Taurus 605 .357 Mag
Model: 2-605021
Taurus 605 .357 Mag
Model: 2-605021
Full Specifications
About This Firearm
The Taurus 605 is a steel-framed double-action .357 Magnum built for concealed carry. It has an MSRP of $457. The frame and cylinder are alloy steel behind a stainless barrel, and 24 oz of steel keeps a full-power magnum load in a gun this small from being more than brisk.
The hammer is exposed, so it can be cocked for a single-action break, and a transfer bar keeps the firing pin out of reach until the trigger is held fully back. The sights are a serrated ramp machined onto the barrel and a notch cut into the top strap, so neither adjusts and neither comes off. The grip is soft rubber on a frame 4.4 inches tall, which leaves the little finger off the gun. The cylinder is 1.4 inches across, the barrel is 2 inches turning 1:16.5, the gun is 6.5 inches long, and no part of it is machined for an optic.
If you're cross-shopping, the Ruger SP101 is the heavier gun at 26 oz with a 2.25-inch barrel and an MSRP of $939, and its front sight is pinned in place so it can be changed. The Kimber K6s Stainless fits six rounds into 23 oz with an MSRP of $1,061, though it has no hammer to cock. The Taurus is several hundred dollars cheaper than either, and it holds one chamber fewer with sights that cannot be changed.
Best For
Strengths & Limitations
- Steel where the light snubs use aluminum, which keeps .357 recoil brisk.
- An exposed hammer means single action is on the table, which the double-action-only revolvers in this size class cannot offer.
- Soft rubber on a small grip spreads recoil across the palm instead of concentrating it in the web of the hand.
- Both sights are machined in place, so there is no path to a brighter front sight short of barrel work.
- A grip 4.4 inches tall leaves the little finger unsupported under full-power .357 loads.
Category Rankings
How the Taurus 605 .357 Mag ranks among compact .357 Mag handguns.
Ballistics Calculator
Calculate trajectory, drop, and energy for .357 Mag ammunition.
.357 Mag Ballistics →Alternatives to Consider
Similar compact .357 Mag handguns ranked by similarity.
| NAME | BEST PRICE |
|---|---|
|
Ruger SP101 .357 Mag
Ruger
|
— |
|
Kimber K6s Stainless .357 Mag
Kimber
|
— |
|
Ruger LCRx .357 Mag
Ruger
|
$728.99 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can it shoot .38 Special?
Yes. Taurus lists the chambering as .357 Magnum and .38 Special +P, and the shorter case is the sensible practice load in a revolver this size.
What is the twist rate?
A 1:16.5 right-hand twist.
What happens to point of impact when the load changes?
It moves with bullet weight, and with nothing to adjust, a 158-grain load and a 110-grain load will print to different places. Pick one load and learn where it goes.
