Taurus Ultra Light - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

thejoe · 03-26-2008, 07:50 PM

Does anybody have any good information about these (meaning practical info)? I just checked one out at my local gun store, and they seem pretty sweet. It's a stainless barrelled titanium frame/cylinder revolver. It weighs just a couple of ounces more than the S&W feather weight revolver. The one I looked at was a .38 special, but a .357 variant is available. I'm thinking either .38 with +p rounds, or the .357 (dependent on cost). What are your thoughts?

Here's the deal: I'm looking for a pocket pistol... one I can carry in the summer months. I'm a little torn between the Kel-Tec P3AT and, now, the Taurus. I need some help deciding. So... help!

joe

**Old School** · 03-26-2008, 08:18 PM

I have the 851 UL and think it is a fine gun. I got it for pocket carry. I have CT laser grips on it and at 20 yards, it is quite accurate.

OS

thejoe · 03-26-2008, 08:32 PM

Is that the protector or the CIA? Can you post a pic?

Specifically, I want to hear a little more about the .38 spl, .380 ACP debate. Also, how does the .38 spl +P stack up? Is it even close to the .357 magnum?

joe

ETA: I've realized the folly of these questions. See below. Sorry for sounding like such a noob.

**1lowlife** · 03-26-2008, 10:01 PM

Hey Joe, I'm in the same boat you are.
I'm wanting a pocket pistol and have decided on a revolver.
Just not sure which one.
Why the Taurus Ultra Light over the S&W 442/642?
I think I've just about decided on the 642 with CT grips, but I'm still researching before I purchase.

Would love to have the Model 327, but at $1200, it just isn't practical.
Thought about the S&W 340, but can't spend a $1000 and I feel a 357mag isn't necessary for a 2 inch barrel J-frame.
Your thoughts please.............

thejoe · 03-26-2008, 10:23 PM

The big decision between S&W vs. Taurus, for me, is price. The Taurus is available from my local shop for around $400. The only S&W available locally is around $700 (not entirely sure which model it is). I've looked around on gunbroker and gunsamerica and found the Taurus for $300 (which is closer to my price range), and the Smith for $450+, so as it turns out this is the deciding factor. Honestly, I think the Smith is probably a better gun. But, I just don't have the $$ for it.

My personal debate is the caliber debate (.380 ACP vs. .38 special). I just can't make up my mind. Actually, I just found this article. 38 Special or 380 ACP
Great information there. I think, for a variety of reasons, I'm probably going to go with the kel-tec over either the Smith or Taurus in .38 spl. Reason: given that the cartridges are both merely adequate, I have to with the gun that feels best in my hand, that I feel I can reload quickly, and that conceals better. All three of these areas go to the Kel Tec. It points straight in hand, it's slightly more slim, and I get 6 rounds per mag (7 if I buy extensions) which beats 5 in the revolver. Plus, my wife may get some carry time out of the Kel-Tec, but is absolutely averse to the revolver.

Now, if the choice was between the .380 or .357 (which is more expensive yet), I'd have to pick the .357 for what it's worth. I can readily admit that if I had a choice between the stopping power/conealability of a S&W titanium .357 vs. the iffy power/great concealability of the Kel-Tec, I'd pick the .357 without hesitation.

Hope that helps.

joe

**Tyoung** · 03-27-2008, 02:41 PM

I have the model 85 Ulta-lite titanium. I can throw it in my pocket and don't even notice it. I think I payed a little over $400 for it.

thejoe · 03-29-2008, 01:33 PM

After some consideration, I decided not to go with the Taurus. I ran into a Kel-Tec at the gunshop today and decided to get it. I figure, if I don't like it, I can sell it and try out something I will like. We'll just have to wait and see.

Thanks for the input. Again, I hope this thread has helped those that are in the same tough spot that I was.

joe

**1lowlife** · 03-30-2008, 01:04 AM

I decided on the S&W 642.
I ordered a set of Crimson Trace LG-405 to go with it.
I wanted my wife's HD gun to be easy to use (revolver).
With the small J-frame I"ll be easily able to hide this gun in the summer heat.

Raskolnikov · 04-05-2008, 11:35 AM

I've owned and carried both a S&W 642 and a KelTec .380 for years. The Smith is my "jeans" carry gun (waistband holster), the KT is my "slacks" carry gun (ankle holster) when I can't carry in a hip holster. I bought the KelTec because it's much more comfortable to carry that way, being half the weight of a J-Frame snub. Power/caliber was never an issue - I carry Speer GDHP 135gr. +P's (the short barrel ones) in the snub, but the Remington 102gr. GSHP's in the KelTec aren't that much of a step down in stopping power - both calibers can do the job with the right ammo.

Both are great guns overall. You'll like the KelTec - surprisingly easy to shoot for such a light gun in .380. If you do decide to trade it in, stay away from the ultralight 357's. Or better yet, rent one and shoot one round - that'll tell you all you need to know about .357 snubbies. 38's kick bad enough, anything bigger in such a light gun is just uncontrollable.

03-26-2008, 07:50 PM	#1
thejoe XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Moscow, ID. Posts: 795	Taurus Ultra Light Does anybody have any good information about these (meaning practical info)? I just checked one out at my local gun store, and they seem pretty sweet. It's a stainless barrelled titanium frame/cylinder revolver. It weighs just a couple of ounces more than the S&W feather weight revolver. The one I looked at was a .38 special, but a .357 variant is available. I'm thinking either .38 with +p rounds, or the .357 (dependent on cost). What are your thoughts? Here's the deal: I'm looking for a pocket pistol... one I can carry in the summer months. I'm a little torn between the Kel-Tec P3AT and, now, the Taurus. I need some help deciding. So... help! joe __________________ SA XD-40 Service S&W SW9VE Kel-Tec P3AT Walther P22 Norinco SKS

03-26-2008, 08:18 PM	#2
Old School XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 7,630	I have the 851 UL and think it is a fine gun. I got it for pocket carry. I have CT laser grips on it and at 20 yards, it is quite accurate. OS __________________ Visit www.pistolgear.com for all of your XD needs!

03-26-2008, 08:32 PM	#3
thejoe XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Moscow, ID. Posts: 795	Is that the protector or the CIA? Can you post a pic? Specifically, I want to hear a little more about the .38 spl, .380 ACP debate. Also, how does the .38 spl +P stack up? Is it even close to the .357 magnum? joe ETA: I've realized the folly of these questions. See below. Sorry for sounding like such a noob. __________________ SA XD-40 Service S&W SW9VE Kel-Tec P3AT Walther P22 Norinco SKS Last edited by thejoe; 03-26-2008 at 10:37 PM.

03-26-2008, 10:01 PM	#4
1lowlife XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: The Great Lone Star State Posts: 2,652	Hey Joe, I'm in the same boat you are. I'm wanting a pocket pistol and have decided on a revolver. Just not sure which one. Why the Taurus Ultra Light over the S&W 442/642? I think I've just about decided on the 642 with CT grips, but I'm still researching before I purchase. Would love to have the Model 327, but at $1200, it just isn't practical. Thought about the S&W 340, but can't spend a $1000 and I feel a 357mag isn't necessary for a 2 inch barrel J-frame. Your thoughts please............. __________________ Tired, tired, tired.........

03-26-2008, 10:23 PM	#5
thejoe XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Moscow, ID. Posts: 795	The big decision between S&W vs. Taurus, for me, is price. The Taurus is available from my local shop for around $400. The only S&W available locally is around $700 (not entirely sure which model it is). I've looked around on gunbroker and gunsamerica and found the Taurus for $300 (which is closer to my price range), and the Smith for $450+, so as it turns out this is the deciding factor. Honestly, I think the Smith is probably a better gun. But, I just don't have the $$ for it. My personal debate is the caliber debate (.380 ACP vs. .38 special). I just can't make up my mind. Actually, I just found this article. 38 Special or 380 ACP Great information there. I think, for a variety of reasons, I'm probably going to go with the kel-tec over either the Smith or Taurus in .38 spl. Reason: given that the cartridges are both merely adequate, I have to with the gun that feels best in my hand, that I feel I can reload quickly, and that conceals better. All three of these areas go to the Kel Tec. It points straight in hand, it's slightly more slim, and I get 6 rounds per mag (7 if I buy extensions) which beats 5 in the revolver. Plus, my wife may get some carry time out of the Kel-Tec, but is absolutely averse to the revolver. Now, if the choice was between the .380 or .357 (which is more expensive yet), I'd have to pick the .357 for what it's worth. I can readily admit that if I had a choice between the stopping power/conealability of a S&W titanium .357 vs. the iffy power/great concealability of the Kel-Tec, I'd pick the .357 without hesitation. Hope that helps. joe __________________ SA XD-40 Service S&W SW9VE Kel-Tec P3AT Walther P22 Norinco SKS Last edited by thejoe; 03-26-2008 at 10:35 PM.

03-27-2008, 02:41 PM	#6
Tyoung XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nampa, Idaho Posts: 320	I have the model 85 Ulta-lite titanium. I can throw it in my pocket and don't even notice it. I think I payed a little over $400 for it.

03-29-2008, 01:33 PM	#7
thejoe XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Moscow, ID. Posts: 795	After some consideration, I decided not to go with the Taurus. I ran into a Kel-Tec at the gunshop today and decided to get it. I figure, if I don't like it, I can sell it and try out something I will like. We'll just have to wait and see. Thanks for the input. Again, I hope this thread has helped those that are in the same tough spot that I was. joe __________________ SA XD-40 Service S&W SW9VE Kel-Tec P3AT Walther P22 Norinco SKS

03-30-2008, 01:04 AM	#8
1lowlife XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: The Great Lone Star State Posts: 2,652	I decided on the S&W 642. I ordered a set of Crimson Trace LG-405 to go with it. I wanted my wife's HD gun to be easy to use (revolver). With the small J-frame I"ll be easily able to hide this gun in the summer heat. __________________ Tired, tired, tired.........

04-05-2008, 11:35 AM	#9
Raskolnikov XDTalk Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 89	I've owned and carried both a S&W 642 and a KelTec .380 for years. The Smith is my "jeans" carry gun (waistband holster), the KT is my "slacks" carry gun (ankle holster) when I can't carry in a hip holster. I bought the KelTec because it's much more comfortable to carry that way, being half the weight of a J-Frame snub. Power/caliber was never an issue - I carry Speer GDHP 135gr. +P's (the short barrel ones) in the snub, but the Remington 102gr. GSHP's in the KelTec aren't that much of a step down in stopping power - both calibers can do the job with the right ammo. Both are great guns overall. You'll like the KelTec - surprisingly easy to shoot for such a light gun in .380. If you do decide to trade it in, stay away from the ultralight 357's. Or better yet, rent one and shoot one round - that'll tell you all you need to know about .357 snubbies. 38's kick bad enough, anything bigger in such a light gun is just uncontrollable.

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