New Acquisition - Taurus M85 Polymer Protector

[Thunder71]

I've been looking for an inexpensive, modern revolver to demonstrate how a revolver functions and to have students load/unload, etc, and stumbled across the Taurus Model 85 in polymer, called the Protector.

I have yet to shoot it, but it sure is a neat gun for the price...
Double action/single action, fiber optic front sight, 5 shot .38 Special, +P capable.

Trigger pull is really long and hard in double action, but really nice in single action - hoping it smooths out as it gets used more, but you can definitely feel the breaking point.

Reviews on the web from actual owners (not Taurus haters) are favorable, saying it's a great (and accurate) revolver that surprisingly handles +P ammo very well.

Anyway, just thought I'd share... I'll follow up with more thoughts after I put some rounds through it and see if I can get my wife to shoot it a little (always a challenge).

I'll post my own photo later, but here's one for now.

[dismal]

Got a similar Taurus model, but in .357. With the polymer frame, it's a bit snappy. Happy with it otherwise.

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[Thunder71]

Good to hear, I saw that one too... almost went for it but decided for my purposes the extra money wasn't going to be well spent.

Glad it's been good for you, plus you have the luxury of shooting both.

[Countryfried Frank]

I saw a yt vid for a version of the 85 with a clear poly side plate so you can see the guts in action. It could make for a good training tool. I think the calld it the model 85 View.

[Thunder71]

Yeah that was released this year. Really tiny and 9.5oz of yowch lol.

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[dismal]

Good to hear, I saw that one too... almost went for it but decided for my purposes the extra money wasn't going to be well spent.

Glad it's been good for you, plus you have the luxury of shooting both.

To be honest, I wish I would have saved the money too. After about 20 rounds of .357, I decided that I'd only use .38 unless I was worried about bears. With the .357, It's hard to quickly get an aimed follow up shot.

Does yours have the changeable grip? I like the short one on mine.

[Thunder71]

I think it only came with one, I'll have to look in the box... I don't think so though. Don't forget, when you buy a Taurus you get a one year NRA membership for free with it.

[PHATSPEED7x]

My boss owned one for a couple months... he liked it. Only reason he sold it was because he couldn't find a decent carry holster for it...

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[Thunder71]

Little update, I love this revolver... it's actually great to shoot and very accurate for me.

Still haven't bought a holster for it, but I'm looking... that is the one drawback to it. I've read the Stow-N-Go (Galco) has a model that will fit STO159 (left hand, not sure what the right hand equivalent is). I'd love to find an OWB leather holster for it though, I'm ready to carry it now and then.

[Squib Joe]

Alien Gear has fits for this model, IWB and their new OWB http://aliengearholsters.com/home

[Thunder71]

Thanks, I'll check them out...

[SAM]

Just purchased one of these today and took it out for a test drive. LOVE IT !!!! Feels good in the hand-very lightweight-very accurate for such a short barreled snubby and you can't beat the price-on sale $309.00. I just might buy another.