Talk me into or out of a Taurus 44mag.

[teddy12b]

I want to buy a 44mag revolver.  I'd like no shorter than a 4" barrel and no longer than a 6" barrel.  What would be the best model to buy.  Ideally, I'd like to use this for hunting using the open sights.  I know they make a regular model, tracker, and raging bull.  From what I understand the best bet is the raging bull for quality and reliability.  Is there one model that has an especially good or bad reputation?

I'll admit that I'm hesitant to buy another Taurus because I've owned two model 608 357 magnums and they both had problems.  If any of think this would be a bad idea I'd like to know that also.  Of course I'd love to hear how many rounds you have put through any taurus 44mag that you may have. 

Any recommendations??

[jcn59]

I've owned several in at least 4 different calibers.   All have been okay to excellent. One of their revolvers, a 44 special, once locked up in DA but I wriggled it a bit (not forced it) and it began working again, never to malfunction again.   

My "regular" .44 mag, a copy of my full underlug S&W Classic, is as accurate as the S&W & has a higher polish blue finish than the S&W.  The S&W cost half again as much.  Both were bought "used" and both have held their value equally.  The S&W is worth more than it's new price, the Taurus is not.

I haven't shot any enough to provide longitudinal data, but I would not be afraid to buy a Taurus if I could handle it first.   

[Ak.Hiker]

I have a Taurus Model 44 4 inch. It has been a very good gun. It is the only Taurus I have but I do carry it as a woods walking gun with confidence. The owners manual does say not to use any bullet over 240 grains. But I have tested out the 300 grain Hornady XTP, Federal 300 grain CastCore and the CorBon 305 grain Penetrator. No problems but I do pretty much stick to the 240 grain JSP and the 250 grain Keith loads and run the heavy weights in the Ruger Super Blackhawk. The Super Blackhawk is a lot of handgun for the money and would be worth a look. But if you want a double action I can tell you that my Model 44 has been a good handgun. 

[Rusty~Gunn]

I have a stainless Tracker .44 mag, and love it. It has not given me any trouble at all. I've only shot factory ammo in it to date. I handloaded 300 grain hard cast LBT type bullets, but have not shot them yet.

[Dances with Geoducks]

Just got rid of a Raging Bull 44 w/6in barrel.

It was limited to 240gr pills @ 1350fps.
You have to lock tight the cylinder plunger or it will loosen and made all kinds of trouble opening it.

Shot real nice. Good one hander

[teddy12b]

I didn't realize that they were limited to the 240gr bullets.  That's not a big deal, but it sure is nice to know. 

Could you explain a little more about the problems you were having with your raging bull?  If I had to pick right now I'd probably lean towards the raging bull because of the aded cylinder lock.

I'd love to buy a ruger super blackhawk, but they just don't fit my hands.  I had one once years ago and even with the hogue grip installed it still didn't feel right. 

[kynardsj]

I'd spend a little bit more money, find a 5 inch Redhawk in 44 mag and not worry about being limited to 240 grain pills. Those big Ruger double actions are built like tanks. JMHO

[jcn59]

P.M. me if you want to discuss a S&W 44 mag for sale.

[victorcharlie]

I own the stainless 4" .44 Tracker, probably have a couple of thousand rounds through mine and have had no problems to speak of.

You will need to tighten the screws every 50 rounds or so as mine tends to shoot the screws loose.

[Ak.Hiker]

I own the stainless 4" .44 Tracker, probably have a couple of thousand rounds through mine and have had no problems to speak of.

You will need to tighten the screws every 50 rounds or so as mine tends to shoot the screws loose.

Seems to be the norm with this model and others in the Taurus line. I check the screws on mine after every outing.   

[DDZ]

Have you ever held a Ruger Bisley? Some like the grip frame on them and some don't. People with larger hands find the Bisley frame more fitting. Also its been noted that the Bisley grip frame is easier to handle recoil.  Ruger only makes it I believe in a 7.5 inch barrel. They do make the Bisley in the hunter model.
I never heard of such a thing, as a gun manufacture limiting .44 loads to 240 grs. That kind of tells me something. The Ruger revolvers could digest loads that would destroy some other guns. I personally wouldn't buy a Taurus, in .41, .44, or .454. That is just my opinion, and you know what they say about opinions.  

[teddy12b]

The thing about the Ruger's is that I have owned a couple.  I most recently bought a 5 1/2 stainless 44 mag and it just didn't shoot well for me.  I bought it used and ended up selling it because it just wasn't very accurate.  It was built in the 80's so maybe things are better now.  Before that I had a ruger superredhawk and it was great, but it's such a massive gun that I could never just let it tag along.  If it had a 4 - 6 inch barrel I could see it being more handy.  I bought that used and ended up selling it when times got tight.  Before all of that, I had a super blackhawk almost 10 years ago.  I loved the look of a cowboy gun and the simplicity, and it was fine in the summer, but the small size of the grip really made shooting it tough in the winter.

I've never owned a smith and wesson revolver.  They've always been a little more than I wanted to spend and they can't take the punishment a ruger can.  If they were cheaper I'd think about it.

[AtlLaw]

I have a 5 shot medium frame Tracker in 44 mag.  The chamber throats were way undersized for the barrel but after throating them I kinda like the little gun and use it as one of my CCW's.     Can't say the same for Taurus CS!   

I have a Ruger SBH Bisley Hunter that I really like as a hunting weapon.

[mcwoodduck]

I purchased a S&W M29 many years ago.
It is a 6" blued model.
I really like the gun.  It shoots well, carries easy.
I have a buddy with a 5" M629.
look in the used bins and see if there is a S&W.  the Used S&W will usually be worth what you paid for it if you ever want to sell it.
The new guns like new cars will loose huge hunks of cash.

[roger460xvr]

i;d get a raging bull 44magnum/.

[teamnelson]

Have you ever held a Ruger Bisley? Some like the grip frame on them and some don't. People with larger hands find the Bisley frame more fitting. Also its been noted that the Bisley grip frame is easier to handle recoil.  Ruger only makes it I believe in a 7.5 inch barrel. They do make the Bisley in the hunter model.
I never heard of such a thing, as a gun manufacture limiting .44 loads to 240 grs. That kind of tells me something. The Ruger revolvers could digest loads that would destroy some other guns. I personally wouldn't buy a Taurus, in .41, .44, or .454. That is just my opinion, and you know what they say about opinions.  

+1 on a bisley, and I like Taurus. Reason being is your stout .44 mag loads will rattle any da revolver, even smiths. That said if you stay reasonable, the tracker is perfectly fine for deer loads.

[SwampThing762]

I had a Taurus 44 mag Tracker with  4 in bbl.  The manual only says 240 gr at 1350 fps.  I have shot Hornady 300 gr XTPs at 1100 fps (factory loads) through it while running dogs with no ill effects.  I traded it to my boss for a Ruger SB in 44 Mag only because i wanted to be able to shoot some hotrod loads.  last load was 16.0 grs of blue dot behind a 240 gr lee cast lead bullet.  It gets your attention but it will sure put meat in the freezer.  I did not chrony the load but i expect it was around 1400 fps.  MY handi-rifle would likely add another 200 fps.  Good deer or pig round.  I loaded with lee classic loader.

ST762

[teddy12b]

*Update*

Life talked me out of a Taurus 44mag.  On a local gun board I happened across a like new S&W 4" 44mag and I bought it.  It's nearly perfect and even though I haven't shot it yet, I have a good feeling about this one.

[SwampThing762]

Depending upon the vintage of the pistol and the strength of the steel used, don't try sending too many hotrod rounds through it.  If you stick to the "240 at 1200" with a standard jsp/xtp or hardcast lead with a gascheck you will do well.    My cast bullets are from waterquenched clip on wheelweights and have tested at a bhn of 20.  i think that formula will serve you well as a handloader.

ST762

[SHOOTALL]

Guns are like women people like different one for different reasons . I like Ruger Redhawks , they come in 5.5 bbl length. They are made in America and many feel they are rhe strongest revolvers made after the Super Redhawk . Ruger has a good name as far as standing behind their products . There are complaints about Taurus on this site . I have owned 2 Taurus guns and traded them in. I won't buy anymore . A good friend had a Rageing bull it didn't shoot as well as my RH. It was hard opening the cyl also.

[Noreaster]

I've owned the raging bull and model 44. Didn't care for them, (inconsistent.) I went to a Ruger Super Blackhawk and love the Ruger. Just me though, to each their own.

[loco mato]

I have owned a 454 bull for a long time at least 2000 rounds through it no problem if you are going that big might as well go big time the bull does not start dropping off till 50 yards unlike most calibers. and i shoot all the way up to 350 grain i would say go for the 454