Taurus 608
The Taurus 608 is the highest-capacity production .357 Magnum revolver available — an eight-shot double-action with a ported barrel, adjustable rear sight, and stainless steel construction that brings competition-grade capacity to the most proven handgun hunting and defense cartridge. Where the standard six-shot .357 Magnum revolver has defined the category for decades, the 608’s eight-round cylinder provides 33% more capacity without increasing the overall footprint beyond what the larger cylinder requires.
Read our full Taurus 608 Buying Guide ↓
Eight Rounds of .357 Magnum: The Capacity Advantage
No other production .357 Magnum revolver offers eight rounds in a standard configuration. The Colt Python, S&W 686, and Ruger GP100 are all six-shot designs. The 608’s eight-round cylinder provides two additional shots — a 33% capacity increase — that could matter in a defensive scenario or provide an additional margin during a hunting encounter. The cylinder’s larger diameter is the obvious trade-off; the 608 is a larger revolver than its six-shot competitors, but for buyers who prioritize maximum .357 Magnum capacity in a production revolver, the 608 delivers it without modification or custom work.
Ported Barrel: Controlling .357 Magnum Recoil
The 608’s ported barrel vents propellant gas upward at the muzzle to counter muzzle rise during the .357 Magnum’s substantial recoil impulse. In a competition context where follow-up shots from a revolver require returning to target quickly, the ported barrel’s reduction in muzzle rise translates to faster split times between shots. The 4” standard and 6” Competition barrel lengths both include porting. The 6” Competition configuration adds VZ G10 grip panels and the longer sight radius that precision shooting applications benefit from most.
Competition Configuration: Built for Steel Challenge and ICORE
The 608 Competition with its 6” ported barrel, VZ G10 grips, and stainless construction is purpose-built for revolver competition divisions — Steel Challenge revolver, ICORE (International Confederation of Revolver Enthusiasts), and USPSA Revolver division. In revolver competition, the 608’s eight rounds reduce mandatory reloads during stages that a six-shot revolver would require mid-stage loading to complete. The VZ grips provide the aggressive purchase needed for reliable grip during timed stages. Adjustable rear sights allow precise zero for the specific ammunition and distance each competition format demands.
Stainless Steel: Field-Ready Durability
The 608’s stainless steel frame and cylinder provide corrosion resistance appropriate for hunting applications, range use in varying conditions, and long-term storage without the maintenance that blued steel requires. Stainless is the correct material choice for a revolver that may be used in field conditions, carried in humid environments, or stored for extended periods between sessions. The Taurus lifetime transferable warranty covers the 608 under any ownership, providing long-term ownership assurance that competitors at higher price points don’t match.
608 vs. S&W 627: The Eight-Shot .357 Choice
The Taurus 608’s only direct competitor in eight-shot .357 Magnum is the S&W Model 627 — S&W’s Performance Center eight-shot .357 that has been the revolver competition standard for years. The 627 PC carries S&W’s action quality and the deepest aftermarket of any revolver platform. The 608 counters with Taurus’s transferable lifetime warranty, comparable stainless construction, and a significantly lower price. For competition shooters who want the platform with the most documented competition record: S&W 627. For buyers who want eight-shot .357 Magnum capacity at the best price with a lifetime warranty: Taurus 608.
Related Pages at Impact Guns
See the full Taurus brand page, Taurus Revolvers page, and Taurus Judge. For competition use see our competition guns page. Browse our full revolvers page and .44 Magnum revolvers. For ammunition see our .357 Magnum ammo page.