Taurus 431 44 Special

[Arizonagunrunner]

What are your thoughts on the 431 as a defensive weapon? Mine is a 3in shooter in blued. I think it and my Speed Six in 2 3/4 in 357 are the absolute best in a revolver as a ccw and defensive weapon. I like the 44 for the size of bullet and the balance of power it has.
I stoke mine with Blazer 200gr GDHP.

 

[Nasty]

I might have gone for one had not the original owners of Charter Arms regained ownership and once again started making good quality revolvers. Since they did, I got their Bulldog Pug.

The concept of a large bore compact defensive CCW is totally valid. In real life, I don't see a need for anything more than a handful of .44 Specials as you describe.

If I were still on duty it would be different...but my life today is pretty laid back and I have learned to avoid a lot of potentially bad situations.

 

[Dan-O]

I like mine. I recently picked up a 3" stainless one.

I also have two of the newer run Charter .44 pugs.

As a defensive weapon I like either of these guns. The Charter is more compact and easier to carry, but the Taurus 431 sure feels good in my hand and points/shoots well.

I did put a 10lb Wolff hammer spring and it really smoothed out the trigger.

 

[Walkalong]

Excellent choice for CCW. I have had a Charter Arms for many years and now a Smith for about 3 years. Great caliber. The CA has accompanied with me on more than one occasion. The Smith has been carried a few times now as well. I like carrying them in the woods especially.

 

[weregunner]

Just bought a Taurus 441 with the 4 inch barrel and in stainless.

I owned a blued version over 10 years ago, but it was sold to get another Taurus revolver. Wish I had kept the first one.

The .44 Special has the right balance of power. 5 shots are no handicap for most situations.

I like the balance of the 441 and 431s.

I'll give kudos to you Charter .44 Bulldog owners.

 

[Arizonagunrunner]

I find that shooting at a defensive 10 yards or less, I can drill the target real well. Recoil is mild in the 431. Point of aim is real well. I looked at some Charters, but I was really holding out for a 431. The one I found was new in the original box. Date of manf was 1992. Awesome find. I traded a used Ruger P90 straight up for it. Whoever owned this gun must have bought it, and put it in a safe and forgot about it.
I was blessed to get such a find.

 

[Slamfire]

Have a Bulldog and the Taurus M431. The Bulldog is certainly more portable but the recoil with standard 44 Special loads is something snappy.

The wooden grips that came on my 431 were uncomfortable. I was able to find a Pachmayr gripper set and the overall feel and recoil reduction has improved.



I found early on that my 431 shoots to point of aim at 25 yards with 200 grain bullets. Obviously Taurus meant this to be used with the advanced 200 grain self defense loads on the market. My normal 44 Special loads with 240 grain bullets shot quite high. I was able to purchase 200 grain LSWC bullets, at an advertized brinell hardness of 13.

I used Unique as that is an exceptionally flexible powder, something I normally use in 44 Spl, and it did not let me down.

Since I got light leading at 6.0 grs Unique, and it shoot to point of aim with excellent accuracy, and it is the lightest recoiling of the test sequence, that is what I use in practice. I suspect I was pushing the pistol on the heavier loads.

As a defense weapon you have this comprise between portability and caliber. This Taurus is about the same size as a S&W K frame. I love K frame Smiths. I believe this frame was a 357 frame. So you could carry six 158 grain 357 rounds or five 200 grain 44 Special rounds. Recoil is not bad with 44’s and neither is the muzzle blast. The choice depends in the individual; I think both are outstanding cartridges. If you want six 44’s, then you are into N frame Smiths which are significantly larger.

[SIZE="3"]Taurus M431 3" Barrel	
			
240 LSWC 5.0 grs Red Dot  thrown, Midway Brass CCI 500
			
Ave Vel =	684.1		
Std Dev =	17.11		
ES =	57.84		
Low = 	654.1		
High = 	712		
N =	16		
		Shoots way high

			
					
205 LSWC 6.0 grs Unique  thrown, Midway Brass WLP		
				T = 54 °F	11-Dec-04
Ave Vel =	789.6				
Std Dev =	27.18				
ES =	96.54		 		
Low = 	724.1				
High = 	820.6				
N =	30				
Accurate, shoots point of aim, light leading. 
					
					
					
205 LSWC 6.5 Unique  thrown, Midway Brass WLP		
				T = 54 °F	25-Nov-04
Ave Vel =	866	 	 	 	 
Std Dev =	16				
ES =	52				
Low = 	839				
High = 	891				
N =	11				
Elevation good, but left; more leading		
					
			
					
205 LSWC 7.0 grs Unique  thrown, Midway Brass WLP		
				T = 57 °F	25-Nov-04
Ave Vel =	906				 
Std Dev =	16				 
ES =	56				 
Low = 	876				 
High = 	932				
N =	15				
 elevation good but left: worst leading [/SIZE]

 

[Walkalong]

Just bought a Taurus 441 with the 4 inch barrel and in stainless.

I'm jealous.....

The Bulldog is certainly more portable but the recoil with standard 44 Special loads is something snappy.

Oh yea........ I replaced the wood grips on mine with rubber ones. Uncle Mikes, I think, it's been years.

 

[weregunner]

Just got to keep an eye out at GunAmerica, GunBroker, or Auction Arms once a week.

A couple of days ago there was another 3 inch 431 for sale at GunsAmerica.
Not sure if it is still there.

 

[CHEVELLE427]

I PICKED UP

a older charter bulldog target 44 many years ago. was looking for a beater for the boat, but when i went to see what a guy had to offer,
i could not use it for the boat it was in too great of shape.

it has been a good one, every time i think about trading it off i change my mind

 

[EMC45]

I have a 4 in Taurus .44 Special. I sold it once. Then bought it back. I am keeping it this time.....