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Taurus Frames...

G23AZ
I have been searching through the forum here to see what I could dig up and haven't found my answer. So, first off. Hello to all. This is my first post here. My question is...

Are Taurus revolver frames casted or drop forged? I have several S&W revolvers and I know they are drop forged but a friend of mine (who is a die hard old timer S&W fan) says Taurus revolvers are junk due to the frames being casted instead of drop forged. I havn't found any info on this.
Thanks for any input.
Jon
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Comments

6 comments

Date Votes
  • Wehrmacht_45
    I think they might be forged ( I know their 1911 clones are), but it really does not matter.

    Ruger makes some of the toughest revolvers in the world, and every single Ruger is built with cast frames.

    Springfield Armory uses casting for their M1A

    Dan Wesson uses cast frames in their 1911s

    It is a viable and strong method of construction. What really matters is the heat treatment.
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  • BigLoop22
    Jon,

    I can only add to the "cast is not bad" chorus: Rossi leverguns are cast, and they have been making them in .454 Cassul for quite awhile. The Rossi 92s are some tough, reliable guns.
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  • Colt Super
    Don't buy cast, IF you can get forged.

    Doug
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  • RCrosby
    In a long list of things I'd consider, cast vs forged is way low on the list. Fit and finish, lock-up, warranty, etc. All things being equal, maybe, yes, forged over cast, but when are all things ever equal??[:D]
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  • beantownshootah
    I agree with R. Crosby.

    Sure, all else being equal, forged is *probably* better, but there are so many other factors that come into play that this particular one is pretty unimportant.

    The reasons to buy a Smith over a Taurus are their generally smoother actions, and better resale value, not because of differences in frame manufacture.

    I've heard of poor quality control from Taurus (and from Smith, now that I think about it), but I've never heard of anyone actually breaking a Taurus wheelgun frame before.

    Now, giving credit to your friend, all else being equal, older Smiths are probably better than newer ones OR Tauruses, as its a case of "they don't make them like that anymore".

    The newer Smiths are mass produced with metal injection molding used to make the internals, barrel sleeves (rather than solid steel barrels) crush-fit to the frames (rather than screwed into place), etc, questionable value internal locks, etc.

    The older ones are hand-fitted from all steel parts and may have other collectible touches like recessed cylinders, pinned barrels, flat latches, etc.
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  • don.b
    This is definetely 'apples vs. oranges', but would you prefer the strength of a cast axe, or knife, or a forged one? I will take forging, hands-down; over any other fabrication method, IF available. The result still needs proper heat-treat, of course. Casting is simply cheaper. That is absolute fact.
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