Taurus 650 .357 Mag 2″ 5-Shot Matte Black Revolver
Pros & cons
What works
- 24 oz unloaded weight — 4 oz lighter than all-steel equivalents
- 2-inch barrel maintains 1,250 fps with .357 Magnum defensive loads
- Shrouded hammer eliminates snag points during 1.5-second draw stroke
- Accepts .38 Special for 40% reduced recoil during training
Trade-offs
- Fixed rear sights limit precision beyond 15 yards — requires aftermarket upgrade for $60-120
- 5-round capacity necessitates frequent reloads compared to semi-autos
- Rubber grips add 0.5 inch to width — may print under tight clothing
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
What is the Taurus 650 .357 Mag 2″ 5-Shot Matte Black Revolver? It's a compact, double-action-only revolver chambered for .357 Magnum with a 2-inch barrel and 5-round capacity, designed specifically for concealed carry reliability and snag-free operation. Built on an alloy steel frame with matte black finish and rubber grips, it accepts both .357 Magnum and .38 Special ammunition while maintaining a 7.66-inch overall length and 24-ounce unloaded weight.
What is the Taurus 650 used for?
This revolver serves as a dedicated concealed carry weapon with its 2-inch barrel and 5-round cylinder making it ideal for close-quarters defensive situations. The shrouded hammer prevents clothing snags during draw, while the double-action-only trigger provides consistent 12-pound pull weight without external safety mechanisms to fumble with during stress.
How does the Taurus 650 compare to the Smith & Wesson 640?
The Taurus 650 offers comparable concealment performance at approximately 60% of the price of the Smith & Wesson 640. While the S&W 640 features stainless steel construction and potentially smoother trigger action, the Taurus achieves similar dimensional specs (both share 2-inch barrels and 5-round capacity) with its alloy frame reducing weight to 24 ounces versus the S&W's 23 ounces—making the Taurus the better value proposition for budget-conscious carriers.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
Unloaded weight measures 24 ounces (680 grams) with overall dimensions of 7.66 inches long, 4.75 inches tall, and 1.44 inches wide. The 2-inch barrel length and compact cylinder diameter of 1.45 inches contribute to its concealment profile, while the rubber grip adds 0.5 inch to the backstrap thickness for improved control during .357 Magnum recoil management.
Who is this NOT for?
This revolver isn't suitable for competition shooting or extended range sessions due to its 5-round capacity and stout .357 Magnum recoil in a lightweight frame. The fixed sights and double-action-only trigger limit precision beyond 15 yards, making it poorly suited for hunters or those requiring rapid reload capabilities—consider the Stevens 334 Rifle for hunting applications instead.
What's in the box?
You receive the revolver, one 5-round moon clip, and owner's manual—no cleaning kit or additional accessories included. The moon clip allows faster reloading than individual rounds, though you'll need to purchase additional clips separately for serious carry use.
Is the Taurus 650 worth it at $387.99?
At $387.99, this represents solid value for a .357 Magnum carry revolver with reliable construction and proven mechanical design. Compared to similar concealment revolvers from Ruger or Smith & Wesson that start around $650, the Taurus delivers equivalent ballistic performance and durability for defensive scenarios—just expect to invest another $50-75 in aftermarket grips and moon clips for optimal performance.
Key attributes
| upc | 725327943006 |
| manufacturer | Taurus |
| manufacturer part number | 2-650121 |
| action | Double Action Only |
| atf type | Revolver |
| barrel finish | COLORED |
| barrel length | 2" |
| caliber/gauge | .357 Magnum |
| capacity | 5 |
| color | Black |
| length | 9.8000 |
| model | 650 |
| package height | 1.8 |
| package width | 6.0 |
| product type | Revolver |
| shipping weight | 1.95 |
| sights | FS: Removable Blade RS:Fixed |
| sights type | Fixed Sights |
| state restriction (ca) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO CALIFORNIA |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with .38 Special ammunition?
- Yes, the Taurus 650 safely fires both .357 Magnum and .38 Special cartridges, including +P variants. The 5-round cylinder accepts all standard .38 Special loads without modification, though .357 Magnum generates significantly higher velocity—approximately 1,250 fps versus 850 fps from identical 2-inch barrels.
- Does it fit standard holsters?
- It fits most J-frame compatible holsters due to its 1.44-inch width and 4.75-inch height. For optimal retention, use holsters specifically designed for Taurus 2-inch revolvers—I recommend DeSantis Nemesis model #T650 for pocket carry or Safariland 568 for belt applications.
- How long does shipping take?
- FFL shipments typically process within 3-5 business days after verification, with transit time adding 2-7 days depending on your location. All firearms ship via UPS or FedEx with adult signature required upon delivery—ensure your chosen FFL has current credentials on file before ordering.
- Can I return it if it doesn't fit?
- Firearms sales are final once transferred through an FFL, per ATF regulations. We allow returns only for manufacturer defects within 30 days—contact our compliance team at [email protected] before initiating any return process to ensure proper documentation.