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1. Pat Cascio: Your review of the 85 and the comments about quality control at Taurus is spot on! I have a Taurus PT111, my friend also has one. His gun is trouble-free, 100% reliability. Mine, well I almost threw it away! Shortly after I bought it, the rear sight fell off during a range session. The screw holding it on was lost, and contacting Taurus was an exercise in frustration. Took about two months to get the new sight and screw, available only from Brazil.

   The gun had always been finicky about hollow point ammo, I figured it would wear in, it didn’t. It got worse, to the point it wouldn’t reliably feed ball ammo. I had the gun checked, it seems the barrel feed ramp was way too short, allowing the tips of various bullets to catch under the lip of the barrel ramp. Smoothing and rounding didn’t help. Talked with Taurus for well over a month, via e mail because trying to reach a person via phone is IMPOSSIBLE, and after they refused to send me a barrel, the gun was sent back for repairs a couple of months ago…..still waiting. In the meantime, hello S&W Shield, for $413.00 I couldn’t really afford. Never again……

2. Prior to the Y2K I purchased one in .22lr and still it operates as good if not better than out of the box. Two spring adjustments, now it goes bang when I want it to, shoots as true as the “old guy” holding it, and lasers really in low light.

3. I hadn’t heard they are discontinued. Too bad

4. Taurus has been very good for me to deal with. I got a good deal on a used Taurus Model 66 (7 shot) from a local FFL and gunsmith. It had a problem – the slots in the cylinder were cut too large and the lockup was sloppy. The FFL sent it back to them, and though it took a while, Taurus replaced the cylinder and stop, perfectly fitted. It was almost a custom gun, for a very modest price, and a little bit of effort and time.

5. I have carried the 85 in stainless for 15 years in an ankle holster by Galco. It is a great gun with a good “sweet spot” when shooting double action. I also have the crimson trace laser grips and it is super accurate.

6. I was very disappointed at most commercial jacketed HP 38 ammo as it often failed to expand in a blue jeans covered pork shoulder making the same hole I got from firing 130 grain FMJ. I’ve not tried the excellent sounding ammo you used in the article. Have you actually tested the expansion of your rounds through a snubbie? Most ammo tests I understand use a 4 inch barrel revolver for their tests.

   All hollow points require a fairly high velocity to expand reliably and I’m not sure a 38 snubbie has enough barrel to make that happen?

   An older neighbor ex-police hand loads for my snubbie a hollow base wadcutter backwards with the hollow facing the business end. He calls them Chicago Ashtrays. The load is easier on my hands than the 38+P and the wound channel is a nasty hole all the way through that that pork shoulder. I can put three fingers into the exit wound. I wish I could find some Ballistic Gelatin to make a better view like I see on YouTube. Would be interesting.

   When you only have 5 shots they have to be the best 5 shots available.

   Thoughts? Opinions?

7. The Buffalo Bore 150gr hard cast full wadcutter is an excellent performer in snub-nose revolvers. It is standard-pressure ammo suitable for all revolvers. Pricey at $1.50 a pop.

8. Sometimes less costly revolvers are needed in these dire times; a good review of a small revolver. … Everyone needs a ~second handgun to carry around, when needed. +A revolver can be handed to another family member during emergencies. [A granny-lady or Uncle Harry (when sober) can manipulate a revolver]

   The recent Kenosha WI riots indicate that Felons are attempting to grab weapons. People are sometimes shot because they ~attacked the police. [Only lunatics or people on drugs would attack the cops.] … A person now days, can expect to be attacked, if they protect themselves, family or community.
   ……. … +There is photographic evidence, that a man in Portland Oregon was ‘lying in wait’ to murder someone upset with Anarchy in America. Leftwingers are celebrating the ~murderer (subsequently killed by the cops) for murdering a ‘Trump Supporter’ in Cold Blood.

   Check out: SurvivalBlog, AUGUST 25, 2018, ~Tips On Buying Used Handguns, by Pat Cascio~ … +The National Rifle Association has guides for buying a used revolver. … Some of the ~same areas to check when buying a used revolver can be applied to NEW revolvers too.
   Make sure the alignment between the barrel and the cylinder is copacetic when the revolver is cocked. = A person doesn’t need the bullet to jump the gap and receive a ‘shave’ while entering the barrel.

   View the videos from the Kenosha WI riots, where the young man was Hit in the Head, slipped and fell to the ground, kicked and then Hit again. The sling on his rifle enabled him to retain control and possession of his weapon, as someone tried to grab his rifle.

   When someone is knocked down and maybe dazed, a revolver is easy to manipulate and fire. … Something to consider in our ‘gun grabber’ era. = Carrying a second gun might become a life saver.

9. Great review, Pat!
   I have an old Model 85CH (concealed hammer), and it’s a keeper. It’s surprising accurate and has never given me a moment’s trouble. Solid choice in a small revolver, and for a reasonable price! Thanks again!

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