Table of Contents

• Specs
• Build
• Shooting & Performance
• Why Choose .22 LR Rounds
• .22 LR vs. 9MM
• Taurus 22 Revolver vs. Beretta Bobcat
• Taurus 22 Revolver vs. Ruger SR22
• Conclusion

Debuting in the late 1930’s, Forjas Taurus experienced its humble beginnings as a diversified company in the southern coastal city of Porto Allegro, Brazil. Originally manufacturing metals, plastics, and civil construction equipment, it only took a few years for them to get into the arms industry. In 1941, Taurus unveiled their first firearm: the Model 38101SO Revolver.

After some time, the company began exporting to the United States. Their success can easily be attributed to their short-lived partnerships with Smith & Wesson and Beretta. Nevertheless, they have blossomed into an international success story with a line of pistols, revolvers, and rifles uniquely their own. One of the biggest attractions of their weapons is their affordable prices due to lower international labor costs.

Experienced shooters may remember the days of faulty Taurus weapons, but I can assure you that those days are long gone. Today, Taurus is among the best in the business with a wide variety of weapons. They currently produce award winning guns ideal for target shooting, concealed carry, and home & personal defense – one of which, the Taurus Millenium G2 Pistol, we only just reviewed. However, now it’s time that we delve into Taurus revolvers chambered in .22 ammunition.

Taurus 22 Revolver Specs

• Model: Tracker Model 970
• Caliber: .22LR.
• Capacity: 7.
• Weight: 45.6 oz.
• Overall Length: 10 ¾”.
• Barrel Length: 6 ½”.
• Action: DA/SA.
• MSRP: $472.00.

• Model: Tracker Model 990
• Caliber: .22LR.
• Capacity: 9.
• Weight: 38 oz.
• Overall Length: 8 ¾”.
• Barrel Length: 4”.
• Action: DA/SA.
• MSRP: $555.00.
  • Extended model weighs 44 oz, has a 6 ½” barrel and a 10 ¾” overall length.

• Model: Tracker Model 991
• Caliber: .22 Magnum.
• Capacity: 9.
• Weight: 38 oz.
• Overall Length: 8 ¾”.
• Barrel Length: 4”.
• Action: DA/SA.
• MSRP: $555.00.
  • Extended model weighs 44 oz, has a 6 ½” barrel and a 10 ¾” overall length.

• Model: Model 992B6 (Ultralite)
• Caliber: .22LR.
• Capacity: 9.
• Weight: 55 oz.
• Overall Length: 13 ¾”.
• Barrel Length: 6 ½”.
• Action: SA/DA.
• MSRP: $590.68.

• Model: Model 992SS4 (Ultralite)
• Caliber: .22LR.
• Capacity: 9.
• Weight: 40 oz.
• Overall Length: 9 ¾”.
• Barrel Length: 4”.
• Action: DA/SA.
• MSRP: $627.41.

• Model: Model 992SS6
• Caliber: .22LR.
• Capacity: 9.
• Weight: 55 oz.
• Barrel Length: 6 ½”.
• Action: DA/SA.
• MSRP: $627.41.

Taurus 22 Revolver Build

This is where it all began -revolvers- and these Taurus firearms are some of the finest you’ll ever see. Seriously, these beasts are gorgeous, modern, highly-effective, and extremely powerful. The years of Taurus’ defective products are gone – now is it’s their time to shine in all of their glory. These revolvers are housed in two separate families with distinct features – let’s go through each one and discover what makes them so special.

The award winning Tracker series features exceptionally authoritative and intimidating hunting revolvers. This line of Taurus’ is filled with guns in several different chambers all of which are equally tough. These powerhouses make the perfect hunting companion whether or not you use them are your primary firearm. They can easily handle everything from coons to bears. However, if chambering .22 rounds, I’d stick to smaller game. Taurus constructed these revolvers with nearly unbreakable components to ensure they’ll never fail you.

The other family of revolvers is technically also Tracker, but fit into a subcategory called Ultralite. The main difference between the traditional Trackers and these is the incredible versatility of the Ultralite series. In mere seconds you can convert these revolvers from .22LR to .22 Magnum by switching their new revolutionary removable cylinders.

One characteristic which both of these revolvers share is the brilliant Taurus Security System. When the Security System is engaged, the Taurus’ manual safety can’t be disengaged and the gun can’t be cocked or fired. As an added plus, this specialized safety mechanism is incorporated into the firearm and can’t be lost.  They also share the manual transfer bar safety; this mechanism effectively stops the hammer from striking the firing pin unless the trigger is fully pulled. The Tracker and Ultralite also share the special Taurus Ribber Grip which not only provides a sturdy, non-slip grip in nearly all conditions, but is also an effective shock absorber.

Taurus 22 Revolver Shooting & Performance

What can I say about these guns’ performance that hasn’t already been said? Several of these guns have won prestigious awards attesting to their top-notch accuracy and overall performance. Growing up, I preferred semi-autos because I thought they had better control. A lot of my feelings in regards to this changed after shooting a Tracker for the first time.

The Taurus Trackers have seriously great ergonomics and control, especially considering how large and powerful they are. Their not-too-heavy/not-too-light build felt comfortable in my hands, particularly because of the Ribber Grips. The DA/SA is easy to get used to and should have no impact on your performance. We can’t overlook the most important factor: Accuracy! These Taurus’ have insane accuracy, even for follow-up shots –it’s no wonder why they’re such a favorite among expert hunters.

I had a very similar experience with the Taurus Ultralites. However, these .22s are geared more for plinking, target practice or varmint hunting.  For those of you who aren’t familiar with the term plinking, it’s an old-fashioned word used to mean less conventional target shooting (like tin cans and glass bottles) or small game hunting.

Why Choose .22 LR Rounds?

I’d like to briefly discuss the ups and downs of the historically significant and effective .22 Long Rifle rounds, I’ll try to keep it short and sweet. The first thing to consider when choosing which ammo to use, you need to figure out what type of shooting you’ll be doing. Considering that the .22 is a very popular hunting round, let’s start there. 22’s are great for small game hunting but won’t be very useful against larger animals. If you’re going after something big, you want to kill it, not piss it off.

If distance is your game, this cartridge may not be for you. The .22 is most effective at around 100 yards, but can be still be pretty accurate at 125, depending on the firearm and grain. Lastly, .22 rounds are so cheap and accessible that you could easily stock up thousands of rounds with no problem.  Since they’re so small and lightweight, you can carry hundreds of rounds on your person without it being a burden. These are all things to consider when picking out your next revolver.

.22 LR vs. 9MM

Before we compare and contrast the classic .22 and 9mm rounds, let’s get a glimpse at the sole Taurus revolver chambered in the latter cartridge.

• Model: 905B2.
• Caliber: 9mm Luger.
• Capacity: 5.
• Weight: 22.2 oz.
• Overall Length: 6 ½”.
• Barrel Length: 2”.
• Action: DA/SA.
• MSRP: $480.83.

Both the .22 and 9mm are common cartridges for novice shooters and concealed carriers. These shooters prefer these rounds because they still have minimal recoil and good handling without forfeiting and power or accuracy. Like I said before, .22 is a great cartridge because of its availability, price, and weight, which is why I prefer it over the 9mm Luger. However, if you’re looking for a self-defense round, the 9mm is probably the better option because of its firepower. Nevertheless, it’s not necessarily worth sacrificing your accuracy for power, so the .22 caliber could be the more effective choice, depending on your experience and strength.

Taurus 22 Revolver vs. Beretta Bobcat

A friend of mine recently approached me about the Beretta 21A Bobcat and how it compares to these Taurus revolvers. Truth be told, these two handguns are so different it’s difficult to compare them. The semi-auto Bobcat is significantly smaller and lighter; in fact, it’s basically a pocket or purse CCW, unlike the larger Taurus guns.

Both the Bobcat and the Tracker are extremely durable .22s crafted by two of the most trusted companies in the industry. That being said, since both are great options, it really boils down to your preference of revolvers to semi-autos. I should add that the Bobcat has some remarkable features which make it a unique and trustworthy pick. Most notably is their unusual tip-up barrel which virtually eliminates all malfunctions and makes the gun even safer.

Taurus 22 Revolver vs. Ruger SR22

The Taurus Tracker revolvers have been compared to many handguns, but one really stuck out to me, the Ruger SR22. What a frickin’ sweet gun! This Rimfire pistol chambered in .22LR is a masterpiece not to be messed with. Although not meant as a CCW, the SR22 is a fantastic choice for plinking, small game hunting, and target shooting. It’s lightweight, extremely ergonomic, and wickedly accurate. It’s almost unfair to even compare this Ruger to any of the Ultralite revolvers. The SR22 is much much lighter, has a higher capacity, and is significantly cheaper.

Conclusion

Forjas Taurus may have started as a little nothing factory in Porto Allegro, but through their unwavering perseverance they’ve emerged as one of the most trusted handgun manufacturers on the planet. Looking back at their first revolver back in 1941 and seeing their line of Trackers and Ultralites now is astounding. The Brazilian gun maker’s dedication to perfecting the revolver, especially hunting revolvers, is quite clear. It’s obvious why the .22 rounds are as popular as ever now, and I’m glad to see Taurus offering such high-quality firearms designed to fire them. Whether you’re looking to hunt, plink, or shoot targets, Taurus has a few .22 revolvers which you should really check out!

Read about the Mossberg 535 Shotgun and Mossberg 500 Shotgun while you’re here at Gunivore – home of all things guns.

The post Taurus 22 Revolver Review: Taurus 22 Revolvers Triumph appeared first on Gunivore.

Table of Contents

• History
• Products Explained
• Semi-Automatic Pistols
• Revolvers
• SMGs
• Rifles
• New In 2017
• Conclusion

When it comes to weapon manufacturers, Forjas Taurus might be the most unconventional brand out there. When I think of foreign arms, I think of Italy, Germany, and even France, but Taurus resourcefully put Brazil on the map. Even more interesting, the Brazilian manufacturing conglomerate isn’t all about guns; they’ve diversified by also producing metals, construction equipment, body armor, and plastics since their inception in the late 1930’s.

Taurus started as a humble company in 1941, but has since developed into an international sensation. Although their introduction into the weapons industry began with a simple revolver, they’ve expanded tremendously to the point where their catalog is filled with several dozen different pistols, revolvers, and rifles.

What started as a tiny Brazilian factory in Porto Alegre has blossomed into one of the largest small arms syndicates in the world. Let’s take a closer look at this unique business – this is the Gunivore overview of the Taurus Firearms Company!

History Of The Taurus Firearms Company

It didn’t take long for the Brazilian company to get their hands in the weapons market; Taurus debuted in 1939, and had already released their first gun by 1941. While progress was slow at the beginning, that all changed 30 years later when they scored a huge deal with Smith and Wesson.

In the early 1970’s, the American company acquired a majority shareholding of Taurus which enabled the established gun makers to team up with the South American newcomers. Although this partnership would only last 7 years, the information, technology, designs, and ideas shared between them left an everlasting impact on the gunmaker.

A few short years later, Forjas Taurus struck gold again – this time with the classic Italian firearms company, Beretta. Beretta had won a contract to supply weapons to the Brazilian Army, but agreed to build a new plant in Brazil and employ Brazilian workers. Once their contract expired, Beretta decided to sell their plant to Taurus. This was a huge blessing for them because along with the new factory came the experienced workers and tons of Beretta’s machinery, drawings, and tricks.

Shortly afterwards, they released the PT-92 and PT-99 pistols which were based on the Beretta 92 pistols but with several modifications and improvements. Realizing that they had potential to compete in the international business, they formed Taurus Holding, Inc., in Miami, Florida. This huge step not only increased their revenue but was also the driving force for their international recognition.

However, as good as their products were, it wasn’t easy to convince buyers to choose them over more established manufacturers like Ruger, S&W and Beretta. In order to propel themselves into greatness they had to make bold moves, and in 1984, they did exactly that. Taurus became the first gun maker to offer a lifetime repair policy to their customers with no strings attached. This was huge for them – it gave them a lot more recognition and trust, especially in the U.S. market.

Their most recent shift took place right before the turn of the century when they purchased the rights to produce Rossi revolvers. Rossi was the major weapons manufacturer in Brazil before Taurus, and this contract propelled the newcomer to the top. Even to this day, Taurus still produces several popular Rossi handguns. After all of their hard work, it didn’t take long for them to get the appreciation they were looking for. Over the past two decades, the Brazilian company has won dozens of prestigious awards. Some of their most notable accolades include being a Manufacturer of the Year Finalist three times (presented by SFMA) and receiving the Shooting Industry Award for dedicated service to the firearm’s industry.

Taurus Firearms Company Products Explained

Although they began producing revolvers, they have since expanded their repertoire to include pistols, carbines, and even a submachine gun. Nevertheless, they are best known for their undeniably awesome handguns. One of the biggest attractions to their weapons is their affordable prices, such as their Model 1911 for less than $500. Some experienced shooters may question the reliability of their firearms, which may have been the case 30 years ago, but not so today. In general, you usually get what you pay for, but the surprising company has broken that typecast, since their high-quality products are made with very low labor costs. No weapon or manufacturer is perfect, but Taurus has grown tremendously and has addressed nearly every single one of their shortcomings.

I’m a huge fan of Taurus’ variety; they currently produce guns ideal for target shooting, concealed carry, and home & personal defense. Besides for crafting their own models, they also have perfected the art of reproducing classics. Besides for their early replicas of popular Smith and Wessons, Taurus also constructed hugely successful replicas of the Beretta 92 and Colt 1911.

Did you know that every new Taurus firearm purchase comes with a FREE 1-year NRA membership?
#TaurusUSA #Firearm @NRA pic.twitter.com/TkVywY6HiO

— Taurus USA (@TaurusUSA) June 2, 2017

Taurus Semi-Automatic Pistols Review

A lot has changed for Taurus since they released their first handgun in 1941. The up and coming company has expanded their line of pistols to include some pretty impressive weapons. Their first successful semi-auto was the 92, modeled after the famous Beretta. Taurus used the Italian gun as their template but updated its durability and accuracy and even gave it an ambidextrous safety. Another great remodeling effort of theirs is their take on the classic 1911 to which they gave some modern adjustments. The diverse pistols in their collection include metal and polymer framed guns, unique small-framed conceal carry weapons, and cutting-edge power horses. Besides for boasting incredible specs, many of these Taurus’ have been given prestigious awards.

• PPT 1911: Handgun of the year (Shooting Illustrated).
• 740 Taurus Slim: Handgun of the year (American Rifleman).
• PT 24/7: Handgun of the year (American Rifleman), Award for Innovation (Guns & Ammo).

Taurus Revolvers Review

This is where it all began folks, and the Taurus revolvers are some of the finest you’ll ever see. Seriously, these beasts are gorgeous, modern, highly-effective, and extremely powerful. The years of Taurus’ defective products are way gone – now is it’s their time to shine in all of their glory. As their history suggests, Taurus began crafting revolvers based off Smith and Wesson’s but eventually graduated to a style more of their own. This new age of Taurus yielded much larger guns like the famous Raging Bull and the Judge. As extremely durable, highly accurate, full-power, and easy to handle, many of these revolvers are considered top-shelf hunting handguns.

Like their line of semi-auto pistols, the Taurus revolvers have also received several impressive accolades. Their first award came in 1997 when the 454 Raging Bull was awarded Revolver of the Year and the honors haven’t stopped since. In fact, the Judge, 480 Raging Bull, and Tracker 992 have all received similar awards.

Taurus SMG’s Review

• Model: MT9 G2.
• Caliber: 9 x 19 mm.
• Overall Length: 18.3”.
• Barrel Length: 7.9”.
• Weight: 7.3 lbs.
• Capacity: 30.

These second generation (G2) Taurus submachine guns are offered in automatic and semi-automatic. The latter, known as the CTG2, was produced primarily for the civilian market. In addition to these options, the Brazilian company also makes variant chambered in .40 S&W called the MT40 G2. They ingeniously combined aluminum and polymer components to create a weapon that is both durable and lightweight. By employing a simple blowback action and firing from closed bolt, the G2 is surprisingly accurate. Taurus also outfitted these SMG’s with an AR-15 style pistol grip, adjustable side-folding buttstock, and an integrated Picatinny rail. They even incorporated an interesting iron sight system with two range settings, for 25 and 50 meters. By designing these guns with ambidextrous controls, controllable rates of fire, and great ergonomics, Taurus really knocked this one out of the park.

Taurus Rifles Review

Taurus’ line of rifles and carbines is highlighted by the new and improved T4SA, based off the M4 platform. This carbine is something to behold; built in America with lightweight and durable components, the T4SA passed some seriously difficult military spec requirements. This direct gas impingement semi-auto rifle has 18 different combinations of barrel size, color, and top rail.

• Caliber: 5.56 NATO
• Capacity: 30
• Overall Length (Stock fully extended): 35.75”
• Barrel Length: 16”
• Weight (unloaded): 6.5 lbs.
• Twist Rate: 1:7
• MSRP: $1,199

What’s New In 2017 For Taurus Firearms Company?

Taurus has been on the up and up ever since their debut nearly 80 years ago, and 2017 promises to be another great year for them. Besides for the aforementioned T4SA carbine, Taurus is also releasing their super compact Spectrum and Curve handguns. Now although the Spectrum is something special in its own right, the Curve has the entire spotlight. The new Curve is a uniquely designed concealed carry weapon (CCW) with a built-in holster clip and Viridian laser/light combo. With its square design and impressive specs, you gotta see it to believe it.

Conclusion

Looking back to the mid 1900’s, you would never believe that Forjas Taurus would be where it is today. It’s hard to believe that a small metal and plastic manufacturer from Brazil could develop into one of the most impressive weapons designers in the world. While they had a lot of help along the way, you gotta give them credit for taking every opportunity to succeed and not letting their chances slip past them. Clearly, Taurus knows that it takes perseverance, ingenuity, and a whole lot of luck to make it big in the gun business. The Brazilian company, now an international sensation with factories in the U.S., has come a long way and show no signs of slowing down. While appreciative of their past, Taurus is focused on the future. I’m really excited to watch them thrive and to keep pushing the limits within the arms industry. As for now though, I’m just gonna sit back and enjoy the show.

Check out our Mossberg 535 Review and Mossberg Mossberg 22LR Review while you’re here at Gunivore!

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