Very angry I sold my S&W Model 617.2 when I discovered that it has an Aluminiun cylinder instead of titanium alloy like those horrible Model 13 Aircrewman 38 Spl, manufactured a lot of years ago.
So....I found myself without a .22 revolver & I decided to try a new 22lr. A few mornings ago I found a Taurus model 980 in my shooting range´s Gunshop so I decided to give a chance to this Brazilian gun.

Putting at one side the differences between the S&W and Taurus revolver, this gun surprises me, maybe You will ask on what?
Well, the overall fits & finish of the gun (Blue) is very good , with just minor aesthetical details that sometimes we find in the expensive ones revolver from other companies.
The reliability was 100%, no malfuctions in SA or DA throught more than 500 shots, No missfires (Maybe the little secret of the taurus company is the firing pin desing, a real true rimfire pin, not a rounded firing pin like in the Smiths, accused in many forums of suffering sometimes of percussion faliures or missfires with some ammos.

The accuracy with CCI ammo equaled or almost surpased the 617 accuracy at 25 yards ( 1/2" = 12 mm), I did not check the velocity yet but, with 12" inches.... I think that this gun promises a powerful balistic for varmint, more if I use Hypervelocity ammo.

My only complains, A little heavy trigger, nothing difficult to change with some wolf springs and an Arkanzas stone, the grip in not so comfortable like the regular Hogues, so maybe I would change it for a new custom wood grips.
It has a 7 shot steel cylinder, with 005" gap, some kind of "crane ball lock", the cylinder has a generous extractor rod, trigger stop, a beautiful blue case hardening finish on trigger and hammer, replaceable front sight, Micro-clik Target type. I attached a provisory "Rossi" weaver base with a Tasco 2x22 (Japan) Scope, attached to the band with two 6x48 screws. In my coutry I paid for it NEW, about U$400 not bad considering that I paid for a NEW S&W with Aluminium cylinder U$1100,-I hope You like My modest report, next... some Varmint Hunting Pictures in Handgun Hunting forum, A big hug for all, Regards Guille

That blued finish is impressive! I have a Taurus in SS in 22mag. The DA trigger pull is pretty heavy!
Peter.

Nice photos and a useful report. Thanks Guillermo.

You devil...I have been trying to fin one of those for a few year ever since I handled one a pal has in New Mexico. We must shoot it when I come down.
I would like one in .22 Mag.....

It needs a blue scope....want me to bring one when I come back?

El Furtivo

Guille, very nice revolver. I have several Taurus revolvers including a 22mag SS, a 445 SS 44 special, a 605 SS 357mag and a 45 colt total titanium 5 shot and never had an issue. You won't miss that expensive crappy S&W thats for sure. A very good value for the money paid.

Woody

Nice piece.You can reach out and touch something with that and not even pull the trigger!!!!

If any of you gentlemen have a Taurus 980 like Guille's you would like to find a good home for, let me know. Why, I might even consider paying for it.....

Guille-

Neat 22!

Get it next to your rimfire rifle, and behind a chronograph.
My 12" Performance Center Smith and Wesson 17hmr (total space gun) gives nearly the same velocities as a rifle load for load.

Sweet looking little package.
Have fun with it!



Cheers
Tinker

Nice revolver and very good photos. What was your method for getting such good close ups?

Thanks Guys !!! for the nice comments, I will try to hunt some rabbits and Vizacachas or foxes with it.

makeminestainless; Natural light, pref. in the morning and Macro focus feature (Canon A650 camera) But Sony take excelent pictures too (Zeiss lents) Regards Guille.