Taurus 605

About the Taurus 605

The Taurus 605 is a compact, five-shot, double-action/single-action revolver chambered in .357 Magnum, built on Taurus's small frame. Introduced in 1995, it was designed as an affordable and reliable concealed carry revolver capable of handling full-power .357 Magnum loads as well as .38 Special and .38 Special +P ammunition. The 605 features a stainless steel frame, cylinder, and 2-inch barrel, weighing 24 ounces (680g) empty. Fixed front and rear sights are milled into the frame, with the rear being a gutter-style channel cut into the topstrap. The soft rubber grips help manage the substantial recoil generated by .357 Magnum loads in such a lightweight platform. Standard safety features include a transfer bar mechanism and the Taurus Security System (TSS), an integral key-lock that allows the owner to lock the action. The recessed ejection rod provides additional durability and snag-free carry. With an overall length of just 6.5 inches (165mm) and a width of 1.4 inches (36mm), the 605 is well-suited for inside-the-waistband, pocket, or ankle carry. Typical 125-grain .357 Magnum loads achieve approximately 1,250 fps (381 m/s) from the 2-inch barrel, producing around 588 joules of muzzle energy.

The Model 605 was one of the first affordable small-frame .357 Magnum revolvers, bringing big-bore power to the concealed carry market at a fraction of the S&W price.

Taurus 605 specifications

The Taurus 605 competes directly with the Smith & Wesson J-Frame revolvers (Models 60 and 640) and the Ruger SP101, offering similar capability at a significantly lower price point. The rifling twist rate is 1:18.75 inches (476mm), optimized for the lighter 125-grain .357 Magnum bullets that are most commonly used in short-barrel revolvers. Loaded weight estimate includes five .357 Magnum cartridges at approximately 13g each. Muzzle velocity and energy figures are based on 125-grain JHP .357 Magnum loads from the 2-inch barrel, which lose significant velocity compared to 4-inch or longer barrels. The .38 Special +P ammunition is often recommended for the 605 by trainers and reviewers, as it provides adequate defensive performance with substantially less recoil and muzzle blast than full-power .357 Magnum in the compact frame. The Poly Protector variant uses a polymer frame to reduce weight to approximately 20 ounces. The Defender variant adds a Hogue rubber grip and night sight options. The T.O.R.O. (Taurus Optics Ready Option) variant features a milled slide for mounting micro red-dot sights. The Executive Grade is the premium variant with VZ grips and enhanced trigger work.