I recently came across a Taurus 96; it's a six inch 22lr that is model very similar to the Smith model 17.
Blue in color wearing wood grips, this handsome revolver sports adjustable rear sights and a large partridge style front. I'd rate it's condition at about 98%.
The question I have for all of you is how is the Taurus' quality and accuracy?
The only Taurus I've ever owned was their copy of the Beretta model 92. it was done in a bare aluminum frame and hard chromed slide/barrel. While it shot and ran fine, the "pimp" look was not my cup of tea, so it left me as quickly as it arrived.
So your thought and experiences please, as it appears that for $200, it may be a buy.
Below is a pic I found of an example from the web, but not the exact one I am going to purchase.
http://www.marstar.ca/usedguns/revolvers/images/Taurus-83888.jpg

M141a My friends shoots really well. His is a stainless 4 inch and is as nice a revolver as any of the S&W's is 22 I have owned. I lost my S&W kit gun a few years ago and replaced it with a Rossi in Stainless with 4 inch bbl. It shoots just as well and is just as nice also. I really like the looks of the taurus my friend has and we kill the dickens out of tin cans with it.

I've had a stainless 4" model for about a decade of hard use now. Three kids shooting the dickens out of it on the company range when there's nothing better to do, and I shoot it as much as any other gun I own. I hesitate to guess how many cartons of ammo have been through the gun, it's been many CASES of ammo at this point, and it still hasn't ever had so much as a hiccup, and shoots as well as my early model single six and S&W kit gun.

Too, this gun was used when I purchased it at a gunshow back when we had the gunshops. It just followed me home, and has been used ever since.

I do wish the rear sight was adjustable for elevation, but it hasn't caused any real consternation, as I shimmed it underneath to adjust for proper elevation adjustment when it first came home. Haven't cracked a screw on it since.

Solid little revolvers, or so it would seem to me.

God Bless,

Thanks guys, I believe that for $200 I can't go wrong. It sure appears to be a fine revolver, and everything I have found on the web about them seems to point to a fine gun!

By the way I love the fish joke

By the way I love the fish joke

can't take Credit, that was in a bunch of jokes posted by DOK.

Well I went and did it, I ordered it, and will send the payment and FFL tomorrow. I should see it in about a week.

So once I get it, I'll post my "range results" and let you know just how sweet it shoots!
:cool:

Just for point of reference, my 4" Taurus .22 revolver cut its group sizes nearly in half after a quick 20 rounds of lap loads through it! Firelapping made that little gun into quite the shooter.

Just for point of reference, my 4" Taurus .22 revolver cut its group sizes nearly in half after a quick 20 rounds of lap loads through it! Firelapping made that little gun into quite the shooter.
Hmmmmmmm.........

Do you sell .22lr lapping ammo, or did you embed your own????

CCI CB Longs. They have the right velocity range, and the full-length brass protects the chamber. Using the lapping compound imbed into the exposed lead bullet, being sure to fill the cannelures in the bullet. Works like a charm. (complete instructions in the Tech Guide)

Will be more on lapping .22's in an article on the 10/22.

Thanks for all the tips Mr. Stanton; when I receive the gun I will purchase the goodies to do the lapping.
Thanks to all who have helped!

Well I picked it up today. What a fine revolver! I must resoundingly say I am pleased :D
First thoughts;
From the onset, this revolver resembles a Smith model 17. It has a heavy barrel which has a fine rib cut into the top of the barrel. A partridge front sight that is blaze orange. Rears are adj. for wind and ele. and are of the target type.
The frame is closer to that of a 586 or 686 series "L" frame than that of the legendary "K" series. The balance is outstanding, with the weight of the frame sitting right in the webbing of your hand.
The grips, a Golcalo Alves two piece, is very similar in feel to the Smith & Wesson "banana" style, allowing a very controlled grip.

I plan to get to the range tomorrow, we'll let you know it shoots!

Looks like you got yourself a nice and clean revolver to go plinking with. Looks almost like Harry's 44 Magnum, lol, well, almost. I love the old stlye frames like yours, they look very classic. I dont like the rubber grips and stainless steel of todays S&W's, they just dont have the look the older ones do. Just my.2 cents

Looks like you got yourself a nice and clean revolver to go plinking with. Looks almost like Harry's 44 Magnum, lol, well, almost. I love the old stlye frames like yours, they look very classic. I dont like the rubber grips and stainless steel of todays S&W's, they just dont have the look the older ones do. Just my.2 cents
Thanks Georgian;
I bought this one sight unseen, short of an internet pic. I never even saw an example of a Taurus 96 before I found it...
I too am a fan of blued steel. There's nuthin like that look.

Granted, Stinless has it's merits. but I'll take blue over it any time.

Sure looks as if someone was looking out for me ;)

Well it shoots like a dream. Shot from a rest to sight in, this 6 inch beauty only had to come up 2 cliks to be right on the money. ;)

As it is in near new condition, it most likely needs a good break in period for the trigger to smooth itself out.
Used a friends scale, it's breaking at 4.5lbs....kinda heavey for a true target pistol, but I'm sure with use it'll settle in.

I have a stainless Model 94 4" that is growing on me. Accuracy is good, fit/finish fair. I think it will make a decent plinker/close in hunter if I do my part.

I thought about lapping, but I'm going to wait until I practice some more.

h