Taurus .44 Special

[Ben]

As a general rule, I'm not a big fan of Taurus Revolvers. I stopped in my favorite gun shop in Birmingham this afternoon and spotted this one in the display case.

It indexed perfectly, locked up tightly, was VERY smooth in double action and had a super nice single action trigger pull.

My thoughts were if I shot mild loads and most likely Very few of them that the revolver might work out well for a short range self defense piece.

Well......it followed me home.

I'm thinking that out on a lonely road at night that it might be a good friend to help get me home safely.

Ben

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My IDEAL 431215 HP's. Should be just the ticket in this revolver.

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[Rainier]

Great find! Been looking one of those in titanium for a while now and can't seem to locate one at a decent price. I figured it would make a brilliant backpack gun. I gotta believe 5 shots of cast .44 special HPs should solve most of your problems!

[Guesser]

I own and shoot two Taurus 44 Specials, both model 441. At one time I had a S&W model 624 in 44 Special. After two years of frustration trying to get the Smiff to shoot alongside the Tauri I finally gave up and sent the Smiff to market. Tauri in 44 Special generally seem to have very good reputations. I like mine.

[hpdrifter]

Certainly looks nice. Ought to be a hoot to shoot. Hope it works out for you.

Here lately, I've gotten a real kick(pun definitely intended) outta shooting small powerful handcannons. Not too powerful, and not for knats rear end accuracy, but small handguns with a sho nuff let you know you shot it.

Have no desire for a 454 tho, Ruger 45 are quite enough.

That little 44 special would be fun.

[300savage]

when i was much younger i carried one on the ranch, it shot good, not great but plenty good enough to punch a lot of jackrabbits and feral dogs tickets.
like a fool i started hotrodding it, wasnt long before it started to shoot loose and i got rid of it.
wish i would have kept it mild cuz i probably would still have it.
i would definately load it soft, the steel in them wont take much heat.

[Forrest r]

Well done!!!!

The 44spl is 1 of those forgotten calibers that are real thumpers. I seen the taurus revolvers before but never bought/owned one of them. I have however owned ca bulldogs for decades.

Nice selection for your boolit, lite hp's (200gr to 225gr) in these pocket sized revolvers will put the smack on anything they get a hold of. I like to load the mihec 220gr hbwc's backwards in my 44spl pocket gun.

87624

[Ben]

WOW, those hollow base wadcutters really do look like bad boys.

Ben

[Aunegl]

I like my Taurus 441. For some reason, when I have taken women to the shooting range, they loved burning up the 44 special ammo.

[Ben]

Known as " diminishing returns ", UUhhh ?

[DeanWinchester]

NIce Ben. I had one of the Titanium frame ones about five years ago. I should have you punch me in the face for selling it. What a fierce little carry pistol!

[Ben]

NIce Ben. I had one of the Titanium frame ones about five years ago. I should have you punch me in the face for selling it. What a fierce little carry pistol!

I'm headed to the range with this one in a couple of days. I'll offer a report when that is done.

Many thanks,
Ben

[30calflash]

A friend purchased a used 4" from the LGS and found out it had some internal problem. He sent it back for repair, heard nothing for months.

Called and was told that the parts were no longer available and they couldn't fix it. He asked them to send it back, he'd get it fixed locally. They said they couldn't as it was a safety issue and was told that it was destroyed per policy and he'd have to get something else.

He went round and round and finally talked to a VP and got one of their 1911/9mm pistols with a bunch of mags thrown in.

So, the short one is if something breaks and you really like your 44 special, don't return it to the factory. Unless it's a major.safety issue

[Ben]

I looked through my " stash of holsters ".
Seems that I won't have to buy a holster after all.

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[azrednek]

I shot a friend's Taurus 44 along with my Charter Arms on the same outing. Using the same cast 44 Spec loads the Taurus out shot the C/A with a shot string about 50% smaller.

[Ben]

This thing isn't light...( that might be a + while shooting the revolver).

It is well built, nothing flimsy about this revolver.

Ben

[GLL]

Ben:

Nice find !
Kinda looks like my S&W 696 except for the sights!
Keep us updated after you shoot it a bit !

I really like that holster ! :)

http://www.fototime.com/7F853C0A15741E4/orig.jpg
Jerry

[hardy]

Yep,used to own a 441,shot commercial 200 RNFP and 240 SWC and as you noted they have a good heft to them,seemed to soak up the recoil nicely.Used published loads,easy to shoot,accurate and thumpers to boot,no need to hot-rod.One of those"Why the heck did I sell it?"Owned a 624 later on,To me the gun was too big for the caliber,sold that one too!!!Had to fund the latest flavor of the month!!Preferred the Taurus,enjoy yours.Cheers,Mike.

[SethD]

I have one of the 445 UL in 44 special with the satin finish. Very nicely built and closely fitted little gun, it is a keeper. One of two Taurus guns I have had that was actually built by someone paying attention. Only real flaw is that I can't dry fire it like I do most of my other centerfire revolvers or else the firing pin spring gets stuck once every, I don't know, maybe every 30 cycles or so and then I have to take the gun apart to fix it. Don't dry fire it and it is flawless. It really likes cast bullets from one of the earlier GB Mihec 200 gr 44 moldshttp://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?58706-44-200-gr-RN-HP-by-Mihec&highlight=mihec over about 9 grains of power pistol for a little over 1000 fps from the 2 in barrel. With the deep hollow point on that mold and the right alloy it can give some dramatic expansion. Only living thing I have shot with it has been some trapped coons, but on lengthwise shots the bullet expands so violently it doesn't exit.

[Ben]

Yes, mine is a 445 also.

Ben

[Ben]

Ben:

Nice find !
Kinda looks like my S&W 696 except for the sights!
Keep us updated after you shoot it a bit !

I really like that holster ! :)

http://www.fototime.com/7F853C0A15741E4/orig.jpg
Jerry

Jerry ,

Very nice.
Can't beat a nice Smith.

Ben

[theperfessor]

If you look at my avatar you will see I am holding a titanium frame hammerless DA only S&W 296, its the same L frame size 5 shot .44 Special as the 696 et al. I also have a SS Rossi that is the same frame size as your Taurus. Either provide a comforting feeling.

I'd love to own a GP100 in 5 shot .44 Special configuration.

[TCLouis]

Taurus 44 SPL is a shooter.

FAR from being light, but that may well be a good thing.

Lee 200 Grain RNFP and some AA#5 and she will lay them in there.

CA Bulldog . . . After two trips back to the factory I THREW it to the back of the safe and try not to think about the wasted money! Did I mention I despise the SS CA Bulldog . . . I consider mine Dog Schat.

The SS Taurus 431 44 SPL.

DANG what a nice trigger!
it has a trait I like in a pistola, it likes to send boolits where I want them to go, and quite a ways away too!

Wish I had it out west in an open area where I could use the dust kicked up to range in on targets over a wide range of distances to get a good feel for holdover.

[22 rifle]

had a taurus 44 special in blue steel.think it was a 3 inch barrel.liked it but foolishly sold it to someone who was in need of a gun at the time.

[azrednek]

Taurus 44 SPL is a shooter.

Did I mention I despise the SS CA Bulldog . . . I consider mine Dog Schat.

I don't hold my Bulldog in very high regard but I got it just prior to the shortages for only $100.00. After being victimized due to my own stupidity of forgetting to remove my handgun from my SUV's center console. I will never leave an expensive piece in my car as I more often than not forget to bring it in and I can't always carry it inside certain businesses with me.

[Ben]

If you look at my avatar you will see I am holding a titanium frame hammerless DA only S&W 296, its the same L frame size 5 shot .44 Special as the 696 et al. I also have a SS Rossi that is the same frame size as your Taurus. Either provide a comforting feeling.

I'd love to own a GP100 in 5 shot .44 Special configuration.

I read your comment :

I am recovering from surgery. I hope to reopen my business in January 2014 if I am recovered by then. Sorry I cant help anybody at this point.

Keith,

I hope you continue to heal and have a quick recovery.

Ben

[Petrol & Powder]

I've always liked the .44 Special far more than the .44 mag, but alas, the manufactures seem to cater to the magnum crowd. With the magnum you have to take the bigger gun with the magnum label even if you only intend to shoot 44 Special loads in it. I'd forgotten about Taurus, that looks like an outstanding option for a small .44 Special rig. Thanks for sharing that find, it's got me thinking a little about the .44 Spl.

[ironhead7544]

I had had many 44 Specials over the years. Had one of the older Taurus 4 inchers with adjustable sights, 5 shot. About the size of a K frame S&W, ideal for the 44 Special, IMHO.

Also had one of the Taurus 4 inch 44 Magnum Trackers. Worked great with Elmer's 44 Special load.

Taurus now has a 2 incher in 44 Special again. Light weight alloy frame. May have to get one.

[Bret4207]

Ben, if it's as good as my old Charter BD, it's a keeper! The only problem is getting a load that hits to the sights. I've often thought of adding a Wondersight to my BD, it groups them well (6.0 Unique 429421) but off to the left and high. Whatever I hit tends to fall over pretty quick though!

Youse guys and yer pimp guns!

[Ben]

Bret4207

Hey, everyone needs at least one pimp gun, Right ?

[tek4260]

Bret4207

Hey, everyone needs at least one pimp gun, Right ?

It's close, but being a Taurus makes it better as a throw down piece.

[Snapping Twig]

Big fan of the 44Spl.

Try a cast 250g SWC over 6.5g W231. You'll like it!

You can also use a 215g SWC over that load, it's nice too. :)

[gwpercle]

I have the same basic gun in 45 acp. It's the Taurus 455, 2 inch , ported , snub-nosed in 45 cal, the cool factor is out of sight. I tried to get titanium, but had to settle for all stainless and glad I did. the weight makes shooting easier. In a belt holster you hardly know it's there. And accurate, it is scarey...it will group better than my AMT Hardballer. It's now my favorite 45 acp. My daughter had a 44 special like yours, I only shot it once but it was nice, you gonna wind up liking that rascal a lot. I just love big bore snub nosed revolvers and have no idea why.
Gary

[Ben]

I plan on taking mine to the range tomorrow.

[luvtn]

I had a Charter 2000 Bulldog some years back, and sold it to someone who offered me $20 less than a new one. After being without for a couple of years I bought another Charter Arms Bull Dog. It is rated for +P use according to the paper work that came with it. Both are/were real good shooters and I enjoy them for the light weight especially when out hiking.
lt

[Thin Man]

Bret4207 and I have the same experience with our 44 Spl's. My Taurus 431 throws every shot high and left. The barrel in my 431 was not torqued tight enough into the frame, leaving the front sight ever so slightly to the right...thus it hits left. As for the too short front sight, I can correct that. By not being able to turn the barrel deeper into the frame I chose to leave the barrel alone and learn how to hit with it "as is". As this time it is a close range proposition, and that is all right with me.
Thin Man

[Ben]

I shot the revolver yesterday. Here is the range report :

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?220527-Shot-my-2-quot-Taurus-44-Spec-today-!&p=2486544#post2486544

[Petrol & Powder]

I've heard good & bad reviews of the Charter Arms Bull Dog. Can anyone shed some light on that? Was there a design change or are there good & bad ones?

[Bret4207]

Mines old, I'd guess early to mid 70's. IIRC they had issues after the original Charter folded and the newer companies got it. I'm not sure, but I think that was late 90's-2003 or so? The older ones look "older", don't know how else to put it. How the brand new ones are I don;t even know.

[azrednek]

Mines old, I'd guess early to mid 70's. IIRC they had issues after the original Charter folded and the newer companies got it. I'm not sure, but I think that was late 90's-2003 or so? The older ones look "older", don't know how else to put it. How the brand new ones are I don;t even know.

The one I currently have is an older model and the two I previously had were 1970's models. No complaints about their durability but the shot to shot accuracy is mediocre at best but one can only expect so much from a 3 inch barrel.

Not trying to change the gist of this thread but a relative had two Charter Arms revolvers from the late 80's. A 44 Bulldog and a 5-shot 38. The 44 is ok but the 38 was a junker. Very difficult to open cylinder. A trip to Charter Arms and a free fix got the 38 in reliable working condition. Although it was not requested it appeared to have been torn down, cleaned, oiled and they even polished it up. D/A trigger pull felt considerably better. No complaints about their service only costing my aunt postage to get it there.

[richhodg66]

I've had a Charter Bulldog about 25 years I bought new and have never had a problem with it. I take it out and shoot 50 rounds through it a couple of times a year generally, so I suppose it hasn't been put to a serious test, but I think the older ones may have been better than the newer ones(???)

I picked up a Taurus 431 at a gun show a year or so back et it a whole lot but I like it so far. The fixed sights seem regulated for lighter weight bullets, it hits quite high with 240 grainers.

[Catshooter]

A Charter Arms that is actually stamped with that name has a much better chance of being a good gun than any stamped with some variation of that name. Charter went through ownership changes with accountants in charge with the usual poor results.


Cat

[Combat Diver]

I've owned both 3" CA Bulldog and Taurus 431 back in the early 90s as I like 3" K frames sized guns (goes with my 13/64/65s at the time). The Taurus was perfectly functional but just squarer/blockier feeling then the Smiths/CA with the same Pac Compac grips. Traded the 431 to a good friend at the time and still have the Bulldog. My standard reload was a 240gr LSWC/Unique, carry ammo either Fed 200gr LSWCHP or Win 200gr STHP. Used the same HKS speedloader for both and holsters were the same IIRC.


CD

[Bret4207]

I've often wondered what a Charter BD would like and feel like if a good 'smith took all the sharp corners that shouldn't be off and generally "cleaned it up" and put a decent polish on it. It'll never have the ejector rod shroud I prefer, but I think it would be a lot better looking and feeling. I've smoothed a few rough spots on mine already.