Taurus 445 snubby 44 special...

[snooperman]

Any opinions, positive or negative, on this firearm. It is not made anymore but I am thinking of buying one that is for sale. It is made on the Taurus compact frame , not the larger medium frame , which I am wondering if it will hold up to the 44 special cartridge and not go out of timing or shoot loose. It weighs about 28 oz. Any of you having experience with it and your comments would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Walkalong]

I would like a 441 myself. I have no idea how they "hold up", but would think they will take a lot of normal pressure loads, besides, it's a carry gun, to be practiced with some and carried a lot, not for shooting copious amounts of ammo through having fun at the range.

My old Charter Arms Bulldog is still hanging in there after all these years. It's 21 oz. It is shot some, but not a lot.

 

[Old Ranger]

Taurus revolvers are basically good guns. I think the autos leave a lot to be desired, but not the revolvers - - - the cylinders are a bit too shaky, but they tend to hold up. I have an original M66 that has seen literally tens of thousands of rounds fired through it. I've had to retire it now, from .357 to .38 wad cutters - - - I use it for bull's eye competition shooting.

I don't agree with the seldom shot idea. If you're going to use a revolver for self defense, you should practice with it a lot; at about 10 yards. Shoot it point shooting, shoot it with the other hand, shoot it aimed; both double and single action. Shoot it until it becomes reflex - - - and if the time ever comes the Bruce Lee "IT" will just happen. Get a Crimson Trace grip.

My carry piece is a Taurus .38 817 with + P Remingtons.

 

[Old Ranger]

Oh, I didn't say so, but my 817 has a laser grip.

I re-read and want to say, that buying a used, old, out of production anything is pretty tricky. Better to get a new one, unless you know who owned it and a little about it's history. A lot of people hot load .44 Specials just like Elmer Keith did. That stresses out the best of them. I wouldn't want a Taurus .44 that somebody had done that to. Too risky!

 

[weregunner]

Here's the scoop on the Taurus 445.
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=36997.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=16152.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=33516.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=7759.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=11644.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=11789.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=1386.0

The scoop on the Taurus 441.
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=440.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=11201.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=2719.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=4786.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=6846.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=15806.0
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=30192.0

4 pages of links for the positive attributes and data of the 445, 441,and 431 can be brought forth if needed but that is obviously excessive.

 

[snooperman]

Thanks , weregunner for the reviews..

I think I am going to get it monday. It is almost new with only one box through it in stainless steel.

 

[balin]

I have the titanium version myself and it has held up fine. But I don't shot it alot. Can't imagine any problems seems well made enough to me.

 

[joed]

I've had a 445 for about 5 years now and love it. Bought mine used for $250 and would hate to part with it. I bought it as a replacement for a Bulldog that is the worst revolver made. The little Taurus has held up fine. The trigger is nice, it's accurate and easy to carry.

The 445 is the first ported revolver I've owned. No complaints as the gun always stays on target.

If I had any complaints it's the ammo. Factory .44 Spl is expensive. I reload but haven't done any developement for this gun. It's at it's best with 200 gr bullets which aren't easy to find.

 

[weregunner]

Your welcome snooperman! I come from Taurus Land.

 

[snooperman]

joed, how is the recoil...

with your 200 grain bullet?

 

[snooperman]

I think mastercast reloads the lead 200 gr bullet..

which . I believe is a wadcuuter.

 

[joed]

Snooperman, the recoil is not bad at all with the 200 gr bullet. The recoil is less then a .357 mag. With the ported barrel you can easily get a second or third shot off. And it is accurate in my hands. I bought mine for carry with the thought that I wouldn't cry if I lost the gun after a shooting. I wouldn't cry but I wouldn't be happy, it's a nice gun.

Originally I purchased a Charter Arms Bulldog for this purpose but that was a waste of $300. The Bulldog is junk and I sold it after the first range trip. The guy in the gunshop steered me to the Taurus. As soon as I handled it I knew he was doing right by me.

It's a small gun and I won't shoot any of my .44 loads in it that I use in my N frame S&W's. For a gun that you don't have to worry to much about you can't go wrong with the 445. Why Taurus dropped this model I'll never understand.

I had a chance to pick up another about 2 years ago but missed it by minutes as the woman who owned it sold it to a gun dealer.

 

[joed]

I shoot the CCI 200 gr GD's out of my 445. For my N frame S&W's I shoot a 250 gr LSWC with 7.5 gr of Unique, to hot for the little Taurus.

Also run a casting business but don't have anything in 200 gr for the .44. I've looked but haven't found a mold I like in 200 gr. I may have to bite the bullet and order some jacketed bullets in 200 gr.

 

[snooperman]

Thanks joed , for your info..

I may contact mastercast after I get the gun tomorrow. I like the larger caliber and will carry it IWB. This one is not ported but is very nice stainless steel gun with ribber grips that take up some of the recoil.

 

[joed]

Mine does not have the ribber grips which I think would make it even better. Here's a picture of mine. After swearing I'd never own a Taurus this gun changed my mind.

 

[snooperman]

I do not know why they quit making this gun..

I would think it would be a good seller for many. Perhaps it just did not catch on as a CCW.

 

[orionengnr]

Had a 431 for a while. Good shooter, a bit heavy but it was all steel. accurate and reliable.

I no longer own it because my 3" 1911 holds three more rounds of an equivalent caliber and weighs a good bit less.

That said, my best friend now owns the 431, and when I go visit him I sometimes "borrow" it.

I have nothing negative to say about that revolver.

 

[Taroman]

I have had a similar model, the 441, for many years. Enjoy shooting it and others at the range are amazed how well it shoots SA or DA;



50 shots DA @ 10 yds.