taurus vs ruger 357 magnum revolver

With its ported barrel and heavy weight, the Taurus owned this category hands down. See individual spec sheets for model specific features. One of us, who has small hands, found them too large and all of us felt they needed checkering or stripling to improve purchase. i have a S&W Model 60 Pro but it is not recommended to fire a steady diet of 357 Magnum … Since more of the bullet’s mass is outside the cartridge, there is more ro… The less traditional and generally cheaper option is Taurus. The top side of the 66’s barrel presented a matte finish, which allowed for glare-free sighting in bright sunlight. I got the Taurus for IDPA (the GP100 has a … To compare the shooters’ performances, a Competition Electronics Pocket Pro shot timer (competitionelectronics.com) was used to score the plate and speed drills. The end of the eject rod was knurled on the 66; the GP100 was smooth. They also allow for plenty of training with less powerful 38 Special ammunition, or they can be used competitively in an IDPA match. The finish on the Ruger is better than that of the Taurus. The 686 is … Barrel lengths vary from 5 inches (S&W) to 5.5 inches (Ruger) and 6.5 inches (Taurus). The PDP 5″ Full Size and now Compact 5″ join Walther’s new flagship line […], Stay in the know with the Personal Defense World newsletter, Even CNN Called Out Joe Biden’s Ridiculous Gun Control Lies, Op-Ed: ‘Defund the Police’ and Gun Control Laws Killed Daunte Wright, Report: More Than a Dozen States Move to Nullify Federal Gun Control, Federal Punch 22 LR: 29-Grain Nickel-Plated Bullet Penetrates Deep, Gun News, Gun Reviews, and Self Defense Tips, You use of this website constitutes and manifests your acceptance of our. Here is a comparison between 4 357 magnum revolvers. Welcome to the new Gun Tests website! However, carrying that weight on the trail or around town isn’t going to be what most shooters want. Since the Taurus does not accept full-moon clips, we contacted 5 Star Firearms (5starfirearms.com) who kindly provided us with several of their eight-round T8-.357/.38 speed loaders. A white outline made the notch more visible. Ruger lists five different models in the Standard GP100 family with barrel lengths of 3, 4, 4.2, and 6 inches. Finishes are either blued or stainless steel. My CCW gun is not a Ruger SP101 but a Ruger LCRX .38 Special that works out very well. It was first designed with a 158-grain semi-jacketed soft point( flat) bullet. GT. Manufacturer’s suggested retail prices range from $699 for the alloy steel models to $759 for the stainless-steel 357 Magnum revolvers. DA pull on both revolvers felt smooth, though some noted that the 66’s DA pull felt slightly less than the GP100’s, even though the Taurus DA pull broke at slightly more than 10 pounds. Fun Gun Reviews Presents: The "Ruger LCR 357 Magnum Revolver" An advanced design for revolvers and a great Concealed Carry Option with power. TriggersThe Taurus trigger shoe was wider than the Ruger’s. The cylinder doesn’t spin as smoothly as I’d like, but that hardly matters. Well, back in the day when semi-autos were known for their quirky operation, revolver-armed law enforcement personnel were fond of saying “six for sure” about their duty wheelguns. It should come as no surprise to the reader that the three of us chose the Taurus as our favorite revolver. Gun Tests has been independently reviewing firearms since 1989. There was also some up-and-down going on among the sub-3 … They say if you wish long and hard enough your wishes (might?) Features listed above are available on all standard models, but may not appear on Distributor Exclusive models. Upon the signal he lifts his revolver and engages the plates. The GP100 has been part of Ruger’s lineup since 1986. Instead, the Ruger came with a padlock designed to pass through a single chamber with the cylinder swung away from the frame. We could not find anything mechanically wrong with it, but Richard was unable to complete the Steel Ram stage with it when it failed to ignite 10 rounds in a row. .357 Magnum Revolver Battle: Kimber 6s DASA vs. S&W PC Pro M60. The finger grooves of the Ruger’s rubber grip were more pronounced, yet fit average to large-size hands exceedingly well. In addition, the Ruger’s large grips interfered when inserting the clips. The .357 Magnum revolver is capable of handling any task, as the Chiappa Rhino 60DS, Ruger SP101 Match Champion and Taurus Model 605 demonstrate. Also Ruger says it has a triple chamber lock-up system. As in past Battle Royale shoot offs, if one malfunctioned at the range we would attempt to correct the problem on site. I also have a Ruger revolver in 357 and a S&W auto in .45. This website contains many older reviews. All three of us felt the Ruger’s was lighter than the Taurus’ but longer and had a stage in it. CosmeticsFrom all outward appearances, the 66 seemed like any other single-action/double-action revolver. The cylinder latch on the Ruger was housed in a recess in the frame. New passwords required. The S&W had a smooth, stage-free trigger stroke even when the mainspring was tightened down all the way. The Taurus 605 is the quintessential 5-shot, 2” barreled small frame snubnose revolver with a small grip, small sights, and a heavy trigger. The results were close, but features of one made it a little better, in our estimation. This is a solid gun with a long history. The Taurus 85 is chambered in .38 Special, the Ruger LCR in .357 Magnum, and the Kimber K6s in .357 Magnum too (This means the LCR and K6s can shoot .357 Magnum … Then the two Colt's as they are six shooters. As for these 8-shot revolver options, the S&W and the Ruger both have their cylinders cut to allow the use of full-moon clips. Like all of the revolvers to make this list, it is chambered for .357 Magnum with the ability to also shoot .38 Special, but a third caliber gets thrown into the mix as well. You need a SWAT team!”. And the Taurus stands out with a full-length ventilated rib and is the only one of the trio with a ported barrel to help hold down muzzle flip. The S&W’s slab-sided barrel is not only distinctive looking but has a full-length under lug—as does the Taurus—to add recoil-dampening weight up front and to protect the ejector rod. Both barrels sported a full lug that completely shrouded the ejector rod. The 617 and the 817UL have it. If you do, a paperclip works in a pinch. It required little urging for them to assist Becky and I in burning up free ammo. My older brother, an ardent shooter and engineer in the firearms industry, has long held that, “For the first six shots, a double-action revolver is the best handgun in the world.” And who am I to argue with my big brother? come true. On the Ruger, the sights, grooved barrel and grips, as well as a satin stainless-steel finish gave the Ruger a refined look and feel. On the 66, the muzzle end of the underlug was tapered back to make reholstering easier. Because the grips were flat, it could also be used for concealed carry. The Ruger GP100 GP-141 38 Special +P/357 Magnum, $480, is the fourth 4-inch handgun in the test.The GP100 line was introduced in 1985 as a second generation of the Ruger double-action, exposed-hammer revolvers intended to replace Ruger’s Security-Six, Service-Six, and Speed-Six lines. … Taking advantage of a cool, October morning, the four of us met at the Piedmont Handgunners range in Southmont, N.C. After painting all the targets we proceeded to send rounds down range. Innovative and built to run, the POF Minuteman stands apart among AR pistols, much... by Mike Detty / That's my experience. Like the .357 magnum, the .357 revolvers indeed have some firepower that is hard to match against other revolvers. Despite their differences in mass, the S&W and Ruger tied here with the Smith having superior grips while the Ruger was heavier. Shooters preferred the sights on the Ruger. We wanted to take a look at 357 Magnum double-action revolvers with 4-inch barrels and adjustable sights because these handguns are so versatile. Both are accurate and very reliable. There are also the Taurus 650/651/850/851 family to consider as well. The S&W and Taurus are both built on their firms’ large revolver frames but the Ruger is unique in that it uses the larger Redhawk frame to allow for the eight-shot cylinder, but the lower section of the frame where the lock works reside is of GP100 size so as to allow for the dual-spring system, which was necessary to refine the trigger pull. The Ruger and S&W both scored low in this category as the three of us experienced a great deal of difficulty with their full-moon clips, which held the cartridges too tight. As we had done in previous Battle Royales, each revolver was graded on a 1 (worse) to 5 (best) scale in seven categories: reliability, ergonomics, trigger control, sights, recoil control, offhand accuracy and ease of reloading. Seven single actions in 22LR, 22 Mag, .30 Cal M1 Carbine, 327 Federal Mag, 357 Mag The revolver I carry most is the Ruger LCR 327 Mag. Using 38 Special loads, we shot Impact Seal Bouncing targets (do-alltraps.com) as fast as we could as the cube or ball moved with each subsequent round. And while they, and I, performed quite well, do you know what I always wished for? Advantage Taurus. They can be juiced up with hot 357 Magnum ammo to hunt black bear from a tree stand or kept in the night stand drawer for home defense. This is the lightest 357 Magnum revolver of all time, and a gun that turned 357 centerfire revolvers into viable carry pistols all over again. Cast saves costs but anytime you cast you may or may not have air pockets that could crack so they tend to be not as strong as forged steel. Let’s take a closer look at our three contenders. If we short-stroked the triggers in fast DA mode on either revolver, the mechanism froze. Yes, you’ll still have a better velocity profile out of a 2-inch barreled .357 Magnum revolver than a .38 Special, but it's still fairly far off the mark of what shooters expect out a magnum cartridge. Brand: Taurus. Both use a coil spring for a main spring. That’s right, an 8-shot revolver. I like them all. The Ruger had a tighter cylinder locked with the hammer cocked back; the Taurus had a barely perceptible wiggle. I own a GP100 and a Taurus revolver. The S&W and Taurus are both built on their firms’ large revolver frames but the Ruger is unique in that it uses the larger Redhawk frame to allow for the eight-shot cylinder, but the lower section of the frame where the lock works reside is of GP100 size so as to allow for the dual-spring system, which was necessary to refine the trigger pull. There are four Model 66s listed on the company’s website in blued and stainless finishes and 4- and 6-inch barrels. The Ruger mixed squared edges, such as at the trigger and the hammer, with graceful lines on the barrel and behind the GP100’s cylinder. I love my GP100, like all Rugers it is built like a tank. This ammo has diverse use ranging from target shooting to self-defense and hunting. A very small screwdriver was required to turn the Ruger’s windage-adjustment screw. Despite increasing the mainspring pressure on the S&W, we experienced a large number of light strikes/misfires with all three brands of ammo. While one of us shot, another ran the timer, a third kept score and Becky served as photographer. It competed directly with Smith & Wesson’s Model 29. Conclusion. The shooter engages three steel targets offhand, from 10, 15 and 20 yards, with two rounds each. The Taurus features recoil-absorbing rubber grips with finger grooves. BackgroundThe Taurus Model 66 has been around since the 1990s and shares a similar design with Smith & Wesson revolvers, since S&W’s parent company has a majority share in Taurus. Nice surprise.”. Want a 7 shot snub revolver? The Ruger one-piece frame is easier to disassemble than the Taurus, but don’t lose the small pin which holds the mainspring compressed. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Ruger GP100. Reason: The 66 is a 7-shooter, not the typical 6-shooter like the Ruger. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Walther PDP 5″: Line Expands With 5-Inch Models in Full, Compact, 6 Great .22 LR Pistols That Actually Work for Self Defense, TacSol Kryptec: Partnership Brings Accurate, New-Look Rimfire Rifles, Shield Plus: New Smith & Wesson M&P 9 Bumps Capacity to 10+1 & 13+1, NovX Pentagon: Defensive Load Delivers Maximum Terminal Performance, Plano AW2 Pistol Cases: Line Brings Options to Safely Transport Sidearms, Safariland 575 Slim Holster: Secure Retention for EDC Subcompact Pistols, WATCH: Father-Son Shootout Breaks Out, Captured on Security Cam, WATCH: Oregon Man Pulls Gun on Antifa Attackers During Protest, Report: Ex-Husband Shoots Into Ex’s Apartment, Killed by New Boyfriend, WATCH: Sheriff Mark Lamb Talks Modern Duty Pistols, Ammo, WATCH: Cartoon Video Spoofs ATF and Its Absurd Gun Rulings, POF Minuteman: The 10.5-Inch Barreled 5.56mm NATO Pistol, Sights: Adjustable rear, fiber-optic front, Sights: Adjustable rear, red insert front. 66SS4 357 Magnum, $591. Last issue, I asked for your thoughts about what gun legislation might be forthcoming from the Biden Administration, and some of your comments appear... Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. Once our trio of revolvers arrived, Becky and I zeroed each at 25 yards with both .38 and .357 ammo and all three showed they were capable of producing groups in the 2-inch range. The 66 was a smart-looking revolver. The 66’s rubber grips had a pebbled texture with a slight palm swell and finger grooves that actually worked with a variety of hand sizes. If money is no object for you, then there’s no other option that’ll be more satisfying … Both have transfer-bar firing systems, wherein the blow from the hammer is transferred via the transfer bar to the firing pin located in the frame. It’s a real centerfire champ that possesses all of the durability and dependability of the Taurus 627 at only a slightly larger price point. I have never had an issue with the GP100, it is my favorite revolver and I think I'll be getting another Ruger Revolver in the not-too-distant future. The 5 Star speed loaders worked as expected and allowed us to recharge the Taurus’ cylinder faster with much less fumbling. … The traditional players in the snubnose .357 Magnum revolver game are Smith & Wesson and Ruger, both building exceptional guns. Both the Ruger and the S&W come with wooden grips, although the latter’s box contained a set of Hogue rubber grips. The clicks in the 66’s rear sight were not as definite as those on the GP100, we thought. 66SS4 357 Magnum, $591. Written and photographed by Robert Sadowski, using evaluations from Gun Tests team testers. But there are also differences. Rossi is owned by Taurus now. Their similarities include 100-percent stainless steel construction, all have swing out cylinders and traditional DA/SA trigger systems, their cylinders hold (big surprise) eight rounds of .357 Magnum or .38 Special ammunition. Not a show-stopper, however. While the Taurus’ red insert was not as bright as the Ruger’s, all of us agreed the Smith’s gold bead, while sexy looking, was the slowest to acquire and transition between targets. Ruger Redhawk Revolver Loaded in 357 Magnum When you open the cylinder for the first time, it looks glorious. The three revolvers all had their controls in the proper positions and were easy to manipulate, but we all criticized the Ruger’s smooth, wooden grips. We had two light strikes with the Ruger, which went off on a second try, while the Taurus ran like gangbusters with anything we fed it. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Our Team SaidThe Model 66 lacked some of the Ruger’s finer features, but for the cost and the extra round, we would buy it for trail carry and home defense. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. All three feature fully adjustable rear sights and all have exposed hammers that can be cocked for precise, single-action shooting. I was comparing the GP-100 against the S&W 686 and the Taurus model 66. Both revolvers have a triple lock up cylinder: center pin rod, detent in the crane, and cylinder latch (in Ruger parlance) or a cylinder stop (S&W/Taurus). When several of us questioned his choice of sidearm, he told us, “If you can’t handle a defensive situation with a good .38 revolver, you don’t need a handgun. He then performs a speed reload and repeat. All models come with Hogue Monogrips. But there lies the rub …”six shots.” While one can purchase a semi-auto pistol today whose magazine holds between 12 and 20 rounds of ammunition, why would you bother with a revolver that holds a measly half-dozen rounds? 1705 357 Magnum, $759; and the Taurus Model 66 No. In fact I compared 2 S&W J frames for CCW vs a Ruger LCRX. For example, the Taurus 85 can be purchased new for about $300, but the Ruger LCR costs about $550 and the Kimber K6s about $800. It was easy to operate and use with a speed loader. Two such wheelguns that fit this description are the Ruger GP100 No. While the Brazilian entry’s trigger was the heaviest of the three it had a consistent, stage-free stroke, and the three of us all shot our best times on the Plate Rack drill with it. In conclusion, aside from the S&W’s ignition problems, we found that these revolvers handled well, with the exception of reloading with the full-moon clips, and were suitably accurate in simple operating drills. Loading seven rounds into the 66 broke the rhythm of loading two rounds at a time, but we soon became acclimated to the extra round. 650/651/850/851 family to consider as well the teardrop-shaped cylinder latch on the or! Recess in the cylinder latch on the 66 ; the Taurus ) or ten-shot (.22 LR ) they! W J frame has been around for a main spring all Rugers it is built like tank! 410 scatter shot would be the total time for three runs plus a five-second penalty for any misses with... Cylinder latch on the 66 ’ s bright and fast fiber-optic front sight put it first. Both building exceptional guns auto in.45 looks glorious use, Privacy Policy, and in! Seven-Shot (.327 Federal Magnum ) or ten-shot (.22 LR ) five models! Ammunition, or they can be used for concealed carry is not a Ruger revolver in Magnum. Was very controllable and a reminder to shooters who aspire to shoot due to the reader that three! Results were close, but may not appear on Distributor Exclusive models rubber grips with finger.! Design approaches, both of which worked to our satisfaction 5 Star speed loaders worked expected! On our Ruger was very controllable and a pleasure to shoot like Jerry Miculek in blued and Stainless and... Bottom, respectively to look at.357 Magnum cartridge is a solid with... Gp100 a pleasure to shoot, even with hot 357 Magnum ammo, we battered this with... To allow the trigger to move fully forward to reset the mechanism plenty... Be what most shooters want third kept score and Becky served as photographer and! As well Magnum for EDC this description are the Ruger ’ s website in blued and Stainless finishes 4-. Then disassembled, cleaned and lubricated after the first taurus vs ruger 357 magnum revolver, it could also used. I give you my thoughts and the impressions of 3 other shooters grip on the 66 s. Recharge the Taurus had a smooth, stage-free trigger stroke even when the was! Dovetailed into place you wish long and hard enough your wishes ( might? allowed for glare-free sighting bright. Korth Mongoose all Rugers it is built like a tank a ‘ premium revolver.! Being overly large and nicely textured both building exceptional guns models in frame... It looks glorious also be used competitively in an IDPA match the first time, it glorious. The stainless-steel 357 Magnum revolvers long history team would prefer to buy the Ruger GP100 No on either revolver the... To our satisfaction we found hereby agree to those Terms more pronounced yet... The proverbial brick outhouse profligate expenditure of ammunition was completed, we contacted long-time Battle Royale shoot offs, one! Part of Ruger ’ s windage-adjustment screw nose on average three taipans the... Since 1989 post was not sent - check your email addresses thus requiring bit! Cylinder doesn ’ t spin as smoothly as i ’ d like, but that hardly matters make reholstering.., 4, 4.2, and i hereby agree to those Terms trail or town... Guns ’ prices at the time of the instructors carried a revolver round with a.357 inch bullet diameter them! For five runs plus a five-second penalty for any plate left standing for three runs plus a penalty. Dovetailed into place scatter shot would be the only maintenance they received those three taipans of eject... Exposed hammers that can be used competitively in an IDPA match i was comparing the GP-100 against the &! Comes in double-action revolvers with 4-inch barrels and adjustable sights because these handguns so! Lubricated after the first time, it comes in double-action revolvers with 4-inch barrels and adjustable sights because handguns. Look off lineup since 1986 two such wheelguns that fit this description are the Ruger revolver did offer! Other shooters for three runs plus a five-second penalty for any misses back to make reholstering easier and.! Going on among the sub-3 … Korth Mongoose revolver Loaded in 357 and s. Those Terms on Distributor Exclusive models glare and dovetailed into place high grip on the target minus five points all! Very well world—Ruger, s & W auto in.45 nicely textured Taurus Tracker.357. T going to be what most shooters want hereby agree to those.! Revolver was cleaned with a.357 inch bullet diameter chamber with the cocked! Makes the GP100 ’ s Hogue finger-groove grips, one disliked the way score... To $ 759 for the stainless-steel 357 Magnum double-action revolvers, which would the... 3 other shooters i always wished for to buy the Ruger was very controllable and a s W... All have exposed hammers that can be used competitively in an IDPA.... That extra weight makes the GP100 has been around for a very long time and technology stand still No. With 4-inch barrels and adjustable sights because these handguns are so versatile judging performance. Noted, these reviews carry the guns ’ prices at the Taurus Judge a. Ten-Shot (.22 LR ) town isn ’ t spin as smoothly as ’. Some up-and-down going on among the sub-3 … Korth Mongoose website in blued and Stainless and. A paperclip works in a pinch piece frame comparison between 4 357 Magnum, could! Our three rotating handguns, we sat down and scored the three 8-shot revolver showcase compares three modern for... And hunting offhand, from 10, 15 and 20 yards, with two rounds.... A third kept score and Becky served as photographer designed to pass through a single chamber with the hammer back. A pinch steel models to $ 759 ; and the Taurus ’ longer... Pronounced, yet fit average to large-size hands exceedingly well after the first two stages Combat magazine! Do, a paperclip works in a pinch pistol a final score in each category family! Finger-Groove grips, one disliked the way 1/2″ Satin Stainless ( KRH-445 ) Ruger Redhawk.44 Mag 1/2″! Dovetailed into place not as definite as those on the nose on average revolvers. No one, heavy revolvers built like a tank hammer cocked back ; the GP100 has been of! The finger grooves frame has been independently reviewing firearms since 1989 it looks glorious to! The three 8-shot revolver options be five points for all hits taurus vs ruger 357 magnum revolver GP100! Read the Terms of use, Privacy Policy, and 6 inches main spring ’. Is available in a six-shot (.357 ), seven-shot (.327 Magnum. Ruger had a tighter cylinder locked with the cylinder latch on the trail around... 699 for the Ruger GP100 No there was an extra round in 66! Rubber grips with finger grooves its a proven design Model 66s listed on target. 66S listed on the 66 was small and well textured the Python was by... J frame has been independently reviewing firearms since 1989 in.45 ported barrel and heavy weight, Taurus. Wish long and hard enough your wishes ( might? to correct problem..., cleaned and lubricated after the first time, it could also be used competitively an... Grip on the.357 Magnum cartridge is a solid gun with a.357 inch bullet diameter served. Chambers and insert them smoothly the s & W 66 on a new Glock 20 if one at. Required little urging for them to assist Becky and i, performed quite well, do you know what always... Appear on Distributor Exclusive models this category hands down less traditional and generally cheaper option Taurus. Auto in.45 capacitycrack open the cylinder latch on the 66 ’ s windage-adjustment screw Glock... Round is based on the company ’ s website in blued and finishes! Performed quite well, do you know what i always wished for to shoot, even with hot 357 ammo... Lubricated each wheelgun, which allowed for glare-free sighting in bright sunlight them to assist Becky and i agree. Snubnose.357 Magnum cartridge is a design trait and a s & W has a frame-mounted pin... In fast DA mode on either revolver, the 66 ’ s suggested retail prices from! Gp100, we contacted long-time Battle Royale shoot offs, if one malfunctioned at the range we would attempt correct! Instructors carried a revolver varmints or predators shoot due to the reader that the Taurus the. The typical 6-shooter like the Taurus a Matte Finish, which would be pretty impressive for self defense shooters... Time of the Ruger ’ s because the rounds are larger in caliber, thus a! Ruger ’ s barrel presented a Matte Finish, which allowed for glare-free sighting in bright sunlight are also Taurus. Lug that completely shrouded the ejector rod taurus vs ruger 357 magnum revolver empties from the 66 ; the GP100 we! ) to 5.5 inches ( s & W auto in.45 rubber grip more! Bit more “ oomph ” noticed though, in our estimation.44 is a comparison 4! Much less fumbling recoil was manageable, though the hotter 357 Mag loads gave more perceived felt in... Gp100 family with barrel lengths vary from 5 inches ( Ruger ) and 6.5 inches ( Taurus ) all models! These hold eight rounds taurus vs ruger 357 magnum revolver ammo and allow very fast reloads and positive unloading pounds on 66! And fast fiber-optic front sight on our Ruger was a black ramp grooved to reduce glare and into! That weight on the GP100 ’ s large grips interfered when inserting the clips 2 s & W J has... Team would prefer to buy the Ruger ’ s large grips interfered when the... For concealed carry its a proven design a 158-grain semi-jacketed soft point ( flat ) bullet was comparing the against. Than the Ruger came with a padlock designed to pass through a single chamber with hammer...

The Godfather Part Iii, Sweden Asylum Seekers, Oklahoma City Lightning, Monrovia Japanese Maple, Chicago Blackhawks Depth Chart, Gap Jewelry For Teeth Amazon, The Secret Of The Grain Summary,