The Taurus Model 689 is a double action/single action
.357 magnum revolver produced in Brazil by
Taurus (manufacturer)
Taurus Armas S.A. (previously known as Forjas Taurus S.A.) is a Brazilian manufacturing conglomerate based in São Leopoldo, Rio Grande do Sul with plants in Bainbridge, Georgia, Mandirituba, Paraná and São Leopoldo. Founded in 1924 as a t ...
. The Taurus 689 was produced from 19881998. It is
DA/SA
A trigger is a mechanism that actuates the function of a ranged weapon such as a firearm, airgun, crossbow, or speargun. The word may also be used to describe a switch that initiates the operation of other non-shooting devices such as a trap, ...
action. The Taurus 669 model is essentially identical but has a non-vented barrel rib.
History

The Taurus Model 689 was a 6-round .357 Magnum double action revolver that began production in 1989. The 689 weighs 1.56 lbs (0.71 kg) with a four-inch barrel. A six-inch barrel variant was also offered. Taurus wanted to make a .357 magnum revolver to most likely appeal to the police forces in Brazil at the time. Design-wise, it is very similar to the revered
Smith & Wesson Model 686
The Smith & Wesson Model 686 is a six- or seven-shot double-action revolver manufactured by Smith & Wesson and chambered for the .357 Magnum cartridge; it will also chamber and fire .38 Special cartridges. Smith & Wesson introduced the Model 68 ...
. The Model 689 stayed in production for about 10 years and then Taurus stopped producing the revolver. The Model 689 was also seen in various films.
Legacy

Even long after production of the 689 ceased, Taurus to this day still produces revolvers of various calibers, some of which resemble the Model 689.
A Model 689 with a custom barrel was used by "Man #4" in the
Quentin Tarantino
Quentin Jerome Tarantino (; born March 27, 1963) is an American film director, writer, producer, and actor. His films are characterized by stylized violence, extended dialogue, profanity, dark humor, non-linear storylines, cameos, ensemb ...
movie
Pulp Fiction
''Pulp Fiction'' is a 1994 American crime film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, who conceived it with Roger Avary.See, e.g., King (2002), pp. 185–7; ; Starring John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis, Tim Roth, Ving Rha ...
. Vincent Vega's description of it was the first usage of the term "hand cannon" to describe a very large or powerful gun.
References
{{Reflist
Taurus revolvers