I have a penchant for inexpensive guns, and I've been on a revolver binge of late. I have posted about my less-than-stellar experience with SCCY, my initially poor experience with Kahr, and my initially poor experience with Charter Arms. To their Customer Service departments' great credit, both the Kahr CM9, and Charter Arms Off Duty, now run well. A little while back, I posted in a Taurus thread that I would not buy a Taurus due to their CS reviews. (See it coming, yet?)
For the last few weeks, I've been seeking positive reviews of a gun that really does interest me: Taurus 856 Defender. I found a lot of happy customers. I bought one. Several things convinced me: It is really hard to find a small, 3-inch, 6-shot, 38 special revolver... especially for less than $400. The S&W 60 is only 5-shot, and not available at all in blued or black finish. The S&W 19 is nearly as large and heavy as my 686+, and nearly as expensive. The Charter Arms Mag Pug is also only 5-shot, and only available in the (quite hideous) highly polished stainless steel. After watching several "Complete Takedown" videos, the Taurus looks much easier to work on than the Charter Arms. And last, but certainly not least, I like/prefer/desire consistency in my controls. S&W, CA, and Taurus revolvers all use the S&W style cylinder release. To me, this is not insignificant. Taurus appears to offer, exactly what I am looking for. Hence, the purchase.
The 856 Defender cost me $332 at Range USA. I expect to pick it up this coming Wednesday. More to come.
For the last few weeks, I've been seeking positive reviews of a gun that really does interest me: Taurus 856 Defender. I found a lot of happy customers. I bought one. Several things convinced me: It is really hard to find a small, 3-inch, 6-shot, 38 special revolver... especially for less than $400. The S&W 60 is only 5-shot, and not available at all in blued or black finish. The S&W 19 is nearly as large and heavy as my 686+, and nearly as expensive. The Charter Arms Mag Pug is also only 5-shot, and only available in the (quite hideous) highly polished stainless steel. After watching several "Complete Takedown" videos, the Taurus looks much easier to work on than the Charter Arms. And last, but certainly not least, I like/prefer/desire consistency in my controls. S&W, CA, and Taurus revolvers all use the S&W style cylinder release. To me, this is not insignificant. Taurus appears to offer, exactly what I am looking for. Hence, the purchase.
The 856 Defender cost me $332 at Range USA. I expect to pick it up this coming Wednesday. More to come.