Taurus 692 Review: A Fun, Multi-Caliber Revolver

If you think revolvers are boring, you’ve probably never tried the Taurus 692. Some guns are flat-out fun, and the 692 is among them. It’s a multi-caliber revolver that’s ruggedly built and designed with realistic expectations for use. If you’ve put off getting a revolver because you like to have the same caliber across the board—think 9mm—you’re in luck. The Taurus 692 lets you have it all: 9mm, 38 Special, and 357 Magnum.

Taurus 692 Background

The Taurus 692 is seen by some as the ultimate multi-caliber revolver and by others as nothing but a gimmick. In reality, the truth is somewhere in the middle. Like all guns, the 692 is purpose-driven, so its usefulness is going to depend on what you’re doing with it. It’s not a surprising addition to the Taurus family, either, not when the gun maker has had reasonable success from the multi-cal Judge for decades.

This is a durably constructed revolver. Taurus has improved their quality control in recent years, and it’s evident in guns like the 692 (specifically the Executive Grade 692). The nice thing about the 692 is that it does give you caliber options while remaining a reliably function revolver. And because there are already a few variants, you can choose the specific features you want.

Features of the Taurus 692

While the interchangeable cylinders are definitely the most obvious feature of the gun, there’s more. Features of the Taurus 692 include:

1 Barrel

Ported barrel for improved recoil management.

2 Steel Frame

Strong stainless steel frame.

3 Rear Sight

Adjustable rear sight to fine-tune accuracy.

4 Grip

Ribbed, rubber grips with finger grooves.

5 Hammer

Spurred hammer for easier manipulation.

Other Models of the Taurus 692

Taurus 692—Our Take

With its 3.0-inch barrel and multi-caliber capabilities, the Taurus 692 is a versatile revolver that’s suited to carry use. If you’d rather use it for hunting with the 357 Magnum cylinder, it’s a good idea to go with one of the 6.5-inch barrel models instead. The gun has a stainless steel frame and barrel for superior durability and is made to withstand hard use. That’s a good thing considering the magnum cylinder it comes with. Overall the Taurus 692 is a decent quality gun that could be used at the range, for concealed carry, or for home defense.

Shootability

Thanks to the rubber grips, which have ribbing on either side, the gun isn’t prone to slipping during live fire. The grips help you maintain a positive hold even if your hands get wet or sweaty. It does produce noticeable felt recoil and muzzle rise with 357 Magnum—but you can soften that by using 38 Special. With the 9mm cylinder, felt recoil is reduced in comparison to the magnum one, but it’s still there. Even so, you can rapid fire this revolver and reacquire targets smoothly.

Accuracy

This is an accurate gun within reasonable distances. After all, it has a 3.0-inch barrel, so it isn’t realistic to expect amazing precision at 25 yards. Under 10 yards the gun is capable of single-hole, five-shot groups, provided you’re firing at a slow, thoughtful rate (you’re more likely to get tight groups rather than single-hole groups most of the time, though). That also depends on caliber, because the 357 Magnum is a greater challenge to use for tight groups than the 38 Special or 9mm. It definitely delivers at what would often be referred to as defensive distances.  

Ergonomics

This is a medium-size frame revolver with a grip angle that encourages control during live fire. The grip shape and material are great for helping you keep a tight hold. The trigger guard is rounded so there are no blunt edges that might present a problem during use with 357 Magnum. It’s ergonomically well designed.

Value

The Taurus 692 in stainless with a 3.0-inch barrel has a somewhat high price point if you’re comparing it to other standard revolvers. But when you take into consideration the fact that it comes with two cylinders rather than one so you can run both 38 Special/357 Magnum and 9mm, the price makes sense. If you want a single revolver that can do more than one caliber, it’s a good value.

Pros and Cons

Taurus 692 Preferred Ammo

Taurus 692 is a unique revolver that we got to test out on the range. Check out below what 9mm ammo we preferred to use:

Taurus 692 Upgrade and Accessories:

1. Taurus 692 Stellar Clips 9mm		See on Amazon
2. FullGrain Leather Revolver Holster		See on Amazon

Other Resources

Being sure to take care of your Taurus 692 is crucial to its reliability and functionality. Check out the video and manuals below to ensure you are doing everything you can to keep yours long-lasting.

• Taurus 692 Manual
• Taurus Limited Lifetime Warranty Policy