I know I may be opening a can of worms but I’m considering a Taurus Tracker in 44 magnum as an affordable addition to eventually pair with a Rossi M92 in 44.
The only experience I have with Taurus except for my Rossi M92 in 357 (which I love) is a 5 shot Taurus 38 revolver that my brother owns. It’s ok but is plagued with light strikes. He has to keep pulling the trigger to get all 5 rounds off. Not very dependable. It is an older revolver though and most say Taurus has stepped up their game and is producing much better firearms these days.
I’d love a S&W in 44 but can’t justify the expense at the moment and I feel the Tracker may be an affordable alternative.
Thought welcomed.


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How much is your life worth?

If just a toy, why not wait?

My edc is a Shield 9mm and is 100% reliable. The Taurus would be more for fun at the range.


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My first thought is that when I had to have my first .44 Magnum and could not afford a used Model 29-2 I bought a Ruger Super Blackhawk (SBH) instead. However, there were no other brands of .44 Magnums on the market. I often see used SBHs in gun stores for $400 to $450 plus tax. Bear Bio has been known to carry single actions to defend himself from Bears and if I recall correctly used one effectively. It took 2 years and 9 months for my name to rise to the top of the waiting list for the opportunity to buy a 29-2 at full retail, $252 out the door. After buying it I sold my $150 SBH. The 29-2 never did group as tight as the SBH.

Getting back to you, to know if a SBH is a reasonable alternative I need to know how much recoil you can enjoy, whether you have or will practice shooting double action enough to get useful accuracy DA, if you need a revolver that is as small and light as a S&W L frame Model 69, and whether you are willing to buy used guns.

Most of my Taurus double action revolvers have been good. However one was worthless and when I sent it back under warranty Taurus couldn't or wouldn't make it function. Unlike S&W and Ruger shipping a gun back to Taurus is not free. I was not willing to lie to the buyer when I sold it so in the end it was no bargain. That's the risk you take.

For many years, I used a 44 SBH while guiding on hogs (I prefer a 41 mag for better penetration or a HOT 45 Blackhawk) Besides a single action LOOKS so much better than a DA with a lever action!

I had a New Model SBH built by Gary Reeder into a 454. Still shoots factory 45 Colt. But I prefer my OM 45 Blackhawk. I'm sure a shorter 44 Blackhawk would work wonders. I have a BEAUTIFUL custom Vaquero and matching 92 (original) Winnie I had made as a tribute to my grandmother [Irish and Cherokee (registered) and Chickasaw (registered)]=done by Bobby Tyler. All in 38-40 with a matching Bowie (bighorn grips)

I must admit bear the thought of a classic single action revolver paired with a lever gun is appealing to me. I may have to reevaluate. I do like the modern look of the Taurus though. And for the price it may be an affordable option as a range toy. You’ve given me a lot to think about, damn.


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I've owned one, and so has my closest range buddy. Both of them were shot loose after about 100 rounds. They both came out of time, and started spitting hot lead into your hands, and back into your face. Mine was sent back to the factory and immediately sold when I got it back. The buddy of mine sent his back only to have it start the same **** 100 rounds later. He was tired of messing with it and sold his as is, but let the next owner know the issue and discounted the price.

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Ban this man,
'89

Wow...ok. Let’s keep thinkin.



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I would recommend a Ruger as well , or the Smith 69 . Shooting SA pistols is much different than a semi auto . If you shoot magnum loads through the ruger with both arms out in front , stiff as a board , you will soon hate the gun . So learn to shoot it , starting out with 44 special and graduate to the magnums . Relax your arms , let it flex in your hand back so you can cock it again , quickly if necessary . I have 2 rugers , one in 45Colt and 41 magnum . I won't sell either ---- but you have to learn how to shoot them , then it's a pleasure . Regards, Paul

Buying any Taurus is a roll of the dice.

Taurus has a well deserved bad reputation no matter what the defenders of budget guns will say...

My first 44Mag was a SBH. I couldn't shoot it for >>>>. After about 15 rounds I had the mother of all flinches. I couldn't even drop the hammer on a known empty gun without a flinch. I decided I was just too much of a wimp for the big .44 so I got rid of it.
Several years later I got my first M29. I could shoot it all day without a flinch.... I finally realized it was the grips. The SBH spade grip turned in my hand and just beat me to death. The M29 allowed for a solid grip and the recoil was absorbed by my arm rather than my hand.
As for the Taurus, never owned one but knew of any number that had mechanical problems.

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

I have an older Rossi M441 which is 5-shot 44 mag with a 2-1/2" barrel. It was made by Taurus for Academy Sports.
I got it used and have shot a few boxes through it since. No timing or looseness issues. But in all fairness I don't shoot a lot of hot magnums in any of my 44's. I probably shoot 4 down-loaded rounds for every full power round through all my 44's.

I must be the luckiest of the lucky - at least when it comes to Brazilian guns.
I have 4 Taurus/Rossi revolvers, and 3 Taurus semi autos, and have never had a problem with any of them.
Maybe it's because I bought them used and they were already proven trouble-free - or if they had any issues they had already been resolved before I got them.
Seems odd though. I'm usually the opposite of lucky in every other aspect of my life. It's just this one small area that I have such incredible luck.

No knowledge of the .44 mag but I did have a Tracker in .357, decent gun for the money, went bang every time.

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Super Snooper

Personally I think the gap between current Smith & Wesson and Taurus is now much closer then it used to be 25 years ago.

I like Taurus firearms, I have personal experience with 5 Taurus brand firearms between my family and I, they all have performed flawlessly.
Taurus firearms tend to work, it's their terrible Customer Service that gives them a bad reputation and gives folks the impression that they're of poor quality in general. Rule of thumb is, if a Taurus Revolver passes initial inspection at your LGS when you do your basic function test prior to purchase, then you've got nothing to worry about.

That being said, if you want a Smith & Wesson, then accept no limitations. Save up for awhile and get the one you really want. Heck, you may even come across a used one priced similarly to a new Taurus. Stranger things have happened, had a S&W 629-1 show up at my LGS once for $350.

Bought one in 2012 at the behest of a friend. Beautiful gun to look at.
Fired a couple rounds and the cylinder unlocked from the frame.

Found the crane locking block and latch so badly made and of soft steel that they don’t always lock and are difficult to unlock. Attempting to dress the block, the gunsmith stopped because the soft steel just melted away.
Cylinder pin and hinge look as though they were dressed with a rasp file. Cylinder bushing looks as though it was hammered and filed. Front cylinder latch roll pin was bent and scraped up. Cylinder bolt spring was too weak to operate it.
"Cylinder distance bushing" looks as though it was hit a glancing blow on the edge, with a hammer.

I did fire it a few times, but stopped because the cylinder would not stay locked. It was accurate.
Pix of the buggered parts if you want to see them.

Buy a Ruger. Excellent value, excellent performers. Blackhawk or Redhawk. The Redhawk is easier for me to shoot.

I see many swear by their Taurus firearms, and maybe they are right, but I have helped too many folks at the range with jammed Taurus semiautos to recommend any of their products. I would save up for a Smith or at least a Ruger.

I have a Taurus model 44-44 magnum revolver-it resembles a Colt anaconda in appearance. I have had it for years-it has been very dependable and accurate.

Nothing wrong with Taurus revolvers despite that outdated, one and done, reviews for years ago... I could also post current, with the last rolling year, of people reporting similar issues with S&W revolvers. The only difference is they didn't swear off all S&W products after having a bad experience.

With that said, I'd go with Ruger. I've been seeing more QC complaints with Smith revolvers recently compared to Taurus or any other revolvers manufacturer. Taurus generally makes dependable revolvers; however, I can't recommend them because of their warranty and lack of parts. If a Taurus component breaks or wears out, Taurus will refuse to send you replacement parts.

I have been shooting a SBH since 75. I shot it as a competition gun in metallic sil. for 20 years. It has had thousands of full throttle 44 mag loads through it. It has also put a truck load of venison in the freezer over the decades I have hunted with it.
If you go the SBH route, put a set of pachmayrs on it.
My weekly shooting partner has a 44 mag tracker, scoped. He has been shooting and hunting with it for several years. It is quite accurate and he has stacked up quite a few deer with that revolver. He would never part with that revolver.
I have limited experience with Taurus revolvers, the two I own have served me well. But I do not have anywhere close to the round count through those guns that I have through my Ruger or 29’s.
I don’t think any manufacturer is immune from occasional issues with their products these days, that is what warranties and customer service is for if needed.

taurus sent me replacement parts 3 times. Which was enough to get their products up and running........AND gone from here.

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S&W Accumulator

Buying a gun because it looks good is like wanting to marry a good looking girl who can't cook.Your friends will envy you...until they'll see that you've lost a lot of #s.
A Ruger SBH might not be as sexy looking but it is a sure long term investment that shoots strong and straight.

Real QUALITY is always worth the money. I am not talking about looks. But, the quality of the parts and how they are fit together.