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Model 85 - Ultra-light Question

BabelFish
My grandfather sold me this gun for $250 (never shot). I was told by my local gun store that it would not be a very good one for home protection. I wanted it for target shooting and home protection. I was told that it would kick too hard for my wife. We have not taken it out yet. The local store said that they would buy it from me for $250 (since that is what I paid) and I could put the funds towards something else. Here are my questions:

1. Is Model 85 - Ultra-light a good home protection gun.

2. Is $250 a good price for that gun. (to buy it for or sell it for)

3. Should I sell it for something else?

3a. And if so, what would you recommend? I really like some of the H&K 9mm and 45mm. They feel very nice in the hand (but that argument would be used more for the target practice aspect :)) and doesn't seem to kick nearly as bad as my 1945 m1911 hand gun lol.

Thanks in advance. I am looking forward to reading your responses!
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Comments

11 comments

Date Votes
  • MFI
    The best home protection you can get is a shotgun that holds 6 plus shells. You cant miss with that .. The .38 you are talking about is better suited for carry .. The .38 would be as good as the .9mm only the 9 will hold more rounds which gives it an advantage. Kick will be similar IMO.. The Taurus 85 Ultralite wholesales for dealers at $247.50 new (what we pay) so if you are getting $250 from a dealer on a trade that is VERY good..
    If you are buying a handgun strictly for home defense and have concern over the kick then a .9mm is the way to go .. There are pros and cons all the way around .. Automatics you have to worry about safeties if it has one, jams and is there a round in the chamber ? The .38 load it and pull the trigger its that easy .. Good luck only you can make the decision ..
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  • tr fox
    You don't seem to know much about guns. Either learn or just go with the quick, plain and simple path and keep the Ultralite. 5 rounds of .38 +P Hydroshoks are all you are likely to need for home protection. The revolver you have is a point and shoot setup. If you don't have time, money or interest in getting to know guns better, it is close to the best tool you could want on your side. But go to the range and shoot some practice ammo and be sure the gun functions 100% perfectly (Taurus has a lifetime warranty) and get more familair with your Taurus.

    JMHO
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  • Colt Super
    quote:Originally posted by tr fox
    You don't seem to know much about guns. Either learn or just go with the quick, plain and simple path and keep the Ultralite. 5 rounds of .38 +P Hydroshoks are all you are likely to need for home protection. The revolver you have is a point and shoot setup. If you don't have time, money or interest in getting to know guns better, it is close to the best tool you could want on your side. But go to the range and shoot some practice ammo and be sure the gun functions 100% perfectly (Taurus has a lifetime warranty) and get more familair with your Taurus.

    JMHO



    I'd recommend against +P loads for home defense, for this person - due to recoil, report and flash.

    I'd point them in the direction of the lightest weight, standard load, LSC (Lead Semi-Wadcutter) available commercially.

    Then, if they decided that they wanted to really get "into" shooting, they would have inexpensive practice ammo, with no surprises, in an actual defense situation.

    I don't usually disagree with you, tr, but I will here.

    Comments??

    Doug
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  • tr fox
    Doug, your logic is good to a point. If he is facing a life or death situation, I doubt he will even notice the 10% extra flash and recoil. Plus, with only five shots and with most likely a couple of those shots being a miss, he is going to need the best possible chance he can have at a one shot stop.

    Besides, Federal makes some Hydroshok self defense rounds that are low recoil and low muzzle flash in both +P and standard load.

    I just hate to see him go to the trouble of selling a gun (especially one his grandfather passed on to him) and buying another one. Especially if it is a semiauto as that will take a lot of him getting use to before he can depend on it or depend on himself.

    Course, don't forget I don't like or depend on Taurus. But if he spends some time at the range and it functions fine for him, it will probably work for him when he needs it.
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  • ruger41
    Sounds like your gun store is just trying to do what they do best--sell you a newer gun-no harm in that but that Taurus when loaded with quality ammo will do just fine for home defense. If you want to learn to shoot it just buy some nice target loads. My 850UL(the concealed hammer version of your gun) is a joy to shoot with 148 grain full wadcutters and is suprisingly accurate at combat ranges with that load. My wife can easily shoot it with that round as well. I would get a lot of practice in with standard velocity hollowpoints that you can use for home defense before you move up to +p ammo as the +p does have a significantly more amount of recoil. In standard pressure hollowpoint loads I really like the Hornady 140 & 158 grain XTP's. They will do the job and not beat you up.

    1212973559.jpg
    this one was done the very first time I shot the Taurus and the shots were put where I was aiming at.

    gun002.jpg

    If you simply want to buy a H&K 9mm or .45 then theres nothing wrong with that as it is an excellent weapon.
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  • MFI
    One click of the shotgun slide is usually all it takes..
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  • BabelFish
    We are heading to the shooting range tomorrow. I'm not sure if I am allowed to post which store it was or not.

    Is there any HK 9mm that cost less than or around 700 but still compact?
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  • mcaso
    Keep the .38, Reread Doug Wilson and then reread Doug Wilson. It won't be long and you will need a second gun. And keep the .38.
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  • k.stanonik
    As i have stated several times , unless you plan on staying in your room, no search of the residence is great , but if you go searching a shotgun is easily taken away ( especially dressed like the Hollywierd ones) remember leverage is not your friend when it comes to a shotgun in a bad situation. for a home defense your Taurus will do just fine, just practice and get your wife and yourself used to it.
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  • Colt Super
    quote:Originally posted by mcaso
    Keep the .38, Reread Doug Wilson and then reread Doug Wilson. It won't be long and you will need a second gun. And keep the .38.


    Thank you, Mike.

    Even with standard loads, a lightweight .38 is really not something you want to plink with.

    And, when you practice, be SURE everyone there uses lots of hearing protection - plugs AND muffs.

    I owe my almost complete hearing loss in my right ear, and significant loss in my left, to unprotected gunfire. It is not manly to always be saying "Huh ??".

    And, have everyone that may use the firearm practice as much as possible.

    Doug
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  • BabelFish
    Thank you all for your help. This has been very educational. As one unkindly remarked, yes, I am new to all of this. That is why I am posting in the "Ask the expert" forum lol. Your posts have been very helpful.

    So is $250 a fair price for purchasing this gun used? If the dealer can purchase it for $247.50 new what would it retail for? I checked and it is a Taurus M85 Blue 2inch (mint condition). I will post again after tonight when my wife and I go shooting.
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