In this video, we compare the S&W 642, the Ruger LCR and the Taurus 85 Photo Credits: Ruger.com taurus.com personaldefenseworld.com smith-wessonforum.com
Sometimes that's all that matters. My mother knows nothing about firearms but decided to buy a gun in case my father broke his restraining order and tried to physically abuse her again. Her main reasoning for buying a Ruger LCR is because it looked cute and loved the curve designed over the boxy look of semi autos. That and because the box is white and the Ruger symbol looked the better than the symbols for Smith and Wesson, Glocks, Taurus, Sig, and so forth.
Good review. My opinion is the LCR for the win! Trust me, the trigger on the LCR is sooooo much nicer than the other two. And the tamer grip on the LCR is much nicer than the others as well.
Im a 38 year old, life long gun enthusiast. I have Glock, Smith Canik, all kinds. But i really love my Taurus Tracker w a 4 inch ported barrel w a 7 shot capacity. I bought the Smith & Wesson BODYGUARD for my wife and the Taurus 85 for my mother Because she didnt like her Glock 19. Taurus has gotten alot better over the years. You get lemons from every brand. But Taurus revolvers are really great
Taurus has been making great guns these past few years. They're still top notch while remaining relatively affordable for most models. I hate how people still think of Taurus firearms as a budget brand that isn't that good. I still remember when arguably the #1 female competitive shooter, Jessie Abbate, joined Taurus people were shocked with her decision. I hope people will give Taurus guns a chance in the future.
I've got a 3" M85 I bought in 1994. Right out of the box it was a great shooter, with a very smooth DA trigger pull. 25+ years later it still shoots great. I train new shooters with it, using "bunny-fart" loads consisting of a 158g round-nose bullet, with 4.0g of Unique powder behind it.
@@pappaclutch3266 Huge difference. In 2" barrels, an average 125 gr .38 Special+P will give about 900 FPS velocity, as where an average 125 gr .357 Magnum will give about 1,250 FPS velocity. That's a jump from 225 ft lbs energy to 434 ft lbs energy. That being said both rounds will do the job, and the .357 Magnum recoil _almost_ is not worth the extra energy you gain.
The Smith & Wesson 642 is EXCELLENT. It's perfect for shooting through a jacket pocket in a pinch, or concealing in your pant pocket as a secondary. This pistol is a no frills, get it done and move forward kinda gun while lookin' mighty cool doing it.
Taurus revolvers can sometimes have minor problems out of the box. If you are mechanically minded, and look up simple revolver tuning techniques on TH-cam, these minor problems are easily fixed. If you are not mechanically minded, get a Ruger. A slicked and tuned Taurus 85 works as well as any other snub-nose 38 and will shoot as accurately as a S&W or Ruger. A Taurus revolver is a solid, reliable basic DA revolver design in need of action tuning and slicking in my experience. This is why Taurus revolvers are much less expensive!
Great review! Thanks for sharing. I have owned all 3 of these guns. The Ruger was excellent to carry very light, but within 300 rounds the trigger broke. I sent it back and finally got it back 5 weeks later. It never felt the same so I traded it in and got a 442 smith. Right off the bat the trigger return was sticking especially on one of the cylinders. I had my gun dealer look at it and they said there was nothing wrong. I continued to shoot it and finally on one of the cylinders the trigger remained locked back. I had them fix it and sold the gun. I have since purchased a Taurus m85 ultra light 38 I have not had ONE issue with it! I would buy another Taurus in a heartbeat. Cheap does not always cheap in quality. I shoot twice a month and have another Taurus revolver that I had for 15 years prior, There are exceptions to everything.
That's interesting that the cheapest one of the three has worked the best for you. I have the Ruger LCR 38 Special and I haven't had any major issues with it but I am interested in the Taurus. The only reason I haven't bought a Taurus is that I friend of mine who knows a lot about guns said that in a revolver he would only buy a Ruger, Colt, or Smith and Wesson. I see that your post is 11 months old. Is the Taurus still working good? Thanks for sharing your story.
My local Gun Shop had the 85 and LCR for just a $100 difference. But I dont like polymer revolvers. I'll go with an Aluminum, Titanium, or all Steel (just a preference). I also liked the polished blue finish on the 85 over the finish on the LCR. Ergonomics on both were impressive. I love ruger I really do. I own a P95, Mark III, and want their Scout Rifle badly. I also love their SP101 and GP100 and their single action revolvers. But between the LCR and the 85 I'd choose the 85 every single time. But to each his own.
Did you end up with the 85? I ended up going with the LCR because I could have it in .327 fed. magnum. Very light, very concealable, six round capacity, plenty powerful, and has the best trigger of the three by far. Though if I were to have a .38 special, I’d consider the others a little more than previously..
@@danielaramburo7648 Polymer absorbs impact extraordinarily well. There are first-generation Glock frames with well over a hundred thousand rounds through them with no notable signs of failure. The steel slide actually seems to be the more likely part to fail. For that reason, I usually don’t avoid polymer; It works. But I *do* still prefer the looks of a metal-frame gun.
I have S+W 642 hammerless. I have had it ported. It shoots 38 Plus P too. Have had this gun since 1995. Its my wife's gun. Its built like a tank. Point and shoot till it dont go bang anymore. Pocket or purse. It packs a punch! Shawn
This is a really informative video, thank you for putting them all together. It really is a great comparison. I think they are all good, but I just ordered the stainless Taurus 85, it was super cheap, and with a $40 rebate, it will be less than $200. Price isn't everything, but your video helps to put things into perspective, thanks again. By the way, my first revolver, so I am excited about it.
I own all three revolvers. The LCR’s trigger is second to none. It’s fantastic!! I picked up the Taurus because it was such a good price and I have several other Taurus products that have worked for me. My first handgun is a Taurus model 431 .44 special that I bought as a poor airman back in 1993 as a trail gun. To this day, that is my favorite revolver. Back to the snubbies. I purchased my Smith as it was my first .38 snub nosed revolver. Great little handgun. Shoots on target with fast follow up shots. concealment and weight are a huge plus. The stainless finish will start rubbing off and in some places, it actually chips away. A little disheartening because it’s such an attractive little revolver. My next snub nose was the .357 LCR. I picked that up for backpacking here in the Northwest. It’s shoots .38’s like a dream. The .357 mag round just flat out hurts to shoot, but, it’s assuring knowing that it’ll get the job done against four legged and two legged predators. Like the Smith, it conceals well, and is very light weight. With backpacking, weight is a big part of what I pack, so it fits the bill perfectly. I purchased the Taurus a few years back. Great little revolver. I really didn’t need the third snub nose, but for the price, I couldn’t pass it up. I’ve shot it plenty of times and it hasn’t had even the slightest issue. I do trust it and I would definitely trust it with my life. Each gun has a purpose and I use them accordingly. I own 10 revolvers, and 9 pistols of damn near every manufacture out there. I’m not a manufacture loyalist. I don’t care who makes it. If it goes bang, I’m happy..... Now if I was looking to purchase 1, and only 1 snub nose revolver and money isn’t an issue, I’d pick the LCR hands down. If money was an issue, I wouldn’t hesitate with the Taurus. If I wanted the perfect, all around little .38, the Smith is a great choice. Again, the Ruger LCR isn’t the prettiest, but it’s the one I’d pick over the others any day of the week. This is just my opinion. It’s an unbiased opinion though, with no feeling of loyalty towards any one manufacture that one tends to see in these comments on a regular basis. Any of the three would be a great choice and work as expected.... Great video and review
@@bryanferguson4927 I have recently added to my collection of snub nosed revolvers… I picked up another LCR, but this time it’s in 327 Federal Magnum. The ballistics of that cartridge is very impressive! It compares to the .357, but with less recoil. Here are the pros and cons. For the same size of cylinder, you get 6 rounds of 327 compared to 5 rounds of 357/.38. You can shoot .32 mag, .32 S&W, .32 short, and .32 auto out of that LCR. Taurus makes a 327 Fed Mag snub nose as well…. Cons to the 327 Fed Mag is that ammo isn’t always readily on the store shelves and it’s not cheap. My wife has a Charter Arms .32 Mag that she LOVES!!! If it wasn’t pink, ha, I’d love it too. Point is, I already have a crap load of ammo because of her revolver, so purchasing that 327 LCR was a no brainier for me. Also, it’s not hard to order ammo online, so I’ve got enough to last me a lifetime. That 327 has replaced the 357/.38 for trail carry for me. I still have mine, but pending on where I’m at, dictates what I pack. If I’m in central idaho, it’s the .357 mag. If I’m in Oregon or the desert, it’s the .327 Fed Mag. I trust both on 2 legged and four legged critters. That 327 Fed mag is no joke. Ammo selection is just as important. If you’re in the woods, don’t load it up with hollow points. Load it up with semi wad hard casts from Buffalo Bore or Underwood. There are others, but those two manufacture a great cartridge for outdoor SD ammo. If you end up purchasing that S&W 638, you’re going to love it. Having the hammer shrouded, yet accessible, is a huge plus for single action shooting. For real world shooting, be sure to practice shooting it in double action. There is a spot when you’re pulling the hammer back that you can hold steady, just before the hammer falls. It’s almost simulates shooting single action. Congrats on your new purchase!!!
Great review. I looked at all 3, well Taurus was the 856 ultra lite. It was less than $300 and is really nice. I’ve been shooting with that. I bought the S&W 642 today and look forward to shooting it. The LCR was nice too just about $75 more expensive at my shop. I hope ladies know these are great options for our CCW. Thanks for all your info!
I hope ladies don't buy a weapon because it is small and cute. If it is lighter it kicks harder, that is just physics. Ladies, I hope you try a variety of guns after you attend a training class, then make up your own mind so that you get the weapon that you can shoot the best. Don't allow someone to push you into anything. You be the boss. It is your money and your life at stake.
I appreciate the fact that you showed that each revolver was "cleared." It's a simple concept that many lives have been ended and/or maimed by a loaded gun, when a user or child unknowingly or knowingly puts some pressure on the trigger. Thanks for the great video.
Nice video Chris very informative. I've owned the all and for me it's the Ruger LCR all the way. Pre 1995 when Smith and Wesson put out a decent product I would've taken the Smith. Smith and Wesson's quality control or lack of I should say is disgraceful today. Make them as fast as you can don't test fire them and push them out the door that's the logic today. It's cheaper to send them back for repair and take the time and assembling the gun. Gunsmiths today are a thing of the past it's all about piece work and Ruger has their issues too but I'll still take the Ruger.Mike
I love my smiths but they have definitely slipped in quality control. They are pretty and have history and pride of ownership. Rugers are big ugly overbuilt bricks that just work.
@@BPaul-hk2jh not sure I agree with the big and ugly description. Ruger and Smith are both very clean looking to me. Ruger 22 series handguns are beautiful. I feel ruger owns the tactical look while Smith owns the classic look. Overall I love the fact that their both American made.
Nice comparison. I have many revolvers and was considering getting the Ruger so this came in handy. As far as the grips being too small, we know that they are supposed to be small. That's how concealable guns are designed. I will never understand why some people want a small concealable gun and then complain about it being small and concealable. It has never made sense. Whether it's a revolver or semi-auto, shooting a small gun with a short grip is something you just get used to and learn to shoot. It's really not difficult. And how do you do that? The same way we learned to shoot larger guns - practice.
I own the Taurus 850CIA, since 2009, which is similar to the SW42/442/642. It is not an "airweight", and all of 22 oz. The model I have was NOT stamped "plus p", so all I shoot are standard pressure loads. The revolver I purchase has a very thin gap measurement between cylinder edge and forcing cone, which means I lose less gaseous pressure loss at this point than some other revolvers, which in turn, adds 'thrust' to the base of the bullet as it enters the barrel. Shooting standard pressuree loads produces less recoil, and with the 22oz weight, is very manageable. After owning Browning Hi-Powers, and EAA versions of Hi-Powers, I am more confident that I will do just fine with my Taurus 850CIA. (Although I wish did get tis brother, the 851 Protector, which is similar to the 38/438/638 original Bodyguard!)
Some people dig that "crude" " unnecessary bulky" designs of Ruger. I never have and always thought they looked like a boat anchor and junk. Ruger P-85/P-89 vs Beretta 92FS/M9 or a Sig Sauer P-226/Mk25?! Hmmm that is a mystery which one I would go for! Ruger SR-1911 vs a Springfield Armory or a Colt?! Again a big mystery which one I would choose. Other than .22 LRs Bill Ruger doesn't make anything that interests me in the least.
Solid review.. I have a Taurus titanium lite that shoots good but my 642 S&W is by far my go to EDC.. that being said my friend has a Lcr that I’ve shot it it’s seems to be Topshelf to .. nuth’n against the Taurus but the LCR & J frame are on another level that’s why the cost more….u get what ya pay for .. can’t go wrong with the S&W they been the back up gun for law enforcement for a looooonnnggg time for a reason … very accurate with sum practice..! God bless America 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🤙🏻🤙🏻🤙🏻🤙🏻
One of the things I notice nobody talks about with Revolvers is the width. That is the number one dimension I look for when looking for a carry gun. Even over grip length. Most websites won’t even lost that information unless you specifically search for it. The Ruger LCR is the thinnest one. Thinner than a Glock 19 which is a big deal when carrying, for me at least.
Good job showing the comparisons without favoritism. A machine is a machine. Fondle what you're buying. Hands down, the BEST DA trigger I've ever felt was my factory 686 (no dash) .357. I've also owned a Model 36 Chief's Special and a Taurus 85. Of those two, the Taurus I had was far superior in the DA trigger pull than the Smith it was copying. Those were also factory iterations. You just hope to find that "Made on Wednesday by a guy who got laid Tuesday night and Wednesday morning" built rig.
@@TedSeay I bought the Ruger first and an excellent hand gun but, I saw the Taurus on some one with a holster and it looked good and liked it. I checked the feel and shot a few rounds and went and bought one. Never regret it. You will always find your favorite. Both are good handguns.
My preference is the S&W 642, with Crimson Trace laser grip. Old tech meets new! Would I even need to establish site picture at close range in a dreaded emergency? Maybe not!
I got the 85 poly. Not so smooth to release and open the barrel. The shell release slightly miss-alligned but broke in. But a nice gun and surprisingly comfortable to shoot. Happened to shoot alongside a sccy cpx-2 9mm and even though not as accurate I enjoy shooting the revolver more. But the 85 is accurate, probably has more to do with my limited skills. I paid around 240 for mine after rebate and discount. Can't complain about that. I just purchased the 642 on my quest to getting a great reliable and comfortable carry weapon. Paid 2x as much as the 85 with a gift card but I feel that the material and craftsmanship warrants it. From what I'm seeing these snub noses hit their target fairly well makes it fun to practice with. Very neutral and unbiased review. I'm guessing in part as a result of not being at the range. Either way well done. I'll read the comments to see which one is most popular. But that seems to sway towards the one that costs the less I'm guessing. Since they are all viable options.
Quite the extensive review, well done! I prefer to appendix carry my firearms so when I went revolver looking weight really wasn’t a big deal. I choose the S&W 640 Pro, love the sights, the moon clip option, and .357/.38 calibers.
Excellent video and excellent comparison. First cabin in my opinion. I'm sort of leaning towards the S&W. I'm a long time gun handler and retired LEO. My age and worn out body parts are requiring me to lighten up on my EDC CCW firearm. My other CCW is Ruger LC9s. Outstanding little semi-auto 9mm with an unbeatable trigger.
I shot a friend's .357 LCR and recoil is pretty lively with .38+P rounds. It's not unmanageable, but anyone considering one should practice frequently. I imagine that .357 magnum loads would take this to an entirely new level. At less than a pound, I would consider one in my mountain-biking kit.
Owned them all, in that line up I pick Taurus simply for hammer, never had a failure in any of these pistols with all sorts of loads, great pistols are great pistols idc the brand
Bought an LCRX a few months ago. The manual actually advised lubrication which has to do with the trigger mechanism about every 1000 rds/dry fires. The grips have to be removed and the manual gives how-to instructions.
I got the LCR in .22lr for my wife, who is very recoil sensitive, and she loves it. Since it's a revolver, I'm not as concerned about misfires since she can just pull the trigger again and has 8 shots. Also, put the laser grip on it for easy target acquisition in the potentially stressful situation. Hope she never has to use it in that manner, but it is very fun to take plinking and to the range.
Phil.T.McNastee a BB gun wouldn’t kill me but I’m still not gonna stand in front of one that would hurt!but by all means a .22 is better than nothing but man I know .22 can kill but it’s certainly not optimal
But there are some idiots that aren’t deterred by anything trust me I’m a retired Leo and .22 is waaaay underpowered but it’s better than nothing work her up to AT LEAST.380
If you pocket carry I recommend getting one without a large hammer spur. The spur is not a big problem drawing when standing up however the spur is a big problem drawing while sitting. Thanks for sharing.
I have the Ruger LCR 9mm and found the small Hogue rubber grip that it came with too small for me. I wear 2XL gloves. I bought a larger grip from Hogue in G10 laminate and now I have a 3 finger grip which is better. The Ruger is very well built, but it does recoil quite a bit and will hurt your hand long before you work through 50 rounds at the range. In a defensive situation you probably wouldn't care.
I've handled 3 LCR's, two of which extensively; all three handled near to exactly the same, which was excellent as the video described. I've also handled a dozen or so varying J-Frame models, and the big difference between the Ruger and the S&W comes down to the consistency form gun-to-gun. At least one of the S&W's I've handled had a marginally better trigger than any of the LCR's; two had very similar triggers, which i would consider equal; and a few of the others had awful triggers: heavy, gritty, and stacked *terribly*. Now i've only handled two Taurus 85's: one had a custom trigger job, and was up there with a Colt's OOB trigger; the other was as bad a Saturday night special, heavy, long and stacked through the full pull irregularly.
I love the smith, I’ve even taken game with it by that staging action, I love the heavy pull too, did my own trigger job but kept the tension high.... biggest thing is how much of a natural pointer it is... it will go to town, I’ve tried an older lcr and it was more like power steering... thank you very well done... keep up the good work
have the Taurus 85 protector poly and I have to rave about its concealability and it's durability! here in the south heat and humidity dictate carry and this snubby is a pleasure to carry and it just feels good in the hand! no issues thus far with more than 500 rounds downrange and we'll worth the cost!!
Gary Kimbrough 500 rounds is not really a good marker for reliability, 2000 rounds and up is probably where a gun shows it's really value. I have the Taurus m85 and it's definitely just gonna be my car/bag gun. I edc a Glock 43 and I definitely trust it more with my life
I would never own a polymer revolver. S&W, Taurus, Colt and Kimber for me. I only own one Ruger revolver and it's a Bearcat .22 LR 6-shot single action blued. I once owned a SP-101 2.5" and sold it because it was a bulky boat anchor and junk. Looked like it was machined with a chainsaw and would lockup the cylinder after approx 150 rounds. You had to meticulously clean it to get it workin
I had a Taurus model 85 stainless with the factory wood grips back in the early 90's I wish I had never sold. It's been all S&W, Colt and Ruger revolvers up until this year. I purchased 4 Taurus 856s to use as garage/barn/fishing tacklebox/boat guns. 2 stainless and 2 black/blued all with 2" barrels and exposed hammers. I ditched the cheap rubber grips and replaced them with wood and G10. For the $300ish price point I don't think you can beat one. I would not pay someones overpriced $375+ for one though. For that difference I would just get the S&W. You should be able to get a stainless Taurus 856 for less than $350 if you shop around. $300 - $330 is about the going rate unless your LGS is ripping you off.
I own a 642 I picked it up for summer cary ,but I can't go back to anything heavier. I got some tips on this gun after wearing it for over 5 years first, grips : get a better set for this lil shooter. I put hogue mono-grip on and love it but any grip that covers the back strap and lets you use a speed loader EZer would work just as good . next finish : the paint or whatever S&W uses on the 642 can flake off ..you can cerakote it but I polished mine It is perty now if you do polish yours black out the rear sight and rounds : I pack hornady crit def non +P in this j frame I like them cause of the lighter recoil and less muzzle flash to finish carry : a gat this light you don't carry, you wear it I like a pocket holster but I could see hip carry and it disappearing just as ez
I've got each& aside from the weight of the Taurus 85 being less suited for pocket carry than the S&W 642 or LCR, I think each one is reliable, accurate& trustworthy, although I do like the Ruger trigger best.
I have a Taurus 605 Poly Protector .357. Not a bad little gun. Very light and accurate with the .357 load. But I had to send it back because it locked up and couldn't open the cylinder or pull the trigger. So I bought a Ruger LCR .357. I like the trigger pull on the Ruger. although the Taurus is now sent back and I have had no issues since.
Legends are meant to be broken. Try an LCR next time you're at a shop. The trigger is SO nice, better than the Smith right out of the box. Also the polymer hybrid frame sucks up recoil shock.
The LCR is absolutely a fine little revolver with a great trigger out the box, I have the 22LR and the 357 mag versions , never had any problems out of either
I have the Taurus and the Ruger. I always hated Taurus products, never had one work properly. I own several Rutgers in different calibers and always loved them. Honestly the Taurus shoots better for me and feels better overall. I cannot believe I chose it over he Ruger. I shot the S&W, liked that very much as well
I first bought a taurus 605 in 357 mag ,a really nice j frame. I then bought a 642 mostly cause I thought it was sexy .lm deeply in love 🥰 with both. The 642 for pocket carry .the 605 for the back blast....
I tried Hogue rubber grips on my 637, didn't like em. Too big, I see zero advantage to having your pinky on the grip, and they place the gun too high in your hand, plus a large grip kinda defeats the purpose of a pocket snubby. The stock S&W grips work fine.
Very good informative video and I especially like that you don't push one maker over the others. It's worth noting that Taurus will make you pay for shipping back if you have issues and S&W picks up the cost. So add another $50 to the Taurus price because you will be sending it back if you keep it long enough.Not sure about Ruger. But good video.
Further update: I sent a Taurus to the factory to repair jamming every third or fourth round, and had to pay postage this year. It took four months to get it back, and it promptly jammed again after firing three rounds. Taurus wouldn't reply to my emails, but I got thru on the phone and was told to send it in, and to expect it to take another four months. (Update: this second time, Taurus provided a mailing label, and in addition, the repair only took a few weeks. I had a Ruger problem since first Taurus problem, and Ruger emailed me a shipping label right away, and returned the pistol, repaired, within a week. Due to the fine Ruger support, the information in this video, and a recommendation from a lady working at the gun shop, I picked up a Ruger LCR for my wife, and she's very happy with the size and handling.
Had a Taurus 85 ultralight which I got for my wife. She nor I liked the feel, trigger, or recoil. I traded it in on S&W 357mag. Then recently bought a 442(Ladysmith). IMHP is a much nicer gun than Taurus. Better trigger, less recoil felt.
I have the Taurus 85 Ultralite and the S&W 642. My Taurus works better in that it's frame doesn't get in the way of my Safariland speedloaders. However, my S&W, I had to replace its grips with traditional walnut grips and a grip spacer just to make room for my HKS speedloaders. The Safarilands hang up on its frame. Great guns for carry, and both are good shooters. Liked the video by the way!
That Taurus looks really nice, but I personally think Ruger is a better brand. S&W is great, but I like to save money, and Ruger’s revolver’s are built so well. I carry the LCRX 2” .357.
My Rossi 357 6 shot, hidden hammer, snubbie is great, reliable, accurate, but when I got the 642, it is just so easy to carry, almost too easy to forget you have it, even in a Jean's pocket. Not worried about the extra round difference, if I am worried about a long, drawn out shootout, guess I could carry my 20 rd. Canik, and a couple mags.
I absolutely LOVE my LCR .357. It absolutely murders my 642 in every possible way, considerably better than my 640 Pro in most ways, and other than nicer materials and slightly better sights it's no less awesome and shootable than my Kimber K6S. I've never shot a .38-only LCR, they might not be as awesome since they're lighter and flimsier. I would never dream of shooting full on .357 out of a concealable snubnose, but these days I only get .357 snubbies since they're heavier, stronger and will absolutely eat stout .38 +P for a lifetime without problems.
( Disclaimer, I really like my LCR ) I have some experience firing a Taurus 85 and I was impressed with it. It’s nice to be able to get your pinky on the grip. But, it’s quite a bit heavier that the LCR, and the fact is; even though the 85 is quite a bit heavier, it isn’t any better to shoot ( therefore, it’s very nice to shoot ) . I have never fired the Smith, I’m sure it’s great, but my muscle memory knows the cylinder release of a Ruger very well, so that was another factor for me personally. On another note, the Smith has the classic stainless revolver look, which looks great in a gun case and at the range. However, if you are going to carry something in your pocket, it really should be black.
Why doesn't anyone talk about these pistols as close quarter hand weapons, as emergency brass knuckles and a nice piece of steel to smack someone across the face, a way to subdue someone without shooting them? Being able to pistol whip someone without damaging the gun is a serious positive selling point that no one ever talks about.
@@djmartinez5054 yeah I guess we usually see people doing this in various gangster movies. Maybe it's a myth, I've never personally pistol whipped someone with a revolver
It’s not called a hammerless revolver. It has the internal hammer lol not making fun of you cause I used to think the same thing until Smith & Wesson factory corrected me after I was talking to customer service when I had to have mine shipped in for repair work after 8000 rounds
I have a Taurus revolver and it's 6 shot 2 inch snub nose 38special it's the model 856.UL ultra light model only weighs in at 15.oz ounces made out of aluminum frame lol better than all these models because theres no safety locking mechanisms and it only cost me 300$ buck's plus 30$ tax not BAD for 330$ i don't like and trust polymer revolvers but i DO like Ruger they make Awesome firearms and S&W TOO lol BUT Taurus is the Best Bang FOR your buck LMAO
The short version of the friction reducing cam thing is that it's the double action sear's shape. You can see at 15:45 that the trigger sear is slightly S-shaped. The S&W sear at 15:58 is straight J-shaped. Subtle difference, and I wonder why the explanation is kinda hard to find. Either way, it'd be nice to see that mechanism in some larger revolvers, as well. The full explanation is in their friction reducing cam patent, #8,096,079.
I have a Ruger LCR357. Great gun, but put factory load 357's in it and don't plan on spending too much time at the range! Something Marksman said that I kind of disagree with. As I pull the LCR trigger back, I hear two clicks. The second click tells me that the gun is about to fire.
357mag on the LCR/x model the frame surrounding the cylinder is 400-series stainless steel, not aluminum. 11:57. Also the cylinder is less contoured with more squared-edged flutes for durability.
I'm really on the fence about buying a Taurus revolver but given some folks I've talked to. I think it's about time to give them a chance and add one to my gun safe. Not as an EDC gun but just for the fact I love revolvers and 38spl cartridge.
i bought the lcr, i thought it has the best cardboard box
Sometimes that's all that matters. My mother knows nothing about firearms but decided to buy a gun in case my father broke his restraining order and tried to physically abuse her again. Her main reasoning for buying a Ruger LCR is because it looked cute and loved the curve designed over the boxy look of semi autos. That and because the box is white and the Ruger symbol looked the better than the symbols for Smith and Wesson, Glocks, Taurus, Sig, and so forth.
@@JacksonWalter735 Good for her!
Jackson Walter ok,
Funny when people "unbox" a gun and they say "here you'll find the gun itself". No shit, a gun box contains a gun?
@@brandensoutdoorb-channel8084 lol
Good review. My opinion is the LCR for the win! Trust me, the trigger on the LCR is sooooo much nicer than the other two. And the tamer grip on the LCR is much nicer than the others as well.
Im a 38 year old, life long gun enthusiast. I have Glock, Smith Canik, all kinds. But i really love my Taurus Tracker w a 4 inch ported barrel w a 7 shot capacity. I bought the Smith & Wesson BODYGUARD for my wife and the Taurus 85 for my mother Because she didnt like her Glock 19. Taurus has gotten alot better over the years. You get lemons from every brand. But Taurus revolvers are really great
Taurus has been making great guns these past few years. They're still top notch while remaining relatively affordable for most models. I hate how people still think of Taurus firearms as a budget brand that isn't that good. I still remember when arguably the #1 female competitive shooter, Jessie Abbate, joined Taurus people were shocked with her decision. I hope people will give Taurus guns a chance in the future.
Fake news.
Taurus builds shit guns of shit quality. Always have, always will.
Carry on
@@ArmedPolite You have no idea what you're talking about.
@@ArmedPolite -- I've got a Taurus 856UL, and it works just fine.
I've got a 3" M85 I bought in 1994. Right out of the box it was a great shooter, with a very smooth DA trigger pull. 25+ years later it still shoots great. I train new shooters with it, using "bunny-fart" loads consisting of a 158g round-nose bullet, with 4.0g of Unique powder behind it.
excellent comparison, thank you for taking the time to explain these revolvers
Thanks for your feedback! :)
I recently acquired the Taurus 605, which is basically an 85 but accepts 357. Love it so far. I paid like 289 for it
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+X-Ray Crystallography
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Is there enough difference between the two rounds with the similar length barrels between 605 & 85?
@@pappaclutch3266 Huge difference. In 2" barrels, an average 125 gr .38 Special+P will give about 900 FPS velocity, as where an average 125 gr .357 Magnum will give about 1,250 FPS velocity. That's a jump from 225 ft lbs energy to 434 ft lbs energy. That being said both rounds will do the job, and the .357 Magnum recoil _almost_ is not worth the extra energy you gain.
@@GunSam U seem like a smart fella... But are you a fart smella?
The Smith & Wesson 642 is EXCELLENT. It's perfect for shooting through a jacket pocket in a pinch, or concealing in your pant pocket as a secondary. This pistol is a no frills, get it done and move forward kinda gun while lookin' mighty cool doing it.
That was the most thorough comparison video I have seen about those pistols. Thank you for not over elaborating during your presentation.
For the Taurus 85 there's also the 850(hidden hammer DAO) and 851(Shrouded hammer) variants
I have the Taurus Model 85 and its a great gun. I have put over 1000 rounds through it with no problems.
I have the Taurus M85 as well but cant find a holster for it,can you help please?Thabbk you so much.
Uncle Mikes makes a nice inexpensive IWB for around 12-15 dollars part#89361 size 36 for rt hand real comfortable I have them for all my CCW guns
ok thank ya so much,I will check them out!
I like leather holsters for revolvers
How is your taurus holding up now?
Excellent commentary and analysis. I love my 442, especially after replacing the synthetic grips with proper wooden stocks.
S&W 642 is a great pistol
That is my daily carry. Put Hogue grips on it now it's fantastic. And so lightweight!
I own this gun its awesomeness
ingenious use of a dollar bill as a comparison tool 👍 - subbed
Old hot rodders also used the dollar bill for a chopped top windshield height gauge .
Taurus revolvers can sometimes have minor problems out of the box. If you are mechanically minded, and look up simple revolver tuning techniques on TH-cam, these minor problems are easily fixed. If you are not mechanically minded, get a Ruger. A slicked and tuned Taurus 85 works as well as any other snub-nose 38 and will shoot as accurately as a S&W or Ruger. A Taurus revolver is a solid, reliable basic DA revolver design in need of action tuning and slicking in my experience. This is why Taurus revolvers are much less expensive!
Great review! Thanks for sharing. I have owned all 3 of these guns. The Ruger was excellent to carry very light, but within 300 rounds the trigger broke. I sent it back and finally got it back 5 weeks later. It never felt the same so I traded it in and got a 442 smith. Right off the bat the trigger return was sticking especially on one of the cylinders. I had my gun dealer look at it and they said there was nothing wrong. I continued to shoot it and finally on one of the cylinders the trigger remained locked back. I had them fix it and sold the gun. I have since purchased a Taurus m85 ultra light 38 I have not had ONE issue with it! I would buy another Taurus in a heartbeat. Cheap does not always cheap in quality. I shoot twice a month and have another Taurus revolver that I had for 15 years prior, There are exceptions to everything.
That's interesting that the cheapest one of the three has worked the best for you. I have the Ruger LCR 38 Special and I haven't had any major issues with it but I am interested in the Taurus. The only reason I haven't bought a Taurus is that I friend of mine who knows a lot about guns said that in a revolver he would only buy a Ruger, Colt, or Smith and Wesson. I see that your post is 11 months old. Is the Taurus still working good? Thanks for sharing your story.
To everything there are exceptions. Is 🔑
My local Gun Shop had the 85 and LCR for just a $100 difference. But I dont like polymer revolvers. I'll go with an Aluminum, Titanium, or all Steel (just a preference). I also liked the polished blue finish on the 85 over the finish on the LCR. Ergonomics on both were impressive. I love ruger I really do. I own a P95, Mark III, and want their Scout Rifle badly. I also love their SP101 and GP100 and their single action revolvers. But between the LCR and the 85 I'd choose the 85 every single time. But to each his own.
Did you end up with the 85? I ended up going with the LCR because I could have it in .327 fed. magnum. Very light, very concealable, six round capacity, plenty powerful, and has the best trigger of the three by far. Though if I were to have a .38 special, I’d consider the others a little more than previously..
I always prefer a metal frame over a polymer frame.
@@danielaramburo7648 Polymer absorbs impact extraordinarily well. There are first-generation Glock frames with well over a hundred thousand rounds through them with no notable signs of failure. The steel slide actually seems to be the more likely part to fail. For that reason, I usually don’t avoid polymer; It works. But I *do* still prefer the looks of a metal-frame gun.
I have S+W 642 hammerless. I have had it ported. It shoots 38 Plus P too. Have had this gun since 1995. Its my wife's gun. Its built like a tank. Point and shoot till it dont go bang anymore. Pocket or purse. It packs a punch! Shawn
Would love to see a pic!!! How did you get it ported? Gunsmith?
This is a really informative video, thank you for putting them all together. It really is a great comparison. I think they are all good, but I just ordered the stainless Taurus 85, it was super cheap, and with a $40 rebate, it will be less than $200. Price isn't everything, but your video helps to put things into perspective, thanks again. By the way, my first revolver, so I am excited about it.
I own all three revolvers. The LCR’s trigger is second to none. It’s fantastic!! I picked up the Taurus because it was such a good price and I have several other Taurus products that have worked for me. My first handgun is a Taurus model 431 .44 special that I bought as a poor airman back in 1993 as a trail gun. To this day, that is my favorite revolver. Back to the snubbies. I purchased my Smith as it was my first .38 snub nosed revolver. Great little handgun. Shoots on target with fast follow up shots. concealment and weight are a huge plus. The stainless finish will start rubbing off and in some places, it actually chips away. A little disheartening because it’s such an attractive little revolver. My next snub nose was the .357 LCR. I picked that up for backpacking here in the Northwest. It’s shoots .38’s like a dream. The .357 mag round just flat out hurts to shoot, but, it’s assuring knowing that it’ll get the job done against four legged and two legged predators. Like the Smith, it conceals well, and is very light weight. With backpacking, weight is a big part of what I pack, so it fits the bill perfectly. I purchased the Taurus a few years back. Great little revolver. I really didn’t need the third snub nose, but for the price, I couldn’t pass it up. I’ve shot it plenty of times and it hasn’t had even the slightest issue. I do trust it and I would definitely trust it with my life. Each gun has a purpose and I use them accordingly. I own 10 revolvers, and 9 pistols of damn near every manufacture out there. I’m not a manufacture loyalist. I don’t care who makes it. If it goes bang, I’m happy..... Now if I was looking to purchase 1, and only 1 snub nose revolver and money isn’t an issue, I’d pick the LCR hands down. If money was an issue, I wouldn’t hesitate with the Taurus. If I wanted the perfect, all around little .38, the Smith is a great choice. Again, the Ruger LCR isn’t the prettiest, but it’s the one I’d pick over the others any day of the week. This is just my opinion. It’s an unbiased opinion though, with no feeling of loyalty towards any one manufacture that one tends to see in these comments on a regular basis. Any of the three would be a great choice and work as expected.... Great video and review
Thanks, Jim, I'm considering the S&W 638 (shrouded hammer) or the LCR.
@@bryanferguson4927
I have recently added to my collection of snub nosed revolvers… I picked up another LCR, but this time it’s in 327 Federal Magnum. The ballistics of that cartridge is very impressive! It compares to the .357, but with less recoil. Here are the pros and cons. For the same size of cylinder, you get 6 rounds of 327 compared to 5 rounds of 357/.38. You can shoot .32 mag, .32 S&W, .32 short, and .32 auto out of that LCR. Taurus makes a 327 Fed Mag snub nose as well…. Cons to the 327 Fed Mag is that ammo isn’t always readily on the store shelves and it’s not cheap. My wife has a Charter Arms .32 Mag that she LOVES!!! If it wasn’t pink, ha, I’d love it too. Point is, I already have a crap load of ammo because of her revolver, so purchasing that 327 LCR was a no brainier for me. Also, it’s not hard to order ammo online, so I’ve got enough to last me a lifetime.
That 327 has replaced the 357/.38 for trail carry for me. I still have mine, but pending on where I’m at, dictates what I pack. If I’m in central idaho, it’s the .357 mag. If I’m in Oregon or the desert, it’s the .327 Fed Mag. I trust both on 2 legged and four legged critters. That 327 Fed mag is no joke.
Ammo selection is just as important. If you’re in the woods, don’t load it up with hollow points. Load it up with semi wad hard casts from Buffalo Bore or Underwood. There are others, but those two manufacture a great cartridge for outdoor SD ammo.
If you end up purchasing that S&W 638, you’re going to love it. Having the hammer shrouded, yet accessible, is a huge plus for single action shooting. For real world shooting, be sure to practice shooting it in double action. There is a spot when you’re pulling the hammer back that you can hold steady, just before the hammer falls. It’s almost simulates shooting single action. Congrats on your new purchase!!!
Great review. I looked at all 3, well Taurus was the 856 ultra lite. It was less than $300 and is really nice. I’ve been shooting with that. I bought the S&W 642 today and look forward to shooting it. The LCR was nice too just about $75 more expensive at my shop. I hope ladies know these are great options for our CCW. Thanks for all your info!
I hope ladies don't buy a weapon because it is small and cute. If it is lighter it kicks harder, that is just physics. Ladies, I hope you try a variety of guns after you attend a training class, then make up your own mind so that you get the weapon that you can shoot the best. Don't allow someone to push you into anything. You be the boss. It is your money and your life at stake.
I appreciate the fact that you showed that each revolver was "cleared." It's a simple concept that many lives have been ended and/or maimed by a loaded gun, when a user or child unknowingly or knowingly puts some pressure on the trigger. Thanks for the great video.
Never hurts to do so.
Nice video Chris very informative. I've owned the all and for me it's the Ruger LCR all the way. Pre 1995 when Smith and Wesson put out a decent product I would've taken the Smith. Smith and Wesson's quality control or lack of I should say is disgraceful today. Make them as fast as you can don't test fire them and push them out the door that's the logic today. It's cheaper to send them back for repair and take the time and assembling the gun. Gunsmiths today are a thing of the past it's all about piece work and Ruger has their issues too but I'll still take the Ruger.Mike
I love my smiths but they have definitely slipped in quality control. They are pretty and have history and pride of ownership. Rugers are big ugly overbuilt bricks that just work.
@@BPaul-hk2jh not sure I agree with the big and ugly description. Ruger and Smith are both very clean looking to me. Ruger 22 series handguns are beautiful. I feel ruger owns the tactical look while Smith owns the classic look. Overall I love the fact that their both American made.
Mike DelRossi I like the size of the 642aireight&the trigger of the LCR...I like both revolvers but like the Ruger trigger best
Thanks cause I am trying to decide whether to get the Taurus or the ruger both are 38s
I have a Taurus 85 that was built in 2002, and a newer 85 UltraLite. Both great guns! And I just purchased the S&W 642.
Nice comparison. I have many revolvers and was considering getting the Ruger so this came in handy. As far as the grips being too small, we know that they are supposed to be small. That's how concealable guns are designed. I will never understand why some people want a small concealable gun and then complain about it being small and concealable. It has never made sense.
Whether it's a revolver or semi-auto, shooting a small gun with a short grip is something you just get used to and learn to shoot. It's really not difficult. And how do you do that? The same way we learned to shoot larger guns - practice.
I own the Taurus 850CIA, since 2009, which is similar to the SW42/442/642. It is not an "airweight", and all of 22 oz. The model I have was NOT stamped "plus p", so all I shoot are standard pressure loads. The revolver I purchase has a very thin gap measurement between cylinder edge and forcing cone, which means I lose less gaseous pressure loss at this point than some other revolvers, which in turn, adds 'thrust' to the base of the bullet as it enters the barrel. Shooting standard pressuree loads produces less recoil, and with the 22oz weight, is very manageable.
After owning Browning Hi-Powers, and EAA versions of Hi-Powers, I am more confident that I will do just fine with my Taurus 850CIA. (Although I wish did get tis brother, the 851 Protector, which is similar to the 38/438/638 original Bodyguard!)
What he calls the LCR3, my box, paperwork, etc., says it's an LCRX w/3" barrel. The X indicates it has an exposed hammer.
Some people dig that "crude" " unnecessary bulky" designs of Ruger. I never have and always thought they looked like a boat anchor and junk. Ruger P-85/P-89 vs Beretta 92FS/M9 or a Sig Sauer P-226/Mk25?! Hmmm that is a mystery which one I would go for! Ruger SR-1911 vs a Springfield Armory or a Colt?! Again a big mystery which one I would choose. Other than .22 LRs Bill Ruger doesn't make anything that interests me in the least.
Solid review.. I have a Taurus titanium lite that shoots good but my 642 S&W is by far my go to EDC.. that being said my friend has a Lcr that I’ve shot it it’s seems to be Topshelf to .. nuth’n against the Taurus but the LCR & J frame are on another level that’s why the cost more….u get what ya pay for .. can’t go wrong with the S&W they been the back up gun for law enforcement for a looooonnnggg time for a reason … very accurate with sum practice..! God bless America 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🤙🏻🤙🏻🤙🏻🤙🏻
One of the things I notice nobody talks about with Revolvers is the width. That is the number one dimension I look for when looking for a carry gun. Even over grip length. Most websites won’t even lost that information unless you specifically search for it. The Ruger LCR is the thinnest one. Thinner than a Glock 19 which is a big deal when carrying, for me at least.
what I'd really like is an all steel version of the 642, i know all steel jframes exist but they are always slightly larger than the 642
Good job showing the comparisons without favoritism. A machine is a machine. Fondle what you're buying. Hands down, the BEST DA trigger I've ever felt was my factory 686 (no dash) .357. I've also owned a Model 36 Chief's Special and a Taurus 85. Of those two, the Taurus I had was far superior in the DA trigger pull than the Smith it was copying. Those were also factory iterations. You just hope to find that "Made on Wednesday by a guy who got laid Tuesday night and Wednesday morning" built rig.
Thanks . I love small revolvers . Great presentation
The light trigger pull on the LCR is the reason I got it over the Smith & Wesson.
I own the Ruger LCR and Taurus 85. I favor the Taurus 85 over the Ruger. They are both good.
Which did you buy first, and why did you get the second one?
@@TedSeay I bought the Ruger first and an excellent hand gun but, I saw the Taurus on some one with a holster and it looked good and liked it. I checked the feel and shot a few rounds and went and bought one. Never regret it. You will always find your favorite. Both are good handguns.
My preference is the S&W 642, with Crimson Trace laser grip. Old tech meets new! Would I even need to establish site picture at close range in a dreaded emergency? Maybe not!
I got the 85 poly. Not so smooth to release and open the barrel. The shell release slightly miss-alligned but broke in. But a nice gun and surprisingly comfortable to shoot. Happened to shoot alongside a sccy cpx-2 9mm and even though not as accurate I enjoy shooting the revolver more. But the 85 is accurate, probably has more to do with my limited skills. I paid around 240 for mine after rebate and discount. Can't complain about that. I just purchased the 642 on my quest to getting a great reliable and comfortable carry weapon. Paid 2x as much as the 85 with a gift card but I feel that the material and craftsmanship warrants it. From what I'm seeing these snub noses hit their target fairly well makes it fun to practice with. Very neutral and unbiased review. I'm guessing in part as a result of not being at the range. Either way well done. I'll read the comments to see which one is most popular. But that seems to sway towards the one that costs the less I'm guessing. Since they are all viable options.
Got a Taurus 856 myself… I love it.
Quite the extensive review, well done!
I prefer to appendix carry my firearms so when I went revolver looking weight really wasn’t a big deal. I choose the S&W 640 Pro, love the sights, the moon clip option, and .357/.38 calibers.
Excellent video and excellent comparison. First cabin in my opinion. I'm sort of leaning towards the S&W. I'm a long time gun handler and retired LEO. My age and worn out body parts are requiring me to lighten up on my EDC CCW firearm. My other CCW is Ruger LC9s. Outstanding little semi-auto 9mm with an unbeatable trigger.
I shot a friend's .357 LCR and recoil is pretty lively with .38+P rounds. It's not unmanageable, but anyone considering one should practice frequently. I imagine that .357 magnum loads would take this to an entirely new level. At less than a pound, I would consider one in my mountain-biking kit.
Owned them all, in that line up I pick Taurus simply for hammer, never had a failure in any of these pistols with all sorts of loads, great pistols are great pistols idc the brand
Bought an LCRX a few months ago. The manual actually advised lubrication which has to do with the trigger mechanism about every 1000 rds/dry fires. The grips have to be removed and the manual gives how-to instructions.
I'm a big ruger fan, but the taurus price is awesome at $239, and not a bad carry.
Love all 3
I got the LCR in .22lr for my wife, who is very recoil sensitive, and she loves it. Since it's a revolver, I'm not as concerned about misfires since she can just pull the trigger again and has 8 shots. Also, put the laser grip on it for easy target acquisition in the potentially stressful situation. Hope she never has to use it in that manner, but it is very fun to take plinking and to the range.
Greg Matthews .22 might as well bought her a B.B. gun lol
Phil.T.McNastee a BB gun wouldn’t kill me but I’m still not gonna stand in front of one that would hurt!but by all means a .22 is better than nothing but man I know .22 can kill but it’s certainly not optimal
@@brianbuchert6382 its not about a bb hun, but if i have one and it deters you then its calibre is sufficient
But there are some idiots that aren’t deterred by anything trust me I’m a retired Leo and .22 is waaaay underpowered but it’s better than nothing work her up to AT LEAST.380
@@brianbuchert6382 i teach her knives
need to see more revolvers Im interested in. None of these do it. All steel, 3” barrel, 6 shot cylinder, fully adj rear sight, DA/SA.
4:17 LCRX is external hammer version regardless of barrel length
If you pocket carry I recommend getting one without a large hammer spur. The spur is not a big problem drawing when standing up however the spur is a big problem drawing while sitting. Thanks for sharing.
Nice, detailed review. I would suggest ending with a summary, maybe even a chart, showing pros and cons of each.
I have the Ruger LCR 9mm and found the small Hogue rubber grip that it came with too small for me. I wear 2XL gloves. I bought a larger grip from Hogue in G10 laminate and now I have a 3 finger grip which is better. The Ruger is very well built, but it does recoil quite a bit and will hurt your hand long before you work through 50 rounds at the range. In a defensive situation you probably wouldn't care.
Jim Morrison I have the 9mm too. CraZy how much it kicks in a revolver vs small semi auto right ?
I've handled 3 LCR's, two of which extensively; all three handled near to exactly the same, which was excellent as the video described.
I've also handled a dozen or so varying J-Frame models, and the big difference between the Ruger and the S&W comes down to the consistency form gun-to-gun. At least one of the S&W's I've handled had a marginally better trigger than any of the LCR's; two had very similar triggers, which i would consider equal; and a few of the others had awful triggers: heavy, gritty, and stacked *terribly*. Now i've only handled two Taurus 85's: one had a custom trigger job, and was up there with a Colt's OOB trigger; the other was as bad a Saturday night special, heavy, long and stacked through the full pull irregularly.
I love the smith, I’ve even taken game with it by that staging action, I love the heavy pull too, did my own trigger job but kept the tension high.... biggest thing is how much of a natural pointer it is... it will go to town, I’ve tried an older lcr and it was more like power steering... thank you very well done... keep up the good work
have the Taurus 85 protector poly and I have to rave about its concealability and it's durability! here in the south heat and humidity dictate carry and this snubby is a pleasure to carry and it just feels good in the hand! no issues thus far with more than 500 rounds downrange and we'll worth the cost!!
Gary Kimbrough 500 rounds is not really a good marker for reliability, 2000 rounds and up is probably where a gun shows it's really value. I have the Taurus m85 and it's definitely just gonna be my car/bag gun. I edc a Glock 43 and I definitely trust it more with my life
I work part-time in a gun shop. We do not stock Taurus or Rossi handguns or rifles. We will not take them in on trade.
That's a shame because the Taurus 856 is better than a Ruger!
I would never own a polymer revolver.
S&W, Taurus, Colt and Kimber for me. I only own one Ruger revolver and it's a Bearcat .22 LR 6-shot single action blued. I once owned a SP-101 2.5" and sold it because it was a bulky boat anchor and junk. Looked like it was machined with a chainsaw and would lockup the cylinder after approx 150 rounds. You had to meticulously clean it to get it workin
The Taurus 85 was replaced by the Taurus 856.
I had a Taurus model 85 stainless with the factory wood grips back in the early 90's I wish I had never sold. It's been all S&W, Colt and Ruger revolvers up until this year. I purchased 4 Taurus 856s to use as garage/barn/fishing tacklebox/boat guns. 2 stainless and 2 black/blued all with 2" barrels and exposed hammers. I ditched the cheap rubber grips and replaced them with wood and G10. For the $300ish price point I don't think you can beat one. I would not pay someones overpriced $375+ for one though. For that difference I would just get the S&W. You should be able to get a stainless Taurus 856 for less than $350 if you shop around. $300 - $330 is about the going rate unless your LGS is ripping you off.
How do you do it? Your firearm prices are great! Future customer right here!
I own a 642 I picked it up for summer cary ,but I can't go back to anything heavier. I got some tips on this gun after wearing it for over 5 years
first, grips : get a better set for this lil shooter. I put hogue mono-grip on and love it but any grip that covers the back strap and lets you use a speed loader EZer would work just as good .
next finish : the paint or whatever S&W uses on the 642 can flake off ..you can cerakote it but I polished mine It is perty now if you do polish yours black out the rear sight
and rounds : I pack hornady crit def non +P in this j frame I like them cause of the lighter recoil and less muzzle flash
to finish carry : a gat this light you don't carry, you wear it I like a pocket holster but I could see hip carry and it disappearing just as ez
Not one of these, but my Smith & Wesson 442 in all black gets my vote!
I have this same S&W with a crimson trace laser grip, pretty satisfied
Same thing in black as a 642 silly boy
Very cool info about the Ruger cylinder, have watched lots of videos on it & never knew that!
Love my 642!
that Taurus gun looks amazing also I hope they have this in my area
I've got each& aside from the weight of the Taurus 85 being less suited for pocket carry than the S&W 642 or LCR, I think each one is reliable, accurate& trustworthy, although I do like the Ruger trigger best.
My S&W 642, tuned by W. Frear. With CTC laser grips Is my EDC.
Great choice. Us S&W owners need to stick together.
Very informative review thank you. You helped me make a decision
I have a Taurus 605 Poly Protector .357. Not a bad little gun. Very light and accurate with the .357 load. But I had to send it back because it locked up and couldn't open the cylinder or pull the trigger. So I bought a Ruger LCR .357. I like the trigger pull on the Ruger. although the Taurus is now sent back and I have had no issues since.
I've always heard the phrase, "They's two kinds of wheel guns, Smith & Wesson and them other ones ... and I never cared much for them other ones".
Not everyone has the S&W budget.
Legends are meant to be broken. Try an LCR next time you're at a shop. The trigger is SO nice, better than the Smith right out of the box. Also the polymer hybrid frame sucks up recoil shock.
The LCR is absolutely a fine little revolver with a great trigger out the box, I have the 22LR and the 357 mag versions , never had any problems out of either
I have the Taurus and the Ruger. I always hated Taurus products, never had one work properly. I own several Rutgers in different calibers and always loved them. Honestly the Taurus shoots better for me and feels better overall. I cannot believe I chose it over he Ruger. I shot the S&W, liked that very much as well
I first bought a taurus 605 in 357 mag ,a really nice j frame. I then bought a 642 mostly cause I thought it was sexy .lm deeply in love 🥰 with both. The 642 for pocket carry .the 605 for the back blast....
Great comparison video, really appreciate the detailed and straightforward comparison.
Thanks for watching and for commenting - I really appreciate it!
Nicely done. Good information. Helpful with comparative values for those of us looking to make a choice.
The ruger uses 400 stainless steel frame for 9mm and .357 mag not aluminum.
Yeah he mentions that at about 12:00
@@gunnerdan He mentions it wrong. The 357 is not aluminum. It''s stainless.
nice job. Have a Smith 442 and a LCR in 357. Love my LCR ! The trigger is incredible
I am pretty impressed with the LCR trigger as well. For a double action only, it is a super slick trigger. Thanks for the comment!
I tried Hogue rubber grips on my 637, didn't like em. Too big, I see zero advantage to having your pinky on the grip, and they place the gun too high in your hand, plus a large grip kinda defeats the purpose of a pocket snubby. The stock S&W grips work fine.
Very good informative video and I especially like that you don't push one maker over the others. It's worth noting that Taurus will make you pay for shipping back if you have issues and S&W picks up the cost. So add another $50 to the Taurus price because you will be sending it back if you keep it long enough.Not sure about Ruger. But good video.
mark price I think they should include a pre paid, self addressed return envelope with every Taurus they sell.
If you buy the Taurus then tour very likely to be sending it back as they are garbage so good point with the extra $50
I’ve had my Taurus 85 for over 30 years and it still works like new.
Further update: I sent a Taurus to the factory to repair jamming every third or fourth round, and had to pay postage this year. It took four months to get it back, and it promptly jammed again after firing three rounds. Taurus wouldn't reply to my emails, but I got thru on the phone and was told to send it in, and to expect it to take another four months. (Update: this second time, Taurus provided a mailing label, and in addition, the repair only took a few weeks. I had a Ruger problem since first Taurus problem, and Ruger emailed me a shipping label right away, and returned the pistol, repaired, within a week. Due to the fine Ruger support, the information in this video, and a recommendation from a lady working at the gun shop, I picked up a Ruger LCR for my wife, and she's very happy with the size and handling.
Had a Taurus 85 ultralight which I got for my wife. She nor I liked the feel, trigger, or recoil. I traded it in on S&W 357mag. Then recently bought a 442(Ladysmith). IMHP is a much nicer gun than Taurus. Better trigger, less recoil felt.
All that's missing from this video is a charter arms undercover for comparison.
I have the Taurus 85 Ultralite and the S&W 642. My Taurus works better in that it's frame doesn't get in the way of my Safariland speedloaders. However, my S&W, I had to replace its grips with traditional walnut grips and a grip spacer just to make room for my HKS speedloaders. The Safarilands hang up on its frame. Great guns for carry, and both are good shooters. Liked the video by the way!
I really hope Ruger makes the 327 in a 3" eventually.
LoneWanderer360 they do its in the sp101
flying penguin the sp101 is a different gun altogether. Heavier, bigger profile. Yes it does come in a 327 Federal Mag but that is it
They have a suggestion page on the website which will send info to Ruger's CEO. Make the appeal.
Why do most reviewers neglect width, which I feel is paramount when considering concealed carry?
Nice video. Thanks for the efforts. Much appreciated.
That Taurus looks really nice, but I personally think Ruger is a better brand. S&W is great, but I like to save money, and Ruger’s revolver’s are built so well. I carry the LCRX 2” .357.
My Rossi 357 6 shot, hidden hammer, snubbie is great, reliable, accurate, but when I got the 642, it is just so easy to carry, almost too easy to forget you have it, even in a Jean's pocket. Not worried about the extra round difference, if I am worried about a long, drawn out shootout, guess I could carry my 20 rd. Canik, and a couple mags.
I absolutely LOVE my LCR .357. It absolutely murders my 642 in every possible way, considerably better than my 640 Pro in most ways, and other than nicer materials and slightly better sights it's no less awesome and shootable than my Kimber K6S. I've never shot a .38-only LCR, they might not be as awesome since they're lighter and flimsier. I would never dream of shooting full on .357 out of a concealable snubnose, but these days I only get .357 snubbies since they're heavier, stronger and will absolutely eat stout .38 +P for a lifetime without problems.
Great, thorough review! Thanks!
( Disclaimer, I really like my LCR ) I have some experience firing a Taurus 85 and I was impressed with it. It’s nice to be able to get your pinky on the grip. But, it’s quite a bit heavier that the LCR, and the fact is; even though the 85 is quite a bit heavier, it isn’t any better to shoot ( therefore, it’s very nice to shoot ) . I have never fired the Smith, I’m sure it’s great, but my muscle memory knows the cylinder release of a Ruger very well, so that was another factor for me personally. On another note, the Smith has the classic stainless revolver look, which looks great in a gun case and at the range. However, if you are going to carry something in your pocket, it really should be black.
Wrexicate if it’s in your pocket who the hell knows what color it is lol
Tauras for the Win!! Got the 605 myself love it great defensive gun..
ruger for best bang for the buck. see what i did there?
Why doesn't anyone talk about these pistols as close quarter hand weapons, as emergency brass knuckles and a nice piece of steel to smack someone across the face, a way to subdue someone without shooting them? Being able to pistol whip someone without damaging the gun is a serious positive selling point that no one ever talks about.
Like Ray Liotta in Goodrellas LOL th-cam.com/video/yWu1EAtnOco/w-d-xo.html
@@djmartinez5054 yeah I guess we usually see people doing this in various gangster movies. Maybe it's a myth, I've never personally pistol whipped someone with a revolver
@@jonbbaca5580 If I run out of bullets, I'm going with pistol whipping.
I like the use of the bill to show size.
How would you rate them as far as recoil
Thanks Chris. Great video comparison!
It’s not called a hammerless revolver. It has the internal hammer lol not making fun of you cause I used to think the same thing until Smith & Wesson factory corrected me after I was talking to customer service when I had to have mine shipped in for repair work after 8000 rounds
You can't go wrong with a revolver. I've got the S&W.
I have a Taurus revolver and it's 6 shot 2 inch snub nose 38special it's the model 856.UL ultra light model only weighs in at 15.oz ounces made out of aluminum frame lol better than all these models because theres no safety locking mechanisms and it only cost me 300$ buck's plus 30$ tax not BAD for 330$ i don't like and trust polymer revolvers but i DO like Ruger they make Awesome firearms and S&W TOO lol BUT Taurus is the Best Bang FOR your buck LMAO
Lower price, and six rounds, not just five, are why I bought the 856UL.
I love my Charter Arms Pitbull in .45acp. Solid, well built and affordable for the everyday working man.
The short version of the friction reducing cam thing is that it's the double action sear's shape. You can see at 15:45 that the trigger sear is slightly S-shaped. The S&W sear at 15:58 is straight J-shaped. Subtle difference, and I wonder why the explanation is kinda hard to find. Either way, it'd be nice to see that mechanism in some larger revolvers, as well.
The full explanation is in their friction reducing cam patent, #8,096,079.
I have a Ruger LCR357. Great gun, but put factory load 357's in it and don't plan on spending too much time at the range! Something Marksman said that I kind of disagree with. As I pull the LCR trigger back, I hear two clicks. The second click tells me that the gun is about to fire.
You people can't see the forest for the trees. The charter arms is the lightest of them all.................😊
357mag on the LCR/x model the frame surrounding the cylinder is 400-series stainless steel, not aluminum. 11:57. Also the cylinder is less contoured with more squared-edged flutes for durability.
I'm really on the fence about buying a Taurus revolver but given some folks I've talked to. I think it's about time to give them a chance and add one to my gun safe. Not as an EDC gun but just for the fact I love revolvers and 38spl cartridge.
Get an 856UL, and carry it as your New York reload.
Great detailed comparison
I have a Taurus 85 Titanium 5 shot that I took to the gunsmith and had him bob the hammer off, works great DA only!
Excellent comparison. Thanks!
When I die I want to go quietly in my sleep like my grandpa did. Not kicking and screaming like the passengers in his car.