Taurus .44 Mag question about the porting

[gunman42782]

I just bought a Taurus Model 44 Mag, stainless, 4 inch barrel. I love the size and the way it feels, not much bigger than my Ruger GP 100. My question has to do with the lack of rifling where the ports are. I used to own a Tracker in .45 Colt and I am pretty sure the rifling went all the way to the muzzle. On this gun, it ends before the ports, and then it looks like where the ports are it opens up a bit, and then squeezes back down at the muzzle. Why is the gun made this way? I am somewhat concerned about damaging the rifling when cleaning it. I have a bore guide on my cleaning rod, but am not sure it is doing any good considering how far back the rifling is. Or am I just worried about nothing?

 

[Majic]

The bore guide protects the crown. Once the brush is in the bore it can't harm the rifling unless you use a ss brush and end up scratching the bore.

 

[gunman42782]

Maybe I was not clear. I know the bore guide protects the crown. My concern is that the rifling does not start at the crown, but about an inch or more back from it, in affect, the gun has two crowns! I am worried about my jag hitting the edge of the rifling where it is.

 

[Legionnaire]

Sorry, can't really answer your question. I had the same question myself. I had a blued Taurus Model 44 that I really liked ... except for the porting. I eventually sold it. I really, really wish Taurus would make that gun available with an unported barrel. IMHO, barrel porting is over rated. It can make a difference, to be sure, but I just prefer an unported barrel.

 

[Hawk]

Sounds like it has one crown - just that it's not at the end of the barrel but recessed an inch or so.

Interesting problem - boresnake, perhaps?

 

[jrou111]

I run a bore snake through mine. 800rds and rifling is excellent.

 

[gunman42782]

Guys, this is what one fella told me on the Taurus forum, and it makes sense:


Gunman: The ported model 44 uses a very different system than most of the other ported taurus revolvers. The Model 44 is actually a compensator, not a ported barrel. The main difference being that a compensator has an expansion chamber. Infinately more effective in curbing muzzle jump, than mere ports cut in the barrel. I have previously owned two M44 SS 4-inch revolvers, and was very pleased with both of them. I recently went to the M444 Ultra-Lite 4-inch Titanium, which is non-ported, and when you touch one off, you definately know it.

 

[Son35]

HI,

I have an early Taurus model 669cp a 357 with 6" barrel. Its as you describe, the area under the ports is an expansion chamber and REALLY works well.
Shotting HOT loads in my revolver feels like anemic .38 loads. When shooting .38 wadcutters shooting it is not much different than the recoil from my .22 buckmark.

SOn