Any Ideas? Problem with Taurus 85...

[razoraggie]

Well, as of this weekend, my wife is now an official Glock holder. I only wish it would have been under better circumstances.

To make a long story short...we were shooting down at Texas City on Sunday just because it was a great day to be outside.
ANYWAYS...my wife has religiously carried a Taurus Model 85 in .38 Special for about 10 years now. It's about 20 years old and has had approx. 1000 rnds or so through it. It had been cleaned and maintained on a regular basis by me and have made a few trigger adjustments by replacing worn springs about 2 years ago. The issue we had this weekend was a superisingly large number of "duds" coming out of a CCI Blazer box. (I KNOW, I KNOW...but still, 10 out of 50 is a little much). After a little review of the rounds that "failed to be", I noticed something really strange. It wasn't that the primers were bad, the hammer was striking to the left of the primer as indicated by the marks on the casing. I have never seen this before on a revolver that has very little play (if any) in the wheel. I could understand if it was every shot, but it was a random one out of five that this was happening. I brought it home, broke it down, and could find nothing out of the ordinary.
Well, I took her to Academy and purchased her a brand new Glock 26 (.40 cal) that really fits her hand well, but I just hate to see something like this happen to a gun that has been so reliable in the past. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what to do so I can carry this again without any sense of possible failure? I don't want this thing to be a safe-sitter, but I cannot put something on by belt or in my wife's purse if I cannot trust it to do it's job. ANY suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[AEA]

Sounds like a "timing" problem to me. Maybe incorrect springs that you replaced? Otherwise, I cannot offer you any suggestions.
Mine is running flawlessly even with +P loads!

[G.A. Heath]

Its hard to diagnose without the gun or pictures, but I am willing to bet its out of time. Any competent gunsmith should be able to cure it, and Taurus will probably fix it if you don't mind a long wait. I would not shoot the gun until it is fixed.

[PhilR.]

Not trying to be picky, but only posting in order to possibly prevent a mishap. A Glock 26 is not a .40, but is instead a 9mm. So either you really got a 27, or you were misinformed as to what caliber your pistol really is. I would hate to see someone put the wrong cartridge into a firearm...

Blazer is a CCI product, which of course uses their very reliable primers. CCI products have been the most reliable igniters of any brand I've ever used, so when there is an ignition problem while using CCI stuff, I would suspect the firearm first. It does sound like your 85 is out of time (which can happen to any revolver of any make), but also check the alignment of the firing pin/hammer as well.

PhilR.

[LedJedi]

ya, i'd double check the replacement parts you put in and make sure that's what is actually supposed to be in the gun.

Worst case scenario you can call taurus and ship it in and they'll fix it for you under warranty. I'm a HUGE fan of taurus for that.

[razoraggie]

Not trying to be picky, but only posting in order to possibly prevent a mishap. A Glock 26 is not a .40, but is instead a 9mm. So either you really got a 27, or you were misinformed as to what caliber your pistol really is. I would hate to see someone put the wrong cartridge into a firearm...

Blazer is a CCI product, which of course uses their very reliable primers. CCI products have been the most reliable igniters of any brand I've ever used, so when there is an ignition problem while using CCI stuff, I would suspect the firearm first. It does sound like your 85 is out of time (which can happen to any revolver of any make), but also check the alignment of the firing pin/hammer as well.

PhilR.

It is sometimes easy to hit the "6" instaed of a "3" on a keypad...so my mistake there...

TO CLARIFY: GLOCK 23

And as for the Blazer ammo....your opinion is noted, but I never faulted the ammo....I'm just not fond of Blazer. I religiously carry Gold Dots in my 31, but I would never pack a Blazer round unless I was intending to just throw my firearm at some one.

Ford is a great vehicle......but I would have never bought a Pinto...

[razoraggie]

ya, i'd double check the replacement parts you put in and make sure that's what is actually supposed to be in the gun.

Worst case scenario you can call taurus and ship it in and they'll fix it for you under warranty. I'm a HUGE fan of taurus for that.

That's my main issue...The parts came directly from Taurus. Standard replacement springs for both trigger and hammer. Exact same number of turns and tension. Every company is capable of bagging the wrong part #s from time to time though....I'll probably pursue the timing avenue first, then go from there.

[PhilR.]

I certainly don't know everything about revolver timing, but here is something that you might try. Cock the hammer, but leave your thumb on it. Pull tension back on the hammer, and then pull the trigger. Without releasing the trigger, ease the hammer forward. Then, while keeping the trigger in it's fully rearward position, use the other hand and try to rotate the cylinder back and forth. It should be locked up tightly. If you can rotate the cylinder a slight amount and then feel it suddenly lock into position while holding the trigger back, there is most likely some sort of timing issue.

hth,
PhilR.

[LedJedi]

ya, i'd double check the replacement parts you put in and make sure that's what is actually supposed to be in the gun.

Worst case scenario you can call taurus and ship it in and they'll fix it for you under warranty. I'm a HUGE fan of taurus for that.

That's my main issue...The parts came directly from Taurus. Standard replacement springs for both trigger and hammer. Exact same number of turns and tension. Every company is capable of bagging the wrong part #s from time to time though....I'll probably pursue the timing avenue first, then go from there.

hey, they sent me the wrong recoil rod twice in a row for my 45 :)

[NcongruNt]

I certainly don't know everything about revolver timing, but here is something that you might try. Cock the hammer, but leave your thumb on it. Pull tension back on the hammer, and then pull the trigger. Without releasing the trigger, ease the hammer forward. Then, while keeping the trigger in it's fully rearward position, use the other hand and try to rotate the cylinder back and forth. It should be locked up tightly. If you can rotate the cylinder a slight amount and then feel it suddenly lock into position while holding the trigger back, there is most likely some sort of timing issue.

hth,
PhilR.

And be sure your gun is unloaded when doing this.

[JLaw]

razoraggie,

Try this checkout procedure for yourself before you take it to a 'smith. If nothing else it might give you a clue if it is a timing issue or not.

http://www.thefiringline.com/Misc/libra ... check.html

JLaw

[JoJo]

Dispose of the firearm. Purchased a Taurus revolver a few years ago. Second session at the range it locked up like all the parts had been welded shut! Range guys couldn't believe a revolver did that - me neither!

After having Taurus fix it I sold it and never looked at a Taurus again. One bad reliability experience does it for me on CCH gun. Now carry either a S&W revolver or a Sig - have had ZERO problems with either at the range - ever!

My 2 cents. Thanks for the post.

[Tactical_Texan_CHL]

Any new news on how the firearm is now? Have you had a chance to have it looked at? My mom has an 85 that's never had a lick of trouble. Keep us posted.