Taurus 692

How Does the 692’s Dual-Cylinder System Work?

The Taurus 692 includes two interchangeable cylinders: one that accepts .357 Magnum and .38 Special (rimmed cartridges that headspace on the rim), and one that accepts 9mm Auto (a rimless cartridge that requires moon clips to headspace correctly in a revolver). Swapping cylinders is straightforward—the cylinder crane releases in the standard manner and the cylinder lifts out, allowing the alternate cylinder to drop in. The 9mm cylinder requires full moon clips to feed and eject reliably; the moon clips hold all seven rounds and allow simultaneous ejection and loading in a single motion, which makes reloading faster than a traditional revolver with a speedloader.

Why Would You Want a 9mm Revolver Cylinder?

The 9mm cylinder serves several practical purposes. For shooters who already stock 9mm ammunition for semi-automatic pistols, the 692 allows running that same ammunition in a revolver without maintaining a separate supply of .38 Special or .357 Magnum. In areas where 9mm is more readily available than revolver calibers, the 692 provides a supply-chain advantage. The 9mm cylinder also produces lighter recoil than .357 Magnum, which is useful for high-volume practice. Competitive shooters in certain ICORE and USPSA revolver divisions have also found the moon-clip loading system for 9mm to be faster than traditional revolver speedloaders with rimmed cartridges.

How Does the 692 Compare to Other 7-Shot .357 Revolvers?

The primary competition for the 692 in the 7-shot .357 Magnum category is the Smith & Wesson Model 686 Plus. The 686 Plus is a more refined revolver with a smoother factory trigger, finer adjustable sights, and S&W’s proven reputation—but it costs significantly more and does not include a 9mm cylinder. The Taurus 692 wins on value and versatility; the 686 Plus wins on trigger quality and brand prestige. For a buyer who primarily values the dual-cylinder capability and 7-shot capacity at a moderate price, the 692 delivers a compelling package. For a buyer who wants the best possible .357 Magnum revolver regardless of price, the 686 Plus is the benchmark.

692 Barrel Length Options and Configurations

Taurus offers the 692 in 3″ and 6.5″ barrel configurations, both in stainless or matte black finish. The 3″ barrel is the carry-optimized variant—it conceals reasonably well in a OWB holster for a 7-shot .357 and provides adequate velocity for defense. The 6.5″ barrel maximizes velocity with .357 Magnum loads for hunting or longer-range target work and provides a better sight radius for precision shooting. Both barrel lengths accept the same dual-cylinder system. The longer barrel is the better choice for range and hunting use; the 3″ for carry applications where the 7-shot capacity and .357 Magnum power are the primary draws.

Moon Clips for 9mm: Practical Considerations

Running the 9mm cylinder effectively requires moon clips—the thin stamped steel clips that hold seven 9mm rounds by their extractor groove. Taurus includes moon clips with the 692, but having several spares on hand is recommended since moon clips can bend with repeated use. A moon clip loading tool (available inexpensively from TK Custom and other makers) makes loading clips faster and protects finger tips. The moon clip system’s simultaneous ejection is a genuine advantage over standard revolver reloading once the technique is mastered. Shooters who plan to use the 9mm cylinder regularly should budget for a dozen spare moon clips and a loading tool as part of their initial setup.

Frequently Asked Questions: Taurus 692

What is the Taurus 692?
The Taurus Model 692 is a double-action revolver with a unique interchangeable cylinder system that allows the shooter to swap between .357 Magnum/.38 Special and 9mm Luger cylinders using a single revolver frame. This dual-caliber capability lets owners shoot both .357 Magnum hunting loads and common 9mm practice ammunition from the same revolver.

How does the 9mm cylinder work in the Taurus 692?
The 9mm cylinder uses moon clips — thin metal clips that hold 9mm cartridges (which lack the rim that standard revolver cartridges use for headspacing) at the correct position in the cylinder. Moon clips are included and allow fast reloading of all 7 rounds simultaneously, which is actually faster than loading a rimmed revolver one round at a time.

Is the Taurus 692 good for hunting?
Yes for small game and deer. The .357 Magnum cylinder with full-power hunting loads is effective on deer-sized game at handgun hunting ranges. The interchangeable 9mm cylinder makes it practical to use less expensive 9mm for practice and .357 Magnum hunting loads in the field.

See Also: Taurus Firearms • Revolvers • .357 Magnum Ammo • 9mm Ammo