The Taurus 605 represents budget-conscious defensive carry in .357 Magnum chambering, delivering five-round capacity, DA/SA operation, and steel construction across 2-inch and 3-inch Executive Grade variants.
Whether running the standard steel frame, lightweight Protector Poly configuration, or optics-ready TORO model, smart accessory selection transforms this compact wheelgun from basic defensive tool to optimized carry system.
This guide covers holsters accounting for steel versus polymer frames, grips managing .357 recoil, speedloaders addressing five-round capacity, and essential support gear maximizing the Taurus 605's defensive and range capabilities.
Holsters for Taurus 605
Proper 605 holster selection requires accounting for frame material differences between steel and polymer models, barrel lengths from 2 to 3 inches, and whether you've installed red dots on TORO variants.
Quality revolver holsters must clear the cylinder while protecting the exposed trigger and maintaining secure retention through movement. Steel 605 models weigh approximately 24 ounces unloaded, while Poly Protector versions reduce carry weight through hybrid construction.
IWB Holsters
Inside-the-waistband carry leverages the 605's compact dimensions for concealed belt carry, with quality holsters providing adjustable cant, reinforced mouths preventing collapse, and trigger coverage throughout the draw stroke. The 2-inch 605 suits IWB carry better than longer models, balancing concealability against draw accessibility.
Chest
Chest rigs keep the 605 accessible during outdoor activities, ATV riding, or hunting where belt carry interferes with backpack hip belts or seated positions. Quality chest holsters use adjustable harness systems distributing weight across shoulders while preventing bouncing through rough terrain.
Grips for Taurus 605
Factory rubber grips provide adequate control, but aftermarket options address recoil management, trigger reach, and extended shooting comfort with magnum loads.
Grip selection dramatically affects both shootability and concealability—thicker rubber grips absorb .357 recoil but add bulk, while compact boot grips enhance concealment at cost of reduced purchase.
Hogue Rubber Grips
Hogue manufactures rubber grips specifically compatible with Taurus small-frame revolvers, offering cushioning that absorbs magnum recoil and reduces muzzle flip during rapid strings.
OverMolded rubber construction provides excellent traction in wet conditions while maintaining comfortable surfaces during extended shooting sessions. Full-size Hogue grips add surface area that distributes recoil force across larger hand areas, improving control with full-power .357 loads at cost of slightly reduced concealability.
Altamont Wood Grips
Altamont produces checkered wood grips combining traditional revolver aesthetics with functional texture patterns.
Wood grips suit shooters prioritizing classic appearance or those finding rubber textures uncomfortable during extended wear. Custom wood options from Altamont allow selection of specific wood species, checkering patterns, and finish types matching individual preferences.
Boot Grips
Compact boot-style grips enhance concealment and pocket carry by reducing overall grip circumference and eliminating finger grooves extending below the frame.
These grips work best with .38 Special loads where reduced purchase matters less, as full-power .357 magnums become harder to control without additional grip surface. Boot grips suit deep-cover carry or backup gun roles where maximum concealment outweighs shooting comfort.
Grip Selection Considerations
When selecting 605 grips, test with actual carry ammunition to verify recoil management meets expectations, ensure grip panels don't interfere with speedloader clearance during reloads, and confirm grip screw length matches new grip thickness preventing frame damage.
Shooters with smaller hands benefit from grips reducing trigger reach, while those prioritizing magnum-load control should select full-size options with palm swells or finger grooves.
Sights for Taurus 605
Standard 605 models ship with fixed rear sights and simple front blades providing adequate targeting for defensive distances.
Aftermarket sight upgrades improve low-light performance, speed target acquisition, and extend precision capability beyond basic factory configurations. The 605 TORO represents Taurus's optics-ready variant featuring integral top-strap mounting plates accepting micro red dots.
Front Sight Enhancements
Simple front sight upgrades dramatically improve visibility through high-contrast colors or reflective materials. Many 605 owners apply bright nail polish or model paint creating high-visibility front blades that draw the eye faster than plain black factory sights.
Commercial front sight paints from Birchwood Casey or similar manufacturers offer durable, weather-resistant colors specifically formulated for firearms applications. This modification costs minimal money while providing immediate sight picture improvements, particularly during low-light conditions.
Red Dot Optics for TORO Models
The 605 TORO features factory optic plates compatible with Holosun K-footprint micro red dots including the 407K and 507K models.
Red dots dramatically improve target acquisition speed by eliminating sight alignment requirements—shooters simply place the dot on target and press the trigger. Micro dots prove particularly valuable for defensive applications under stress where traditional sight picture acquisition becomes challenging.
The 507K's multiple reticle options and side-loading battery access prevent optic removal during battery changes, maintaining zero through the replacement process.
Installing and Zeroing Red Dots
When mounting red dots on TORO models, use medium-strength thread-locker on mounting screws preventing loosening through magnum recoil, confirm proper screw engagement without over-tightening that could crack the optic housing, and zero at defensive distances between 7-15 yards matching typical encounter ranges.
After initial zeroing, fire 50 rounds to allow screws to settle, then re-verify zero before adopting for carry. Most shooters prefer 6-8 MOA dot sizes on defensive revolvers, balancing precision capability against rapid target acquisition.
Backup Iron Sight Considerations
Quality micro dots offer exceptional reliability, but maintaining backup iron sight capability provides redundancy if optics fail.
TORO installations should preserve co-witness capability where iron sights remain visible through or beneath the optic window, allowing immediate transition to irons if the red dot fails during defensive encounters.
Speedloaders and Reload Gear for Taurus 605
The 605's five-round capacity demands efficient reload methods for defensive carry and range training. Speedloaders and speed strips represent the primary reload solutions, each offering distinct advantages balancing speed against carry convenience.
HKS 36-A Speedloaders
The HKS 36-A remains the most widely recommended speedloader for the 605, matching the five-shot cylinder perfectly.
HKS speedloaders use twist-knob mechanisms releasing all five rounds simultaneously into the cylinder, cutting reload times from 15+ seconds with loose rounds to under three seconds with proper technique.
Quality speedloaders feature durable construction surviving repeated drops and pocket carry while maintaining reliable function through dirt and debris.
Speed Strips
Speed strips from Bianchi or Tuff Products offer flatter profiles easily carried in pockets or ankle pouches where bulky speedloaders prove impractical.
These flexible rubber strips hold five rounds in linear arrangement, allowing reload of two rounds at a time through simple manipulation. Speed strips reload slower than speedloaders but provide superior carry convenience for backup ammunition or situations where printing concerns outweigh reload speed priorities.
Speedloader Pouches
Dedicated speedloader pouches mount on belts or chest rigs, positioning reloads for weak-hand access during strong-hand reloads.
Leather or Kydex pouches protect speedloaders from damage while providing quick-release retention preventing loss during movement. Serious defensive carriers typically maintain two speedloaders—one in a belt pouch and another in a pocket or bag—providing ten additional rounds beyond the initial cylinder.
Practice and Training
Speedloader proficiency requires dedicated practice building muscle memory for efficient reloads under stress.
Proper technique involves: opening the cylinder with the support hand while drawing the speedloader, aligning rounds with chambers through feel rather than visual confirmation, and positive insertion followed by twist-release and cylinder closure.
Regular practice with both speedloaders and speed strips ensures capability with whichever reload method proves accessible during actual defensive encounters.
Lights and Lasers for Taurus 605
The 605 lacks integral accessory rails, limiting weapon light attachment to grip-integrated systems or frame-clamp solutions.
Defensive 605 configurations benefit from illumination capability for target identification and threat assessment in low-light home defense scenarios.
Grip-Integrated Laser Options
Crimson Trace manufactures Lasergrips replacing factory stocks with laser-equipped grips activating automatically through normal firing grip. These systems integrate laser emitters into grip panels with pressure-sensitive activation switches positioned where the shooting hand naturally contacts the frame.
Grip-integrated lasers add minimal bulk beyond grip panel dimensions while providing instinctive aiming capability under stress. For defensive 605 applications, grip lasers offer practical solutions requiring no holster modifications or complicated mounting procedures.
Frame-Mounted Lights and Lasers
Frame-clamp systems attach lights or laser/light combinations forward of the trigger guard, though these require careful selection preventing cylinder interference. Universal frame clamps work across various revolvers but add bulk complicating Taurus 605 holster selection and potentially interfering with support-hand grip.
When considering frame-mounted lights, verify cylinder clearance through full rotation with the accessory installed, confirm holster compatibility or plan for custom holster fabrication, and test activation methods ensuring reliable operation during defensive encounters.
Practical Light and Laser Considerations
Adding lights or lasers to the 605 demands balancing illumination capability against carry convenience and holster availability.
Grip-integrated lasers provide the most practical solution for defensive carry, while frame-mounted lights work better on bedside or vehicle guns where bulk and holster considerations matter less than maximum illumination output.
Triggers and Action Work for Taurus 605
The 605's DA/SA trigger system offers extensive tuning potential through spring replacement and professional action work.
Factory triggers typically break around 10-12 pounds double-action and 4-5 pounds single-action, with considerable room for improvement through careful modification.
Spring Kits
Aftermarket spring kits from Wolff or similar manufacturers replace factory mainsprings and rebound springs with lighter alternatives, reducing trigger pull weights while maintaining reliable ignition.
Lighter mainsprings decrease double-action pull weights but risk light primer strikes with hard primers—proper spring selection balances trigger weight reduction against ignition reliability across various ammunition types.
When installing spring kits, test thoroughly with defensive ammunition before adopting for carry, confirming reliable ignition across multiple primer types and brands.
Professional Action Work
Gunsmiths specializing in revolver work can polish internal action components, smooth engagement surfaces, and optimize geometry for dramatically improved trigger characteristics.
Quality action work maintains safe engagement and drop safety while reducing pull weights and improving consistency. Professional tuning typically costs $100-200 but transforms the 605's trigger into competition-quality while preserving reliability.
Trigger Modification Considerations
All trigger modifications must preserve safe sear engagement preventing uncommanded discharges during handling or drops.
Defensive carry triggers should maintain sufficient pull weights preventing unintentional discharges under stress—most experts recommend minimum 8-pound double-action pulls for carry revolvers. Competition-tuned triggers with lighter pulls should remain on dedicated range guns rather than defensive carry pieces.
Maintenance Tools and Cleaning Supplies for Taurus 605
.357 Magnum generates significant carbon and fouling accumulating in the barrel, chambers, and forcing cone. Regular cleaning maintains reliability and prevents erosion at critical areas where hot gases concentrate.
Essential Cleaning Tools
Quality revolver cleaning requires bronze or nylon bore brushes sized for .38/.357 chambers, chamber brushes reaching fully into each cylinder removing powder residue and preventing sticky extraction, and proper-length cleaning rods preventing crown damage during bore cleaning.
The 605's tight chamber tolerances demand thorough chamber cleaning particularly when switching between .38 Special and .357 Magnum loads.
Forcing Cone and Cylinder Maintenance
Forcing cone scrapers or dedicated lead removal tools prevent buildup at the barrel/cylinder gap where gas cutting develops through extended use.
The forcing cone represents a critical erosion point on magnum revolvers—regular cleaning prevents premature wear affecting accuracy and timing. Quality gun oils and anti-seize on cylinder pin threads maintain smooth operation through varied weather and heavy use.
Maintenance Schedule and Procedures
When maintaining the 605, clean forcing cone and cylinder face every 200-300 magnum rounds preventing erosion buildup, inspect cylinder lockup and timing annually or after 1,000+ rounds, and avoid excessive disassembly requiring specialized knowledge and tools.
The 605's internal mechanism uses coil springs simplifying maintenance compared to older leaf-spring designs, but proper reassembly knowledge remains essential preventing damage during routine cleaning.
Ammunition Selection for Taurus 605
The 605's .357 Magnum chambering accommodates .357 Magnum, .38 Special, and .38 Special +P ammunition, allowing users to select loads balancing power against controllability.
Ammunition choice dramatically affects recoil characteristics, defensive effectiveness, and shooter comfort during extended range sessions.
Defensive Ammunition Considerations
Premium defensive .357 Magnum loads from Federal, Hornady, or Speer deliver maximum stopping power but generate substantial recoil in the lightweight 605 platform.
Many defensive carriers opt for .38 Special +P loads offering excellent terminal performance with reduced recoil, facilitating faster follow-up shots and more comfortable extended practice.
Quality defensive ammunition should demonstrate reliable expansion at typical defensive velocities, consistent accuracy from the 605's barrel length, and manageable recoil allowing rapid shot placement.
Practice Ammunition Selection
Standard-pressure .38 Special loads provide cost-effective practice maintaining similar sight picture and trigger mechanics as defensive loads while reducing recoil and ammunition expense.
Regular practice with full-power defensive loads remains essential confirming point-of-impact matches practice ammunition, but volume training with milder loads prevents developing flinch responses and allows longer productive practice sessions.
Ammunition Storage and Rotation
Defensive ammunition should be rotated annually or after extended carry periods, as constant cylinder loading can set back bullets or compress cases affecting reliability.
Quality storage in climate-controlled environments prevents powder degradation and primer deterioration, maintaining ammunition reliability through years of carry without firing.
Cases and Storage for Taurus 605
Proper storage protects the 605's finish while maintaining mechanical function through periods of non-use. Storage solutions range from quick-access bedside safes to long-term climate-controlled storage preventing corrosion and unauthorized access.
Quick-Access Safes
Quick-access safes sized for revolvers maintain ready accessibility for home defense while securing the 605 from unauthorized access. Mechanical or biometric entry systems allow authorized access within seconds without fumbling for keys during high-stress situations.
Quality quick-access safes accommodate the 605 with mounted speedloaders, ensuring complete defensive systems remain immediately accessible.
Transport Cases
Hard cases with foam cutouts secure the revolver during transport, preventing impact damage while providing lockable storage meeting legal transportation requirements. Pistol rugs or sleeves offer lighter protection for range trips while preventing holster wear on the finish.
TORO models with mounted optics require cases providing adequate clearance preventing pressure on red dots during storage and transport.
Long-Term Storage Solutions
Climate-controlled safes prevent humidity damage to both revolver and ammunition, maintaining reliability through extended storage periods.
Proper long-term storage includes light oil coating on external surfaces preventing corrosion, storage with cylinders unloaded reducing mainspring compression, and regular inspection confirming no rust or deterioration develops during storage.
Belts and Carry Systems for Taurus 605
The 605's 24-ounce loaded weight demands proper belt support preventing sagging and printing during extended carry. Quality gun belts distribute weight effectively while maintaining rigidity through daily wear.
Gun Belt Selection
Premium leather or reinforced synthetic belts measuring 1.5-1.75 inches width provide adequate surface area for weight distribution while matching standard holster belt loops. Internal stiffeners maintain rigidity preventing belt collapse under the 605's weight.
Quality gun belts from Hanks, Beltman, or similar manufacturers support revolver carry without sagging through daily wear while maintaining professional appearance suitable for concealed carry.
Sizing and Fit Considerations
When selecting carry belts, size up from pants size accounting for holster and firearm adding 2-3 inches to waist measurement, choose belts slightly wider than holster belt loops for optimal weight distribution, and select reinforced belts rated specifically for gun carry rather than fashion belts lacking necessary stiffness.
Conclusion: Best Taurus 605 Accessories and Upgrades
Outfitting the Taurus 605 with appropriate accessories maximizes its defensive and recreational potential across concealed carry, home defense, and range applications.
Quality holsters tailored to steel versus polymer frames ensure secure retention and comfortable carry throughout daily activities. Aftermarket grips dramatically improve recoil management with magnum loads while addressing individual hand sizes and shooting preferences.
Speedloaders and speed strips overcome the revolver's limited capacity through efficient reload techniques. Sight upgrades including red dots on TORO models extend precision capability and accelerate target acquisition under stress.
Proper maintenance tools preserve reliability through thousands of rounds while preventing premature wear at critical components.
Whether carrying a standard steel 605 for concealed defense or running a TORO variant with mounted optics, these accessories transform the platform from basic factory configuration into fully optimized defensive system matched to specific requirements and applications.