[WonderNine]

I'd like some ideas about what are some of you guy's favorite snubs in these calibers. I prefer .45LC, but I understand that sometimes they have problems extracting in DA revolvers.

As always, pictures are encouraged. :cool:

[Majic]

.44 specials

M696
http://www2.freepichosting.com/Images/149415/0.jpg
M24-3
http://www2.freepichosting.com/Images/149412/0.jpg

Sorry, but my .45Colts are 5.5" and 6"

[Gewehr98]

http://mauser98.com/696altamontleft1.jpg

[45+]

I have owned the Taurus 415 (41 Mag) and the Taurus 450 (45 Colt) in Ultralite and Titanium. I thoroughly enjoyed each of these guns. Moved to the 455 (45 ACP) because of the "Stellar" clips (faster reload), greater diversity in ammo, greater availability of ammo, and the lower cost of ammo with very little decrease in performance (velocity). I really liked the 2.5" barrel on the 41 Mag as opposed to the 2" on all the other models. But Wally World does not carry any loading for the 41 Mag, 45 Colt, or 44 Special in my neck of the woods, and even the local gun store may not have ammo in those calibers at all times. My 45 Colt Blackhawk is even the convertible so that I can use 45 ACP ammo in it.

Others may not have gotten satisfaction from Taurus customer service, but my encounters have been courteous, helpful, and prompt. I would not expect more from a Boy Scout.

[George Hill]

Oh hey... look at this... There is a 696 available... http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=61535
:p

[Cableman]

Taurus Titanium 450 - 45lc
Ruger Birdheads grip Vaquero in 45lc

http://www.photohost.org/gallery/data/500/148birthdaypistols-med.jpg

[Tamara]

.45 Colt 625-7 3":

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=412269

[45+]

Nice looking guns, folks. What is your favorite load in each gun?

Cableman, how does the Ruger shoot?

[Cableman]

The Ruger shoots very well. I haven't shot it a whole lot, but I did load up some very heavy 45lc loads and it handled them with no problems.

The Birdheads grip really helps with the heavy loads, the gun rolls back in your hand and is very comfortable. Ruger built these guns like a tank, so they can take the stout loads where the Taurus would blow the cylinders with the hot ones.

[cz75bdneos22]

taurus445 does not fully extract cases]
got mine $278

[Poohgyrr]

I was going to say anything by Smith, preferably steel framed (those new super lightweights kick to much :what: ). And all those pictures of the 696 are making me jealous. ;)

Tamara, Is that the factory finish on your 625, or did you do something extra?? The front of the cylinder looks beveled too. Your snubby looks nice.

[aryfrosty]

I am amazed to see the number of S&W 696s here. I have a M-624 and an M-24, both Lew Horton 3 inchers, and I went into a favorite den of ruination ( Gun store) a few months back and saw an M-696 3". I love it. I had it worked over by a GOOD gunsmith, converted to DA only and bead blasted and polished, and lucked into a beautiful Milt Sparks VMII holster, and it now rides my side everywhere I go. I also found a nice little set of compact wooden grips. I like the Tauruses and .45ACPs and LCs, but this 696 is the cat's pajamas to me now. I have carried concealed, on and off duty... prior to retiring, for 33 years and this one rides well and handles well. It would be hard to beat. IMHO.:D

[Stainz]

I also have a 696 - and love it. My CCW is a 2.5" fixed sight enclosed hammer, discontinued now for several years, 296, however, loaded with CCI Blazer 200gr GDjHP's - 21 oz loaded! I bought a spare set of the rounded Uncle Mike's combat grips, a la the 696 OEM's, for my 296. Great improvement for recoil/control, albeit at a size cost. They are still in the pipeline... CDNN had them at $349, less than half the original price.

Cableman,

I bought a SS Bisley hammer for my 4.625" BHG Vaquero. It just took a little grinding (Trace the Blackhawk hammer's profile on the new Bisley...), and it fit fine - no operation area has to be reduced - just for the grip opening clearance. Great one-handed operation with the lowered hammer. I believe Brownell's also has the blued Bisley hammer.

Stainz