44 Spec. snubbie question

E

Eric Larsen

New member
I was outa state and ran across a gun at a store when I was bumming around. Its a LNIB 44 Spec. Taurus snubbie...just like the Ti guns but just blued steel. It didnt have a scratch on it or even a finger print on it for that matter. They were asking 225$ for it and I talked her down to 200$...SCHWING :D But at that time I realised I live out of state....I cant buy the gun anyway!
That was a week ago...I can have it sent to my FFL/Father with no problem and the price is still good. But I want to know how the gun and caliber actually shoots. It would be a good house gun/CCW I think, but Im not sure. Ive shot/owned alot of 357's and shot everything I can think of except a 44 Spec snubbie..
I am seeking advice on whether to get it or not.....?
It might run 215$ shipped..which is a good price if I shoot it and like it. I wonder if I can shoot "hot loads" thru it..like Corbon?
Shoot well
 
I love the 44 special. I have a S&W with 6" barrell in it. It is a nice shooting medium to low recoil gun.
 
You gotta remember that its a 44 SPECIAL, so any commercial load you find won't be that hot. It should be nice. I was trying to talk myself into one a few months ago.

Elliot
 
There is some good defensive fodder available.

Not hard to get .45 ACP performance levels.

I like the caliber for carry.

Not familiar with that specific gun.

Sam
 
Hello. Don't know if it'll help much as the data's limited, but here's the 10-shot averages for some commercial .44 Spec loads fired from a Taurus 3" Model 431.


.44 Spec Blazer 200 gr GDHP Ave. Vel = 829 ft/sec
Glaser Silver 135 gr PF Ave. Vel = 1032 ft/sec
Triton 165 gr QuikShok Ave. Vel = 1088 ft/sec
PMC 180 gr JHP Ave. Vel = 827 ft/sec
Handload: 180 gr Hornady XTP (moly)/9.0 gr Unique/Fed large pistol : Ave Vel = 1009 ft/sec

Best.
 
I have a S&W 696 .44 Special with 3" barrel and I love it. However, don't expect any factory hollowpoint ammo to perform very well out of that short barrel. I tested 200 grain Win Silvertips and 180 grain Hornady XTP in water. Neither would open up hardly at all. I still plan to test the Blazer Gold Dot load, the CorBon and some of the lead SWHP loads on the market. The .44 Special apparently needs more barrel length or more powder than factory ammo has in order to perform. The good news is that even if it doesn't open up, it still makes a big hole.
 
The only .44 Spl snubbie I've owned that I'd characterize as having noticeable recoil is the 296Ti.

One thing I have noticed is that it's frequently a good idea to stay away from >200gr bullets in these smaller .44's, as they can batter the light frames pretty badly, causing timing issues and endshake problems.
 
Thanks for all of the great replies. I am almost convinced to get the gun...Its a model 445. The trigger in all honesty is as good as any S&W Ive ever felt....even my dads old guns which I cut my wheel teeth on. :D Ill check into stats on higher loaded 44 spec. loads...I know Corbon makes a very hot, 45LC load that performs well from snubbies. I shot the same gun..just the 455 model in stainless with Corbon JHP's and lets just say, it had enough recoil that you very surprised, especially after shooting regular loads.
As far as recoil in general its not really an issue...I dont mind it to much. Its a 28 oz gun with a good factory grip..it all helps alittle.
Shoot well
 
I've got the same gun with a 4 inch barrel. I bought it with the idea of handloading for most of its diet and factory loads for the rest, including defense. Cor Bon has a 165 gr load that runs about 1200 FPS, good enough for me. I like the gun, but now they have one in 45ACP. If I was going to get a new one it would be in 45 because of a better selection of factory loads.

Don’t let this stop you from getting the 44 if you like it that much. It does sound like a good price and is a great caliber.

Enjoy.
 
If you don't like the light bullet HP loads - - -

PMC markets a 240 SWC load for the .44 Special. Runs a bit under 800 in a 4", IIRC. In a full weight Taurus snubby, it should be easily controlable. No worries about whether it will expand--Just a good bullet shape with adequate penetration.

I like the big bore, short revolvers with heavy bullets--They put me in mind of the old British "Bulldog" and "RIC" revolvers. Not the lightest thing in your pocket, but a serious piece - - - -

Best,
Johnny Guest
 
Eric, I had posted a similar question awhile ago, might check the archives. I am also leaning toward one. I am probably gonna wait for the .45ACP snubbie. Hopefully it will be on the same frame as the 445s:)
 
Eric,

I've shot that model Taurus...was quite accurate & I didn't think the recoil was too bad either. Great price, BTW.

Woody Jones
 
I'm breaking in a "new" 3" Horton M24 (I don't recommend the gun - I intend to buy the next one I find on the market, and don't need the competition :) ) The first round tried was CorBon 165 gr. PD. They show 1150 fps from a 4" so I guesstimate a good 1100 fps. + or -. The gun loves this round. Very accurate out to 50 yds., nice shooting load (not Plus P, but toward the top) and easy to handle in the heavier gun. I don't think it would be a problem in a light-weight. Very un-laboratory-like test for expansion. The only material at hand was some soaked newspaper and targets, discarded in a water filled trashcan at the range, on a rainy day. I managed to compress a lumpy bundle of this mush, and bind it with some twine and baling wire also on hand in the junk, and fired into a 24" cross-section. Expansion was surprising - I only had four rounds to play with. The last two went through the bundle and into a mud backstop. They are still there. The two that stayed were about .62/.65. One struck a section of baling wire, and weighed 140 gr. when I got it home. The other weighed 162 gr. This will be my carry load for the beauty. My area is nearly bereft of ANY .44 Spec.ammo, but I located a box of Remington 240 gr. lead HP that I will pick up for comparison tomorrow. I don't expect it to be in the same league with CorBons' offering.
 
Can you guys help out?

I have a Taurus 5 shot, .44 Special, 3" barrel with fixed sights and a shrouded ejector rod. It has a square butt and wooden grips.
Which model is it?
 
I use the Taurus as a carry weapon. Mine is stainless and has a 2-inch barrel with porting and is a piece of cake to shoot. I'm working up some handloads for it now, and I haven't seen any sign of looseness. Pretty decent gun for the money, IMO.
TC
 
I temporarily passed on the same model at a show two months ago. It was practically new with a great lockup and trigger pull in both modes.

While I conducted biz elsewhere, it sold...for $300 out-the-door.

Don't hesitate...buy it!
 
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