Taurus 605: A Pint-Size .357 Mag. Revolver

by
posted on December 4, 2021
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Taurus 605

With its 2" barrel, .357 Mag. chambering and 24-ozs. weight the Taurus 605 revolver is made for carry. The double action/single action can digest .38 Spl. to make practice a pleasant experience, but when loaded with the heavier-hitting cartridge it packs enough power to stop a felonious assault with authority.

Capacity is five cartridges and the frame, cylinder and barrel are made from stainless steel with a pleasant-to-the-eyes matte finish. A soft, rubberized black grip does a nice job of soaking recoil. Sights are fixed with a ramp up front and a groove to the rear.

A transfer bar safety prevents the gun from touching off a round without pulling the hammer back fully. The gun also comes with the Taurus Security System. Turning its lock, which is built into the frame and located below the hammer, renders the firearm inoperable. The feature is often cited as an asset for anyone who needs to prevent unauthorized access—those with small ones in the house, etc.  Two keys to operate the device are included with the revolver.

The gun’s heft doesn’t place it among lightest carry revolvers, although the weight is a welcome addition when shooting heavy-recoiling loads. The rest of the gun, however, features the sleek sides and rounded edges needed to minimize clothing snag during presentation—a real concern when under stress.  

Overall length of the Taurus 605, which was introduced in 1995 and continues to be a good seller for the company, measures 6.5". Width comes in at 1.4" and height at 4.4". The firm’s trademarked raging bull on the grips give it a look distinctive enough to stand out from much of the competition.

MSRP for the Brazilian-made revolver, which is imported by Taurus USA, is $406. Its solid performance, price and straightforward design have made it a popular choice among enthusiasts for more than a quarter century.

Latest

Galco Revenger Sb7 Belt Review 1
Galco Revenger Sb7 Belt Review 1

Review: Galco Revenger Holster & SB7 Gun Belt

For those who choose to carry a finely finished, K-frame revolver, Galco offers one of its finest concealed-carry setups in the form of its Revenger holster and SB7 gun belt.

Rimfire Power: The Primary Arms CLx 1-6x24 mm Riflescope with ACSS 22LR G2 Reticle

Low-power variable optics have become popular options for today's AR-15s and other modern sporting rifles, and Primary Arms now offers an option tailored for rimfire versions of those same guns.

Gun of the Week: Walther Arms PDP F-Series Pro-X PMM

One of Walther Arms' recent introductions combines the features of several other PDP handguns, meaning the Walther PDP F-Series Pro-X PMM is packed with a number of different design elements.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 30, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

President's Column | Your Input is Valued

I wish to thank all our members who have sent me e-mails these last 12 months. I’m doing my best to keep up with all your e-mails, but please be aware it seems I’m always 300 to 400 e-mails behind. I want to reiterate that I am reading them all as fast as I have time for.

Building an X-Card Gun for Turkey Shoots

Unofficially known as a “turkey shoot,” X-Card competition challenges shotgunners to place shot pellets as closely as possible to the center of a target. And some makers have perfected a way to fine-tune shotguns for this purpose.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.