Wheelgun Wednesday: Taurus 650 .357 Magnum

Wheelgun Wednesday: Taurus 650 357 Magnum – The Chubby yet Powerful Avenger!

Welcome back to another week of Wheelgun Wednesday where all of us revolver aficionados share in the delight of the same fetish – wheelguns – and explore the oddities, new ones, and whatever might be intriguing us on a weekly basis. This week we are revisiting a new announcement that one of our Editors, Matt Moss, covered the news on last week, but today we are going to take a more thorough deep-dive into the Taurus 650 .357 Magnum to see if this pocket rocket is something you want to be toting around in the future. Let’s dive in!

Taurus @ TFB:

Wheelgun Wednesday: Smith & Wesson Model 20 .357 Magnum Wheelgun Wednesday: Ruger New Model Blackhawk Convertible Wheelgun Wednesday: NEW Charter Arms Double Dog Revolver Series Wheelgun Wednesday: Davidson’s Exclusives Heritage Barkeep Revolvers

Features Worth Bragging About – Taurus 650 357 Magnum

You already know the drill, ladies and gentlemen. Taurus is going to be delivering to us an economically-minded revolver that will be a workhorse and flatly performs. Low on frills and high on function, the new Taurus 650 .357 Magnum is exactly that. With that being said, they have several unique traits that might be able to tempt your wallet into throwing one of these in your safe even if you have said such irrational statements in the past as: “I already own enough firearms.” (As if…..)

Durable Steel (Black) or Stainless Steel (Matte Stainless) Frame: Built to withstand rigorous use, the Taurus 650’s steel or stainless steel frame provides the durability needed for both daily carry and extended shooting sessions.Double Action Only (DAO) Trigger System: The 650’s DAO trigger offers a smooth and consistent pull, enhancing shooting precision and reliability in high-stress environments.

Five-Shot Cylinder Chambered in .357 Magnum / .38 Spl +P: The Taurus 650 is chambered to handle up to .357 Magnum, allowing it to also fire .38 Special and .38 Special +P loads, providing flexibility in ammunition choice.Shrouded Hammer for Snag-Free Concealment: The internal shrouded hammer ensures a seamless draw from concealment, minimizing snags and enabling easy operation even from a pocket or bag.Removable Serrated Blade Front Sight: The blade front sight is serrated to reduce glare and allow for quick accuracy in all lighting conditions. The front sight is also removable, allowing it to be swapped out to meet your personal preference

The Hype is Real! – What Does Taurus Have to Say?

If you thought the wheelgun market was dead, consider yourself dead wrong. Companies like Taurus, Colt, Ruger, and Smith & Wesson are all full-steam ahead making new models, trying to ramp up production, and we keep buying ‘em! Taurus brought back this old shrouded hammer favorite for all of the concealed carry advocates in the audience looking to don a wheelgun as their new everyday carry (EDC) favorite.

“With the growing popularity of small-frame revolvers for personal defense, Taurus—a leader in revolver innovation—proudly reintroduces the Taurus 650, a true shrouded hammer, 5-shot revolver chambered in the venerable 357 Magnum. This expertly engineered firearm joins Taurus’s industry-leading lineup of reliable and versatile small-frame revolvers, answering the call for a compact, snag-free defensive option.Experienced shooters and new revolver owners alike have been asking for the return of a shrouded hammer revolver designed for concealed carry, and Taurus has answered. The Taurus 650 offers a smooth, Double Action Only (DAO) trigger pull with an internal shrouded hammer, making it the ultimate choice for everyday carry and quick deployment in critical situations, even allowing the revolver to be fired from pocket concealment without fouling or jamming the action.”

“‘This is the ultimate expression of what my friend Darryl Bolke refers to as the snubby lifestyle,’ said Caleb Giddings, Manager of Marketing, Taurus USA. ‘Some people want a simple, reliable DAO revolver they can carry every day, and this gun answers that need perfectly.’The Taurus 650 is compatible with a variety of existing 5-shot speed loaders and holsters for similar .357 Magnum models, making it versatile and user-friendly for both experienced shooters and new users alike.”

Models Currently being Offered

From the outset, Taurus has their reinvigorated Model 650 available in 4 offerings: two black and two stainless in either a 2” or 3” barrel. I am always entertained by Taurus’ MSRPs because the numbers seem so random, and once again, they did not disappoint me. The difference between your Black versus Matte Stainless variants is only $15.

Taurus 650 .357 Magnum | 2” Black Steel – MSRP $454.99 Taurus 650 .357 Magnum | 3” Black Steel – MSRP $454.99 Taurus 650 .357 Magnum | 2” Matte Stainless Steel – MSRP $469.99 Taurus 650 .357 Magnum | 3” Matte Stainless Steel – MSRP $469.99

Who’s Buying This? And, Should You?…

So, who is buying this revolver? And a great follow-up question is, should you? While the vast majority of EDC bros are carrying polymer semi-autos, but with that being said revolvers are not dead. Far from it. A lot of people love the simplicity, reliability, and small footprint of a hammerless wheelgun. Also, with Taurus chambering this lil’ guy in .357 Magnum, you have that coveted STOPPING POW-AH and the versatility to shoot .38 Special for softer-recoiling range fun.