Which 38 special
I am torn between buying a Taurus model 85 or a EAA windicator both in 38 special or 357 mag and both are in my price range. Also looking at a Rossi 461, all 3 are equal in price. Anyone got a idea which would be the better? The EAA and Rossi holds 6 rounds where the Taurus only 5 that could be a factor.
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arkbacks,
Hello, and welcome to the forums here on Gunbroker.com.
If you are looking to use them for anything other than target practice, or plinking, then I would not purchase any of the above. You would be better served by purchasing a used S&W model 36, or 60, or a Ruger Security Six or Speed Six. The three you listed are nothing to be staking your life on. As a matter of fact, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if they all came out of the same factory.
Best
EDIT 1
I am not picking on your choice of manufacturer's, but those are the bottom of the barrel. I would rather have you miffed at me, and be safe, than happy, and in the danger zone. I am not saying they might not be ok, but statistics are not on your side. If you use the search function, there are numerous topics on them, especially the Taurus. As I stated, I believe they are all made in the same Brazillian factory.
Best
EDIT 2
I would much rather have my Ruger, S&W, or Colt by my side, than have a Taurus, Rossi, or EAA back at the factory under warranty.0 -
+1 Don't forget the Ruger SP-101 and the S&W Model 10 2" 0 -
Thanks for the info I have looked at all these but the price is important and this won't be my only carry more less a car gun. I was under the impression that all these manufactors made very good guns. 0 -
All three are basic entry level DA revolvers with little that makes them stand out from each other. The Windicators have a poor reputation for reliability while the Rossi and Taurus have spotty reputations. If forced to select one then suppose I'd probably go for the Taurus since it's frame is a bit heavier than the other two...But I would not spend my own money on any of those three. 0 -
Alas, I find myself in conflict with the above advice; I have two Taurus revolvers in .38 Spl, an older Mdl 82 heavy barrel, which has injested several hundred rounds, and the other a newer Mdl 85, which I've shot fewer times. As yet, I have not had any malfunctions nor breakage.
To be fair, I have a friend who also has a Mdl 85, which has had no malfunctions, but seems to have shorter chambers than mine. Switching to cartridges with shorter OAL seems to have solved the issue.
So I can't knock Taurus, based on my very limited experience. However, I'm with the advice above: a used S&W beats a new any other brand every time.0 -
quote:Originally posted by arkbacks
Thanks for the info I have looked at all these but the price is important and this won't be my only carry more less a car gun. I was under the impression that all these manufactors made very good guns.
Your impression is not correct, I believe. A good, older, used, S&W or Colt's revolver will probably not be any more expensive than a new one of the Taurus/Rossi (same South American company) or the Italian-made EAA guns.
If you buy a used one of these three guns, well, that is, in my opinion, a problem for you to experience. My opinion is that you are asking for problems by buying one of those three brands of guns, new or used and that using one of these for self defense or for sport is a big mistake. But, a man oughtta do what he thinks is best.
EDIT--EDIT
See the next post. Beantownshootah clarifies and corrects points that I and others have said, and I think he makes excellent points in comparing new low-end guns vs. used, quality guns. Also, regarding warranty, it is meaningless when it's value is degraded by months-long wait periods and having the weapon returned to you unfixed or with a new problem; something that is not all that uncommon with at least one of the manufacturers noted in the original topic post.0 -
quote:Originally posted by arkbacks
I am torn between buying a Taurus model 85 or a EAA windicator both in 38 special or 357 mag and both are in my price range. Also looking at a Rossi 461, all 3 are equal in price. Anyone got a idea which would be the better? The EAA and Rossi holds 6 rounds where the Taurus only 5 that could be a factor.
Given THAT choice and that choice alone, I'd take the Taurus (over Windicator and Rossi). Taurus isn't top-tier, but its model 85 is basically a clone of the Smith and Wesson, its been around a long time, and I think its better built than either of the other two.
I'd be particularly leery of running full power .357 loads through the Windicator or Rossi; I'm not quite sure either one will really hold up to a lot of use with true magnum rounds.
Just to be clear, Taurus and Rossi are NOT the same company, though the two do each make guns for the other in Brazil. The current production Rossi *handguns* are made in Taurus facilities, but they're not the same as the Taurus-branded guns.
The EAA-distributed "Windicator" guns are actually made in Germany, not Italy. The confusion here is because the more well-known EAA-imported "Witness" guns are made by Tanfoglio in Italy's "gun valley".
While you'd like to think that German-made revolvers should be top notch (like Korth) the "Windicators" are pretty rough.
The best mass-produced revolvers are still made in the USA.
Getting back to the asked question, personally I would choose "none of the above".
As mentioned, USED Smith and Wesson model 10s in worn, but serviceable shape can be had for as little as $200, with excellent examples available for $300 (or less). I think these will be significantly better in quality and performance than the second or third-tier guns you mention, at a comparable price point.
Ditto for Ruger Security/Service six revolvers (though I'd still take a Smith for a generally smoother action).
Colt .38 revolvers can also be had starting at $300 or so used, though purely in terms of function, I'm not convinced they're any better than the Smiths.
Edit: On warranties, supposedly Rossi has a good one too. Personally, I don't care to test the quality of its customer service.
I'd rather have an excellent gun than an excellent warranty.
Likelihood of you having an issue with a non-abused Smith and Wesson or Ruger revolver is pretty small, and if so, parts are relatively cheap and widely available with any gunsmith probably being able to enact repairs. If the gun isn't ancient or totally abused warranty or not, either Smith or Ruger might be willing to fix it up for you at minimal (or zero) cost.0 -
The one thing you haven't thought is what is the warranty of each pistol. EAA charges you for return shipping for any work done. Taurus has a lifetime no hassel warranty policy on the gun not the owner , whether it is the first or the 80th owner. return shipping included. Rossi has a one year warranty.
LOOKS pretty simple Taurus model 85 is your best bet0 -
I have a Taurus CH85 in Stainless, liked/trusted it well enough to give it to my ( 25yr old) daughter for personal protection 0
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