Taurus vs what it copies

BattleRifleG3 · 10-10-2003, 06:33 PM

I keep looking at Taurus firearms and thinking what a good job they do of making really affordable and beautiful copies of Smith & Wesson and Beretta firearms. You guys think Taurus outdoes the original or the original is still better?

Think about it, they took Beretta and made it more beautiful, they took Smith Revolvers and added more target models, they took Walther and added a manual safety.

jerry · 10-10-2003, 06:44 PM

Sorry,
Can't vote in the pole, because it depends on the situation. In my own experience, The one Tauri that Iv'e owned 85CH was very high in quality. I think Some of the brands Taurus emulates/duplicates are overpriced. This could be that the workers in the countries that produce them are paid higher wages, etc... etc...

I think Taurus is a good value for the money & they back the product well.

SPOCAHP ANAR · 10-10-2003, 06:47 PM

Same gun for a hundred or 2 lower, plus a lifetime warranty. Gets my vote anyday

10-10-2003, 07:12 PM

I'm thinking about getting a Rossi...a company that was accumulated by Taurus several years ago

Mark · 10-26-2003, 12:02 PM

People I've spoken to who own(ed) very early models complained about fit & finish, timing problems, etc. The company's products have obviously improved over the years, as have their sales. I think its simply a case of a company that has matured over time.

I purchased a .45acp Tracker early this year. It has astounded me with it's quality and accuracy, to the point that I went and purchased a .22lr version of the Tracker this week.

NRAJOE · 10-26-2003, 01:15 PM

Taurus firearms ROCK! Alot better quality than before...the same with Rossi's...Rossi is still not as nice as Taurus though.

SexyRedXterra · 10-26-2003, 04:05 PM

they're ugly with the word "Taurus" scrawled in huge letters on the side.

BattleRifleG3 · 10-26-2003, 04:22 PM

Now that's just a bunch of bull (pun intended)

SexyRedXterra · 10-26-2003, 04:28 PM

Geek. they're ugly; besides, they clash with your boots.

fred · 10-27-2003, 06:59 PM

I'm quite happy to keep both my Taurus Model 689VR in .357 mag and my Model 445 in .44 S&W spl. I won't vote in the poll only because I haven't had the chance to shoot comparable S&W's, but I'll bet that FOR THE MONEY that Taurus would be my choice. I do believe SexyRedXterra could use new glasses.

Shaun · 10-27-2003, 09:26 PM

I am very happy with my 606 revolver and the customer service with Taurus -- when I had it retimed and ported Taurus was awesome.

I would still stick with my 92 Beretta

I tell everyone that the Taurus is one of the best buys on the market that anyone can get on a limited budget the guns are as good if not better that the ones that they copy.

JAMES · 10-28-2003, 11:00 AM

I have to agree with Shaun. From my one-pistol experience with Taurus, I am pleased.
I have a PT 99 AF that I bought used and it has seen plenty of wear; a fine shooter. I have not fired a real Beretta for many years, and that was military issue; but, this Taurus seems to shoot even better than the originals.

Dealing with Taurus over the phone is a pleasure. Their web site needs a little help, but that has no effect on shooting!

Taurus has my recommendation.

FEG · 10-28-2003, 09:30 PM

Taurus cannot even begin to hang with the Smith & Wesson Performance Center revolvers. OTOH, then you're really looking at a price difference. S&Ws generally have a much better DA trigger than a Taurus. Furthermore, the Taurus models are not really direct clones of S&Ws.

In a new handgun, the Taurus is probably a better buy most of the time. However, I seriously doubt that there are many handguns of any type, make, or model that are more accurate than my S&W Performance Center Model 15-8. I only paid $350 NIB. In that case, the S&W was a better buy. I have bought several LNIB S&W K frames over the last few years for less than $250, including a 1972 Model 64. I also think that these were a better buy than a new or used Taurus, at any price. Let's face it; there is no collectors' market for Taurus revolvers. That may or may not be important to most people.

BattleRifleG3 · 10-28-2003, 11:00 PM

Those prices were pretty sweet for Smiths. I dunno if Taurus can match them with its competing models.

What's really great is that Taurus offers many options not available with the original and at great prices, such as the 92SPL and the 24/7 Walther clones with universal rail, stainless slide, and manual safety.

Shaun · 10-28-2003, 11:12 PM

I believe SW doesn't offer the unconditional warranty that Taurus does - taurus doesn't care who the owner is or who transfered it to who they will repair no questions asked

Pingman · 06-08-2004, 01:44 PM

Everyone has their own opinion on which revolver is the best. Some can base it on experience, others just go by what they hear or read. Personally I believe that Smith and Wesson makes an incredible revolver but I would buy a Taurus over Smith 9 out of 10 times. I owned a Smith 686P in 4 inch and a Ruger GP100 in 6 inch. Unfortunately, they were stolen. I recently purchased a Taurus Tracker 357 mag total titanium in 4 inch. This gun just really looked sharp and the weight was incredible. The trigger pull out of the box was around 18 for DA and 8 for SA (very, very, tight). I took it to a gunsmith and now is around 10 for DA and 4 for SA. This gun now shoots like a dream, smoother than either of the Smith or Ruger. My point, Taurus may not be like Smith or Ruger directly out of the box but that doesn't mean you can't use the hundreds of dollars you saved for a $40 trigger job and get better performance. Thumbs up for revolvers period, but two thumbs up for the Taurus Tracker Series of revolvers.

denfoote · 06-16-2004, 02:32 AM

I used to own both a Taurus 92 and the Beretta clone.
I got rid of the clone!!!! :spaceship

View Poll Results: Taurus or original manufacturers?
I'd go for Beretta over Taurus	2	11.76%
I'd go for Smith over Taurus	3	17.65%
I'd go for anthing over a Taurus	3	17.65%
I'd go for Taurus over anything.	9	52.94%
Voters: 17. You may not vote on this poll

10-10-2003, 06:33 PM	#1
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,401 Images: 13	Taurus vs what it copies I keep looking at Taurus firearms and thinking what a good job they do of making really affordable and beautiful copies of Smith & Wesson and Beretta firearms. You guys think Taurus outdoes the original or the original is still better? Think about it, they took Beretta and made it more beautiful, they took Smith Revolvers and added more target models, they took Walther and added a manual safety. __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf Last edited by BattleRifleG3; 10-10-2003 at 06:36 PM.

10-10-2003, 06:44 PM	#2
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 10,875 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 1	Sorry, Can't vote in the pole, because it depends on the situation. In my own experience, The one Tauri that Iv'e owned 85CH was very high in quality. I think Some of the brands Taurus emulates/duplicates are overpriced. This could be that the workers in the countries that produce them are paid higher wages, etc... etc... I think Taurus is a good value for the money & they back the product well. __________________ I'm a down home back woods redneck

10-10-2003, 06:47 PM	#3
SPOCAHP ANAR Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: SC-upstate Posts: 4,094 Images: 3 Blog Entries: 4	Same gun for a hundred or 2 lower, plus a lifetime warranty. Gets my vote anyday __________________ Spocrest Out!..........

10-26-2003, 12:02 PM	#5
Mark Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Williamston, NC Posts: 86	People I've spoken to who own(ed) very early models complained about fit & finish, timing problems, etc. The company's products have obviously improved over the years, as have their sales. I think its simply a case of a company that has matured over time. I purchased a .45acp Tracker early this year. It has astounded me with it's quality and accuracy, to the point that I went and purchased a .22lr version of the Tracker this week. Last edited by Mark; 10-27-2003 at 05:40 PM.

10-10-2003, 07:12 PM	#4
Logansdad Guest Posts: n/a	I'm thinking about getting a Rossi...a company that was accumulated by Taurus several years ago

10-26-2003, 01:15 PM	#6
NRAJOE Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Toledo,OH Posts: 19,051 Images: 3	Taurus firearms ROCK! Alot better quality than before...the same with Rossi's...Rossi is still not as nice as Taurus though. __________________ U.S. Army 1976-1979 237th Combat Engineers Heilbronn, Germany

10-26-2003, 04:05 PM	#7
SexyRedXterra Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: NJ Shore and Western PA Posts: 1,206	they're ugly with the word "Taurus" scrawled in huge letters on the side. __________________ "God doesn't always do things on our schedule, but he's always right on time."

10-26-2003, 04:22 PM	#8
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,401 Images: 13	Now that's just a bunch of bull (pun intended) __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf

10-26-2003, 04:28 PM	#9
SexyRedXterra Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: NJ Shore and Western PA Posts: 1,206	Geek. they're ugly; besides, they clash with your boots. __________________ "God doesn't always do things on our schedule, but he's always right on time."

10-27-2003, 06:59 PM	#10
fred Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: NC, USA Posts: 183	I'm quite happy to keep both my Taurus Model 689VR in .357 mag and my Model 445 in .44 S&W spl. I won't vote in the poll only because I haven't had the chance to shoot comparable S&W's, but I'll bet that FOR THE MONEY that Taurus would be my choice. I do believe SexyRedXterra could use new glasses.

10-27-2003, 09:26 PM	#11
Shaun Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 8,592 Images: 1	I am very happy with my 606 revolver and the customer service with Taurus -- when I had it retimed and ported Taurus was awesome. I would still stick with my 92 Beretta I tell everyone that the Taurus is one of the best buys on the market that anyone can get on a limited budget the guns are as good if not better that the ones that they copy. __________________ "Homeland Security is the responsibility of an armed citizen" ME http://webpages.charter.net/s.s.v/

10-28-2003, 11:00 AM	#12
JAMES Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: OKLAHOMA Posts: 575	I have to agree with Shaun. From my one-pistol experience with Taurus, I am pleased. I have a PT 99 AF that I bought used and it has seen plenty of wear; a fine shooter. I have not fired a real Beretta for many years, and that was military issue; but, this Taurus seems to shoot even better than the originals. Dealing with Taurus over the phone is a pleasure. Their web site needs a little help, but that has no effect on shooting! Taurus has my recommendation.

10-28-2003, 09:30 PM	#13
FEG Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Behind the Iron Curtain Posts: 517	Taurus cannot even begin to hang with the Smith & Wesson Performance Center revolvers. OTOH, then you're really looking at a price difference. S&Ws generally have a much better DA trigger than a Taurus. Furthermore, the Taurus models are not really direct clones of S&Ws. In a new handgun, the Taurus is probably a better buy most of the time. However, I seriously doubt that there are many handguns of any type, make, or model that are more accurate than my S&W Performance Center Model 15-8. I only paid $350 NIB. In that case, the S&W was a better buy. I have bought several LNIB S&W K frames over the last few years for less than $250, including a 1972 Model 64. I also think that these were a better buy than a new or used Taurus, at any price. Let's face it; there is no collectors' market for Taurus revolvers. That may or may not be important to most people. __________________ WARNING: CZs MAY BE HABIT-FORMING (Consult a doctor if nursing or pregnant).

10-28-2003, 11:00 PM	#14
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,401 Images: 13	Those prices were pretty sweet for Smiths. I dunno if Taurus can match them with its competing models. What's really great is that Taurus offers many options not available with the original and at great prices, such as the 92SPL and the 24/7 Walther clones with universal rail, stainless slide, and manual safety. __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf

10-28-2003, 11:12 PM	#15
Shaun Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 8,592 Images: 1	I believe SW doesn't offer the unconditional warranty that Taurus does - taurus doesn't care who the owner is or who transfered it to who they will repair no questions asked __________________ "Homeland Security is the responsibility of an armed citizen" ME http://webpages.charter.net/s.s.v/

06-08-2004, 01:44 PM	#16
Pingman Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 2	Everyone has their own opinion on which revolver is the best. Some can base it on experience, others just go by what they hear or read. Personally I believe that Smith and Wesson makes an incredible revolver but I would buy a Taurus over Smith 9 out of 10 times. I owned a Smith 686P in 4 inch and a Ruger GP100 in 6 inch. Unfortunately, they were stolen. I recently purchased a Taurus Tracker 357 mag total titanium in 4 inch. This gun just really looked sharp and the weight was incredible. The trigger pull out of the box was around 18 for DA and 8 for SA (very, very, tight). I took it to a gunsmith and now is around 10 for DA and 4 for SA. This gun now shoots like a dream, smoother than either of the Smith or Ruger. My point, Taurus may not be like Smith or Ruger directly out of the box but that doesn't mean you can't use the hundreds of dollars you saved for a $40 trigger job and get better performance. Thumbs up for revolvers period, but two thumbs up for the Taurus Tracker Series of revolvers.

06-16-2004, 02:32 AM	#17
denfoote Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Buckeye Arizona Posts: 156	I used to own both a Taurus 92 and the Beretta clone. I got rid of the clone!!!! :spaceship __________________ I traded my manners for a handgun!!!!! :assult: