Taurus model 85 Classic 38 special 5 shot revolver. A better “budget” J frame

[@HenkduPlooy-ym3ed]

I bought mine in 1990 and still working 100% - it is my daily carrier. It is family..Greetings from South Africa

[@crankygunreviews]

Thanks for the note! They’re better than people give them credit for.

[@LucasDaVoice]

I’m from South Africa and I Own one too as a pocket gun for everyday carry.

[@PanhandlePrepping]

I have the exact same Taurus 85 Classic in nearly identical condition. Same lovely deep blued finish. Same grips. Same slight bluing wear on the muzzle. Silky smooth trigger pull. Beautiful and reliable shooter. Got it in 1992 as my first handgun when I was 21 years old. Many handguns later, it is still among my favorites to carry and shoot. Excellent review. It’s always nice when others recognize that the Taurus 85 Classic is a great wheel gun and firearm.

[@crankygunreviews]

They’re so well built! Much better than the Rossi in the same vintage

[@eddieherring6789]

Oh yea I inherited mine from my step pops solid arm only guns I've ever owned actually besides my little titan pocket pistol as I carry that as my backup concealed

[@landontrombley248]

I just turned 18 and inherited this exact firearm from my dad who inherited it from my grandfather. He used to carry it on him all the time so it means a lot. Still in perfect condition.

[@crankygunreviews]

Great gun

[@randallcollier7089]

I have the same model. Bought it back in the late 80s. Still looks brand new. Great for concealed carry. Fun to shoot.

[@crankygunreviews]

It’s a sweet gun

[@phillipsadventures4806]

What some of the holsters you have found for it

[@randallcollier7089]

@@phillipsadventures4806 I’ve had an UncleMikes Sidekick for years now. It’s still holding up great. Size 0

[@steelgila]

Bought mine in the late eighties too. I initially got a Bersa .380 imported by EMF that continually jammed and ended up trading it for the Taurus 85. Glad I ended up with the .38.

[@jneptune1540]

I have one in SS. My dad’s old gun he kept under the register. I can’t shot it worth a lick. Lol. Holster wise, I have a sw j frame and work perfectly

[@badgumby9544]

I have the older SS model. Bought it at a Pawn Shop for $250 several years ago. It was jacked up when I bought it. Although in very good condition, externally. It had a terrible trigger and the trigger and cylinder would lock up when shooting. Took it apart. It had burrs and rough spots on many parts. De-burred and polished the internals. Now it runs perfectly, is very accurate and is a very good carry gun with Liberty +P ammo.

[@crankygunreviews]

Good deal!

[@tendraftsdeep]

Bought one of these, identical brand new back in 1992. It still looks brand new today. Great gun. I do like my S&W's but there's just something cool about this model

[@crankygunreviews]

The grip on these feels better than any of my other 5 shot snubs. It’s an awesome gun

[@puertoricanboy100]

What's the best way to maintain them? I'd like mine for edc.

[@MrAlexito305]

I just bought one today. It came with the box and everything and looks brand new even being from the 80s. This wheel gun REALLY caught my eye

[@crankygunreviews]

It’s such a sweet shooter!

[@scooterbob4432]

My Model 85 broke twice and I got tired of sending it back to Taurus for repairs. It's now a paper weight. Bought a stainless steel Charter Arms Undercover 38 snub nose revolver today.

[@crankygunreviews]

@@scooterbob4432 every company does have some lemons. I have an old 1970's Charter Arms Undercover in stainless as well, and I love it.

[@MrAlexito305]

@@scooterbob4432 well I haven’t had any issues with mines and its 30+ years old. I would like the Southpaw revolver (basically a reversed Undercover) which is a true left handed dedicated revolver by Charter Arms. Hard to find

[@scooterbob4432]

@@MrAlexito305 I saw a picture of the unique Undercover for left handed shooters. Yes, get one if you're left handed.

[@elfish1220]

I also have this older model in SS. I’m not saying it’s better than one of my S&W. However, I enjoy shooting it more, and my accuracy is better. I sold one years ago and had to have it back. The wood grip just fits my hand perfect, and I don’t care what the nay sayers say, I love it. Thanks for the vid.

[@crankygunreviews]

Mine feels more like it was modeled on a Colt detective special versus a J frame to be honest.

[@wool_tower106]

Beautiful revolver, I’ve got a thing for this one in particular.

[@crankygunreviews]

I’ll have another video on it in a couple days. It is a really good shooter.

[@alexshuster2448]

thank you for developing weapons in your videos and educating people in weapons culture

[@crankygunreviews]

Thanks Alex, I never run out of things to talk about

[@socc6991]

I have one in the same configuration. I love mine. They shoot very nice for a small J frame revolver.

[@crankygunreviews]

The grip angle and feel make it a fantastic shooter

[@CWR66]

I have a nickel plated 357 magnum version of that same revolver. I bought it new in the early to mid 90's. It's a sweet shooter.

[@Tomahawk1500]

Awesome presentation of the Taurus M85 firearm, I also bought the exact same model about for months ago, mine is just in chrome. the gun is very well made, has a high quality finish to it, easy to conceal carry, shooting accuracy also pretty damm good on this gun, just love it.

[@crankygunreviews]

That’s good to hear! I can’t wait to shoot mine!

[@naughtystep9856]

Good looking revolver. Eagerly waiting for range day.

[@crankygunreviews]

Me too :) I was going to go this weekend, but I came down with pneumonia, so it may be another week before I get to the range unfortunately.

[@naughtystep9856]

@@crankygunreviews Sorry to hear that! Take care 🙏🏼

[@crankygunreviews]

@@naughtystep9856 I’m on meds, I’ll be over it fast. Already feeling better after just 2 days on meds.

[@danielpollard3969]

A very professional video, keep them coming.

[@alexshuster2448]

Sorry for not answering for a long time. We are currently clearing the territory. Yesterday, at about 2 o'clock, explosions were heard in a neighboring settlement, near me. We often sit in basements. air raid alerts day and night, every day. didn't watch your videos. now you can watch the video..really worthy revolver, it's true. only I don’t like such handles, as I understand it, a pocket revolver, like Pocket. I don’t understand much of what you are saying, but in general the essence of the video is clear

[@ElPolloDelMar1]

I checked the Taurus website, and my nickel plated model 85 snubby's serial number indicates that it was made in 1988 in Brazil. The online forum story I found said that the .38 caliber +P rounds were not legal to possess in Brazil (except for the police/military) until the early 90's, That is why the pistols of this era were not stamped +P on the barrel, but they are fine to shoot the hotter loads. These guns have a lifetime warranty and mine came with the Uncle Mikes rubber grips, a Galco leather holster and a box of assorted shells for $250. Get the 6 round rubber speed loaders to carry extra rounds because the regular speed loaders hang up on the cylinder release.

[@crankygunreviews]

Very cool!

[@dalejenkins5102]

Just bought one of these online, haven't got it here yet , however I took the serial number and called into taurus USA and within a couple of minutes got the year of manufacture. (1993) on mine. Looks to me like taurus kind of married a colt detective special and a smith j frame together with this firearm. I've owned several j frames so I'm anxious to see how this one works out. Nice video BTW.

[@crankygunreviews]

I agree in the design. Looks like a cross between colt DS and J frame. I hope yours is as smooth as mine. I absolutely love mine.

[@dalejenkins5102]

@@crankygunreviews I'm always excited about getting a new to me firearm, a while back I picked up a model 36 new from 1975 from an estate. Original box papers and all . I did sell it ( pricey little gun ) and saw this taurus model 85 (1993) . Same thing ,original box don't think it's been fired hardly at all soo we'll see. The size of the gun and grip got my attention on the taurus. I guess the only down is scraping up parts if needed.

[@thebronzetoo]

I have still have my Model 85CH (Concealed Hammer) that I bought in the early 90's. A few days ago I installed a set of Wolff reduced power springs and it made a big difference in its DA trigger pull. I recommend them. I switched out my Hogue rubber grips for a set of Barami Hip-grips and I think I'm going to install a hammer with a thumb spur in it, so I can SA it. They're great little Snubbies!!

[@crankygunreviews]

I’ll look into the springs for this. I really don’t like the hip grips, it’s a good idea, but I’m a fan of a holster that covers the trigger guard completely.

[@thebronzetoo]

@@crankygunreviews I hear you on that. But on a DA revolver, you'll usually be okay. I highly recommend the springs. They 're like $8 + S&H for the set. My CH probably had a 12-14lb pull. Now it's much better.

[@sporty05]

Had one as my first gun bought back in about 1993 wish I had kept it now.

[@crankygunreviews]

Yeah I’m glad I snagged this one

[@montysport94]

I have the same one from my late grandma, she got it from a relative some time in the 70s or 80s I’m not quite sure. Watching the dust come off while firing for the first time in 40+ years was hilarious. Can’t hit the broad side of a barn but it is really fun to shoot. Thought about selling my other handguns but I don’t know if I can really rely on a 5 shot .38 in todays world.

[@crankygunreviews]

Mine is very accurate. Only issue I see with mine is the cylinder gap seems a tad bit excessive, so I get a fair amount of flash between the cylinder and forcing cone, but mine still runs correctly

[@montysport94]

@@crankygunreviews maybe I’m expecting too much out of it, usually with pistols I try to go for 15-25 yards.

[@crankygunreviews]

@@montysport94 I have shot mine out to 10-12 yards and been pretty accurate- these have sights like the old S&W where the top of the ramp needs to sit flush with the top of the rear sight notches otherwise you shoot high

[@Risteard156]

A excellent video on the Trarus 85 was about $185 back in 1987 the stainless steel is much better today a about $250 to $299 if you could find one buy it they are hard to find better than S&W J frame 😮

[@crankygunreviews]

I don’t think it’s better than a J frame, but they’re good

[@ekohermawanto7074]

Very nice gun

[@crankygunreviews]

Thanks! I really like it!

[@eddieherring6789]

I have the exact same pistol love Taurus guns i also own the taurus 92 9mm

[@crankygunreviews]

Nice! I only have this one and a G3C, I’m very happy with them.

[@eddieherring6789]

There both excellent guns the Taurus 92 9mm is exactly like the Beretta there basically the same gun made on the same machinery

[@crankygunreviews]

@@eddieherring6789 I have heard good things about the Taurus 92

[@jw-sigp2258]

Nice video. I have a Taurus model 441 that looks about the age that 85 is.

[@crankygunreviews]

I want to find more history on these

[@jw-sigp2258]

@@crankygunreviews if I find some good info on history for them I’ll let you know.

[@takeseverythingyouvegot]

I'm picking up my 1986 model 85 classic next week. Did you ever fit it with the j frame type grips? Photos? Thinking of doing the same.

[@crankygunreviews]

No, they will fit with some minor filing/sanding and drilling a new hole for the centering pin on the frame. I have put these Taurus grips on a j frame with minor fitting as well

[@alexshuster2448]

Very high quality revolvers in our country were on sale taurus flobert 4,5, their cost is about 400 dollars from stainless steel. the speed of the bullet is approximately 150-170 meters per second, the power is 5 - 7.5 joules. such a weapon is weak, but the penetrating ability of the bullet is able to send .a victim of a shot to a surgeon, with a possible fatal outcome in the future. there were cases when drunk, ill-mannered people shot at their drunken friends from such weapons, and the person then died within a day. a small bullet of 4.5 mm can penetrate the skin into organs, cause serious internal.bleeding and the person dies. weapons must be treated wisely, including small-caliber ones

[@crankygunreviews]

Guns should always be treated with respect, stupidity kills just as much as bullets do

[@alexshuster2448]

@@crankygunreviews this is understood only by those who are aware of what any weapon is capable of, including small-caliber ones with rimfire cartridges .

[@PanhandlePrepping]

Bangor Punta Corp., who was the parent company of Smith & Wesson at the time bought a majority share of Forjas Taurus in 1970. From 1970-1977, many Taurus firearms were made on S&W tooling. Bangor Punta Corp. sold its controlling share of Forjas Taurus in 1977, and thus Forjas Taurus severed its ties with S&W at that time. In 1980, Beretta, who was making arms for the Brazilian army, sold its Brazil operation to Forjas Taurus. So for a time, Taurus owned all Beretta designs and tooling. And as a result, created the Taurus PT-92 and PT-99 9mms. In 1982, Forjas Taurus formed Taurus Holdings Inc., which in turn formed Taurus International Manufacturing Inc. in Miami, Florida. Taurus International Manufacturing Inc. gave rise to Taurus USA and changed the firearms industry in 1984, when it was the first ever firearms company to offer a lifetime repair policy. The Taurus 85 Classic was introduced in 1985. In 1995, Taurus USA bought the rights to Rossi firearms. Taurus USA also bought Heritage Arms Manufacturing in 2009 and moved Heritage firearms production to their Miami facility. In 2019, Taurus USA moved the production of both Taurus and Heritage firearms to Bainbridge, Georgia.

[@crankygunreviews]

Great history! Thanks!

[@avalentino2386]

I just bought one today at a gun show. First revolver ever. First gun was a Glock 43x lol. One thing I’m wondering is when I cock back the hammer, there’s a part rattling that I can see. Don’t know if it’s the transfer bar or? Been trying to figure out what it’s called lol. Does yours do the same thing?

[@crankygunreviews]

Probably the transfer bar if it is between the hammer and firing pin

[@rickytic]

Had a 3in SS and sold it. Have two 856 snubbies now

[@crankygunreviews]

@@rickytic the 3” is a great size, but the snubnose are a little easier to hide…

[@rickytic]

@@crankygunreviews one in ankle holster (right hand) & one small of back ( left hand) when riding motorcycle

[@crankygunreviews]

@@rickytic nice, just make sure your shirt is tucked in- I’ve seen many guys on bikes with SOB holsters flashing their guns when they’re shirts flap in the breeze. Don’t need to give people a reason to call cops on us

[@rickytic]

@@crankygunreviews true ..see a biker with a gun, he must be up too no good...hahaha

[@crankygunreviews]

@@rickytic well, some people freak when they see any guns… my FIL has said he thinks anyone with a handgun is just buying it to kill- no other reason for a handgun… 🙄

[@nigelmansel6830]

I have one with an unshrouded ejector rod. Older or a different batch ?

[@crankygunreviews]

Maybe older but I’m not a Taurus experts so I cannot say for sure

[@CarolinaRimfire]

I wasn't able to get j frame grips to work on my Taurus 85. Did you have any better luck?

[@crankygunreviews]

Haven’t tried, I love the Taurus grips.

[@CA.0verview]

How much did it go for, local store is selling it for $400

[@crankygunreviews]

I think I paid $425 for mine. If I’d waited for an additional couple weeks I could have gotten one for $325 I think…

[@CA.0verview]

I found one with a bobbed hammer from the factory 2 hours away from my town . I snagged and picking it up tomorrow. Made a trade for it .

[@crankygunreviews]

@CA.0verview that’s great! I recently picked up a set of banana grips and another set of these target grips for mine as well. I had no idea they had banana grips for these :)

[@thehashslingingslasher4207]

I paid $300 for mine, I absolutely love it

[@rickytic]

Your FIL is entitled to that opinion. I'm 69 yo & owned/carried a handgun since I was legally able (18yo) Twice I've had to use it to save my life . I've never threatened/unintentionally killed anyone. Those that espouse that opinion have never been in a life threatening situation

[@crankygunreviews]

I agree. It’s just ignorance that’s pushed through media and even movies unfortunately. He doesn’t know I’ve been carrying a gun in his house for almost 10 years though lol

[@alexshuster2448]

how many grams does this revolver weigh by the way? And how much money in America do you have to pay for this ?

[@crankygunreviews]

I don’t know how much it weighs- USD was $425

[@alexshuster2448]

@@crankygunreviews сonsidering our salaries in Ukraine, before the war, and prices, this is expensive for us. Our monthly salary is $150-300. in the city of Kyiv a little more. 400-700 bucks. But I would not regret money for such an apparatus. although the mossberg would buy a pump-action shotgun for himself and give it to himself for Valentine's Day))) .

[@alexshuster2448]

@@crankygunreviews especially taurus is a good brand

[@jefferynatter1961]

Not a big Taurus fan but I do like the old school model 85 just found one at my local gun shop in mint condition I called Taurus to date it they said 1993 got it for $175

[@crankygunreviews]

I like the older ones more, but the new manufacture ones have been better quality. Like them or not, they’re arming people and most of them are of decent quality

[@alexshuster2448]

I love the Brazilian taurus very much, I love their bulls. quality products, we have a revolver taurus flobert 4.5 mm, import, cost about 400-500 dollars. we also had Turkish-made revolvers flobert 4,5 ekol viper black, 120-150 dollars for 1 revolver, very similar to the revolver in .this video of yours. only I don't like the pocket handle. we also had magnum flobert 4,5 mm revolvers for sale, the cost was about $ 200, they were made in Germany. I just love revolvers. they are better than pistols. compact. for concealed carry in a holster or pocket. good to scare.them aggressive animals. and I also like that the revolver does not fly out of the drum shells when firing .

[@crankygunreviews]

Revolvers are my favorite types of guns. They’re just relaxing and fun to shoot.

[@alexshuster2448]

@@crankygunreviews I really like revolvers, especially those made of nickel, chrome, or stainless steel. I'm just crazy about them. I like to shoot glass bottles with revolvers. I direct all my hatred to shooting from revolvers. all the stress and depression.

[@alexshuster2448]

@@crankygunreviews their designs are amazing! they are wonderful !!!!! this is art

[@alexshuster2448]

@@crankygunreviews revolvers, they are like a musical instrument !!! it's like a violin!!! like a guitar!!! I love wooden handles on revolvers, soaked in the smell of walnut or beech !!!!.

[@crankygunreviews]

@@alexshuster2448 I agree with you, there’s just something about a revolver with wood grip that makes me smile

[@thebluesrockers]

Hudson River Valley Customs That's name for hrv if that helps you out. peace..Joe

[@rileyfrench3837]

Which clown show of a state restricts taurus (or any brand) after a certain year?

[@crankygunreviews]

Massachusetts- it’s more of a “hasn’t been submitted or hasn’t passed the states strict testing” than anything else… they’re adding more all the time, but we just had the most sweeping and restrictive anti-gun bill passed here too, so I have no idea what’s gonna happen in future.

[@Ezequiel-vw6ir]

🤜🤛👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@crankygunreviews]

👍👍

[@Ezequiel-vw6ir]

@@crankygunreviews 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝🤝

[@williamst7078]

I have a birthday coming 😁

[@crankygunreviews]

This was my birthday present to myself- felt bad for myself cause I was sick in bed on my birthday :)

[@cubbiescorner6281]

Don’t shoot it with +p unless you want to trade it back in soon. The metallurgy isn’t good on those revolvers and Taurus has always had issues with the 85 series. It may look like a smith but smith it is not.

[@crankygunreviews]

Thanks for the heads up- I wasn’t planning on shooting plus P in it, but I know a lot of people carry plus P and target shoot regular

[@alexshuster2448]

I don’t understand, you have America, a developed country, why are there so few views of your videos

[@crankygunreviews]

There are many larger gun channels with bigger budgets and better production of videos. I do this as a hobby.

[@alexshuster2448]

@@crankygunreviews well, that's why you have soulful videos, this is for the soul, and not a video cover for views and profit

[@alexshuster2448]

understand me correctly, after our journalists showed on video in the city of Bucha, Gostomel, Irpen near Kiev, Chernihiv, Sumy, Akhtyrka, Trostyanets all the murders, torn girls 10 years old raped burnt corpses, destroyed churches, destroyed houses, now that reporters showed..that's all, only now NATO has begun to give soldiers powerful, seriously weapons, armored vehicles, systems for destroying aircraft missiles. just now. when our journalists showed thousands of torn and burned people to European countries. I'm afraid to even guess what happened in Mariupol. even.animals don't do that. if earlier European countries and America had given us heavy, powerful weapons, and not just Turkish bayraktars, there would not have been so much blood and grief. we will hate the Russian army for decades. we were unarmed

[@crankygunreviews]

I am praying for your country.