taurus tracker vs FA97....

[silverback]

Hello everybody,first post on this great forum.

I'm looking for a mid frame hunting handgun for deer and black bear, something light and handy and I've narrowed it down to these two.

I know the FA is the ultimate factory gun and I'll get lots of recommendations for it,but it would really stretch my budget and there are SO many guns I'd like to buy...I'm really wondering more about opinions on the tracker.

My main questions are just how strong is the tracker? Will it handle the BB loads for the '97 in .45? Or is the .45 stretching the platform so that .41 would be the better bet? How long is the cylinder in .41mag and 45colt?
Just how brutal is the recoil in the .41mag Ti version? Which is stronger, Ti or steel? Is the .45colt Ti version available yet and is that the way to go? I'm a pretty big guy with strong hands from swinging hammer every day,and recoil doesn't scare me too much,but I'm wondering if I'd enjoy shooting a 28oz .45,suppose I could load down with either cartridge.
So,
Can any one comment on the overall quality of the tracker? does it lock up tight and function reliably? Any problems with the Ti versions binding or loosening?
Ti or steel?
.41 or .45?
4" or 6"?

Thanks for any input you can give me.

[Graybeard]

Well I dunno if I can answer ALL of those many questions but I'll do what I can.

Is the Taurus Track Ti in .45 Colt available? You better betcha. It wasn't awhile back when I tried to order one but is now and today I put mine on order with the 6.5" barrel. Expect to have it in hand not later than early next week. Then I can better respond to the questions regarding the length of cylinder. In my discussions with the Tech crew at Taurus I have found that it is longer than on the .357 Ti Tracker I have. I forgot how much longer they said.

Yes it will take the BB loads. I asked that question specifically and was told yes.

Recoil? Well I won't know for sure until I get it in hand but...I have the Model 627 4" in .357 and even with the hottest book loads with 180s it is super mild. Almost no recoil and no muzzle climb. It is the lightest recoiling .357 Mag I've shot. I am confident that even the BB loads will be easily manageable.

BUT in the FA97 I tested the BB loads were vicious. Fully as bad to me as the full house .454 loads from BB and COR-BON in the FA83. Now I am a confirmed double action shooter and much prefer the way they deliver recoil so that may play some part in this.

The .41 Mag would be an excellent choice but is available only in 4" barrel and I like them longer. Would really like a 7.5" or 8" for the sight radius as I intend to shoot it only with factory irons.

Do they lock up tight? You better betcha. Not quite like the FA revolvers but then they are almost full custom and are priced accordingly. I'd love to have an FA97 but after keeping the loaner in .45 Colt from Bob Baker for almost two years I think I'd chose either a .44 Special or .41 Mag. if I were gonna buy one and it would be a real tought decision between those two for me. I really do want one but that's just more money than the budget of an old retired fellow can handle.

I believe the Ti models might be stronger than the steel models. More than strong enough for sure.

GB

[silverback]

GB,

Thanks,

I did kinda throw out a bunch of questions rapid fire like didn't I? Sorry 'bout that. So if the Ti .45 can handle those stout BB loads I'll be all over it,though I doubt I'll load those particular rounds,some slightly milder handloads I think, and the longer barrel if I'm going with the Ti,for the same reasons you stated,it wouldn't seem right to scope this,it's just such a sweet package for a trail gun. If it will chamber the BB loads the cylinder is long enough to provide some decent bullet choices so that answers that question! Do hardcast bullets clog the ports? I know I'll have to stay away from soft cowboy loads.

I'll be looking forward to hearing your thoughts when you get the gun and the time,been lurking for some time and reading all the great info here, great forum.

[Graybeard]

I've shot a LOT of cast bullets in both my .454 and .480 RBs. No problem with the ports on them so far. Don't see it as likely to be a problem. In mine I expect to use primarily cast bullets. I have the Lyman mould version of Elmer Keith's bullet design, don't recall the number right off the top of my head but I think maybe a 452424 or some thing like that. I have an LBT 280 WFN nose on the way from Veral Smith the newest advertiser on GBO. I also have a Lee 6 cavity limited production custom mold that is basically the same as their 250 RNFP but modified to hold more lube and maybe a slightly different nose design. This last one is for high volume plinking as the six cavity will really let me make some bullets in a hurry. The LBT on the way is a 4 cavity and the Lyman is a two cavity.

I believe these three will take care of most all of my shooting needs for my .45 Colt handguns.

If you want one of these Tracker Ti's in .45 Colt I'd advise you to not hesitate too long. When I spoke with about them awhile back he indicated this could be the ONLY run of them made. Said that the .45 Colt and especially the .44 Special just don't sell that well and they may not make any more of either. I think if they offered them in something besides the snub nose 2" models regularly they would sell more. Still when these are gone there maybe no more.

I intend mine as a hip carry gun for all around use. Should be ideal for a trail gun and plinking gun with lighter loads and when loaded to the max it is adequate for most any use. I'll post photos when I get it and of course give an initial opinion of it and then more detail as I use it more. Timing is kinda rotten right now as season opens Saturday. I have everything else ready but this one unless it happens to like something I already have loaded up may not see much use until spring. Just want to go ahead and get it before the supply is gone.

GB