As someone with limited experience with revolvers, I felt curious and a bit nervous about stepping into the world of wheelguns. My experience up until now had been mainly with semi-automatic pistols, so when I got my hands on the Taurus 692 Executive Grade revolver, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to step outside the box and explore something new. Also, the idea of having a revolver that shoots multiple calibers sounded like a smart investment. After spending some time with it, here’s my honest take on the 692.
When I first picked up the Taurus 692 Executive Grade, I took note of its weight. It felt lighter than I expected at 35 ounces (2.18 pounds). The solid stainless steel frame with a smooth satin finish gave it a premium feel, and the walnut grips immediately stood out as both stylish and comfortable. I was impressed by the overall look of the revolver. No, this wasn’t just a typical entry-level gun; it is, and it felt like a carefully crafted tool.
The 3-inch barrel felt like a good size for me, not quite a snub-nose revolver or a full-sized handgun. It’s substantial enough to take to the range without feeling overpowered. It came with two cylinders – one for .38 Special/.357 Magnum and another for 9mm, which I found very intriguing. I’m a 9mm girl at heart, and since I already had plenty of 9mm ammo on hand, I got it out on the range.
At first, I thought revolvers might feel awkward compared to semi-autos, but the ergonomics of the Taurus 692 surprised me. The grips fit nicely in my hands, and the slightly rounded edges made it comfortable to hold for extended periods. It felt natural in my grip, even though it took a bit of adjusting since there was no magazine or slide to work with, just the cylinder and hammer.
The trigger delivered a pleasant surprise. In single-action mode (after cocking the hammer), the trigger pull felt light and crisp – much lighter than I expected. Of course, the trigger pull was heavier in double-action mode, yet it still felt manageable and slightly smooth. Previously, I heard revolvers can have stiff triggers, but this one felt pretty easy to control after some practice.
At the range, I checked any remnants of an ego, and I warmed up with a few dry fire reps. I started shooting the Taurus 692 with .38 Special rounds since they’re known to be lighter on recoil, and I wanted to ease into things. After shooting a few cylinders of Winchester
130-grain Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) .38 Special, I felt almost too comfortable! The recoil was minimal; I’m sure that’s also due to the ported barrel. I quickly found myself getting into a rhythm. The sights were simple: the front sight was a fixed front blade, and the rear was an adjustable rear sight, making it easy (like Sunday morning) to line up my sights. After a few cylinders and no malfunctions, I decided to switch things up.
Next, I loaded up Hornady 125-grain FTX Critical Defense .357 Magnum rounds, and I got to experience the power revolvers are famous for. The recoil was more substantial, but the revolver’s weight and grip design kept it manageable. It kicked more than I’m used to with 9mm
semi-autos, but it was surprisingly fun once I got the hang of it and relaxed. That said, I wouldn’t want to shoot a .357 Magnum all day; it’s powerful. but a bit tiring over time.
I also shot Winchester 124-grain FMJ in 9mm, which was a breeze with the interchangeable cylinder. To change the cylinder, I had to push the cylinder release button on the right side of the frame and slide the cylinder assembly forward. To engage the 9mm cylinder, I reversed the process. Once installed, I ensured the cylinder was installed correctly by pushing it forward. It took less than 30 seconds and was a stress-free process.
I appreciated that the 9mm cylinder allowed me to train affordably since 9mm ammunition is cheaper and easier to find. The 9mm rounds had noticeably less recoil than the .357 Magnum, but they still packed a bit more punch than the .38 Special. The fact that this revolver could handle three types of ammunition without experiencing any malfunctions was very impressive. It made it feel like I had three different guns in one.
As someone new to revolvers, there were a few things I had to adjust to. For starters, reloading is slower than swapping magazines in a semi-automatic pistol. However, the cylinder release and ejector rod worked smoothly, and with practice, I’m sure I could get faster at it. The seven-round capacity felt a little limiting compared to the higher capacities I’m used to with my semi-autos, but knowing that revolvers are known for reliability made up for that.
The lack of a safety lever became an easy adjustment because most of my handguns don’t have an external manual safety. Hence, keeping the revolver in double-action mode is a safety feature in itself. With the heavier trigger pull in double action, there’s little chance of accidentally firing it. I also found it reassuring that revolvers tend to have fewer mechanical failures: no slide jams or stovepipes to worry about.
The more I used the Taurus 692, the more I appreciated its versatility. If I ever needed it for self-defense, I’d load it with .357 Magnum ammunition for maximum stopping power. For range practice, I’d go with .38 Special or 9mm. Having multiple ammo options provides a lot of flexibility, which is important to me as someone who wants one gun that can do it all.
The 3-inch barrel feels like a good middle ground; it’s compact enough for concealed carry but long enough to be accurate at the range. The 692 seems like an excellent option for both defense and practice.
As someone with limited experience with revolvers, I can confidently say that the Taurus 692 Executive Grade has been a great introduction. It feels well-made and offers versatility. Let’s not forget that it looks classy, making it a practical addition to my collection. The ability to shoot .38 Special, .357 Magnum, and 9mm gives me many options for training and defense, and the smooth trigger and comfortable grips made it easy to learn.
If you’re new to revolvers like me, the 692 is worth considering. It’s user-friendly, reliable, and adaptable, which makes it feel like a wise investment. While there’s still a bit of a learning curve compared to semi-autos, the simplicity and versatility of the Taurus 692 make it an excellent choice for anyone looking to add a revolver to the lineup. Whether for home defense, concealed carry, or range use, the 692 Executive Grade offers plenty of value – and, it’s a fun revolver to shoot, too.
Check out more features of the Taurus 692 Executive Grade revolver.
MSRP: $1106.99
Avery Skipalis is the owner of Skip’s Tactical Solutions, an organization that focuses on empowering women, men and children to make sure that no one else becomes a victim. She gained her firearms experience from the military where she’s been a military firearms instructor for 10.5 years. She’s also a certified NRA rifle and pistol instructor and Glock Advanced Armorer since 2015. She’s attended Sig Sauer Academy, FNH, Special Operations Command Armorers courses as well as multiple Advanced Shooting Schools across the United States. She resides in Florida with her husband and 2 kids. She’s currently serving in the United States Air Force and loves sharing her passion with others. She thinks it’s important that women also feel like they’re in control of their own safety. View all posts by Avery Skipalis
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