Taurus 850 CIA titanium - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

jednp · 07-24-2006, 07:30 AM

I'm considering purchasing this gun, it is total titanium. It's .38 special. Now I know the light weight of the gun won't make it a lot of fun to shoot. But am I right, or am i wrong in saying titanium won't be a gun to throw a lot of rounds thru? I don't know if I was told this one time, or if I read it.. but I thought somewhere I heard that titanium wasn't as likely to hold up as good as steel over the long run, with a high round count thru the gun.

Also anyone have any experience with this gun? or any other total titanium gun for that matter. I'm looking for a coat pocket gun mainly, but if this thing is going to be a bear to shoot I may think twice.. because I do want to practice enough to be good with it.

Otherwise I'm considering a S&W 642 airweight. Which is also pretty light, but I am not sure how weight compares to this taurus. I'm having a hard time finding exact specs on it, from what I read I think it may be about the same weight as the 642, but I'm not sure.

chupacabrachus · 07-24-2006, 10:38 AM

I can't comment on the durability of a titanium framed firearm versus a steel framed firearm since I don't have 2 to compare. I've also heard that light weights can develop cracks in the frames, but I think that's if it's Al, not Ti. Maybe I'm wrong. Anywhoo, I wouldn't be overly concerned with excessive recoil or being a bear to shoot with a .38spl. Even if you use +P rounds it should be fairly managable. I've always found 38 spl from a snub revolver (several different types) to be softer feeling recoil than say a beretta 92fs (full-size 9mm).

mgeoffriau · 07-24-2006, 10:51 AM

Just commenting on the properties of the metals:

Titanium is at least as strong, if not stronger than most good steel alloys. It is however, more elastic. I don't think this would affect the life of a revolver significantly. Ti bike frames are more flexy than steel frames, but I can't imagine a revolver frame would flex very much. Aluminum is lighter, but less strong than steel or Ti, and does not rebound after being flexed like Ti does.

PrescottXD45 · 07-24-2006, 02:28 PM

I cannot speak from personal experience but second hand (from folks I trust) I have heard negative things re: the accuracy of the extremely light weight Ti snubbie revolvers. Most report much better results from the airweights (S&W 442/642 etc.). It seems a common view is that the Ti are for carry, not really to shoot. If you can be sure your target will be very, very close and if you do not intend to shoot it very much other than when it is really needed the Ti may be the way to go. Otherwise, I recommend the 642. I have one and could not be happier with it. I forget it is in my back pocket (jeans or jean shorts in an Uncle Mike's #3 pocket holster) and yet have no problem keeping 5 within 4" at 10 yards if I pay attention.

jkswiss · 07-24-2006, 03:34 PM

With titanium revolvers, your suppose to avoid the lighter bullet weights and fast burning powders, due to erosion of the barrel.

nick19 · 07-24-2006, 06:37 PM

I've had a Taurus Titanium 85 for about six years. I've only put about 500 rounds through it and they were all standard 38 loads. I've had no problems with it yet.

boricua9mm · 07-26-2006, 11:51 AM

I carried a 642 for a couple of years before getting rid of it in favor of a G26. The weight was nice and the 5 rounds of .38+P was acceptable, but the shootability and recoil was NOT! On a good day, I could keep all 5 shots in the head of a human silhouette at 7 yards. Most days, I'd get like 4" or 5" groups. The double action trigger can be heavy, as well as the recoil. I'd shoot a box of 50 Winchester .38s (non +P) and my hand would be sore and my trigger finger sliced from the recoil causing the trigger guard to cut into my finger. With the +P rounds it was even more punishing! Only on rare occasions could I even convince my friends to finish off the box of 50 rounds. In retrospect, it was a good gun for up-close-and-personal work, but that's about it. The G26 became my new pocket gun and I have no problem keeping all of my shots on an 8-1/2 x 11" piece of paper at 25 yards. It offers twice the capacity and the increased power of the 9mm in addition to a better trigger and ease of shootability.

Aluminum frame would be the lightest I would go. Even then, the recoil is significant. The fact that it beats you up so quickly means you get less practice with it. Nowadays I snicker and/or laugh when I see an ultralight revolver in .38 or (GASP) .357MAG!

Try before you buy, if at all possible.

B9

Camper · 07-26-2006, 06:35 PM

I have the Taurus Ti 651 which is the .357 version and like it a lot. As with any other small hand gun, the mantra is practice, practice, and more practice.

07-24-2006, 07:30 AM	#1
jednp XDTalk 4K Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 4,691	Taurus 850 CIA titanium I'm considering purchasing this gun, it is total titanium. It's .38 special. Now I know the light weight of the gun won't make it a lot of fun to shoot. But am I right, or am i wrong in saying titanium won't be a gun to throw a lot of rounds thru? I don't know if I was told this one time, or if I read it.. but I thought somewhere I heard that titanium wasn't as likely to hold up as good as steel over the long run, with a high round count thru the gun. Also anyone have any experience with this gun? or any other total titanium gun for that matter. I'm looking for a coat pocket gun mainly, but if this thing is going to be a bear to shoot I may think twice.. because I do want to practice enough to be good with it. Otherwise I'm considering a S&W 642 airweight. Which is also pretty light, but I am not sure how weight compares to this taurus. I'm having a hard time finding exact specs on it, from what I read I think it may be about the same weight as the 642, but I'm not sure.

07-24-2006, 06:37 PM	#6
nick19 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Sunny South Florida Posts: 335	I've had a Taurus Titanium 85 for about six years. I've only put about 500 rounds through it and they were all standard 38 loads. I've had no problems with it yet. __________________ I'm growing older but not up

07-26-2006, 11:51 AM	#7
boricua9mm XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: St. Petersburg, FL Posts: 562	I carried a 642 for a couple of years before getting rid of it in favor of a G26. The weight was nice and the 5 rounds of .38+P was acceptable, but the shootability and recoil was NOT! On a good day, I could keep all 5 shots in the head of a human silhouette at 7 yards. Most days, I'd get like 4" or 5" groups. The double action trigger can be heavy, as well as the recoil. I'd shoot a box of 50 Winchester .38s (non +P) and my hand would be sore and my trigger finger sliced from the recoil causing the trigger guard to cut into my finger. With the +P rounds it was even more punishing! Only on rare occasions could I even convince my friends to finish off the box of 50 rounds. In retrospect, it was a good gun for up-close-and-personal work, but that's about it. The G26 became my new pocket gun and I have no problem keeping all of my shots on an 8-1/2 x 11" piece of paper at 25 yards. It offers twice the capacity and the increased power of the 9mm in addition to a better trigger and ease of shootability. Aluminum frame would be the lightest I would go. Even then, the recoil is significant. The fact that it beats you up so quickly means you get less practice with it. Nowadays I snicker and/or laugh when I see an ultralight revolver in .38 or (GASP) .357MAG! Try before you buy, if at all possible. B9 __________________ Videographer/Multimedia Producer http://www.ricanhavocproductions.com

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07-24-2006, 10:38 AM	#2
chupacabrachus XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 3,272	I can't comment on the durability of a titanium framed firearm versus a steel framed firearm since I don't have 2 to compare. I've also heard that light weights can develop cracks in the frames, but I think that's if it's Al, not Ti. Maybe I'm wrong. Anywhoo, I wouldn't be overly concerned with excessive recoil or being a bear to shoot with a .38spl. Even if you use +P rounds it should be fairly managable. I've always found 38 spl from a snub revolver (several different types) to be softer feeling recoil than say a beretta 92fs (full-size 9mm).

07-24-2006, 10:51 AM	#3
mgeoffriau XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Jackson, MS Posts: 1,038	Just commenting on the properties of the metals: Titanium is at least as strong, if not stronger than most good steel alloys. It is however, more elastic. I don't think this would affect the life of a revolver significantly. Ti bike frames are more flexy than steel frames, but I can't imagine a revolver frame would flex very much. Aluminum is lighter, but less strong than steel or Ti, and does not rebound after being flexed like Ti does. __________________ I felt early on I wasn't going to be a respectable citizen. -- Cormac McCarthy We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

07-24-2006, 02:28 PM	#4
PrescottXD45 XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7	I cannot speak from personal experience but second hand (from folks I trust) I have heard negative things re: the accuracy of the extremely light weight Ti snubbie revolvers. Most report much better results from the airweights (S&W 442/642 etc.). It seems a common view is that the Ti are for carry, not really to shoot. If you can be sure your target will be very, very close and if you do not intend to shoot it very much other than when it is really needed the Ti may be the way to go. Otherwise, I recommend the 642. I have one and could not be happier with it. I forget it is in my back pocket (jeans or jean shorts in an Uncle Mike's #3 pocket holster) and yet have no problem keeping 5 within 4" at 10 yards if I pay attention.

07-24-2006, 03:34 PM	#5
jkswiss XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,085	With titanium revolvers, your suppose to avoid the lighter bullet weights and fast burning powders, due to erosion of the barrel.

07-26-2006, 06:35 PM	#8
Camper XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: North Carolina Posts: 368	I have the Taurus Ti 651 which is the .357 version and like it a lot. As with any other small hand gun, the mantra is practice, practice, and more practice.