Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Taurus versus S&W

I have always favored S&W revolvers. In recent years the ones I've experienced had great triggers and good workmanship. Long years ago I had two S&W revolvers (a model 10 and a model 28) that did not work properly out of the box but lately I've seen or heard of no functioning problems with S&W revolvers.

I had a Taurus model 85 .38 10 or so years ago and it was OK but nothing to write home about so I just stayed with S&W.

When the Taurus Trackers came out I took the plunge and bought two. One is a 4" .357 7-shooter and the other is a 4" .45 ACP 5-shooter. Both are stainless not titanium.

Both of the Trackers are easy to shoot and easy to carry. At 28 ounces they fall within my all-day carry weight limit.
Taurus supplies 5-shot clips for the .45 version which makes reloading quick. The recoil absorbing grips are also great.

With the exception of the triggers the two Trackers are as well finished as most S&W's I've seen lately including two from the Performance Center.

I'm not much of ported revolvers but had no "flash" issues with either Tracker.

So is Taurus as good as S&W? When it comes to triggers the answer is no in my opinion but based on a comparison of two Trackers and recent production S&W revolvers, I'd say Taurus is close.

I wasn't real impressed with Taurus 9-10 yrs ago either,I thought they were a reasonably priced serviceable handgun,but that was about it.But they are coming along.I looked at the 45ACP Tracker and the 41 mag version recently and was/am impressed with them. Somebody here,I think Gene Williams has a 41 and likes it a lot.I was looking mainly for a CCW and opted for the XD instead ,but one of the above will probably be my next handgun purchase.
Jeff

My biggest problem with Taurus is their "Me Too" style of product development. Most of their successful designs are knock-offs of somebody elses work. To Taurus' credit, they have been more innovative the last few years.

Taurus makes serviceable firearms, and they do compare with, but not surpass, the bottom S&W's offerings.

An argument can be made that Ruger pistols are stronger than S&W, or that Colt revolvers are smoother. The only argument that Taurus can make against S&W is that they are cheaper.

Cheaper AND functional is a good argument, and Taurus can make this argument in many comparisons to S&W.

JScottRupp,

There are reasons to choose the .41 over the .45 and visa versa mostly based on intended use. Among the reasons I chose the .45 was the 5-shot moon clips. Sure makes loading, unloading and policing up brass quicker and more efficient. Another reason I favored the .45 is the availability of ammo.

If I were a reloader and going to hunt with the Tracker the .41 would, of course, be the better choice.

Norm

You have to admit that the raging bull pistols are pretty unique. Have the fixed the problems I heard about with the 454 Raging Bull ?

ConradCA,

I do like the look of the Raging Bull. I haven't heard of any problems with the gun but I'll bet Taurus has made any fixes necessary.

The largest handgun I've shot is the .44 Magnum. I've had several along the way. My favorite is the 4" 629. I carried one as a duty gun for several years.

Norm

I think Ken Howell had some pretty strong opinions favoring the Taurus a few months back. You may be able to resurrect that thread for some more input.

It might be on the "gunwriters" forum.

td,

I read Ken's comments. He said the Taurus Tracker in .45 ACP was going to be his new turret gun. Since I posted I finally shot the .45 Tracker. I fired 50 rounds of hardball and then some HydraShok and Golden Sabre 230 grain JHPs. I shot indoors at a relatively short range so I can't comment on accuracy but I can tell you the trigger is better than I thought when dry firing it.

I shot all 70 rounds double action which I found as easy as any S&W to cycle and maintain a great sight picture. The 28 ounce gun bounced a bit but the soft rubber (Ribber) grips soaked up the recoil for the most part.

The sight picture was good and clear (if I got it in the middle focal of my tri-focals.)

Despite it's 4" barrel I don't see concealment as a real problem. The Tracker is really a medium frame revolver (hence the 5-shot cylinder) and conceals as easliy as a K-Frame.

This might be getting real close to answering the "one gun" thread we've see here abouts from time to time.

Deputy Norm
Would you consider this Tracker in 45 ACP a good arm for a female? I was thinking about getting one for the wife- since I shoot 45 ACP in P90 so I can keep loading for just one caliber instead of two. I don't want to get a 9MM!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />