Time for comments on the Taurus 431 again.

[chaim]

Some time ago Stephen Camp posted one of his wonderful range reports on his 431 and ever since I have been somewhat interested in this revolver. Well, I just bid on one in an internet auction.

A 5 shot, 3" K-frame sized revolver in .44spl seems like a great home defense and carry gun. It is too bad that Taurus doesn't make this model anymore. The 3" barrel should still be good for carry and seems to have significant ballistic advantages in .44spl over the 2" barrelled 445 (I also think a 3" .45lc would be an advantage over the 2" 450).

I love .38s and .357mag, but it may be time to finally break down and get a big bore revolver. The .44spl can be made into quite the effective defense loading. The big heavy bullet can transfer quite a bit of energy even at slow speeds. It is a relatively low pressure round so recoil and blast would be reduced, yet it can be at or near .357mag power levels (out of a 2" or 3" snub anyway).

Most people I've heard from who own these guns seem to be quite happy with them.

There only seem to be two drawbacks for me with this gun. This will be my first .44spl so once again I may end up with what could almost be my perfect carry gun but I may find that I can't bring myself to have a smith cut on my first .44spl in order to make my "perfect carry revolver". Also, .44spl isn't the most common ammo around here and it tends to be expensive as well so I'll have to buy another set of reloading dies to get enough practice with this gun.

I am looking for general comments from owners, admirers, or detractors of this gun. Any specific advice if I win (should I change anything)? Who makes grips for it? It seems to be a K-frame sized gun, is it close (or exact) enough to fit holsters and other accessories for a K-frame? What size speedloaders?

Anyway, I may be getting ahead of myself here. There is a nearly week left in the auction, but I may be ok since these guns seem to be a bit of a sleeper and tend to be unnoticed (I had been watching the previous auction but didn't bid since I had bid on a 3" S&W 64, well I was outbid on the S&W and went back to bid on this but the auction ended- I bid on the relisted auction).

 

[denfoote]

I dunno Chaim.
This is a hard one to call.
I'm basically an autoloader kind of guy, but I make the exception for the .357 mag.

The .44spl fell into disrepute years ago with the introduction of the M29. Of late, it has seen a resurgence, however. Good factory defensive ammo is still hard to find and few and far between on most shop's shelves. You ain't gunna find it at Wallyworld, that's for sure!!!

I think Remington and Federal still catalog loadings for it, although, I'm not completely sure.

A gun that is no longer made is not going to easily find it's way onto holster makers "Yeah we have it" lists!! You might have to get a totally custom rig. In that case, be prepared to pay big bucks!! The holster may run you more than the gun!!!

It maybe that a K-frame rig will fit, but Taurus frame sizes are not the same as S&W.

The only company I know of that makes speed loaders is HK.

Good Luck!!

 

[glockten]

Hogue makes grips for the 431, and the HKS CA44 speedloader will fit it. It may be closer in size to an L-frame than a K. I used to own a 431, but sold it when I got a Rossi 720, as the Rossi was more compact. The 431 was a great revolver otherwise.

Alabama Ammo, CCI Blazer, Cor-Bon, Federal, Georgia Arms, Hornady, PMC, Pro Load and Winchester all load JHP or LHP ammo in .44 Spl. Several companies offer round-nose practice or cowboy loads.

 

[jdmb03]

I was looking at getting a .44 myself. People on other forums gave me some good feedback.

I also looked at the 431 but wanted something lighter and without a hammer. The Rossi 720 is the perfect carry gun in my opinion. It is hammerless with a 3" barrel and weighs 28 ozs. The 431 weighs 35 ozs. The 720 is like a Smith K-frame and the 431 is like a Smith L-frame.

As far as ammo goes, the 180 and 200 gr. will be the best for defense purposes.

http://www.gunbroker.com/pixhost/2003-05-25/sweetpea4_1054237026_Mvc-002f.jpg

 

[chaim]

OK, I've already bid on this so I can't change my mind and go w/ the Rossi (I don't really want to anyway). However, if I like it (this will be my first .44spl so I don't even know how I'll like it) I could always get the Rossi too and use the heavier Taurus for practice and the Rossi as the CCW (assuming again that I move to a CCW state soon). One thing, I am not usually a fan of rubber or plastic grips and I really don't like the grips Rossi puts on their guns. Anyone know how hard it would be to get different grips (Butler Creek or Hogue rubber is ok, nice wood grips would be better) for the Rossi?