I bought a Taurus. I told myself I'd never buy a Taurus revolver. I went into a gun shop on my way through a town and something caught my eye under the glass. Why, this looks like a S&W K frame in .22. Nope, it's a Taurus 96. I passed my testing which is why I originally was visiting, so afterwards I went back and treated myself to it. The thing looks like it had never been fired. I just got back to the range and I love it. My wallet didn't get raped in the process either. I've been on a S&W streak lately but after handling this revolver I am very happy I made the purchase.

Full range report?  Pics?  Grouping?  Preferred ammo?  Trigger feel and timing?  I have a Taurus; can find nothing objectionable about it - for the price.  If you give your 96 a thumbs up, I'll consider looking around for one.

I also have one, and enjoy shooting it.

Mine locks up tight and the action was surprisingly good. I was surprised with how good it was when I held it at the shop and was the deciding factor on whether or not I'd pick it up. Sights are good, trigger is pretty good although I hardly shot it double action. I was using remington golden bullets (all I had with me at the time) and from 15 yards I was shooting about the size of an Eisenhower dollar. It's probably capable of much better given I have tremors. Sorry, no pics yet. I've been running around all day.

I had one.  Nice revolver.  As accurate as a Smith.  Trigger and finish not as nice, obviously.  But it worked, as have the other two Taurus' I owned.

Interesting replies.  What's the visual clues that it's NOT a S&W?

I had to look at the medallion on the grips and actually see that it was made by Taurus. I thought it was a smith until I saw the tag and held it.

LOL that means the counter guy and I have to interact.  If it gets out of the display case, there's a greater than 50% chance I'm gonna buy it.

are you going to post some pics OP?

Sounds like you got a reasonable deal on a reasonable gun and are having fun with it . All good .


Not to single you out and pick on you but whenever I read these threads I do a facepalm and shake my head. I know S&W revolvers are pricey but if some of you guys who "Don't shoot much double action" would save a bit longer or shop harder and buy a gun with a good trigger you might have a way to learn how to shoot double action. There are plenty of guys with Taurus , Rossi ,Charter Arms and even Ruger who think you have a OK or even decent trigger but for the most part you don't . Pretty good or ok doesn't cut it when you are talking double action revolvers.

S&W guns are generally pretty good from the factory and they also generally get slicker with use . Older Colts are nice if you can find one and I also really like the Ruger LCR line . Most anything else I have tried is clearly second rate and quite difficult to shoot double action.

Sorry this comes off as a rant , trust me that it is not intended that way but I encourage anyone interested in a revolver to pay close attention to the quality of the trigger

No worries. I have a couple S&W 19's, 28, 64, and a python. I probably would have picked up a S&W in 22 if I could find one locally. I was going to try to pick one up at an auction a couple months ago but it went for 800ish and I didn't want to spend that with the condition it was in. One will still be on my list. Pics coming

My 19-3 on top (probably my favorite S&W I own) and the Taurus on the bottom

Those are sweet looking guns. I would like to get a 22 revolver.  Was thinking of a Ruger Single Six, as I don't have a single-action revolver.

I have the 9 shot 5" Taurus "kit gun" that came with Hogues from the factory. I don't recall the model but it is just like the one pictured above without the full underlug or shroud.

Double action is horrible, but single action is glass breakage. I am very satisfied with it.

Not bad OP

The older Taurus guns that look like Smiths are usually a decent gun for the casual shooter; what the hell possessed them to create their current crop of hideous guns I have no idea.  Their K frame sized .38s were pretty good shooters and could be had dirt cheap at one time.    

I've got an older Model 94 (9 shot .22 on a small frame) that's a decent shooter and the finish is actually decent looking.  It took a trip back to the factory to fix it as it had a bur in the forcing cone but for $125NIB I can't complain.  No the trigger isn't great, but then Smith .22s aren't nearly as smooth as their centerfire either.  And yes, I prefer S&Ws and have a couple.