[eli95]

This is primarily for 45 Colt, but all others are welcome to state their opinions.

I'm looking for a light weight CCW gun, I load for 44mag, 45LC, 45ACP, 45-70, 358win, 30-30win, and 7mm mag.

I currently have a Ruger P-90 45ACP that I carry, it is large and not a very concelable weapon.

I'm looking at a Taurus 450SH2C. I have never owned a Taurus! But I like the looks and specs of the gun.

Questions:

1. Are the Taurus revolvers as tough as rugers?

2. If you own a Taurus, are you happy with it,
a. accuracy?
b. workmanship?
c. reliabilty?

3. What are your openions of the general handling and feel of this class of gun.
Keep in mind that I am a SSA/lever action shooter,and hunt with a 45-70, 7mm Mag, as such recoil does not enter into the equation. What can I expect?

Thanks
Terry

 

[Rich Z]

Well, I happen to carry a Taurus Titanium .45 colt in my back pocket around here. It is very lightweight and does not drag my pants down to my ankles. And I like that HUGE hole at the end of the barrel.

Except for a minor snag, it has proven to be reliable with the test shooting I have done with it. The snag is that if you reload your own ammo, you have to REALLY crimp that projectile into the casing. Recoil is so sharp that after the second shot, loosely crimped bullets will have walked part way out of the cases and will now bind the cylinder. The soft rubber grips on the gun keep the recoil from hurting the hand, but it is definitely a sharp slap. Even with factory ammo, check to make sure the projectile is crimped really well.

Accuracy is acceptable for its intended purpose.

If I had my way, the gun would NOT have the ported barrel on it. I guess maybe it helps tame recoil a tiny bit, but damn that gun is LOUD! If I should ever have to shoot that gun without ear protection on, I will be bleeding from the ears afterwards, for sure.

All in all, if I had it to do over again I would buy this gun again.

As an aside, I saw a REALLY light weight new gun made by Smith & Wesson a while back in .44 mag. Gun was a featherweight, for sure. Now all the rumors I have heard say that this gun is murder with recoil. Some say it is the hardest recoiling handgun they have ever fired. But I'm thinking that shooting it with .44 Special loads might be the ticket. Or if you roll your own, downgrade the loading on the .44 mags. Anyway, it was a nice looking gun, and if I see one again it might just stick to my hand.

 

[eli95]

Rich: thanks for the reply!

The porting was one of the things that I was bothered by, I have shot a Marlin in 450 marlin and the blast was unreal, far worse then the 2" 357mag S&W my brother has.

The crimp is no problem, I shoot win94's in both 44mag and 45LC and have my dies set for a good roll crimp, (all cases, even new unfired, are run through the trimmer and taken down to trim lenght and checked after every firing), so that is not a problem.

Do you think that muzzel blast would be a problem in a defenceive situtation?, or would the adrenlen overcome that.
(It has been my experence that recoil and other factors disapear in those enviroments)

Terry

 

[.45 COLT]

I wouldn't get a Taurus, two reasons: Ruger is far the stronger of the two and secondly, go to the Taurus website. They are collaborating with the anti's in New Jersey. No matter how they candy coat it, in my opinion it is as big a sellout as that of S&W a few years past.

In the spring, winter and fall I carry a Blackhawk, 4 5/8", in .45 Colt. Summer time it's a little harder to conceal one, but usually I can leave my shirt out and get away with it. In my state, the gun is not required to be concealed, just draws a few concerned looks if it's hanging out.

I prefer the single action over double or auto.

With the SD handloads I use, a near-miss is pretty near as good as a hit - the fireball will fry anything out to about 10 feet and scare the crap out of anything a lot farther than that.

DC

 

[bucfan]

I own a Taurus 357mag, 2 in barrel and it is ported. It is a heavy gun given its size. It is loud as hell but i had no problem hitting a target from the 20 yrd line. As far as a carry gun, I have not used it. I bought it for my wife to have at home. I load it with 38spl. for her. Also with a price tag that you beat. I think I gave $200 plus tax. All in all I'm happy with it.

"ANY DAY ABOVE GROUND IS A GOOD ONE''

 

[eli95]

Thanks 45 Colt for the info, and i concur on the fire ball and blast. My state also does not require that personal wepons be conceled, but you are right it does make others a bit nervous when you walk into a store with a hog leg on your hip, or even the P-90.

The main reason I was looking for something smaller is that I want to carry when I am working, and crawling around boats during a survey makes it ackward to have a large pistol on your belt. I was not aware of Taurus's track record, that is good to know.

Thanks again,

Terry

 

[eli95]

OK; here are my minumuns.

Handsized or smaller
carried inside belt
44cal or larger
5 rounds min

I am going to start my at the begining. Taurus and Charter arms are out the window.

Does that just leave S&W?

Terry

PS: on the way out the door, headed for the range with three new 45-70 loads, and two new 45LC loads, plus 350 rounds of shoot-um bang bang ammo for 44mag,45acp,45LC.

PSS: found printable targets on remington.com in pdf format

 

[Rich Z]

They are collaborating with the anti's in New Jersey. No matter how they candy coat it, in my opinion it is as big a sellout as that of S&W a few years past.

Do you have a link for this info, .45 COLT? I would like to read what is going on.

Thanks.

 

[41mag]

www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2003-11/njio-lug112603.php
this one?

 

[.45 COLT]

That link about says it. Taurus also has posted a press release on its own website. I don't know what they're thinking about, maybe that they'll be the only handgun approved for sale in New Jersey, but if ever I was thinking about a Taurus, that has put me off it.

DC