Taurus Model 992 4" Tracker

The Taurus Tracker stainless steel Model 992SS4 revolver, with its 22 Long Rifle and 22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire interchangeable cylinders, was released in 2012. It remains in Taurus’s catalog with several related models; 6″ stainless and blued alloy steel counterparts.

Notable is the Model 922’s weight. At 40 ounces it exceeds the weight of a S&W L frame Model 69 5 shot 44 Magnum by 3 ounces, however, it is about the same weight as the S&W K Frame Model 617 4″ 10 shot chambered for the 22 Long Rifle cartridge. It is intended to be a heavier recreational target shooter / small game getter that is overbuilt for stability and durability.

The Model 992 is built on Taurus’s compact frame, which falls between the S&W J&K frame in size and has enough strength to also be use for Tracker centerfire revolvers, up through the 357 Magnum. For those who find the weight too much, Taurus offers the Model 941 in either 22 WMR or 22 LR at just 27 ounces. Personally, I like the heft because it is comparable to my 357 Mag and 45 Colt double action revolvers, which makes it easier to transit from one to the other, shooting all accurately.

The sight picture is clean. The adjustable rear sight with white outline works well with the ramped front sight with orange insert. The sight radius is 6″. At the base of the hammer, the Taurus Security System is visible. A mini key lock that can lock the hammer if the owner so desires. Two keys are supplied with the revolver. The Taurus also uses a transfer bar system, a widely accepted way to make a revolver drop safe.

There were a couple of areas that received particular attention because of the nature of high capacity revolvers and because of other reviewers’ comments. 22 LR ammo tends to be a little gummy, so that when the cylinder chamber count does up, the gumminess increases proportionally. Not really the situation here. Loading chambers was without incidence and ejection was easy. Additionally, the ejector stroke was more than sufficient to push out 22 WMR empties.

Changing the cylinder is actually quite simple. The cylinder is partially opened, just enough to clear the forward frame, the cylinder latch is depressed… the verb, not the adjective, and the cylinder and crane are pulled forward. Reinstall is a reversal of the same. A few second process.

How does it shoot?

Three types of 22 long rifle and three types of 22 Winchester Magnum were used during live fire check out. Through the 4″ barrel they performed like this:

No misfires or revolver malfunctions were experienced. The Model 992 click and clacked when and as anticipated. I felt accuracy was quite good for this revolver with the exception of Winchester TIN, however, in my experience firearms either like or hate the stuff so the spread group size is not uncommon in multiple brand firearms.

Personality…

The result of a little extra beef… virtually no recoil. It is a comfortable firearm to shoot over a long day and performance is consistent. Balance is excellent. The sights did not strain my eyes or become difficult to focus. Exterior fit and finish is very good. As time goes by, I find Taurus bashing to be diminishing and much of the residual is gun forum over the top parroting. This is approximately the sixth Taurus model we have examined within the past couple of years, revolvers and pistols, and they have been good functioning firearms. If there is a gripe with the Model 992, and there is a gripe, it is in double action trigger pull.

The Model 992’s double action trigger pull is too heavy, too… lumpy and let off is like snapping a wooden stick… followed by lots of overtravel. Single action trigger pull is excellent with a light pull, virtually no creep and a very crisp let off. No overtravel. I appreciate the latter. Wish Taurus would refine the former. The double action pull really detracts from an otherwise very nice revolver. Other than that, excellent rimfire.