I'm looking into buying a Taurus model 44, 5 shot, 4inch barrel. Not going to shoot heavy loads, just 44 Special for plinking and house protection, and light-ish to moderate stuff for bear protection in the north woods. Pros? Cons? Personal experiences?

I just bought a Tracker 44 about a month ago and love it. I have a Ruger Blackhawk but it is a bit much to a carry around on a regular basis. The Tracker is light and fits a L frame holster perfectly. The Tracker is a bit much to handle with heavy loads but like you I shoot a lot of 44 special. A 44 special with a 250 gr bullet at 850-900 fps will stop just about anything in the woods. I don't think you will regret it.

I used to have an older Taurus M431 3", 5 shot .44 Spl revolver. It was a good woods carry gun and used as a bedside comforter. Well not a Smith K frame in the trigger department it still was acceptable. I think that for your intent it should give you good duty.

CD

I intend to load some BTB 250gr. at about 900-950fps for big hairy things. I wonder if anybody makes fiberoptic or glow-like sights for it? I love my Blackhawk, but if I can shave 8 ounces of weight, I'll do it. How is the trigger?

I put the Wolfe spring kit in my Tracker and did some polishing and it was a big help. Like Combat diver said, "it ain't a S&W" but it still isn't bad. I used the heaviest Wolfe hammer spring because the light hammer spring would not detonate magnum primers but it is much better than the factory spring. I have several Taurus revolvers and have had good service out of them.

Thanks very much for the input.

I just bought one of the 44C Trackers today. They had three in stock, so I picked the one with the best trigger, and I am happy with it. I'll take mine out to the range tomorrow. Mine is the blued model, 4" Compensated barrel. Thanks for the info about the holster, I was looking for one, and couldn't find anything decent.

I was pretty set on picking up a 4" Ruger Redhawk 44 Mag today. I wanted it to be a trail gun though, and the Ruger is a pound more than this gun. I was considering the 329PD also, but the price is just too far out there at $859. I paid $419 for my Taurus.

MY wife got one for Christmas and WE both think it is great, I have the wolfe springs but have not installed them yet. We both like the weight and the 'feel', shoots good to! She likes light bullets at about 800fps and I am pleased with 240 LSWC at about 1000 fps.

I have a stainless Tracker in 41 mag and it's a fun gun to shoot with cast loads in the 800 fps range.

The Tracker is the bottom one, Top is a Taurus 38 special Ultra-light and the middle is a Rossi stainless 22. Taurus now owns Rossi and they carry the same forever warrentee as the Taurus.

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q172/faucettb/Preditor%20masters/threeguns.jpg

I like mine....compensated 4 in...but its LOUD. Andrews Gunleather has some Keith style holsters in for it. I'll probably keep mine for jeep duty and hiking...Blackhawk for hunting.

Anyone got suggestions for boars/bears/deer from it? Factory loads I mean.

You should look at the higher end .44 Special loads for hunting with it.

I have a 4" Taurus 441 .44 Special and absolutely love the gun. It is by far the most accurate revolver I have ever owned and a down right pleasure to shoot with factory or my own handloads.

My HD and woods carry loads are Winchester 200gr Silver tips, these are more than enough to get the job done in a home defense situation or hog defense when out in the woods. Have not had a chance to use it on deer yet but this coming season I intend to use a 240gr JHP loaded at the top end of the Special chart with Unique. This load looks very good on paper at 35 yards from the bench and I am sure it will be more than enough for a hog or whitetail at relatively close range.