Taurus 431 44 Special

[curioushooter]

I saw these recently on the internet and was intrigued. I really like the idea of a 5 shot, light weight (but not air-weight), 3" barreled, big bore stainless revolver. I'd assumed these could handle skeeter loads, but really I I think mostly I would use 200 grain bullets at about 900 FPS, which is achievable within 44 special "category 1" specs. I suspect this is what the fixed sights are dialed in for anyway.

Anyone have one? Commentary on trigger, quality, accuracy? Heck if you want to sell it let me know!

[pietro]

.

I've had both the stainless .44 Taurus 431 and a stainless Charter Arms .44 BullDog Pug, & found out that they're essentially the same guns, except the Charter's made in the US, with excellent customer service.

The Taurus is made offshore, and they have long been notorious for poor/tardy customer service.

I never had any issues with either brand.

[hporter]

Mines a 441.

298332

I've put the Skeeter load through it, as well as my Charter Arms bulldog that I used to own. Not the most comfortable load to shoot in either one, but they can do it.

Someone before me smoothed up the action and trigger. It is probably the smoothest double action revolver I own. It probably took some careful work to get it there.

I haven't shot mine enough to comment on accuracy.

I mostly bought it to see if the quality of these revolvers was really as poor as some internet guru's maintain (plus I am a sucker for 44 specials....). I have been pleased with it the few times I have shot it.

Here it is compared to my S&W 24-3 and Ruger GP100 44 specials.

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[HWooldridge]

I have an older Charter Arms Bulldog, from back when the quality was considered good (or I just got lucky). It is not stainless but the bluing seems to offer enough rust protection for my needs.

I shoot a 215 gr cast lead bullet over 7 grs WW231 - recoil is completely manageable and accuracy is outstanding. It also patterns well with my home brewed snake loads.

[curioushooter]

Charter arms are a completely different design inside.

Every charter I've seen IRL has been a crude piece of work. I read of one guy who had one that said the barrel was so thin and roll mark applied so ignorantly that the roll mark was visible from INSIDE the barrel in the grooves. Taurus are just S&W knock offs. And every one I've seen is decently made. I really like shrouded ejector rods too.

Is there a range of Charters to look for that aren't junk? Am I off base with this assessment?

That size comparison is very instructive. The 431 is visibly neater and more compact. The GP is a pig. It's as big (or bigger) as the six-holed 24. I have a S&W 624 and that is too big for some carry around gun.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

I own a 431 5-shot stainless. Acquired it back around 1993. No complaints at all.

DG

[hporter]

Careful with the word "Pig", you will hurt my guns feelings...... Besides, it shoots well and I like it.

If a 3" S&W 24 is too big to carry around, that Taurus really isn't much smaller or lighter. The Charter would be the only candidate in that case.

I bought my Charter Arms 44 in 2008. It was light, and smaller, had the shrouded ejector rod - but felt a bit crude to me. So I sent it down the road. But I've kept my eye out for one of the older blued ones with the exposed ejector rod. I want to give them another shot, hoping that the older ones might be a bit smoother, if for no other reason than through use.

[Led]

I have a more recent Bulldog. It shoots well, has a decent trigger and seems reasonably well built. Did I mention it’s my carry gun.

[hporter]

Did I mention it’s my carry gun.

I didn't mean to "dis" the Charter Arms Bulldogs. Mine was 100% reliable, and even the Skeeter load wasn't too bad with the soft grips.

I wish Ruger would come out with an LCR in 44 Special or 45 ACP. I really like the triggers on my 38 and 327 mag LCR's that I own. I think the poly framed guns, with their light weight and good triggers would make a great carry gun in larger calibers. I admire the fact that Charter has come out with more big bore calibers in their snubby line. I have a scandium frame S&W revolver in 45 acp and one in 10mm. There is a lot to be said for a light weight compact revolver in a caliber that starts with 4.

[HWooldridge]

My CA Bulldog was built in the late 70’s and has no cosmetic or mechanical issues. I’ve heard all the horror stories and am sure some have merit. Doesn’t look or feel like Colt but serves my purposes just fine - and only cost me a bit under $300. I often carry it because it shoots well and I’m not overly concerned about damage.

[racepres]

My BullDog is an exposed ejector model, had it since??? Late '80's
I would Not give it up... Trust me, Back when I, and It, were younger, we took plenty of Abuse... still going Strong... Thank You
I still try to buy US made... call me "Old School". Course... I still ride a Shovelhead, and if you don't know what that is... We can't be friends....

[Ed K]

I own a 431 5-shot stainless. Acquired it back around 1993. No complaints at all.

DG

Counterpoint:

I owned a 431 5-shot stainless. Acquired it back around 1998. Hammer was so sloppy on its pivot it chopped away at the frame at each shot.

Don't doubt another facsimile could provide good service but as always with Taurus it is hit-or-miss from one gun to another

[curioushooter]

The 431 seems about the same size as a charter, but with a thicker barrel, so I think it would weigh more. Charters are very light. Does Charter even honor a warranty on an older firearm? I understand the company has changed ownership and manufacturing location 3-4 times since its founding.

[nhithaca]

It is my understanding that the current Charter Arms will work on the older guns but do not warranty them. And parts are limited in some cases. I have 4 of the current manufactured guns (including a 44) and find them to be serviceable firearms especially considering the pricing levels. All are the SS models which are really light in comparison to other makes. And the warranty service is good to excellent.

Only have one Taurus, a steel 2.5" Judge w/ 3" barrel. Workman ship is OK, but I think the Charter Arms guns are better built. However, it does shoot fine and would put a world of hurt on anyone if you use the 410 OO buckshot loads on them. Three 0.33" pellets times 5 shots is a lot of holes.

[racepres]

Got off on a bad Foot... or Fit!!! on This Thread, but I love my old Charter Bulldog...and do Not need any assistance from the MFG..
We have one Taurus here. It is a Model ??? 85 I think, stainless, 38SPL with what appears to be about a 3 or 3-2/2 inch barrel... but the end bit is Ported, so, Not really as long a Barrel as it seems. Anyway, Everyone in the fambly likes to shoot the thing... tho Not with +P, certainly.. The Throats were Very close to same at a Healthy .3585... so in general it gets .359 slugs. I have No Ill toward it, and would probably get another.. Unless a Charter was available as cheap and easy!!! Oh... and I prefer a Longer tube... But, That is yet another Story

[megasupermagnum]

I will never understand why people keep wanting to buy a 44 special, but then not be happy with 44 special.

My advice is to quit tip toeing around, buy a S&W model 69 and be done with it.

[fenderman57]

I will never understand why people keep wanting to buy a 44 special, but then not be happy with 44 special.

My advice is to quit tip toeing around, buy a S&W model 69 and be done with it.

I agree.

[racepres]

I will never understand why people keep wanting to buy a 44 special, but then not be happy with 44 special.

My advice is to quit tip toeing around, buy a S&W model 69 and be done with it.

Because the S&W Brand is Not the Do all and End All... there are Multitudes of others.. One of the best IMO will always be a Ruger Double Action 357, (you pick the Model) Converted... But, Again, Not the Only Game in Town..

[megasupermagnum]

Because the S&W Brand is Not the Do all and End All... there are Multitudes of others.. One of the best IMO will always be a Ruger Double Action 357, (you pick the Model) Converted... But, Again, Not the Only Game in Town..

Your talking to a guy who owns 90% of Ruger's models. I'm not even a fan of S&W as a brand. The S&W model 69 is everything people keep praising all these 44 specials for, except it is a 44 magnum, so you don't have to do mental gymnastics to turn a cartridge into something it isn't. No drawbacks at all. I love the GP100, comes in 44 special even, but it won't handle what the OP wants, which is actually a 44 magnum.

[fenderman57]

Compare retail prices between any Ruger from GP100 and up, you'll find most of the S&W's are less. And add in the trigger work a Ruger needs to get even close. Ask me how I know, I have several Rugers.

[megasupermagnum]

The Ruger doesn't need any work. My S&W model 57 is probably the best trigger I've ever found on a S&W, but it still isn't as good as a tuned GP100. An off the shelf Ruger is comparable to an off the shelf S&W in both price and quality.

[fenderman57]

All my Rugers out of the box had more than enough creep in the trigger. I would rather have a crisp heavier pull than a lighter one with creep. The 69 I got 3 years ago has the best trigger by far of any other sidearm I have. With about 10 min.work,it breaks like glass at 2.75 single action & 8.75 double. And the retail price is less than even a Blackhawk.

[ATCDoktor]

I’ve had this Taurus 431 in 44 Special for several years and it’s been a decent shooter.
https://i.postimg.cc/3RX3tPtL/EECDDCF4-C20-D-425-F-AA23-71-E2-EA1-E6232.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Red ramp front sight with adjustable rear, Easy to orient POA to POI regardless of bullet weight it’s turned in some respectable groups out to 25 yards using Unique and 240 grain SWC’s.

[racepres]

Your talking to a guy who owns 90% of Ruger's models. I'm not even a fan of S&W as a brand. The S&W model 69 is everything people keep praising all these 44 specials for, except it is a 44 magnum, so you don't have to do mental gymnastics to turn a cartridge into something it isn't. No drawbacks at all. I love the GP100, comes in 44 special even, but it won't handle what the OP wants, which is actually a 44 magnum.

Fair Enough.. But I, For One, Do Not have any intentions of of Interchanging 44Mag with 44Spl... Don't interchange 357's with 38Spl either... Different "job" for me requires a different Gun

[winelover]

I will never understand why people keep wanting to buy a 44 special, but then not be happy with 44 special.

My advice is to quit tip toeing around, buy a S&W model 69 and be done with it.

Would be good advise if weight wasn't a consideration. Depending on barrel length, the Model 69 weighs in empty at 34.4 or 37.4 ounces for a five shot revolver. Not a comfortable carry piece. Compare that to my five shot CA 2 1/2" Bulldog that weighs in at 21 ounces unloaded..........almost half the weight. It's the main reason the Bulldog is in my pocket every time I'm out in the field bowhunting. BTW, I own a S&W 24-3 that's weighs in a 38 ounces, unloaded. It requires a good holster and belt to even consider carrying afield. That's why it sits in the safe and not in my pocket. Not everyone requires/needs a 44 Magnum. I bought one of the first 44 Magnum 7 1/2" Redhawks, when they became available. No complaints but it's too dam heavy for this old fart. I might take it out back and shoot it once a year.

Personally, I wish Ruger would come out with the LCR/LCRx in 44 Special. Little better in cosmetics than the Bulldog. I would even settle for an unfluted cylinder. I love my 357 LCR, which is not much smaller than the CA Bulldog. They are so close in dimensions that holsters are interchangeable. So it could definitely be done.....if Ruger was so inclined. Their GP 100 is too overbuilt for 44 Special, IMO, the reason I won't own one. YMMV

Winelover

[megasupermagnum]

@winelover, you seem to like 44 special, which is great. It is a good caliber for light revolvers, and is akin to a 45 acp. There's nothing wrong with that at all.

The problem with the OP is he neither likes 44 special, or the light guns. The Taurus 431 for example he seems to be looking at because it is heavier, and more tame with the hotrod loads he wants to use. I have yet to see anyone ask about a 44 special without also talking about skeeter loads. I can't find the exact weight, but I'm seeing reports of 32 to 35 ounces from actual owners. That's right inline with a S&W model 69 with 2 3/4" barrel... and the model 69 is built specifically for the loads people seem to love. I don't know if they want the 44 special chamber, so they can feel special or what.

[racepres]

@winelover, you seem to like 44 special, which is great. It is a good caliber for light revolvers, and is akin to a 45 acp. There's nothing wrong with that at all.

The problem with the OP is he neither likes 44 special, or the light guns. The Taurus 431 for example he seems to be looking at because it is heavier, and more tame with the hotrod loads he wants to use. I have yet to see anyone ask about a 44 special without also talking about skeeter loads. I can't find the exact weight, but I'm seeing reports of 32 to 35 ounces from actual owners. That's right inline with a S&W model 69 with 2 3/4" barrel... and the model 69 is built specifically for the loads people seem to love. I don't know if they want the 44 special chamber, so they can feel special or what.

An Interesting observation surely.. Got me wondering what a Ruger SuperBlackhawk with 4-5/8 bbl, and XR-3 grip frame weighs??
Pretty much the same???? But, of Course No DA capability, which would not hamper me none..
Still... My 44 Special has dispatched literally hundreds of Pig Barn Rats, ( Big Buggers) utilizing my own Shot concoction...Never gonna change, as DA can come in Handy at times...

[DougGuy]

Charter, Taurus, ya kinda gets what ya pays for. Kinda. YMMV! Both of those have poor cylinder dimensions and throats that invent new words to describe how out of rounds and non-parallel they are. Most owners would never know but when you stick one on a hone, then the discrepancies are very visible.

[barkerwc4362]

I have three 44 specials. Two Taurus 431 4 inch and a Ruger GP 100 5". The Taurus both shoot a modified Skeeter load of 7.3 grains of unique and the Lyman 44 Kieth bullet. Bullets are sized to .432. My son shot one of mine and it now travels with him. So I had to find another. Both are extremely accurate and have good triggers. The Ruger loves the Skeeter load. It is just as accurate as the Taurus's, but is heavier.
Bill

[375supermag]

I’ve had this Taurus 431 in 44 Special for several years and it’s been a decent shooter.
https://i.postimg.cc/3RX3tPtL/EECDDCF4-C20-D-425-F-AA23-71-E2-EA1-E6232.jpg (https://postimages.org/)
Red ramp front sight with adjustable rear, Easy to orient POA to POI regardless of bullet weight it’s turned in some respectable groups out to 25 yards using Unique and 240 grain SWC’s.

Hi...
I have that same revolver and have found it to be a perfectly acceptable firearm.
I have shot the Skeeter load in mine and I think it is a bit too much for the Taurus on a regular basis. So I shoot a 240gr LSWC over 6.6gr of Unique in my Taurus and Uberti SAA clone.

I reserve the Skeeter load for my pair of Ruger BlackHawks.

I don't shoot .44Spl cartridges in my .44Magnum revolvers, nor do I shoot .38Spl cartridges in my .357Magnum revolvers.

[Divil]

I think your idea of 200 grain boolits is wise. Heavy 240 grain boolits would be a handful and probably stress the firearm.

[MostlyLeverGuns]

I have an older and recent Charter Arms Bulldog .44's, a Taurus 460 Titanium (like the Tracker) .45 Colt, and a S&W 296 Scandium .44 Special. The Taurus 460, a 2" .45 Colt, shoots very accurately BUT bullets must be crimped very tightly. Factory 225 Remington SWC had bullets pulled by recoil, stopping the cylinder from turning, while shooting 8" groups at 50 yards from a 2 handed sitting position. I have not shot the 296 much, maybe 20 rounds, very unpleasant to shoot. The two Carter Bulldogs have been carried a lot and both shoot accurately. The Taurus 460 and the S&W 296 are the size of l-frame S&W's, not really pocket pistols, the Charter Bulldog's are just handy, fit in a pocket and hold a lot more shot than the j-frame 38's in 'rattlesnake season'. I had an older 4" Target Bulldog I regret trading. Repeat purchases, I like the Bulldogs.

[JoeJames]

I have three 44 specials. Two Taurus 431 4 inch and a Ruger GP 100 5". The Taurus both shoot a modified Skeeter load of 7.3 grains of unique and the Lyman 44 Kieth bullet. Bullets are sized to .432. My son shot one of mine and it now travels with him. So I had to find another. Both are extremely accurate and have good triggers. The Ruger loves the Skeeter load. It is just as accurate as the Taurus's, but is heavier.
BillI think there are two separate groups who like the 44 Special, one group that wants them to mimic the 44 Magnum with Skeeter loads, and the other group that prefers the lighter weight, reasonable recoil, and inherent accuracy of the 44 Special. I am firmly in the latter group. I had a 6" 629 until I got my first 44 Special, a Lipsey Ruger new model BH 4 1/4". I sold the 629 soon after that. I also had a Lipsey Ruger GP100, bnut sold it last year because it was a bg old chunk to tote around the woods, and did not seem as accurate as my Ruger BH. I and some others have discussed a hope that Smith would come out with a K frame 5 shot 4" in 44 Special like the Taurus, but that appears to be a mere pipe dream. I don't see the need for a 2" or 3" Taurus 431 since I have a perfectly adequate Chief Special for social purposes. After this long prologue my question is: how well does the 4" 431 Taurus shoot. Would it be comparable to our pipe dream S&W K frame 4"?

[barkerwc4362]

Both of my 4" Taurus's shoot very well with the 7.3 gr unique load. The 7.3 gr load is definitely not in any way, shape or form comparable to the 10.5 gr of AA5 I shoot out of my 629 5". But, it works very well at eliminating hogs. The Taurus is definitely easier to carry than the GP100 or the 629. The funny thing is that the one my son "borrowed" from me also shoots the Speer 200gr Gold Dot factory load as well as the Keith bullet, and to the same basic point of impact. The newer acquisition does not seem to like jacketed as much as the Lyman Keith. The cylinder throats and grooves are basically the same on both guns. Triggers on both guns are good. I bought the first one new and picked up the other one after looking for another like it for several years. Some have been "rode hard and put up wet". Any revolver can only stand so much abuse. Neither of mine have been abused and are kept clean and dry. Need to take "my" 431 to the range the next time I go.
Bill

[nockhunter]

I have a 2.75" version. It has been replaced with a 2.75" M69.

Mike
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[JeffG]

My 431 plus a Bulldog


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[Walks]

I agree.

I did about 38-40yrs ago, but mine was a 9mm.

[leadhead]

I have a 431 4" stainless that I really enjoy shooting.... very accurate with my .432 sized cast bullets.
There's just something special about the .44 special... can't really explain it.
leadhead

[JoeJames]

I have a 431 4" stainless that I really enjoy shooting.... very accurate with my .432 sized cast bullets.
There's just something special about the .44 special... can't really explain it.
leadheadAs far as I'm concerned you do not need to explain it to me. As has been said over the years, it's inherently accurate. At times my Ruger BH seems to shoot more accurately than I thought I was capable of. Just an extra special caliber - have a hard time explaining it myself.

[Jtarm]

I saw these recently on the internet and was intrigued. I really like the idea of a 5 shot, light weight (but not air-weight), 3" barreled, big bore stainless revolver. I'd assumed these could handle skeeter loads, but really I I think mostly I would use 200 grain bullets at about 900 FPS, which is achievable within 44 special "category 1" specs. I suspect this is what the fixed sights are dialed in for anyway.

Anyone have one? Commentary on trigger, quality, accuracy? Heck if you want to sell it let me know!

My dad had one of those. My brother has it now. I’m sure it’s never been fired.

[TCLouis]

Bought a 431 unseen to carry when fishing.
Was better than expected when it arrived and shot as well as I tried.
WAY TOO heavy to carry fishing (end up in deeper water occasionally) so I ordered the *** bullpuppy a still have.

3 or 4 trips back to the factory and it ended up once again being THROWN into the back of the safe after the last trip.
They turn out bad things in all manufacturing and this is the *** bulls...

Several have asked why I don't not sell it.

WHY would I pass along this *** to anyone.
I try to badmouth it on the net every time there is a thread that matches it.

The Taurus 431 (that so many badmouth the brand) you ask????

Shot well, GREAT trigger wonderful gun.
Heavy built so I have no idea how it would hold up to a steady diet of full power 44 SPL (NOT Mag juniors).

Someone I know had a old blued Bulldog . . .GREAT gun

NOT like the *** I have