[Kahr carrier]

What do you think ? Which is the better 44SPL?? Or are they both good?

[10-Ring]

Go w/ the Smith! The Taurus might be a nice shooter, but it'll never have the collectability the Smith has...especially if you get a "vintage" S&W ;)

[D.W. Drang]

Not so long ago the S&W would have tated the "better" pistol in any caliber or design, but Taurus has greatlyt improved fomr the days when they were "that cheap Brazilian company doing Beretta knock-offs"; even then, they were pretty under-rated (Ditto Rossi) by the average gun-store commando.

Since you asked about the Taurus, I ASSume you are interested in a shooter, probably for self-defense, rather than an investment ;) ; therefore, I sugest you try and find a shop (or a buddy) that will rent or loan you both and try 'em out... And then post the results here, cuz I wanna know, too!

You might try a new Charter Bulldog, as well, although I have little doubt that it's bigge$t $elling point i$ that it'$ le$$ expen$ive than either the Tauru$ or $mith & We$$on...

[Kahr carrier]

Yup Im looking for a shooter myself. I might have a chance to shoot the Taurus 445 my friend just bought 1 .:)

[Tamara]

Finding a "vintage" 296 would be a real trick, as they were introduced in 1999 and discontinued after 2001.

I don't know how much "vintage" appeal the alloy & Ti humpback is gonna have, either, as it's pretty "appearance challenged". ;)

I would (and did) pick the 296 for its snag-proof enclosed hammer & lighter weight.

[10-Ring]

I guess I should be choosing my euphamisms more carefully :scrutiny: I should have said "pre-owned" ;)

[DeltaElite]

Smith all the way, unless you like shipping guns back to the factory to get them to work properly. ;)

[Quantrill]

Get the Smith. Quantrill

[Tamara]

Funny, my 296 required trigger work right out of the box (the hand was too tall and the star was rough as a cob). My Taurus 731UL has worked fine.

Go figure...

[Kentucky Rifle]

I'll admit that my contact at Taurus knows that I have a touch of arthritis and he had some work done on it before he sent it to me. (Lighter trigger & stuff) But it does work great. In fact, my 731UL just might be the smoothest revolver I own. It's perfect. My wife "confiscated" it last night.:mad:

KR

[DeltaElite]

I have had a Taurus 605, 85, 415, and 445ti that all had to be fixed since they liked to light strike the primers.
I guess I have had bad luck with Taurus and now I don't own any and don't plan on owning any.
I have not had any problems with Smith products.
YMMV

[seeker_two]

Friend of mine carries the .45LC version (455?) as his CCW. He's very pleased w/ it and has had zero problems.