Taurus 44Mag w/o Porting?

Status
Not open for further replies.
They are cataloging a new model 444 UlraLite, which is a "Raging Bull" sized gun. 6-shot / .44 Magnum / Alloy frame / Titanium cylinder - and apparently not ported.

Other models seem to still be ported, but this is a feature they are suposedly dropping as older barrels get used up.
 
Seems to me S&W tried ultra light 44 Magnums and ended up recalling them. I handled one, no way would I want to spend a day at the range shooting one!
 
Don't misunderstand. I wouldn't go for an ultra-light .44 Magnum either, although you could stick to .44 Special loads. What interested me was that this new model didn't have a ported barrel - in spite of being what it is. I hope that the no-port policy spreads, because I detest those little holes.
 
I have the 6" Taurus M-44 with the ported barrel and I love it....I just don't see that much of an increase in noise compared to my non-ported 44. They're all loud, really. The only place I suppose the noise level increase is noticeable is at an indoor range where the ceilings are low and the noise bounces back down to you more quickly. Or maybe I'm just weird. I dunno.
 
Barrel ports are a love-hate sort of thing. I won't buy a gun that's ported, but that doesn't mean that everyone feels that way.


From Taurus' point of view, porting costs extra money. If it helps sell revolvers they'll keep doing it. If it doesn't make a difference, or turns people off they'll probably quit.
 
I normally prefer a gun that's not ported because I don't usually mind the recoil, but sometimes I'll make an exception. I'm glad my 605C is ported because it's extremely controllable for a 2-inch .357. I'm shopping for a .44 Magnum with as short a barrel as possible to carry while fly fishing, and I'll want that to be ported, too.
 
Taurus 44 Mag

I just recently aquired a 4" Taurus 44 Mag without porting. My Dad had it for a couple of years and never shot it. We went to the range the other day and he shot six rounds throught it and told me I could have it! It kicks like a pissed off mule! I tried searching the internet for information on it but found very little. I also went to Taurus's web site and entered the serial number into their model number look up system. All I got was the year it was made, 1996 and nothing else. I have no idea what model number it is. From what I can tell I do not think Taures makes a non-ported 4" 44 mag any more.
 
aj373ku:

Go back to the top of the thread and read post #2.

Also tell you dad to use .44 Specials in his revolver and the recoil will be much better.
 
Ya know, I really hope they do go to a non-ported barrel in a full sized steel 4" 44 Mag. Until they do, however, I guess I'll have to suck it up and go with a ported barrel.
 
Quote:
-------------------------------
Barrel ports are a love-hate sort of thing. I won't buy a gun that's ported, but that doesn't mean that everyone feels that way.
------------------------------

As a friend used to say, "Fat chicks are like mopeds. They're fun, but you wouldn't want your friends to see you riding one." :D

I've been blown up a time or two, and what hearing I got, I want to keep. I'd have bought a large frame Taurus a long time ago if it weren't for those &^^% barrel ports.
 
>> Ya know, I really hope they do go to a non-ported barrel in a full sized steel 4" 44 Mag. Until they do, however, I guess I'll have to suck it up and go with a ported barrel. <<

Ya can always get a 6-inch, make it a 4-inch and relocate the front sight.
 
Quote:
--------------------------------
Ya can always get a 6-inch, make it a 4-inch and relocate the front sight.
--------------------------------

Somehow I've never been able to bring myself to pay extra money for something I don't want (because porting does add to the cost of the gun), and then pay MORE money to get rid of the feature I paid extra for.
 
I strongly recommend the grinder because I like the sparks that fly. For the best effect work in a dark room ... :cool:

Seriously I am considering taking a 4-inch Tracker and cutting the barrel back to 3 or 3 1/2 inches and relocating the front sight. As gunsmithing jobs go this is not a biggie, and stainless steel is easy to refinish.

In my opinion a mid-frame/5-shot/big-bore Tracker in this configuration would make a great CCW gun.
 
I have a chance to pick up a Model 44 with the 8" barrel from a co-worker. He says it only has about 100 rounds thru it. What would be a good price for it? He is asking $450 plus a hip holster and a shoulder holster thrown in. He says it's "nickle-plated" but I wonder if he means it's stainless??
 
George, I recently priced a stainless model 44 at Sportsman's Warehouse and they wanted $409 for a new one, so that seems a little steep.

Of course that depends on the local market where you live. If you have a Sportsman's Warehouse in your state, it would probably be worth a trip there.
 
Seriously I am considering taking a 4-inch Tracker and cutting the barrel back to 3 or 3 1/2 inches and relocating the front sight. As gunsmithing jobs go this is not a biggie, and stainless steel is easy to refinish.
Click to expand...

I think if I had a 3 1/2 inch 44 I'd leave the front sight off. It's just something that could snag on your pocket as you're pulling that cannon out. :)
 
rick_reno:

I would carry a revolver of that size in an IWB holster, not a pocket.

If you look at a Tracker you'll see that the front sight is very low, and given its shape, unlikely to snag on anything. There shouldn't be any problem coming out of a holster, and I see that Taurus has made a few in Titanium/45 ACP/fixed sights/4"unported barrel. Now if that was in stainless steel ....
 
My Taurus Titanium Tracker in .41mag has the ports. I wish Taurus would make it an option. They kind of work as the opposite of a flash suppresser with .41mag loads. They really function as a flash compresser that is REALLY noticable in med/low light. It I ever shot it in darkness I would have a big, orange flash burnt into my retinas for a couple of days.
 
I have a 6 in .44 mag Taurus revolver that has the porting. I thought I'd like it and I guess I'm somewhat mixed for an opinion. I don't detect a greater amount of noise from mine vs any other 6 in .44mag. I do detect less muzzle flip when shooting the ported gun. The one thing that annoys me to no end is that when I shoot lead bullets, there is lead spatter all over my front sight. It gets so bad that my front sight starts to look silver (not so cool on a blued gun)! The other thing that annoys me about the gun is that the barrel length includes the porting, this sucks because the "crown" is about 3/4 in back from the end of the barrel due to the expansion chamber. This equates to less MV! Of all the porting methods I have seen, the Magna Porting seems to be the best, the sight is behind the porting and there's only one big hole which doesn't plug up with residue from lead bullets.
 
On a hunting or target revolver where you want the most power possible, I can see porting, especially when it's at the end of a long barrel that's going to be held at arm's length. Porting a snub is ridiculous! Those are intended as defensive guns, so are likely to be fired close to the body. The flash and blast tearing up into your face is likely to hurt you more than an attacker! :what:

I have a 445 w/2" barrel, and it's a very comfortable shooter without ports. :)
 
I think you may be overreacting a bit. I have a ported 1-7/8-inch .357 that I practice defensive drills with regularly, in a dark indoor range, and the flash and blast have not "torn up my face." In fact, I don't even notice them.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

C
  • Locked
Garrett 44mag Hammer Head ammo?
Replies
6
Views
1K
Glamdring
G
H
  • Locked
porting and non-jacketed bullets.
Replies
0
Views
329
Hawken50
H
Electricmo
  • Locked
Taurus 66 ported.
Replies
5
Views
384
Electricmo
Electricmo
D
  • Locked
I want a .44mag.
2
Replies
32
Views
2K
Highland Ranger
H
D
  • Locked
Taurus Ti Tracker .357 - Ported
Replies
2
Views
512
Dollar An Hour
D
Back
Top