I did something I said I'd never do again...I bought a Taurus.

[92FSTech]

I came into some 200gr XTPs recently, so I loaded up some 185s, 200s, and 230s to shoot all in the same session. It was pouring rain, so i had to shoot inside on the 50 foot range...close enough to 15 yards for all intents and purposes.







If you give some allowances for my less than stellar shooting, the fact that it's a 2" snubby at bullseye distances, and lower your expectations a bit, the groups are almost acceptable. The 200gr definitely seems to be the closest to hitting to point of aim vertically.

I'm starting to feel like this project has run it's course. It's not a bad gun...functionally it has been perfect. Accuracy-wise it's adequate for what most folks would use a snubby for. I'm just not sure what use I have for a 5-shot revolver that only shoots jacketed bullets at light .45ACP velocities. I was hoping for something to fill the gap between a .38/.357 J-Frame and my 329PD, and this isn't ever going to be that. The question now is do I hold onto it and try to find a use for it, or do I trade it off towards another project like maybe a Taurus TH-10?

 

[Squid556]

I came into some 200gr XTPs recently, so I loaded up some 185s, 200s, and 230s to shoot all in the same session. It was pouring rain, so i had to shoot inside on the 50 foot range...close enough to 15 yards for all intents and purposes.

View attachment 382715

View attachment 382716

View attachment 382717

If you give some allowances for my less than stellar shooting, the fact that it's a 2" snubby at bullseye distances, and lower your expectations a bit, the groups are almost acceptable. The 200gr definitely seems to be the closest to hitting to point of aim vertically.

I'm starting to feel like this project has run it's course. It's not a bad gun...functionally it has been perfect. Accuracy-wise it's adequate for what most folks would use a snubby for. I'm just not sure what use I have for a 5-shot revolver that only shoots jacketed bullets at light .45ACP velocities. I was hoping for something to fill the gap between a .38/.357 J-Frame and my 329PD, and this isn't ever going to be that. The question now is do I hold onto it and try to find a use for it, or do I trade it off towards another project like maybe a Taurus TH-10?

Give it a few more range trips. Maybe use it under some different conditions. Perhaps your opinion will change. I’ve had several that took a long time to come to enjoy.

 

[DadSmith]

I came into some 200gr XTPs recently, so I loaded up some 185s, 200s, and 230s to shoot all in the same session. It was pouring rain, so i had to shoot inside on the 50 foot range...close enough to 15 yards for all intents and purposes.

View attachment 382715

View attachment 382716

View attachment 382717

If you give some allowances for my less than stellar shooting, the fact that it's a 2" snubby at bullseye distances, and lower your expectations a bit, the groups are almost acceptable. The 200gr definitely seems to be the closest to hitting to point of aim vertically.

I'm starting to feel like this project has run it's course. It's not a bad gun...functionally it has been perfect. Accuracy-wise it's adequate for what most folks would use a snubby for. I'm just not sure what use I have for a 5-shot revolver that only shoots jacketed bullets at light .45ACP velocities. I was hoping for something to fill the gap between a .38/.357 J-Frame and my 329PD, and this isn't ever going to be that. The question now is do I hold onto it and try to find a use for it, or do I trade it off towards another project like maybe a Taurus TH-10?

Try a few more loads different bullets. If you can't get it to what you what trade or sell it and get your TH-10.

45 Colt 300 Grain FP – Coated – ACME Bullet Company

acmebullet.com

$23 for 100

Might give them a shot. Load up low pressure mid and maximum pressure loads amd see how they do.

 

[NyleRN]

I came into some 200gr XTPs recently, so I loaded up some 185s, 200s, and 230s to shoot all in the same session. It was pouring rain, so i had to shoot inside on the 50 foot range...close enough to 15 yards for all intents and purposes.

View attachment 382715

View attachment 382716

View attachment 382717

If you give some allowances for my less than stellar shooting, the fact that it's a 2" snubby at bullseye distances, and lower your expectations a bit, the groups are almost acceptable. The 200gr definitely seems to be the closest to hitting to point of aim vertically.

I'm starting to feel like this project has run it's course. It's not a bad gun...functionally it has been perfect. Accuracy-wise it's adequate for what most folks would use a snubby for. I'm just not sure what use I have for a 5-shot revolver that only shoots jacketed bullets at light .45ACP velocities. I was hoping for something to fill the gap between a .38/.357 J-Frame and my 329PD, and this isn't ever going to be that. The question now is do I hold onto it and try to find a use for it, or do I trade it off towards another project like maybe a Taurus TH-10?

So, you did something that you said you'd never do. Then have issues again. Then state you're going to replace the problem with another.....Taurus?

 

[92FSTech]

So, you did something that you said you'd never do. Then have issues again. Then state you're going to replace the problem with another.....Taurus?

Didn't state anything. Just considering options. I typically have one gun in the collection that's kind of a testing & evaluation piece. It's not something that I use in any serious role (I have plenty of vetted stuff for that)...just kind of a project. If it works out that I like it and it fills a niche, I may keep it...if not, it moves on to make room for the next little project. It's just my way of trying different stuff and keeping the hobby interesting.

Even if I don't end up keeping this gun, my time with it has been useful in a few ways. Every Taurus I've owned in the past has been non-functional garbage, but mechanically this one is pretty good. So I now have some first-hand experience with a Taurus that works. I also got to spend some time familiarizing myself with the internals, which is not something I'd done with my previous Taurus, as it was years ago and I had no experience or confidence to undertake that sort of thing.

Taurus has made some corporate changes in recent years, to supposedly include improved quality control. Their current product line includes some interesting stuff, at least on paper (the 450 is not one of those...it was discontinued in 2002, so it's definitely "Old Taurus"). They're doing things that nobody else is doing. They have a few things that I want to try, the TH10 (relatively compact, polymer-framed, DA/SA 10mm) being one of them. I'm not buying this stuff necessarily expecting it to be wonderful, it's just a way to put hands on it and actually try it for myself.

 

[DadSmith]

Didn't state anything. Just considering options. I typically have one gun in the collection that's kind of a testing & evaluation piece. It's not something that I use in any serious role (I have plenty of vetted stuff for that)...just kind of a project. If it works out that I like it and it fills a niche, I may keep it...if not, it moves on to make room for the next little project. It's just my way of trying different stuff and keeping the hobby interesting.

Even if I don't end up keeping this gun, my time with it has been useful in a few ways. Every Taurus I've owned in the past has been non-functional garbage, but mechanically this one is pretty good. So I now have some first-hand experience with a Taurus that works. I also got to spend some time familiarizing myself with the internals, which is not something I'd done with my previous Taurus, as it was years ago and I had no experience or confidence to undertake that sort of thing.

Taurus has made some corporate changes in recent years, to supposedly include improved quality control. Their current product line includes some interesting stuff, at least on paper (the 450 is not one of those...it was discontinued in 2002, so it's definitely "Old Taurus"). They're doing things that nobody else is doing. They have a few things that I want to try, the TH10 (relatively compact, polymer-framed, DA/SA 10mm) being one of them. I'm not buying this stuff necessarily expecting it to be wonderful, it's just a way to put hands on it and actually try it for myself.

I was thinking maybe call Taurus up ask them about it. Maybe they might be able to fix it or replace it if possible.

 

[92FSTech]

I was thinking maybe call Taurus up ask them about it. Maybe they might be able to fix it or replace it if possible.

There's not really anything for them to fix or replace. The gun works as designed. It's just not designed to do what I'd hoped it would do.

 

[92FSTech]

Well, the Taurus is gone. A buddy wanted it to carry around on his property, and even after I explained everything to him that I've shared in this thread he still wanted it. I found a used 642 at the LGS that I wanted, so I sold it to him for what it took to get me into the Smith. I took a pretty substantial loss, but I ended up with fodder for another project that I've been wanting to do for a while, and something that I'll actually use. He got a good deal on a pretty unique revolver that will fill a practical role for him, so everybody's happy.

 

[DadSmith]

Well, the Taurus is gone. A buddy wanted it to carry around on his property, and even after I explained everything to him that I've shared in this thread he still wanted it. I found a used 642 at the LGS that I wanted, so I sold it to him for what it took to get me into the Smith. I took a pretty substantial loss, but I ended up with fodder for another project that I've been wanting to do for a while, and something that I'll actually use. He got a good deal on a pretty unique revolver that will fill a practical role for him, so everybody's happy.

https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/n-frame-170135

How about this for a replacement, with plenty of power.

 

[92FSTech]

https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/n-frame-170135

How about this for a replacement, with plenty of power.

View attachment 384689

That's nice, but I already have this, which is a little trimmer and easier to carry, plus my particular copy has a superb trigger in it and is extremely accurate:

https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/l-frame-10064

If I do get another big-bore, it'll probably be a 460 or a Night Guard, but it's going to have to be at a pretty significant discount for me to be able to afford either of those.

 

[DadSmith]

That's nice, but I already have this, which is a little trimmer and easier to carry, plus my particular copy has a superb trigger in it and is extremely accurate:

https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/l-frame-10064

If I do get another big-bore, it'll probably be a 460 or a Night Guard, but it's going to have to be at a pretty significant discount for me to be able to afford either of those.

Thats what I'd carry. You can load up 300gr pills for 44mag that is lighter than full power what Dirty Harry called light magnum. Between 44 Special, and 44mag in pressure.

 

[Bosshoss]

https://www.smith-wesson.com/product/n-frame-170135

How about this for a replacement, with plenty of power.

View attachment 384689

Funny I just had one of these come in yesterday for a full competition action job and all the trimmings.
Nice gun but surprisingly heavy.
Building for a friend in Florida to be used in ICORE snubby category.

 

[DadSmith]

Funny I just had one of these come in yesterday for a full competition action job and all the trimmings.
Nice gun but surprisingly heavy.
Building for a friend in Florida to be used in ICORE snubby category.

What are the triggers like out of the factory? Like all 629's?

 

[Bosshoss]

What are the triggers like out of the factory? Like all 629's?

Double action was 10.25 pounds from box and I never checked single action as I don't care about that on a competition gun that will never be fired SA. In fact it is getting a full competition hammer cut so won't be any way to really shoot it single action anyway.
This is about average for a PC gun from the box.
I have said it before and it still stands a Performance Center Revolver has no action work inside, no extra work, no stoning, no polishing, no different parts.
They do put a slightly lower power rebound spring and a ribbed mainspring neither of which I use when doing a action job.
I see just as many problems from the PC guns right out of the box as a standard revolver has.
This gun is solid on timing and everything else but the ball detent lockup on the cylinder is way too stiff and will need to be softened especially on a gun that will be reloaded on the clock.

S&W Performance Center revolvers are a appearance package that gives you different than standard configurations and barrel profiles, etc. NEVER seen any action work inside of a PC revolver.