Need Input QUICK! Taurus 444 Ultralite .44 Magnum Titanium/Stainless 4" Barrel

[m_kirk2001]

I can buy a Taurus 444 Ultralite .44 Magnum Titanium/Stainless 4" Barrel for $400 (private party) with supposedly 100 rounds through it. Three questions: 1. Is this a good gun? 2. Is this a good price? 3. Has anyone shot this particular gun, or one VERY similar to it, that can give feedback on the recoil (other than stating what they think it will be like)?

Some specs on the gun for those who aren't familiar with it: 6 rds, 4" barrel, 28.3 oz, DA/SA, and large frame.

 

[MovedWest]

The words "ultralite" and 44 magnum yield pain. If you're going to fire it regularly, get a heavier weapon. Consider a Ruger, S&W, or if you own an oil field, Freedom Arms 44 magnum. If you're using it for a hiking weapon it might not be bad, but personally I do not like Taurus. For $400 you can get a great Ruger SA that you can trust your life to. Just my 2 cents...

-MW

 

[Glockman17366]

I am a Taurus fan and own 3. I've had several others over the years. Two of my revolvers are .38 snubby Ultra-Lights (for carry).
Now that I've established my credentials as a Taurus fan, I've got to agree with MovedWest...too much caliber for too light a gun.
The only purpose I can see for that gun is if you wanted a back up sidearm while hunting...especially in bear country.

 

[Nicodemus38]

whole purpose of this particular weapon is "small lightweight revolver in big caliber that it easy to carry around alot, but not shoot alot with full power ammo".

Its the raging bull frame in an alloy. it can fire the full power buffalo bore and garret cartridges in 44 magnum. just that all reports indicate that this particular model will always have cases of high powered ammo stick in the chamber after firing. most believe in "44 specials until you go off in bear ville."

 

[Prosser]

BUY IT. Somewhere between 44 special and 44 magnum is the perfect carry load, and, looking will be half the fun.

No bears in Arizona...

Your recoil can be mild to horrible, depending on what 44 special to 44 magnum ammo you want to shoot.

Here is a recoil calculator:


http://www.beartoothbullets.com/rescources/calculators/php/recoil.htm

I just entered Buffalobores 340 grains at 1400 fps, and, came up with this:
Recoil Energy of 48 foot pounds, and Recoil Velocity of 39 fps.

For reference: the first number should pretty much be under 40. A regular 44 magnum load is around 20-25.
The second number is best about 20-30. Over 30 indicates the gun is light, the recoil extremely fast and snappy. I have a 360 PD that with heavy loads is in the 40 fps range, and, it is intolerable.

I do have a gun that runs 50-60 ft lbs, and, about 30 fps. When the first number is that high, it feels like someone hit your palm with a steel baseball bat at 30 fps. NOT fun.

My favorite heavy gun runs Recoil Energy of 37 foot pounds, and Recoil Velocity of 27 fps. That's pretty close to all the fun I ever want...

With a warm and fuzzy 240 grain 1200 fps 44 magnum load, you get:
Recoil Energy of 20 foot pounds, and Recoil Velocity of 25 fps.

I could shoot that all day, have a great time, and I'd feel warm and fuzzy carrying it.

Gary Reeder's guys seem to think the Taurus aren't all that bad, so take that for what it's worth.

Again: BUY it.!

 

[M&PVolk]

I'd be all over that. Some may decry Taurus, but my experience with them has been wonderful. If you can handle a .357 out of a light gun, then you can handle the .44 out of this one.