Revolver Questions

[Pancho Villa]

A few questions if there are any wheelgun enthusiasts on the board...

1) What do you make of the action of Taurus revolvers? I am looking at a peach of a deal on an ultralite with 4" barrel in .44 magnum.
2) Does anyone in the front range do trigger jobs on Taurus revolvers?
3) Looking into the various loads offered (particularly 240gr JHP and 180gr JHP) it seems like you can load a .44mag to be good in the wilderness against dangerous beasties you might encounter (240gr JHP has ridiculous penetration at shorter ranges) or against human adversaries (180gr JHP penetrates to just under 13" and expands to .743".)

Does anyone practice with a .44mag/carry it concistently? What are your thoughts? Any experience with the Taurus Ultralite in .44mag? Do any local DAs have a pet peeve about people carrying bigbore revolvers for self defense?

I hike quite a bit and would rather spend my money on hiking gear / hunting rifles / practice ammo than buy two different pistols, one for last resort defense against an angry critter and one for CC, is why I am asking. Plus I am very much a "big/heavy" advocate as opposite to a "light/fast" advocate (or in this case a big/heavy/fast advocate.) Please don't lets turn this thread into a big/heavy vs light/fast; just my preferences.

Thanks for the input.

[cebeu]

"...any wheelgun enthusiasts on the board...

While I have my fair share of semi-autos I definitely have a soft-spot for revolvers, I enjoy both owning and shooting them. All the “pro-n-con net chatter” aside I’m firmly committed to the platform for personal defense / carry purposes for my lifestyle as well. I like and have enough plastic and “wonder-nines” too but…old school revo class and ease-of-portability is my preference and I defer on the “more rounds are better” debate (yes, more is better…debate over…no change in my decision though).

I’m not going to knock Taurus or any other vendor for that matter, what a man decides to own is his personal decision but that said, I personally decided long-ago not to have any weapons from that Manufacturer in my arsenal. My research, range time over the years (yes, I’ve fired enough Taurus products and I liked them to a reasonable extent), some anecdotal evidence mixed–in and market potential, or lack there of, pushed me another direction and I’ve never waivered. I own Colt, S & W and Ruger revolvers I’m staying that course.

Additionally, I’ve elected to stay with .357 / .38 for simplicity, flexibility and efficiency. I truly appreciate and respect many other calibers and that includes the venerable .44 but…my requirements are dictated by the “lower 48” and there is nothing I’m concerned about (for my requirements) that cannot be addressed with .38, .38+P and .357 of various specifications depending on circumstances and needs. I have never once believed I was under-gunned with either of those calibers in high-quality factory form (I’m in the hills, I consider cats and black bear when I’m taking the dogs [bait?] out. Two-legged? I’ll take a stock .38 and experienced shot placement any day and feel good about my odds).

Would I like to have a .44Mag in my arsenal? Yup…but it just hasn’t made sense for my needs over the years and I always end-up buying something else that fits more appropriately. If I were spending time above the Northern US border I would have a very different response. J

I’ve known Taurus owners that are fanatical about their products, rightfully so, but when respected industry pros carry a differing opinion that means something to me. Taurus’ service reputation requires consideration also, investigate that. Good luck either way, hard to pass on a sweet deal.

I had two of mine out just last Sunday, the SP101 and 442, 200+ rounds down-range in those two guns alone, what a great time. Carry setup is the 442 below, bone-stock, no-lock and .38+P.

[Bailey Guns]

Here's my opinion for what it's worth -

1) Taurus revolvers seem to be a pretty good value. Their customer service can be a little trying (very slow) but they eventually get the job done. I'd say most of their guns are pretty decent for the money. Personal experience with one of their steel .44 revolvers: I returned one for a close friend for repairs (through my shop). The cylinder hand had quit turning the cylinder. Sent it back...took almost 6 months for them to return it but it works fine now. I shot it before/after repairs...they fixed it.

I also sold them for 8 years and they were one of the more popular brands, probably due to the price range. Few people I knew experienced problems with them and few were returned to my shop for repairs. However, the vast majority of people who buy defensive guns actually shoot them very little and don't work them really hard. So, take that for what it's worth.

If the deal is good, I say go for it. Especially since in all likelihood you won't be shooting this thing a whole lot. If you've never shot a lightweight .44 you'll understand why I say that after pulling the trigger the first time.

2) Probably...but I can't recommend anyone.

3) I'd probably carry something like a .44Spec (maybe a GoldDot) for CC and a .44Mag for outdoor protection. Having said that, I own a Model 29 4" and a Marlin 1894 Rifle in .44Mag. I don't shoot either one very much because ammo is expensive, the revolver is a handfull and I have lots of other guns. They're only fun guns and I own them because every American should be required by law to own a .44Mag!

I agree with cebeu that in Colorado there's probably no animal/2-legged defensive problem that can't be solved with a .357 as easily as it can with a .44Mag at less expense and more comfortably. Opinion only, I'd stick with a .38/.357 for carry on the street and in the woods.

[Pancho Villa]

Thank you for the opinion and help. I am a fan of the "too much gun (if you can handle it) is better" school of thought. Maybe that makes me retarded but, hey - I've controlled .44mag in rapid fire before (though in a fullsized) and I have a reloading press / the capacity to cast my own bullets, so cost isn't a huge issue.

I have not, however, tried fullhouse .44mag loads out of an ultralite. I think I better try that first and just resign myself to a heavier weapon if I can't see myself practicing with an ultralite frequently.

Please understand I'm not raining on anyone who chooses .357mag. I sure won't volunteer to trade shots with someone who does - heck I wouldn't trade shots with someone shooting .25acp. Its just my own personal preference on the matter.

[bczandm]

I have a Taurus .357 Titanium that I carry in the city occasionally and a Smith 329 that I carry in the woods. The Taurus is nice quality and I like it. No problems or issues. It’s a low mileage gun and I won’t shoot it much.
The Smith 329 is my forest carry gun. While the .357 is likely adequate, I want to have a little extra, just in case. I researched loads extensively for it and found that a 300 grain hard cast lead round is the way to go. It’s a common load used in Alaska for grizzly bear, so it should stop anything in CO. Search Google and you can find out much more. Yes it’s overkill, but that’s what I want.
The 329 is too big to carry in town and I doubt it would work well, however I am a big believer in large heavy rounds for a carry gun and the .44 special would be an excellent choice if you chose to try.
In any event I think the Taurus is a fine, it really boils down to if the model you are looking at would work for you.
Bob

[Colorado Osprey]

Late '90's Taurus did some clean up and the quality of their revolvers jumped by leaps and bounds in the QC department.
Some, but not all of their triggers feel like they came from the S&W performance shop. (when buying new try and dry fire them before purchasing and find the best trigger)

I carry a 605 snubby 5 shot 357mag and dont feel undergunned. I practice w/ 38's and the 158 grain 357 magnum loads are almost brutal (leave rubber on your hand from the grip) I have a few Taurus guns but none in 44 Mag.

I can't imagine shooting a light weight 357 let alone one in 44 mag. (who was that gun rag writer that after retiring found out he had multiple wrist hairline fractures from shooting big bore revolvers??)

If that's what you plan to do, more power to ya. As far as issues... I've only had one.
I had a yolk retaining screw wear out from magnum loads after about.... I don't know 500 rounds. (probably from rapid tactical reloads- pressing violently on the extractor). I called Taurus and they did not have a blue replacement screw in stock and sent out a stainless one. Got it express mailed to me within 2 days. Forgot about it, shot and continued to carry it. About 6 months later a blue screw showed up in the mail. (kudos for remembering)

Overall I am happy with my Taurus. I would put them on par or better than the current Smith & Wesson. In fact I have sold all of my newer Smith and Wesson revolvers after their cost cutting features that were introduced in late '90's. I actually prefer Taurus over S&W.

This is in no way reflective of their semi-auto pistols which I think still have a short way to go.

On a personal note:
I skipped the 44 Mag and own 45LC guns. The 45LC can do everything the 44 can do and more in modern guns. Just throwing that out there...

[earplug]

I had a four inch M-29 and it was not fun to shoot with full house loads.
I prefer hiking with a J frame.
I suppose if your a good shot with other firearms you could buy the little light weight gun and be happy. I bet it would make a stone monkey develop a flinch.
I have seen quite a few used light weight guns like the one your looking up for sale. People don't like to shoot them.

[Marlin]

I have a Tauras M454 in .454 Casull and the M617 7 shot .38/.357.

I've had the .454 since like the year after it came out, and the .357 about thre years now. Never a problem with either one.

The .454 is built like a tank.. I believe a few years ago They went to the same type of design for the .44 mag also.

I would agree for the most part about the .357, Should be "enough"
I would also second the .45 Colt if you felt "bigger is better". Loaded properly, it can approch low end .454 levels. (been there,, done that.)