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Taurus Protector Polymer: a Polymer Revolver

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Taurus introduced a polymer revolver in .38 Special at the 2010 SHOT Show.  The “Polymer Protector” is a revolver with a polymer frame and blued steel cylinder and barrel insert.  The new Taurus revolver only weighs 18.2 ounces and is rated for +P ammunition.

Streamlined for concealed carry, the hammer is shrouded, but can still be cocked for a single action shot.  The grips are polymer, but are wood colored, and actually look good in person.

The front sight is a red fiber optic sight, and the rear is a notch.  The barrel is 2.5″ long.

I was very impressed with the way this revolver felt in my hand.  It was lightweight and pointed naturally for me.  I would prefer a DA-only version, but I am still impressed by what Taurus was showing.  I look forward to getting one of these onto the range.

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Taurus Protector Specifications

  • caliber:  .38 Special +P
  • barrel length:  2.5″
  • weight:  18.2 ounces
  • frame:  polymer
  • trigger:  DA/SA

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Update

The original Taurus Protector Polymer has been replaced with a new revolver that ups the ante to .357 Magnum.  The new gun looks very similar to the original, but it is beefed up.

The new version of the Protector weighs a little more at 19.75 ounces.  The barrel length is now 2″ long.  The front sight maintains a fiber optic sight with a notch rear.

The gun keeps the partially shrouded hammer, which can still be cocked for single action shots.  As I’ve said before, I prefer a DAO (double-action-only) trigger on small revolvers for self-defense, but this is not a bad way of handling things.

The original wood-look grips have been replaced by more aggressive rubber grips which should help a shooter hang onto the gun and cushion the recoil from the Magnum rounds.  Of course, many people will prefer to shoot .38 Special from the gun instead of the full-bore Magnum loads.

Specifications for the New Taurus Protector

  • Taurus model # 605PLYSS2
  • caliber:  .357 Magnum
  • capacity:  five rounds
  • barrel length:  2″
  • weight (unloaded):  19.75 ounces
  • trigger:  double-action/single-action
  • MSRP:  $475.00

By Richard Johnson

Richard Johnson is a gun writer, amateur historian and - most importantly - a dad. He's done a lot of silly things in his life, but quitting police work to follow his passion of writing about guns was one of the smartest things he ever did. He founded this site and continues to manage its operation.

24 replies on “Taurus Protector Polymer: a Polymer Revolver”

Nope, not canceled. Due out later in the year. Taurus normally announces at SHOT and delivers 3-9 months later. Some products don’t make it into production, but my understanding is that this one will hit the dealer shelves later this year.

–Richard

By Post Author

Does anybody have any idea if Taurus will make this model available in 357 in the future? Or is the 357 too much for a polymer pistol? I love the gun, but would love it more with a 357 option. That way my wife could practice with 38’s and jump up to 357’s when she needs to.

Josh: If this thing can handle +P .38s weighs about the same as the Ruger LCR in its .357 Magnum variety, so I would not say that it is inherently impossible for it to someday be made in a .357 variety just because of the polymer. It might increase in weight somewhat, but your hand would be glad of that if it were moving .357s 🙂

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