[svxapeal]

Well today I went to the range and took this little beauty out. All said and done I put about 200 rounds through my new Taurus 445 .44 sp snubbie. I was HIGHLY impressed at the 8 inch pattern @ 30 yards, my first time out with it. It was pretty darn accurate at 50 yards also. It popped and snorted a bit depending on load being thrown down it, but nothing unmanageable nor anything. I have to say...I was nervous, being it is such a small frame for a .44...but really quite enjoyable. I would even venture to say, it is more comfortable for me than my husbands S&W M21.
Here are some pictures of the little beast.:evil:
http://www.turbopinto.com/images/guns/taurusbarrel.jpg
And here with my High Standard crusader compact .45acp
http://www.turbopinto.com/images/guns/caryncarry1.jpg

Caryn

[FoMoGo]

I have never cared for snubbies at all, this one however surprised the hell out of me.
We never shot it from a rest, just 2 hand hold... and at 40 yards I was able to hit a paint can sized target reliably.
Not bad at all for a 2" barrel and fixed gutter sights on a pistol most people would only figure for close in work.
My handloads for my S&W M21 stung a little bit but the Blazer Gold Dots were comfortable enough for 200+ rounds in this compact 5 shooter.
Then again, my handloads sting a bit in the big N frame.
I am MORE than happy with our purchase on this one.


Jim

[Chief-7700]

Caryn, You will shoot better with a longer barrel since you will have longer sight pattern. I can't shoot worth a dam with a short barrel .45ACP.
Chief

[svxapeal]

Well for self defense I wouldn't need to shoot 40 yards so the paint can size pattern is good for me, for now, till I get some more practice in. I was highly impressed with consistently hitting a shot gun casing at 12 yard. To me...that means in a self defense scenario... I can hit and stop my target.
That makes me happy.
On a side note...I also have a compact .45acp...and well..not to brag, but I can carry my own and hit what I aim at with it.
Caryn

[Arcticfox]

Caryn, After a few hundred rounds, the trigger will break in a little, and it will shoot better. That, and you'll be more acquainted with it.

[Stainz]

You might consider the Georgia Arms #G44SC 200gr GDJHP, the same Speer #4429 bullet loaded ballistically equivalent to the CCI Blazers, but atop a new Starline brass case. I've had the 200gr Blazers split a case in my SS S&W, only presenting an extraction problem, but earning their ban from my .44s. I chrono-ed the GA Arms & Blazers at 805 fps from my 2.5" 296 and 840 fps from my 3" 696. The GA Arms run ~$47/100 + s/h. Nice folks, too. An HKS CA-44 speedloader, obviously made for the Charter Arms .44 Special 5-shot, fits the S&Ws and the Taurus, too.

I wish Taurus still made their .44s, .45 ACPs, etc, in that small revolver... I don't know why they quit. I've shot several of their examples - and they were great values.

Stainz

[FoMoGo]

I saw your post on the GA .44s in another thread and already sent her a link to them. :D
.44 spl people have to stick together... ;)
And from shooting with her... no way in hell I would take her on as an attacker if she were armed.
Her pattern @ 40 yards would put every shot CBM... better than I expected from a snubby with fixed sights.


Jim

[The_Shootist]

For a company that gets complaints about its QC and customer service, seems like nobody is willing to give up their Taurus 445's. I have a M85 and love it - wish I could find one of their snubby .'44's

[svxapeal]

Here is one I found on gunbroker...good luck.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=118053040

Caryn