I am gettin interested in the larger bore snubbies lately. I am curious though, how is the recoil in .44 special? Would you recommend the .44 or the .45LC? I have minimal experience with these rounds. I remember from years ago when I had a Charter Arms Bulldog in .44 special. If I recall, it was fairly comfortable and controllable. It's just that I was lookin at the 445 the other day at the shop, and it was appealing. Now, I hated the recoil in my 342PD .38? Will the 445 be more controllable? Thanks ya'll.
Taurus 445 .44 special snubbie
- Thread starter sox
- Start date
triggerpresser
Inactive
44 Special Snubbie
I had been considering a .44 Special snubbie, thinking it would make a fine 'truck' gun. I don't particularly like the looks of the new Charter Arms guns. I was looking for a Taurus, Rossi or an older Charter Arms. I went to my local gun shop Thursday and looked in the counter I was a Charter Arms Bulldog that is probably 15 years old and from looking at it, it seems to be real low mileage. It had the box and all of the original paperwork and manual. Blueing is beautiful and the grips are perfect. I put $20 down to hold it till next week. Total price was $170, I couldn't pass this one up.
I had been considering a .44 Special snubbie, thinking it would make a fine 'truck' gun. I don't particularly like the looks of the new Charter Arms guns. I was looking for a Taurus, Rossi or an older Charter Arms. I went to my local gun shop Thursday and looked in the counter I was a Charter Arms Bulldog that is probably 15 years old and from looking at it, it seems to be real low mileage. It had the box and all of the original paperwork and manual. Blueing is beautiful and the grips are perfect. I put $20 down to hold it till next week. Total price was $170, I couldn't pass this one up.
Unless you reload check ammo availability in your area before you buy.
Just yesterday I was going to buy the 450 in .45LC but decided against it when I checked into availability of both .45LC and .44 spl around here. None of the sporting goods stores I checked and many of the gunshops did not carry either .45lc or .44spl and of the gunstores that did most only had Cowboy Action loadings (found very little defensive ammo in either caliber. My decision was to wait until I start reloading in 2-3 years. Of course with the matte stainless finish I don't know of many guns that look better (I actually like the looks of the 'ribber' grips).
As to your recoil question, while I don't have experience with it, I understand that the ribber grips that Taurus uses on that gun do a great job to tame the recoil. They were designed for Taurus' titanium magnum revolvers and from all accounts they almost make shooting full house magnums out of light titanium guns comfortable.
Just yesterday I was going to buy the 450 in .45LC but decided against it when I checked into availability of both .45LC and .44 spl around here. None of the sporting goods stores I checked and many of the gunshops did not carry either .45lc or .44spl and of the gunstores that did most only had Cowboy Action loadings (found very little defensive ammo in either caliber. My decision was to wait until I start reloading in 2-3 years. Of course with the matte stainless finish I don't know of many guns that look better (I actually like the looks of the 'ribber' grips).
As to your recoil question, while I don't have experience with it, I understand that the ribber grips that Taurus uses on that gun do a great job to tame the recoil. They were designed for Taurus' titanium magnum revolvers and from all accounts they almost make shooting full house magnums out of light titanium guns comfortable.
juliet charley
New member
Recoil is not bad--much, much less than a 342 with 158-grain standard velocity loads--even less than a 442/642 with +P loads. Follow-up shots are quick. I can get off five accurate shots just about as quick as I can pull trigger--faster (and more accurately) than I can with a full-size .357. It's easier to shoot more ammo than you plan at a range session because you can go through it so fast. I would like to caveat the above that recoil is very subjective, and I shoot a lot of big bore ammunition.
I have the stainless steel, "concealed hammer," hammer model with an unported barrel. I did have to paint the front sight. I shoot mostly 200-grain stuff--primarily the Federal LSWCHP or the Blazer JHP. I carry the Federal lead in mine, but I would be content with the Blazer JHP--they both work well. I do the majority of my practice at 15 yards. I normally practice very little at 25 yards--particularly with DAO snubs--but the little Taurus is accurate enough at 25 yards--I can put five for five in saucer sized paper plate all day long, but I do have slow down a little bit and pay more attention to what I'm doing.
I live in a small town and mail order all my ammo anyway (though I can buy Silvertip and PMC .44 Special locally--I just don't like the prices or the dealer). I would not let local availability or non-availability of ammo make my decision. (FWIW the PMC loads are 246-grain lead round-nosed flat-points (not marked "Cowboy") but for me they are the least pleasant of the ammunition to shoot.
I have the stainless steel, "concealed hammer," hammer model with an unported barrel. I did have to paint the front sight. I shoot mostly 200-grain stuff--primarily the Federal LSWCHP or the Blazer JHP. I carry the Federal lead in mine, but I would be content with the Blazer JHP--they both work well. I do the majority of my practice at 15 yards. I normally practice very little at 25 yards--particularly with DAO snubs--but the little Taurus is accurate enough at 25 yards--I can put five for five in saucer sized paper plate all day long, but I do have slow down a little bit and pay more attention to what I'm doing.
I live in a small town and mail order all my ammo anyway (though I can buy Silvertip and PMC .44 Special locally--I just don't like the prices or the dealer). I would not let local availability or non-availability of ammo make my decision. (FWIW the PMC loads are 246-grain lead round-nosed flat-points (not marked "Cowboy") but for me they are the least pleasant of the ammunition to shoot.
Response a little late, but I bought a 445 about 6 weeks ago. I've been wringing it out a bit, and it's a lot more fun to shoot than one might think! Accuracy is much better than I would have thought. The Remington 146gr LRN has minimal recoil, although seems to have a tendency to keyhole at about 50ft. I need to get my hands on somethig a little more suitable for defense now. If only Winchester made 44spl LSWCHP +p...
Anyone know of a source for a decent looking set of smooth wood grips for this gun? It'd be just about perfect then.
Anyone know of a source for a decent looking set of smooth wood grips for this gun? It'd be just about perfect then.
Eric Larsen
New member
Wow...Im surprised. Given what I have shot in snubbies, which doesnt include any 44 spec/45 LC guns...I would expect the 38 to recoil less than the larger 'big mouth" guns...can anyone help me out. You have a heavier bullet (more recoil) in the big ones and about the same velocity as the 38, right? What am I missing?
Shoot well
Shoot well
Sox -
I have both a S&W 342 .38spl and a Taurus 445 .44spl. The 445 is a 2" stainless concealed hammer 5-shot.
I do find the 342 has a bit more snap to the recoil using 158gr jfp handloads than the 445 44 spl using 185gr jhp handloads. I do not find either are punishing to shoot but follow up shots with the 342 are slower than for the 445. I would define the recoil of the 445 as gentle rather than as sharp and certianly not the wicked recoil of 158gr jfp handloads in a 2" S&W model 60.
I bought the 445 just to try out to see if I liked it and after shooting it, I found it to be a keeper. For those times when situations and dress do not allow for the larger 445 to be carried I use the 342. But the Taurus 445 is a really nice big bore handgun in a small package.
My personal experience is I do not feel that in a all steel revolver as the 445 stainless is it is necessary to port it. However, I have no experience with Titanium 44spl revolvers.
I have both a S&W 342 .38spl and a Taurus 445 .44spl. The 445 is a 2" stainless concealed hammer 5-shot.
I do find the 342 has a bit more snap to the recoil using 158gr jfp handloads than the 445 44 spl using 185gr jhp handloads. I do not find either are punishing to shoot but follow up shots with the 342 are slower than for the 445. I would define the recoil of the 445 as gentle rather than as sharp and certianly not the wicked recoil of 158gr jfp handloads in a 2" S&W model 60.
I bought the 445 just to try out to see if I liked it and after shooting it, I found it to be a keeper. For those times when situations and dress do not allow for the larger 445 to be carried I use the 342. But the Taurus 445 is a really nice big bore handgun in a small package.
My personal experience is I do not feel that in a all steel revolver as the 445 stainless is it is necessary to port it. However, I have no experience with Titanium 44spl revolvers.
MarineTech
New member
I've had a Taurus Titanium M445T Ported Titanium for about 4 months now. It's a really solid performer. I use CCI 200gr. GDHP exclusively and the 445 has a lighter recoil that a .38 SPL snub firing +P.
I would recommend this revolver to anyone.
I would recommend this revolver to anyone.
Biathlonman
New member
First off I didn't know you could get these things without porting, that is very interesting! Next check on www.sixgunner.com and there heavy loaded .44 special if you want something for defense. They are quite pricey, but the specs look rather impressive!
jack pringle
New member
picked up the taurus 415 several months ago. was more than curious about the 41 mag recoil in a snubby. having a 657, a 29, and a SRH (among others) i had no real fear. somewhere around 40 rounds and my wrist gets tired. am an old NRA 2700 shooter, so shoot one handed. when fired DA rapidly i am glad it only holds five rounds. much fun, but, dang. lack of adjustable sights hampers best accuracy, but still gives coffee can results at 50 yards. it is a shooter for sure. it is my only ported gun, so i shot a few rounds at night. no problem with flash. these shots were all full power. i have little use for "special" loads. ribber grips are great. not as frisky as a G27 if you are familiar with that little boomer. if i lose this one, will get another.
hos
hos
I had a blued 445 (44 Special) for a short time. The idea was a gun I could drop in the back pocket to go to the mail box or take out the trash. Like the idea of a 44 much more than a 38.
First range session with handloads and factory (no Elmer Keith loads). The cylinder would bind up in five shot rapid fire DA. Slow fire I could get through maybe two cylinders (10 rounds). Do I hear the echos of all those posters who keep telling us revolvers are 100% reliable???????????
Yes, I know Taurus has a lifetime guaranty, but it offended me that I would need to use it on a brand new gun. Sold it for a loss, naturally. Kind of soured me on Taurus. YMMV!
First range session with handloads and factory (no Elmer Keith loads). The cylinder would bind up in five shot rapid fire DA. Slow fire I could get through maybe two cylinders (10 rounds). Do I hear the echos of all those posters who keep telling us revolvers are 100% reliable???????????
Yes, I know Taurus has a lifetime guaranty, but it offended me that I would need to use it on a brand new gun. Sold it for a loss, naturally. Kind of soured me on Taurus. YMMV!