[absolute0]

I didn't mean to...seriously!

I wanted a .44 special wheelgun for carry and home defense - I found a Taurus 445 at the gunshow and utilized the stickied used wheelgun checkout to put it through its paces.

It's a da**ed nice handgun. It's well finished and smooth, it locks up tight and has a very nice trigger pull in both single & double action. After the first range session, it puts those big .44's right where they're supposed to go.

Normally I'm a confirmed S&W/Colt/Ruger revolver lover but this gun was just what I was looking for, in a niche/ caliber neglected by the 3 mfg's I usually look to.

It has opened my eyes a bit, for what it's worth.

[mavracer]

when taurus are good they are very good,some are not.I have a 431 which is I belive the predicesser to yours it is wonderful.

[Eightball]

Nothing wrong with 'em if it's just what you need to fill a certain niche, IMO. I wouldn't mind owning a Taurus, personally; they're just not in the #1 space to fill slots in my inventory, is all.

Pictures, though........we need 'em.

[absolute0]

Pictures...you got 'em!

I'm pretty sure my smith & wessons won't get jealous :)

[Jackal]

I too had a 445 and it was an excellent revolver. Not just by Taurus standards, but by S&W/Colt standards. It has been my impression that Taurus's built on the Tracker frame are very, very good guns.

[absolute0]

Jackal - you've had about one of everything haven't you :D

[mnrivrat]

Glad your happy with it !

I own three Taurus revolvers and have no complants so far. I have owned a number of S&W guns as well as Colt and Ruger, and Dan Wesson, and a few others.

I've seen good and bad in all brands so I simply look for the best deal on the type of gun I want . I have the tracker in .44 Mag. which to me is a nice frame size for this weapon. I shoot a lot of .44 Spl. through it , as well as lighter loaded .44 mags. ,but always have the ability to step up to the full magnum round. Nobody else builds this medium frame type gun that I am aware of.

[Jackal]

Jackal - you've had about one of everything haven't you

Haha, I have had more than I should. My credit card balance is higher than most people spend on a used car.:D I buy, play with them and usually sell them. I have found a few keepers along the way though.

[Nathanael_Greene]

I know a lot of people bad-mouth Taurus handguns, but I've been shooting them for over 20 years with no problems.

[bikerdoc]

congatulations, nothing like a new gun to lift the spirits and cleanse the soul, have a 605 3 inch and a 92AF both run great. that said Taurus needs to pay more attention to Quality control and customer service to eliminate their percieved bad rep in the gun community

[JT'sDad]

As a Taurus PT111 and Taurus 94 owner, I have been pleased. Hundreds going into 1000+ rounds fired and they both have gone bang every time. Congrats on the new purchase.

[MM]

The 445 was the only Taurus product I have ever owned and I must say it was a quality revolver. The only problem I ever encounteed was if I used the wrong powder in my reloads for it. Some powders would not burn efficiently in the short barrel and would eventually seize the action with build up twixt forcing cone and cylinder face. Cleaning that area always fixed it and using a more appropriate powder solved it. I would own the weapon still, had I not run across a S&W 696. It's owner traded me for the 445 when I booted in 50 bucks. Turns out he was as big a 44 special fan as I was but wanted a true snub barrel for his carry piece. Although I did make out on the deal, I still miss that 445, an excellent big bore carry option. Enjoy!
MM

[Old 112]

In my family there are many more Rugers and Smith & Wessons, but there are 5 very good, dependable and accurate Taurus Revolvers.

Regardless the lable, Good is Good.

Also,... The Revolver Checkout sticky has saved me aggravation and money.
Thanks for that.

Regards,
Old 112

[44and45]

Congrats to the new Taurus owner, glad to see your eyes and mind are open to what a lot of us already know...Taurus is a good product, modern and innovative and excellent warranty.


MM, I'm presently shooting a Taurus model 441 with 3 inch barrel.

Before winter hit us last year I tried some Unique, bullseye, and the gun became filthy with soot and lube. Then ran a few loads of Trail Boss through the dirty gun and was amazed how clean the revolver became.

Barrel and cylinder were suddenly bright and shinny, totally free of the previous soot and lube gunk.

I think this is going to be my SOP at the end of a shooting session...after shooting dirty powders through the gun.

Jim

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e321/44and45/P5110010rearviewBS673X.jpg

[MM]

44and45,
I believe I wound up shooting clays universal before I traded. I am envious as I do, indeed, favour a three inch tube.
MM

[Thor Bloodax]

I have had no problems with the six Taurus handguns I have owned. Three 9mm auto, two .357 magnum (4" and 6") and a .22. All shot well from the git-go including combat style shooting. Maybe I am lucky but I am well satisfied with Taurus performance.

[Jim March]

Taurus "problem guns" appear to be specific to a few cases.

Ultra-lights appear more likely to give you heartache, and the Gaucho is just trouble waiting to happen for some reason. I've also noted a fair number of complaints about the nylon-framed autos although I haven't followed that as closely.

But the non-magnum steel guns like the 445 seem to run forever, certainly better than the sorta-equivelent Charter 44s of any era. Ditto the all-steel autos, esp. those based on the Beretta designs.

[Moonclip]

I find the .44spl Taurus revolvers among their best products.

[MCgunner]

Was looking at a blued .44 mag tracker yesterday at Academy and drooling all over my shirt. I really want one in .41 and stainless, but .44 I could do. I don't have dies or molds for either, so I'd have to purchase all that and develop loads for either. I like .41 mostly because of its cult thing, but it'll do about anything the .44 will do. They only wanted about $380 for that tracker, awesome deal. I have two excellent older M66s in .357 and a M85SSUL I like. That M85 has the slickest DA trigger you'll find, far slicker than the J frames I've picked up recently. I'm looking to expand my Taurus collection. Rugers seem to be beating everything with 6 in my collection so far (not including the 10/22), but Taurus is catching up.

Those that bash Taurus just don't know how good they can be. :D Do the revolver check out, make sure the timing and forcing cone gap and end shake and such are good, then don't fear the purchase. Anyway, they do have a lifetime warranty, not that I've ever had to use it.

[44and45]

My model 441 in .44 special is butter smooth on the DA trigger pull. Can't wait to try some DA shooting as soon as this damn snow leaves up here.

It should make an excellent carry gun if the bone head politicians ever decide to honor the 2nd Amendment here in Wisconsin.

Jim

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e321/44and45/P5120029upsidedown721X2.jpg

This is an unusall picture of my gun standing on its front and rear sights...wouldn't you say.

Here it is as it is wrong side up...

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e321/44and45/P5120029upsidedown721X2nowrightside.jpg

[Archer1945]

I also have a Taurus 441 which I've had for the better part of 20 years and it is one heck of a gun. The only complaint I have is that I bought it in the 6" version instead of a 4". I'd love to find a 341, the fixed sight version in either a 3" or 4", preferably 4", to use as a carry gun. I like those big .44 caliber bullets. :D

[MCgunner]

Ultra-lights appear more likely to give you heartache, and the Gaucho is just trouble waiting to happen for some reason.

I heard they've dropped the Gaucho. Might have been the problems, don't know. My UL has been fantastic! I think the titaniums get some complaints. Mine's alloy and I've not noticed much in the way of griping about the alloy guns. I can't afford titanium, anyway. LOL

The 24/7 pistols have a great rep from what I've seen. I've seen some complaints on the early millenniums. They've been revised a couple of times. I'm not really into the auto pistols, though. I like revolvers. My two big centerfire pistols are Ruger P guns. I have an old Grendel P12 380 and a fantastic little Kel Tec P11. If I get any more centerfire autos, it'll be the new Ruger LCP or the P3AT. That size gun would have uses for me. But, when I saw that Tracker .44 the other day, well, I just got to thinkin......:D

[P. Plainsman]

absolute0, I can't quite tell from the pics, but it looks like you got one of the early 445s without barrel porting. This is, in my view, a very good thing. Can't stand ports on snubby revolvers.

If so, it's an even better find. I am pretty jealous. Always liked those guns but never came across one in good shape, without porting.

[dgray64]

I've got a Model 65 .357 that's great! Smooth, easy trigger, locks up nice. Shoots great in either single or double action. Enjoy your Taurus.

Dave :neener:

[MrTuffPaws]

There is a lot of Taurus haters out here, and maybe rightfully so due to their lack of QC in the past.

As a owner of two revolvers and an auto, of which I have never had issues with either, I can tell you, if you get a good Taurus, you can't beat it.

[HungSquirrel]

I bought an M85 and am quite satisfied with my purchase.

[absolute0]

As P.Plainsman pointed out I believe my gun is an earlier version, based on the style of "TAURUS" barrel rollmark and the lack of porting.

I may not have bought the gun were it a ported model, I'm glad I didn't have to make that decision!

[Kevinch]

I've owned 2 Taurus firearms: a blue M85 that I sold years ago to a good friend (who remains my good friend -because it's a good revolver) & a PT940 that I still own.

The M85 had to back to Taurus. The barrel wasn't aligned with the frame properly (turned in too far), resulting with the front sight being canted & it shot no where near POA. It also had light primer strikes with the DA pull. It was fixed properly - although it did have to make 2 trips back to Taurus to do so (I didn't discover the light strikes until after it was returned with a new barrel installed), & I seem to remember it taking a while to come back.

It could have turned me off - but during that same time my 686 had to go back to S&W, & my MKII to Ruger.

I've been tempted to sell the PT940 a few times. I don't really need a .40 caliber pistol. But it is too reliable & too accurate. I always decide to hold onto it.

I'd have no issue with buying another Taurus product.