What about Taurus

[Pababear]

I saw a 4" blue Taurus revolver today in .38 (all of the cartridge power, +p, etc) that I liked.  The trigger pull was decent for a 1 armed guy.  I was going to look at Ruger, but I couldn't open the cylinder and either could the store owner with his weak hand or the co owner.
Model 8284.


S&W would be my  in the running but EXPENSIVE.

Any ideas?  Gave up on the reduced recoil ammo, I want hp

Pababear

[PegLeg45]

I've owned two Taurus revolvers in past years and had zero issues with either.

One was a Model 85 snubby in .38 spl and the other was a Model 66 .357 mag with 6" barrel. The M85 was a one-owner used gun in stainless and the M66 was bought new (the first new center-fire handgun I bought the day I turned 21).

Both were more accurate than I thought guns in their price ranges (20 years ago) would be at $150 for the M85 and $200 for the M66 (I won PPC and Bullseye matches with the M66).

I've heard of QC issues with some Taurus guns in the last ten years, and I can't speak to that, but my personal experience has been nothing but positive....with my own and shooting those of others over the years.

[alfsauve]

S&W would be my  in the running but EXPENSIVE

Expensive initial purchase, but under heavy, prolonged usage it might prove to be a better buy.  Look at what competitors use.   In ICORE, it's 99% SW and 1% Ruger.  Check idpa annual report.  I think they list gun models used at their national match.

While I've had a problem with Taurus semi's, the revolvers I've shot have seemed okay.   Then again I've only shot a few rounds (100ish) through borrowed guns.  They do have some unique models that Smith doesn't. 

But brings up an interesting point:  single handed - weak handed handling.  Must try.

[Big Frank]

What I hear is that Taurus quality is all over the place. A few friends have Taurus pistols and revolvers and the revolvers seem to be okay.

[santahog]

"Back in 07", I bought a Taurus 85 for somewhere around $300 and the grip fell apart at 50 rounds.
I replaced it with a S&W, 360 PD, for just north of a Thousand, I think, and the firing pin broke on the 13th round..
This was for the (now late) wife, and she wouldn't touch either one after the failures occurred. I ended up finding a Security Six, "UNFIRED!" for just under $500 (ish) and it never gave either one of us a single problem.
As wheel guns go, I picked up an indiscretion for my birthday, (at link  http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_766309_-1____ProductDisplayErrorView_Y ) and while it's not as accurate as I would like, it sure is pretty!!!
I still really want a GP 100 357 with a 3" barrel and the old style wood insert grips.
After that, I'd also really like a S&W 327 (357 Mag). I believe this one would serve your purposes, but MSRP is 1,300. The best I see on Gunbroker is around 1,100 new and just under a Grand, used.
-----
Ever have something like a band that you like, that if you admitted it, you'd be ridiculed into the next county?
I want about 10 of those NAA "Sidewinder" 22 Mag rigs, with the built in holster that flips over like a pocket knife! (2 per car and two each for wife and I..) 
But I'm not really into wheel guns.....
Oh, forgot my favorite.. It's a 325 PD Custom Shop thing, (discontinued, of course). It might also work well in this situation. 45 acp/moon clips. Very easy/light shooter. If you can find one, it's worthy of your consideration. I promise!

[Sponsor]

[MikeBjerum]

I have never had or shot a Taurus.  They are not a popular gun up here - either in the stores or among the shooters.

I am surprised with the Ruger issue you found.  I am even more surprised that there was a gun with an issue that they put on the rack.

Remember that within reason, cost is not an issue when purchasing a defensive gun.  Personal fit, ability to carry and use as intended, and reliability all come before price.

For ammunition I use Hornady Critical Defense exclusively.  This is the ammunition that works 100% of the time in all my pistols, and to make things easier I cross it over to my revolver.

[vincewarde]

My experience with Taurus has been limited to my PT92, which is basically a Beretta 92 with a frame mounted, ambidextrous  safety/decocker that allows carrying cocked and locked a la the 1911.  Beretta actually built the factory to fulfill a Brazilian military contract - then sold it "lock, stock and barrel to Taurus at the end of the contract.  I have put thousands of rounds through my PT92 and it has held up great.

I too have heard bad things about other Taurus products, and I personally would stay away from them.

[tombogan03884]

I've never heard anything bad about Taurus products and I've had a few of their revolvers over the years. What I have heard is that their customer service sucks worse than any one but H&K.