357 MAG Taurus???

[Lewie Girardeau]

           Hey Everybody;


                       I'm brand new to the sport and wanted to ask a few questions.

      First of all I would like to know if there is any "BAD" news about the Taurus single action revolver chambered in .357?...I can not for the life of me remember the model of it, but it is a single action with a 7 something " barrel and it is chambered in 357 mag. And there is the forever warranty on them you know...
     I guess I should also ask just how many folks are using the .357? ( for match and other also)
     I want to be able to also shoot a deer with my rigs and thought of using the same cal. for both the revolver and rifle.
     On that note are many folks using the 44 mag in both revolver and rifle? From what I have shot before I just can not see a match going great while shooting the 44 mag as the recoil would be so great that there would be a loss in the time of the round.
      Again, I'm new and so this is the reason I'm asking for help before buying the guns!!



                                                                                                      Lewie Girardeau

                                                                                                             "Rob Wright"

[Shotgun Franklin]

The different uses require way different loads and bullets. I've killed a lot of deer with the .357. You need a good heavy hollow point bullet and even then I keep shots under 75 yards. .357 is a small diameter bullet and the HP helps with energy transfer to the trget. CAS you need a lead bullet at a much lower velocity.
It is no a big deal to workup two different loads, many do it.

[J.D. Yellowhammer]

Some folks say the Taurus Gaucho isn't a very good pistol, but my wife's been using her .357/.38's for cowboy shooting for a while and they've always run great. The action is very smooth.  Hers are the polished stainless steel so they clean up real nice. We load .38's for cowboy shooting.  Never hunted with them.

[Texas Lawdog]

The Gauchos got a bad rap initially by some folks. Taurus has discontinued production of them. I have 2 of the Gauchos in 45 Colt and polished stainless steel finish. They seem to function properly. I have shot both of mine, but not in competition.

[Infernal Combustion]

I've got a pair of SS Gauchos in 45 Colt.  I've used them in several matches and like them.  Action was good out of the box so I didn't see the need to slick them up.  Unfortunately, Taurus discontinued production of them after a few short years.  If you can find 'em for cheap, they aren't a bad buy.  Taurus does advertise their lifetime warranty, but the word on the street is that it takes a "lifetime" to get your gun back if you send it to them for repair.

Most folks with .357 Magnum pistols and rifles shoot .38 Special in competition - cheaper and less recoil.  Make sure you give your cylinders a good cleaning before switching from .38 to .357. -- a powder ring can build up near the mouth of the cylinder from the shorter cartridge.

Welcome to the campfire!

[Lewie Girardeau]

            "Unfortunately, Taurus discontinued production of them after a few short years. "


              Does this mean that if they break ( the Gauchoe) it takes forever to get them back or just Taurus in general??
   I found one for $299.00 I wanted to ask before buying. Compared to other guns the price seemed good.
   The action is very smooth and the thought was use what was saved on the revolver to go toward a rifle.
   I already have a model 1897 and bought that simply because of hopes to hit turkey season as I'm recovering from a move to Ft. Knox KY ( I found a flock of over 100 birds!!) marching along the side of a road here on base just after reporting!!


                                                                                                    Lewie Girardeau

[Wilhoit Wrangler]

   I have a few Taurus firearms, Revolver and Semi-Auto handguns. I did not get to buy a Gaucho before they went out of production.  I did have a couple of mine have a hiccup. I sent them to Taurus through my my gun dealer/gun smith. That might make a difference on turn around time. As I recall, it was only a few weeks and they were back to me. One trip was all it took and I have not had any more problems with the two I sent in.
   

[Infernal Combustion]

I've heard Taurus Customer Service in general is pretty poor.  However, I several Taurus guns (2 Gauchos, 1 Thunderbolt rifle and their 1911) and haven't had a problem with any of them.  If I did have a minor problem I would probably take it to a local gunsmith for a fix.  If it was a major problem, I'd send it back to Taurus and endure the wait.  I wouldn't let their customer service reputation keep me from buying another Taurus.  I do know the reviews of the Gaucho's in the gun press were pretty good and I'm real happy with mine.  $299 isn't a bad price.