Affiliate disclosure: This Taurus 905 review contains affiliate links. If you buy through our links then we can receive a small commission that helps keep the lights on. You don’t pay anything more.
- Treat every gun as loaded
- Point the muzzle in a safe direction
- Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot
- Know your target and what’s beyond
Table of Contents
How we tested: Every pick here is ranked against our testing methodology. Minimum round counts, accuracy and reliability protocols, the failures that disqualify a gun. Where we have not shot a specific variant ourselves, we say so in that section.
Review: Taurus 905: A 9mm Snub for Pistol Owners
Our Rating: 8.1/10
- MSRP: $468.99 (matte black oxide, 2-905021); $480.99 (matte stainless, 2-905029)
- Street Price: From $347.99 (Use our live pricing for the best up to date deal)
- Caliber: 9mm Luger, loaded with Taurus Stellar Clips
- Action: Double action/single action, transfer bar safety
- Barrel Length: 2.00 in., stainless steel, 1:10 in. right-hand twist, 6 grooves
- Overall Length: 6.50 in.
- Height / Width: 4.40 in. / 1.40 in.
- Weight: 21.00 oz unloaded
- Capacity: 5 rounds
- Frame Size: Small
- Frame and Cylinder: Alloy steel (black) or stainless steel (stainless)
- Sights: Fixed front and rear
- Grip: Soft rubber, finger grooved
Pros
- Shares ammo with your 9mm pistol
- Street price well under $400
- Stellar Clips make reloads quick
Cons
- Needs clips to load and extract
- Fixed sights, no adjustment
- Heavy double action trigger
Quick Take
The Taurus 905 is a five-shot, 2 inch snub-nose revolver chambered in 9mm Luger. If you already carry a 9mm pistol, a 905 lets you keep one caliber in the house, and 9mm is cheaper and easier to find than .38 Special or .357 Magnum. Because 9mm is rimless, the 905 loads with Taurus Stellar Clips, Taurus’s moon clips: star-shaped clips that hold all five rounds so they drop in and come out as one unit.
For this Taurus 905 review, I put 400 rounds through a black 905 over three sessions. It never failed to fire or extract. Reloads with loaded clips were fast, faster than loose rounds in any .38 I’ve shot. The double action pull is heavy and the fixed sights hit a little low for me, but for a close-range carry and backup revolver it did its job.
Price is the other draw. Taurus lists the 905 at $468.99, but our cards show it well under $400 on the street, and at 21 ounces it weighs the same as Charter’s 9mm Pitbull for less money.
If you want a cheap, reliable snub that shares ammo with your pistol, the 905 is hard to beat.
Best For: 9mm pistol owners who want a backup or pocket revolver, and budget-minded buyers who want a simple revolver for the nightstand. Not for anyone who hates dealing with clips, and not for precise shooting past 15 yards.
Design Intent: One Caliber for Everything
Taurus pitches the 905 as a 9mm revolver built around its Stellar Clips for easy reloading, and calls it “ideal for concealed carry.” Most people who carry a pistol carry a 9mm. A revolver in the same chambering means one ammo stockpile, one set of defensive loads, and a snub that costs less to practice with than a .38.
The 905 is built on the same small frame Taurus uses for its .357 Magnum 605. It’s a traditional double action/single action revolver with an exposed hammer, a transfer bar safety, a 2 inch stainless barrel with a full-length underlug, and a finger-grooved soft rubber grip. It is a plain, traditional Taurus 905 9mm snub.
Why the 905 needs moon clips
A revolver’s extractor pushes on the rim of each case. A 9mm case has no rim, so it has nothing to push on. Taurus’s answer is the Stellar Clip.
Per the Taurus revolver manual, you load fresh cartridges into the clip, drop the clip into the cylinder as a unit, and then use the ejector rod to push out the spent cases and clip together. The manual also says a loaded Stellar Clip should be treated the same as ammunition.
Taurus 905 Variants
Taurus’s site lists three 905s:
| Model | Taurus Item | Taurus MSRP | Key Specs |
| 905, matte black oxide | 2-905021 | $468.99 | 2 in., DA/SA, alloy steel frame and cylinder, 21.00 oz |
| 905, matte stainless | 2-905029 | $480.99 | 2 in., DA/SA, stainless frame and cylinder, 21.00 oz |
| 905 Concealed Hammer, TALO Edition | 2-90503KCH-SNS | $482.95 | 3 in., double action only, stainless with Cerakote Black Graphite, front night sight with orange, 23.84 oz |
The black and stainless guns weigh exactly the same, 21.00 ounces, even though Taurus lists alloy steel for the black gun’s frame and cylinder and stainless steel for the other. The stainless costs $12 more at MSRP.
The TALO distributor edition is a different gun: a 3 inch barrel, concealed hammer, double action only, with a front night sight, for under $14 more than the black 905 at MSRP. We didn’t find the TALO edition in our retailer catalog, so ask a TALO dealer.
Taurus 905 2-905021: matte black oxide, 2 in., DA/SA $347.99-$409.99
Taurus 905 2-905029: matte stainless, 2 in., DA/SA $361.51-$409.99
Taurus 905 Concealed Hammer TALO 2-90503KCH-SNS: 3 in., DAO, night sight $482.95 Taurus MSRP
Competitor Comparison
There aren’t many 9mm snubs, and the 905 is the cheapest of the ones that matter.
Charter Arms Pitbull 9mm (from $449.99)
The Pitbull is the 905’s closest rival, and its big advantage is no clips. Charter says its patented dual coil spring extractor grabs the rimless case on its own, so you load and unload loose 9mm like any revolver. Charter lists the 2.2 inch Pitbull at 21 ounces, the same as the 905, but it costs about $100 more on our cards.
If clips put you off, it’s worth the money. Our Charter Arms Pitbull review covers it.
Ruger LCR 9mm (from $662.18)
Ruger’s LCR is known for one of the best factory double action triggers on a small revolver, and that trigger is the main reason to pay more for the 9mm version. It also costs close to twice as much on our cards. If trigger feel matters more than price, the LCR is the upgrade. See our Ruger LCR review.
Smith & Wesson Model 940 (under $1,000)
The Model 940 is Smith & Wesson’s J-frame in 9mm, with a concealed hammer. It’s the premium choice and costs more than twice what a 905 does on our cards. For most buyers, that money is better spent on ammo and a good holster.
Verdict: The Pitbull skips the clips, the LCR has the better trigger, and the 940 is the premium pick. The 905 is the value choice, and it does the basic job just as well.
Testing Protocol
I tested a new black 905 (2-905021) over three sessions in September at an outdoor range, between 62 and 80 degrees, using eight Stellar Clips. I cleaned it at round 200 and checked the clips for bent arms after every session.
Ammunition Log
- Federal American Eagle 115 grain FMJ: 200 rounds
- Blazer Brass 124 grain FMJ: 100 rounds
- Hornady Critical Defense 115 grain FTX: 50 rounds
- Speer Gold Dot 124 grain +P JHP: 50 rounds
- Total: 400 rounds, 0 failures to fire or extract
Phase 1: Break-In
The first 100 rounds were American Eagle, shot double action at 7 yards. Every round fired, and every clip came out cleanly with one firm push of the ejector rod. The action loosened up a little over the first session, but the double action pull stayed heavy.
Phase 2: Reliability
Rounds 101 to 400 mixed all four loads. No light strikes, no stuck cases. The Gold Dot +P, a load type Taurus’s manual allows in its 9mm guns, needed a firmer push on the ejector rod to clear, but it always came out. One clip picked up a slightly bent arm after I dropped it on concrete; I retired it, and so should you if one bends.
Phase 3: Accuracy
I shot five-shot groups from a rest. At 10 yards, single action, Critical Defense grouped at 2.4 inches and American Eagle at 2.9 inches. Double action at 7 yards, standing, groups opened to about 3.5 inches.
Point of impact sat about 2 inches low at 10 yards, and with fixed sights you just hold a little high. The trigger measured 4 lb 12 oz single action and just over 12 lb double action on my gauge.
Tracking & Observations
After 400 rounds, the forcing cone and the front of the cylinder had the usual carbon ring, and the black oxide showed light wear at the muzzle and cylinder edges. Cylinder lockup stayed tight, with no noticeable play. The only wear item was that one bent clip.
What This Means for You
- Upgrade Impact: Spare Stellar Clips and a clip carrier matter more than any part.
- Reliability: Ran ball, hollow points and +P without a failure.
- Ammo Preference: Hornady Critical Defense for carry.
- Maintenance: Clean the cylinder face and forcing cone; inspect clips for bends.
- Accuracy Expectation: 2.5 to 3.5 inches at 7 to 10 yards; hold a little high.
Performance Testing Results
The 905 fired 400 rounds of four loads without a failure and grouped 2.4 inches at 10 yards single action, for 8.1 overall with reliability and value counted double.
Reliability (9/10)
400 rounds, four loads, zero failures. A revolver has fewer ways to fail than a pistol, and the clips removed the weak point of any 9mm revolver, stuck rimless cases. Keep your clips straight and it’ll run.
Accuracy (7/10)
Good enough for a 2 inch snub. The fixed sights are basic and my gun hit low, but groups were tight enough for defensive distances. Nobody buys a 2 inch revolver for 25 yard groups.
Ergonomics & Recoil (7/10)
The soft rubber grip fills the hand and soaks up recoil well. 9mm in a 21 ounce steel revolver is snappy but controllable, and milder than .357 Magnum would be in a frame this size. The 12 pound double action pull is the weak spot; dry-fire practice helps.
Fit, Finish, and Quality Control (8/10)
My 905 had tight lockup, even matte black oxide and clean machining around the crane and cylinder. For a revolver that sells for well under $400, it’s well put together.
Technical Deep Dive
The 905 is a small-frame, five-shot, double action/single action revolver with a 2 inch stainless barrel and a transfer bar safety.
Frame, Cylinder and Barrel
Taurus lists the black 905’s frame and cylinder as alloy steel and the stainless model’s as stainless steel, with a stainless steel barrel on both. The barrel is 2 inches, with six grooves and a 1:10 inch right-hand twist. The stainless 905’s right side is stamped “Made in Brazil” in Taurus’s own product photo.
Action and Safety
The standard 905 is double action/single action with an exposed hammer, so you can cock it for a lighter single action shot. A transfer bar keeps the hammer from reaching the firing pin unless the trigger is pulled. The TALO Concealed Hammer model is double action only.
+P Rating
Taurus’s revolver manual lists all firearms chambered in 9mm Luger among the models designated for +P ammunition. The manual still warns that +P loads generate higher pressures that can affect a firearm’s service life, so practice with standard loads and carry +P if you want it.
| Component | Specification | Benefit |
| Caliber | 9mm Luger with Stellar Clips | Same ammo as your pistol |
| Action | DA/SA, exposed hammer | Option of a light single action shot |
| Safety | Transfer bar | Hammer can’t reach the firing pin unless the trigger is pulled |
| Barrel | 2.00 in., stainless, 1:10 twist | Short enough for pocket or ankle carry |
| Weight | 21.00 oz | Steel weight soaks up recoil |
| Sights | Fixed | Nothing to snag or knock loose |
Parts, Accessories and Upgrades
The 905 needs nothing to run except clips. Spare Stellar Clips and a way to carry them come first.
| Upgrade Category | Recommended Component | Why It Matters | Cost Estimate |
| Stellar Clips | Extra Taurus Stellar Clips | Clips wear out and bend; keep spares. | Check our live pricing |
| Holster | A holster made for a small-frame Taurus snub | A proper fit keeps the trigger covered. | Varies |
| Clip carrier | A pouch or carrier for loaded clips | Protects clips from bending in a pocket. | Varies |
| Ammo | Hornady Critical Defense 115 grain | Best group in our testing. | See our 9mm ammo guide |
Common Problems & Solutions
Our 905 never failed, so most problems come from bent clips, +P extraction or the fixed sights.
- Bent Stellar Clips: A bent clip can bind the cylinder. Don’t drop loaded clips, as Taurus’s manual warns, and replace any clip that’s bent.
- Stiff extraction with +P: Push the ejector rod firmly and fully. Clean the chambers if cases start to stick.
- Shooting low: The sights are fixed, so learn your hold at defensive distances.
- Heavy double action pull: Dry-fire practice with snap caps builds the finger strength and smoothness a snub needs.
Who Should NOT Buy This Gun
The 905 is a clip-loaded five-shot snub, so these buyers are better served elsewhere.
- Anyone who doesn’t want to use clips: The Charter Arms Pitbull 9mm loads loose rounds.
- Shooters who want a great trigger: The Ruger LCR 9mm is known for a smoother double action, for more money.
- Buyers who want more power from the same frame: The Taurus 605 is the .357 Magnum version.
- Anyone wanting more than five rounds: The Taurus 856 holds six rounds of .38 Special.
Final Verdict
The Taurus 905 gives 9mm pistol owners a cheap, reliable snub-nose revolver that uses the same ammo. It ran 400 rounds without a failure, the Stellar Clips make reloads fast, and it often sells for well under $400. The double action trigger is heavy and the fixed sights hit low, but neither is a reason to skip it at this price.
Buy the black 905 for value, or the stainless if you want more corrosion resistance for pocket carry. Stock up on clips either way. For more options, see our best 9mm revolvers, best snub-nose revolvers and best concealed carry revolvers.
Final Score: 8.1/10: the cheapest good way to put a 9mm revolver in your pocket.
Specs and prices in this review come from Taurus’s product pages for the 905 matte black oxide, the 905 matte stainless and the 905 Concealed Hammer TALO Edition, and the Taurus revolver instruction manual.
FAQ: Taurus 905
Does the Taurus 905 need moon clips?
Yes. The 905 loads with Taurus Stellar Clips, star-shaped clips that hold five 9mm rounds. The clip goes into the cylinder as a unit, and the ejector rod pushes out the spent cases and clip together, per Taurus's manual.
How much does the Taurus 905 weigh?
Taurus lists both the black and stainless 2 inch 905 at 21.00 ounces unloaded. The 3 inch TALO Concealed Hammer edition is 23.84 ounces.
Can the Taurus 905 shoot +P ammo?
Taurus's revolver manual lists all firearms chambered in 9mm Luger as designated for +P ammunition. It also warns that +P raises pressures, so practice with standard loads.
How much is a Taurus 905?
Taurus lists the black 905 at $468.99 and the stainless at $480.99. Street prices on our cards start well under $400.
Where is the Taurus 905 made?
The stainless 905 in Taurus's own product photo is stamped Made in Brazil on the right side of the frame, along with Taurus Int'l Mfg, Miami, FL-USA.
Taurus 905 or Charter Arms Pitbull 9mm?
The Pitbull loads loose 9mm rounds with no clips, and Charter lists the 2.2 inch model at 21 ounces, the same as the 905. The 905 costs about $100 less on our cards and reloads faster with loaded clips.
Can you shoot the Taurus 905 without moon clips?
The 905 is built around Taurus Stellar Clips, its moon clips. 9mm is rimless, so the extractor has no rim to push on. Taurus's manual has you load the rounds into a clip, drop it into the cylinder as one unit and eject the spent cases and clip together. If you want to load loose 9mm, the Charter Arms Pitbull 9mm grabs rimless cases with its own extractor.
Is the Taurus 905 a good gun?
For the money, yes. Our black 905 fired 400 rounds of four loads, including +P, with zero failures to fire or extract, and we rated it 8.1/10. Single action groups were 2.4 inches at 10 yards. The downsides are a double action pull of just over 12 lb and fixed sights that hit about 2 inches low.
5,380+ Gun & Ammo Deals
Updated daily from 200+ top retailers. Filter by category, caliber, action type, and price.
Related Guides