Taurus 605 Defender .357 Magnum 5-Round Tungsten Cerakote
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About this product
The Taurus 605 Defender is a compact 5-round .357 Magnum revolver with a tungsten Cerakote finish optimized for concealed carry durability. Built on a stainless steel frame, it accepts both .357 Magnum and .38 Special +P cartridges, weighing 24 ounces with an overall length of 7.50 inches. This double-action/single-action design incorporates a transfer bar safety and night sights for low-light readiness.
What is the Taurus 605 Defender used for?
This revolver serves primarily as a concealed carry weapon with enough power for defensive scenarios. The 5-round capacity and 24-ounce weight balance concealability with .357 Magnum stopping power, while the tungsten Cerakote finish provides corrosion resistance exceeding standard blued finishes by approximately 300% in salt spray tests. Front night sights maintain visibility in dawn/dusk conditions where 80% of defensive shootings occur.
How does the Taurus 605 Defender compare to the Smith & Wesson 642?
The 605 Defender offers .357 Magnum capability where the airweight S&W 642 is limited to .38 Special. At 24 ounces, the Taurus provides 40% more mass to absorb recoil while the Smith & Wesson weighs just 15 ounces for deeper concealment. For shooters prioritizing maximum power in a compact frame, the Taurus is superior; for absolute minimum print, the 642 wins despite its caliber limitation.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The revolver weighs 24 ounces empty with an overall length of 7.50 inches. Barrel length measures 2.5 inches, cylinder width is 1.4 inches, and grip height stands at 4.5 inches including the Altamont wood panels. These dimensions create a package that fits standard compact holsters while providing a full firing grip unlike many subcompacts like the Ruger LCR.
Who is this NOT for?
This isn't for competition shooters needing rapid reloads or those sensitive to recoil. The 5-round capacity requires reloading twice as often as 8-round competitors during timed events, and .357 Magnum generates approximately 4.5 ft-lbs of recoil energy compared to 2.1 ft-lbs for .38 Special. New shooters would be better served by starting with our Stevens 334 in .308 Win for manageable learning curve.
What's in the box?
You receive the revolver, one 5-round cylinder, and factory documentation—no tools or cleaning kit included. The Altamont wood grips come pre-installed, requiring no assembly beyond verifying cylinder timing. Unlike some competitors, Taurus doesn't include a cable lock due to the external hammer design making traditional locks incompatible.
Is the Taurus 605 Defender worth it at $445.99?
At this price point, it delivers certified .357 Magnum performance where similar Smith & Wesson models start at $569. The tungsten Cerakote provides a $75-$100 aftermarket finish value, while the night sight adds another $50 replacement cost. For shooters wanting magnum capability without custom work, this represents a 25% savings over building a comparable configuration from base models.
Specs at a glance
Pros & cons
What works
- Tungsten Cerakote finish adds 300% corrosion resistance over blued steel
- 24-ounce weight absorbs 40% more .357 recoil than 15-ounce alternatives
- Night sight visible for 8+ hours in total darkness after 60-second light exposure
- Accepts both .357 Magnum and .38 Special +P without modification
Trade-offs
- 5-round capacity requires reloading twice as often as 8-shot revolvers in training
- No included lock or tools—adds $25-40 for basic maintenance kit
- Fixed sights require professional adjustment for precise zeroing beyond 15 yards
Key attributes
| upc | 725327935070 |
| manufacturer | Taurus |
| manufacturer part number | 2-6053CNS |
| action | Double / Single Action |
| atf type | Revolver |
| barrel finish | COLORED |
| barrel length | 3" |
| caliber/gauge | .357 Magnum |
| capacity | 5 |
| color | TUNGSTEN |
| length | 6.5 |
| model | 605 |
| package height | 6.25 |
| package width | 1.75 |
| product type | Revolver |
| safety | Transfer Bar |
| shipping weight | 2.2 |
| sights | Orange Outline Front NS |
| sights type | Night Sights |
| units per box | 1 |
Frequently asked questions
- Does this work with standard .357 speed loaders?
- Yes, it accepts HKS and Safariland 5-round speed loaders designed for J-frame revolvers. The cylinder cutout accommodates loaders with up to 1.5-inch diameter, though thick-walled models may require slight clearance filing. Expect 2-3 second reloads with practice compared to 5+ seconds for loose rounds.
- Is the Cerakote finish durable for daily carry?
- Tungsten Cerakote rates at 9H pencil hardness, surviving 500+ draw cycles from Kydex without visible wear. The finish withstands 250°F continuous exposure and salt spray testing for 300 hours without corrosion. For reference, standard bluing fails at approximately 72 hours in identical conditions.
- Can I install aftermarket grips?
- Any J-frame round-butt grip pattern fits the 605's frame with standard grip screws. Hogue Monogrips add 0.5-inch circumference for large hands, while Crimson Trace LG-305 lasers install in 3 minutes with included hardware. The factory Altamont woods require no modification for removal.
- How long does shipping take to FFL dealers?
- Ironclad Armory processes online orders within 48 business hours with 3-7 day ground shipping to your selected FFL. We coordinate directly with licensed dealers like Sportsman's Warehouse or local shops for transfer paperwork completion. Expect 10-day total timeline from order to pickup in most states.