Considering A Taurus Tracker

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viper7342

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I'm considering purchasing a 4 inch Taurus Tracker in 44 Magnum.:what: I know the General opinion of Taurus quality or the lack thereof and would rather have a S&W or similar, but, for no harder use than I would likely put it through, such as the occasional range trip and possibly as a hunting weapon,in an emergency situation I think it would serve me well and find it hard to justify spending the extra money on the Smith. So, what I would like to know, from those that own or have owned them, is this a reasonably well made gun that is likely to hold up well for the purposes I want it for?
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...cts_id/11879/Taurus+44+Tracker+.44mag+4"+Blue
 
If I were you (and I'm not, of course) I would get a Ruger.
I'm afraid you're going to see a lot of replies similar to that. And we have more freedom to voice our opinions, because you haven't dropped your money yet.
 
Viper,

We don't know each other, but I am going to speak to you directly, just as I would a valued friend who I consider worthy of an honest, direct response:
So, what kind of logic is it, that you state you might need the gun "in an emergency situation", yet you state that you are aware of the general opinion of Taurus quality?
Have you been drinking? Do you consider your words before you post them?

Mike
 
I have the same Gun in a 6 inch Barrel, it is to say the least way too light for 44 Magnum Loads. It doesn't just jump it flies. Recoil and getting back on target is a serious issue. If you are set on the Brand Taurus get a Raging Bull or a Large frame 44 not the Tracker. Unlike many I seem to get good Guns from Taurus and have not had a problem with them.
If you take previous advise and get a Ruger, move up to the Redhawk you will be much happier.
 
Have you been drinking? Do you consider your words before you post them?
Click to expand...

Since I'm typically a Semi Auto type of guy and normally don't buy Revolvers, I didn't know for certain that Taurus had as bad a reputation with their Revolvers. Years ago, I had a 4 inch Taurus Model 669 in 357 Magnum that was a very well made Revolver and was just trying to find out what the general opinion of this particular model was, since I know no one that owns one. FWIW, I'm now thinking a Ruger Super Blackhawk would serve me better, I would prefer something Double Action, but I don't particularly like the Redhawk and don't want to spend the money on a Smith & Wesson.
 
I owned one in a 4 inch and would not hesitate to buy another one.

I shot mostly 44 Spl loadings from the gun and they are pleasant to shoot. 44 Magnum loads are managable but I only fired up to 240 grain slugs. The Tracker is the most compact 44 magnum gun manufactured as far as I know. If you want to shoot a steady diet of the 44 Magnum loading I would consider something different. If you want a more compact gun for carry or general purpose shooting with 44 Spl loadings and occasional magnums, then I recommend the Taurus .
There is nothing wrong with the design, or the materials used in the Taurus guns. Some have been slapped together by drunken mankeys, but most are just fine.

The smaller size of this gun is what attracted me and I never had a problem. My brother still has his and no problem there either. I developed a relationship with the 44 Spl cartridge and moved on to an even smaller framed gun in that caliber as I didn't need the 44 magnum gun.
 
I had a blue 4 inch model. Recoil was not bad at all with the porting and rubber grips. This is with 240 gr factory loads.

The small size of this revolver is what attracted me to it. 34 oz and is just a bit larger that a K frame S&W. Makes a great back up gun for hunting. I used mostly 44 Special in it and the Keith load worked great.

The only problem is that many people have had to send Taurus products back for repair. In general, they come back OK but it is a hassle. If you get one, check with the dealer and see if he will return it for you if there is a problem. He can send it a lot cheaper than you can. My dealer will do this for me and that is one of the reasons he gets my business.

Overall, I really liked this revolver but had to sell it. I would get another and may do just that.

JMHO.
 
Don't do it man!

I've owned two Trackers, 22 and 44. The 22 lasted longer, but it eventually went sour. The 44 went back to the factory immediately, and they did not fix it. I ordered the part and fixed it myself.

Consider the 4" Redhawk. You will not be disappointed.
 
Boy!! they just lay in wait for a victim. Been using Taurus revolvers since 1968, sent two back for rebuild, 22,000 rounds of hand loaded 38 Special and the other was dropped and the hammer spur bent. Taurus repaired/rebuilt both, cost me shipping, that's all.
Haven't had the same level of customer service from Ruger or Smiff. Smiff simply refused, Ruger argued for 9 months, finally agreed it was their fault and fixed it. I don't condemn anyone on their choices, only on their failure to allow others to choose, sorta like modern political progressives, they always know better and more than the rest of us poor saps.
 
I've only been into revolvers for months now but I own 13 and shoot them every week. I own one Taurus and that's the only revolver to give me problems, locks up randomly and often.
 
I've owned Taurus revolvers and semis since 1991 and have never had a single problem from any of them.
 
I own a Taurus Tracker Judge .410/.45C with a 6.5 in barrel. I 've had it for over 2 years, with hundreds of rounds of each caliber, and loads, run through it without a single hiccup. Use it hunting, in all kinds of weather conditions, from deer in Winter, Pheasants in Fall, and not a problem. It shoots both with very manageable recoil, grips are nice, and is very accurate. Check out one locally if you can, then make up your mind.
 
I have a Tracker 44 mag with the 6.5" barrel. I bought it because it is light, easy to carry, and has a long sighting radius. Mine is very accurate for me. I don't shoot nuclear loads out of it as I cast my own bullets and don't need to push things to the max. If you are going to shoot hot loads and a lot of them, I would suggest a heavier gun. I have about 1000 trouble free rounds through mine at this point and I am quite satisfied with the gun and it's accuracy.
 
 
I know you asked about the .44 mag, but my Tracker is a 4" in .45 Colt-the only Taurus firearm I own. I'd not trade a Ruger SA for a Tracker. But Ruger, Colt or S&W don't make a K frame sized, 5 shot, lightweight pistol in .45 Colt. I don't hot rod mine, only shoot my home cast loads-255 grainers at 900-950 fps. I have Rugers for heavy, 310 grain loads if I need. I realize that these are NOWHERE near the quality/fit/finish of a Smith. They are a low cost, handy, import, that serves a lot of shooters just fine. If you need a pistol to hot rod, look elsewhere. The short chambers/thin walls on these don't accomodate the big heavies anyways. But for shooting heavier, .44 Special velocity 240-250 grainers, and below, they are real handy for carrying around. In my opinion, very few shooters really need 1300 fps loads for woods bumming. Good Luck.
 
to answer your OP = what mnrivrat said - copies exactly my experience...

I
owned one in a 4 inch and would not hesitate to buy another one.

I shot mostly 44 Spl loadings from the gun and they are pleasant to shoot. 44 Magnum loads are managable but I only fired up to 240 grain slugs. The Tracker is the most compact 44 magnum gun manufactured as far as I know. If you want to shoot a steady diet of the 44 Magnum loading I would consider something different. If you want a more compact gun for carry or general purpose shooting with 44 Spl loadings and occasional magnums, then I recommend the Taurus .
There is nothing wrong with the design, or the materials used in the Taurus guns. Some have been slapped together by drunken mankeys, but most are just fine.

The smaller size of this gun is what attracted me and I never had a problem
Click to expand...

I have one, bought it at the right price. wouldn't care to shoot full-house mags a lot, but it's a fine piece for .44 Special loads. I'd suggest pulling the side plate first off and cleaning and oiling well. Helped my DA pull greatly.
 
Go with a Ruger Redhawk in the barrel length of your choice. Your asking for trouble with a Taurus. I once had a tracker. Worse revolver I ever owned.
Howard
 
To the people who are saying they don't shoot hot loads out of their trackers, is that because you don't enjoy shooting the heavy stuff or because a concern pertaining to the durability of the Taurus? If you had a Ruger that could handle just about anything from a factory, would you be shooting the high powered rounds more often?

Just curious. Thanks.
 
is that because you don't enjoy shooting the heavy stuff or because a concern pertaining to the durability
Click to expand...

My answer is yes to both , but would apply to any other brand gun of the same design and structure. A Taurus Tracker is a small frame gun when compared to the 44 magnums offered by S&W and Ruger. Taurus does make larger frame 44 magnums if one thinks they have a steady use for heavy loads in that caliber.
 
skt239, mnrivrat said it well. I have heavier 44s, but when I want to carry it a lot, and shoot it very little, the Tracker is great. If you are going to the range and want to shoot heavy loads for longer period of times, the heavier gun will be much easier on you. The lighter gun is a joy to carry and plenty accurate for use as a back up for hog hunting etc which is what I use mine for.

If you are only going to have one 44, and you want to shoot it a lot, I would suggest a heavier gun. If you want a light but powerful revolver that is easy to carry, the Tracker is great.

Like comparing a 38 sub nose to an N frame Smith&Wesson in .357. You can shoot some of the same ammo in both, but they are completely different guns.
 
I see used Redhawks at gun shows for under $600, and a Smith 629 would only be a few bucks more. Lots of people have good luck with Taurus, but if it were my money, I would go Ruger or smith. Redhawk, not Super Redhawk (I think the Super Redhawks are ugly ;))
 
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