad RB and the dealer I buy from has sold a ton of them and he assures me he hasn't heard a single complaint from anyone on any he has sold. That's not proof none weren't bad and he didn't hear about them but I do trust his honestly in telling me what he has heard.

GB

v-man · « **Reply #25 on:** February 20, 2004, 12:56:25 PM »

I've got to chime in on this one. I don't have a grudge against Taurus. In fact, I want them to work because I like their product selection. However, 4 or 5 years ago in a gun store I handled 2 of them, DA revovers, and both of them, brand new, would occasionally bind when cocking the hammer. The clerk said I was nuts until it did it for him too. That soured me until I bought a .40S&W millenium. Perfect size, weight and firepower for concealed carry but after 300 or 400 rounds I hated the trigger so badly I sold it. Inconsistant pull but always 15 or 20lbs and rough. Then I bought the .45LC Titanium snubby. The cylinder kept binding presumably because it couldn't handle the pressures. I was looking for decent power but stayed below max loads and still the gun couldn't handle it. Traded it at a gun show. Still a sucker for light weight, I bought the .357 Titanium snubby. I love it. It shoots tight groups though everything at 15 yards is 2" right and 3+" at 25. However I just can't believe that it will stand up to a steady diet of stout loads so most of my range time is with 158grSWC's over 7gr of Unique. The 17gr of 2400 with 125gr JHP's are strictly for carry and an occasional refresher at the firing line. The face of the cylinder is already seriously etched and scarred from back flash after less than 500 rounds. The strength of the Ruger and the action of the S&W put the Taurus to shame. God bless 'em but they still have some work to do.

S.B. · « **Reply #26 on:** February 24, 2004, 04:14:13 AM »

In my opinion, yes they're junk. But my main reason for avoiding them is, I was born here in America, live here in America, work(when there is work) here in America. I'm pregidous when it comes to putting American out of work and try to support the people of THIS country when ever possible. Please don't quote Caterpillar and the rest of the corportate world with your argument about over seas parts in my Chevy truck! I guess my neck is still sunburned, my race is still white( may not be politically correct, but it's true) and my collar is still blue. And yes, I do know all the arguments that can be said about others thouights.. Just my opinion.

sundogg1911 · « **Reply #27 on:** March 22, 2004, 09:50:18 AM »

I have a taurus titanium 38 snubby carry gun (model 85) that I love. I also have a model 44 in 8 3/8" barrel (Vent rib and ported) in stainless that is one of the most accurate pistols that I have ever owned. But I have a friend that owns a Taurus .38 that is junk! If you buy one...look it over first! His has tooling marks all over it. :shock:

safetysheriff · « **Reply #28 on:** March 24, 2004, 01:55:31 PM »

With all the problems we're having economically right now, and with the Ruger's (and Remingtons) so 'economically' priced, why buy from outside the good ole' U.S. of A.

I'll buy (Remington), Ruger, or Smith and Wesson anytime over any of the Taurus I've ever seen at the gun shows. I live in Northeastern Ohio and have been to a LOT of shows......and the American-made get my vote, hands-down, for revolvers and pistols. And I'll buy a decent Remington rifle before buying a Howa, Tika, Browning, etc. made elsewhere.

S.B. · « **Reply #29 on:** March 24, 2004, 02:10:20 PM »

safetysheriff, I'm with you brother! Amen.