taurus tracker

[dakotasin]

fellas... i have never been a fan of taurus mostly because i have never handled one, and maybe because when discussing a taurus, the conversation usually goes something like 'weeell, its not a smith, but it might do', or 'not even as strong as a smith, but it should handle mild loads ok'...

anyway, i know nothing about taurus guns.

that said... i have been on the hunt for a good double action revolver with a 4" or shorter barrel for quite some time now. i was saving my pennies up for a smith 357 pd, and then they discontinued it. anyway, i recently happened upon a 5-shot taurus tracker in 41 mag at a local shop. this gun might be able to end my quest for a da 41 mag. i'm looking for opinions on this gun, please.

the intended purpose will be to accompany me into bear country, or to use in a pinch on elk (probably in the role of finisher, if necessary). the gun will serve as a counterpart to my ruger blackhawk in 41 mag w/ a 7.5" barrel - which is too slow and too unwieldy to use as a bear defender (though it is an ideal hunting gun).

i will probably pick up another blackhawk in 41 mag (4 5/8 pipe), but it will still not serve as a light hunting companion. anyway, thoughts on the tracker, please. do i wait it out for a smith to show up, or do i spring for the $440 tracker now (which would represent a savings of around 30-50% on local price smith 57's and 58's). i only want one da 41 mag, so i only want to buy once...

 

[Rmart30]

Ive had a cpl of Taurus revolvers, 22 and 357 and had no issues out of them. i bought them for the lower cost because I knew they were going to be abused and not babied.

 

[kansas45]

I have a Tracker in 45ACP. 5 shot, 6 1/2" barrel. Good shooter.

 

[C-grunt]

I had always heard the Tracker was a pretty strong revolver. I think, especially now-a-days, Taurus makes a good firearm. Some of them can be ugly though with their logos all over them...ie 1911.

 

[dakotasin]

appreciate the responses, fellas. i guess i mostly want to make sure the gun will durable and safe to shoot w/ warm-ish loads for awhile. because of it's intended role, bear defense primarily, i won't need it a lot but when i do need it i will need it bad.

 

[Virginian]

I have no experience with the Trackers. I cannot abide compensated guns, but that's me. I have a Taurus 431 44 Spl. and 605 357 for carry guns, so I guess you could say I bet my life on Taurus. I have shot a friend's Taurus 44 Magnum, I think his is a straight Model 44. Shoots well. I like a full underlug on a DA 44.
If you believe the internet chatter, Taurus turns out more lemons than S&W or Ruger. That has not been my experience. I have never known any of them to not take care of a gun with a problem.
I find the addition of Wolff spring kits makes the Taurus revolvers feel much, much better, but that if you try to go with the lightest hammer spring(s) in the kit you may get intermittant misfires, so check it out thoroughly after making any changes. No doubt you will not get any misfires with the factory very heavy spring.

 

[Princi]

I would not hesitate for a nano-second to buy a Taurus revolver. However, I wouldn't touch a semi-auto by them other than the 92 (M9 clone). Everyone of their semi's I've shot had horrible triggers. (Note: they were other peoples guns or were rented).

I have a friend that is very recoil sensitive. She shot my Taurus 357 Magnum with no problems.

 

[Glockman17366]

I've got a Tracker .357 with a 4" barrel. This is Model 627, BTW,
Mine is the satin stainless model.
It's been a very good revolver for around 10 years now (bought mine when they were first introduced).
Personally, I think the .357 Tracker in stainless is one of the best revolvers available...both in looks and performance.

It took me a while to adjust to the ribber grips. Still not sure if I like them, but I've never swapped them for another type of grip.

I've had a number of Taurus revolvers over the years, all .38's or .357's. Some have had problems, most ran great.

You definitely want good ear protection BTW...those compensated guns are loud!

 

[mnrivrat]

Well perhaps a little closer on the power scale to the .41 Mag would be my .44 Mag Tacker .

Speaking from my experience with this gun I would recommend you consider the Tracker as a very usable firearm. Mine has so far been flawless. I haven't yet put thousands of rounds through this gun, but enough to let me feel comfortable with my choice on buying it.

I do also own a couple other Taurus wheel guns and have no issues to make complaint about.

 

[Master Blaster]

I have the 4" 45 acp model now discontinued.

Its a Kframe sized .45 something S&W never made.

Mine shoots great, the adjustible sights seem a bit flimsy but I have had no problem with mine. I dont care for the porting, but it makes no difference in .45 acp.

The gun has a great DA trigger and needed no work or springs. The lock up is very tight, it has a crane lockup rather than on the ejector rod, so it will remain that way for a very long time. Mine is extremely accurate, and shoots really well. The machining on mine was perfect as was the finish (matt bead blast).

It gives you a K frame sized gun in powerful calibers with 4's in them, what is not to like.

 

[44and45]

I own the Taurus model 441 3inch barrel in .44 special, and the Tracker in .45 Colt with four inch barrel. Both are excellent shooters.

For the problem of too lite a hammer strikes, try inserting a small spacer washer on the hammer coil spring stem shaft, then put it back in the gun's frame...this will give it more spring tension for harder hammer strikes.

Jim

Set the washer above the bottom bushing and next to the spring itself.

 

[dakotasin]

fellas... thanks for the input. i am not seeing any real strong opinions one way or the other. kind of what i was afraid of, but had to ask.

thanks again!