New Taurus Snubbies in .40 Auto & 44 Spec.

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Old Fuff

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Those who are interested in a lightweight snubbie chambered to use cartridges larger then the usual .38 Special or .357 Magnum, may be interested in these new offerings from Taurus. The principal advantage is that you don't have to worry if a hollow-point bullet expands or not, if it's already "expanded" before it leaves the bore. ;)

Taurus Introduces New Lightweight, Large Caliber Revolvers

MIAMI - The new Taurus® 405 and 445 revolvers are aggressive wheel-guns that deliver superior accuracy and stopping power without the heft or bulk of most large caliber revolvers. These 5-shot revolvers are available in blue or matte stainless finish with the Taurus Ribber Grip® that reduces felt recoil.

The 445 is chambered in .44 Special and features an Ultra-Lite® frame that weighs only 22 ounces. The revolver's barrel measures 2 inches, with an overall length of 7 inches. The 405, Taurus' first .40 S&W revolver, features a lightweight frame that weighs just 29 ounces and includes stellar clips. The revolver's barrel measures 2 inches, with an overall length of 7 inches. Like all Taurus firearms the 405 and 445 come standard with the unique onboard Taurus Security System® that allows users to securely lock the gun using an inconspicuous key-lock. MSRP $452 - $514.

Beginning as a small tool manufacturer in Porto Alegre, Brazil more than sixty years ago, Forjas Taurus, S.A. has become a diversified, international company celebrating its resounding success as one of the world's leading small arms manufacturers. In 1941 the company produced its first revolver, and in 1984 changed the industry forever by offering customers an unqualified LIFETIME REPAIR POLICY™, posting record growth every year since. Taurus brand firearms manufactured by Forjas Taurus are imported into the U.S. and serviced by Taurus International Manufacturing, Inc. For additional information about Taurus, visit www.taurususa.com. High-resolution images are available at www.taurusdownloads.com.
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I had their now-discontinued .45 Colt snub years ago that was about that same size and liked it, though it had some of the typical Taurus teething problems. IIRC it seized up a bit at the barrel/cylinder gap after firing a few dozen rounds. I have been looking for a reasonably priced .44 Special snub for awhile now.
 
Yeah, the .44 is probably going to have a 'fun' kick to it. I'd expect the .40 S&W offering to kick harder than a .357 Magnum out of a 4" gun, even. The .40 S&W is the one I'm interested in, since I already have a .40 semi-auto, and thus, an awful lot of .40 brass.
 
I have read that the lack of small frame, .40 caliber revolvers has to do likelihood of bullets jumping the crimp under the .40's sharp recoil. Of course, that can tie the gun right up.

This Taurus is a medium frame gun? Might be OK, might not.

I was also surprised to read that the .40 exceeds the .357 in three inch barrels and shorter. The 357 regains the lead in four inch tubes and longer.
 
I've had a .41 Magnum Model 415 (all steel version) for several years now and I like it a lot for what it is. I was pleasantly surprised at how manageable the revolver is for repeat shots. It has a 2 1/2" ported barrel with the typical Taurus ribbed rubber grips. This revolver makes for a potent "belly" gun.
 
... it seized up a bit at the barrel/cylinder gap after firing a few dozen rounds.
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Usually that's caused by too tight a gap for use with lead bullets. Open it to .006" - .008" and the problem will go away. Otherwise stick to jacketed ones, and in any case, avoid Titanium frames and cylinders. (Note: the new revolvers that are the subject of this thread do not have Titanium parts).
 
Quote:
... it seized up a bit at the barrel/cylinder gap after firing a few dozen rounds.

Usually that's caused by too tight a gap for use with lead bullets. Open it to .006" - .008" and the problem will go away. Otherwise stick to jacketed ones, and in any case, avoid Titanium frames and cylinders. (Note: the new revolvers that are the subject of this thread do not have Titanium parts).


I HAVE A TOTAL TITANIUM M450ti IN 45COLT. THE ONLY TIME IT SEIZED UP IS WITH SHOOTING COWBOY AMMO WHICH IS NOT CRIMPED. AS LONG AS YOU HAVE A CRIMPED QUALITY 45c ROUND THERE ARE NO ISSUE. A COMMON THING WITH LIGHT GUNS AND HEAVY RECOIL tHE RECOIL PULLS THE BULLET FORWARD IN OTHER CHAMBERS. MY PIC OF MY FANTASTIC PISTOL

450T.jpg
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Charter's bulldog is a smaller -and lighter- 5-shot .44 spl. I have one on order pending the sale of my consigned VZ-52. I would rather buy from an American company who stands behind their warranty. Plus, my FFL is giving it to me at cost + $10 ($316) :D

Also, no ILS on the Charter
 
I'm thinkin' I might get me that .40. I need a .40, don't have one, and we have lots of free brass at the range I could be using. The .40, too, can lay down up to 550 ft lbs out of a 4" gun and will probably be less affected than .357 with the short barrel since it shoots faster powders. At least, that's my theory. I don't currently have a moon clipped revolver, either, since selling my 1917 Smith. Just hope the moon clips available aren't flimsy like the 9s are reported to have been. Might be some aftermarket ones available if the thing sells. Anyway, it got my attention and I've been thinkin' a lot about it, lately.

Yeah, I reckon they put the ribber grip on it for a reason. But, heck, can't be any worse than an SP101 with hot 180s.

Had a charter....no thanks. :rolleyes: I have three Taurus revolvers that are fantastic.
 
The .40 weighs almost two pounds, I don't think recoil is going to be that big an issue.
 
I'd buy a .40 caliber snub revolver if I had any pistols in that caliber.

What I did do was to procure 6 Taurus model 431s and 441s in 3 or 4 inch barrels. In blue or stainless steel. So the snub big bore is already covered. :)

Love the .44 Special but do not reload. Still, there is just something about that big old slug that I like.

All of those .44 Specials shoot well and are reliable.
 
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I've got one of the discontinued taurus titanium 5 shot .44 specials with the magnaporting. With the soft rubber grips it's a dream to shoot.

I'd consider getting another one for sure.
 
Guillermo

They (ribbed, rubber wrap-around stocks) didn't help one little bit on the titanium tracker 357 I owned for a short amount of time
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Given that the Total Titanium variant of the Tracker model represented the lightest possible weight, combined with the heavy recoil of a .357 Magnum cartridge... well somehow I'm not supprised... :eek:

In a heavier aluminum/steel snubbie I don't normally go over .38 Special, for a good reason. I would consider one of those in question, but adjust the load to make it compatible with the weight/size of the platform, and given a choice - go to all-steel. Weight can be your friend. ;)
 
You know me Fuffster

I carry what I shoot well.

My (so far) unmolested Diamondback snub is easy to shoot well. The heft makes follow up shots a dream.

Your 5 shots, five feet, five second drill is, in my never-so-humble-opinion too generous. I think that 10 feet and 3 or 4 seconds should be the standard. I can't do that with a .500 made of Styrofoam.

YMMV
 
I carry what I shoot well.
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I would hope so... But you might be suprised a the number of folks that can't.

My (so far) unmolested Diamondback snub is easy to shoot well. The heft makes follow up shots a dream.
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Well if I get my hands on it... :evil:

I settled for an elderly Detective Special, mainly to avoid problems associated with the adjustable rear sight vs. deep concealment. That said, if one must have adjustable sights, the Colt is one of the better choices, as it's relatively snag-free.

Your 5 shots, five feet, five second drill is, in my never-so-humble-opinion too generous. I think that 10 feet and 3 or 4 seconds should be the standard.
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The requirements of the drill are not set in stone, but represent a starting point. When it's mastered you can modify it to be more realistic for your particular level of skill.

I can't do that with a .500 made of Styrofoam.
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Oh well, but keep in mind that I can. :what: :rolleyes: :D
 
I settled for an elderly Detective Special, mainly to avoid problems associated with the adjustable rear sight
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The adjustable rear sight on a snubby is pretty silly. With that in mind that gen 1 DS is a wise choice.

I have an old beater Cobra as well as a couple of bottom-feeders when I need something flatter.
 
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