Taurus 431

[GerSan69]

Seeing Tex 1001's thread about the 431 got me looking for one on GB. "Probably none on there," I said. "If there is, they probably want too much," I guessed. "I'd rather have a 696, anyway." Yeah, sure. People in H--- want icewater, too.
Sure enough, there WAS a 431. A very nice one. And the seller only wanted $370...
Long story short, I picked it up this morning from my friendly neighborhood FFL. Wow! This thing is in pristine condition. A couple tiny marks on the frame above the trigger, otherwise not a scratch. The grip looks to be reworked factory, sanded way down and shaped similar to aftermarket boot grips from Eagle and others. The action is very smooth and "Smith"-like. Overall, nothing to dislike.
Got a couple hundred .44 rounds delivered today as well. Just have to find time in my "busy" schedule to take it out and shoot a few.

 

[rjm6120]

Nice 431! If i ran into one that looked like that at that price I would snag it. Just can't afford the S&W .44 spls...

 

[k22fan]

I have a couple of Tauri double action revolvers that are keepers but had one they could not make worth owning with one warranty repair trip. I'll be interested to hear how this one performs. So far I've only heard good things about 431s.

Locally I've seen more 431s with adjustable sights than fixed sights. That does not count snub noses which may or may not have the same model number.

One of the LGS I frequent has a box of miscellaneous used stocks that always has a few factory stocks that look like they would fit. Original stocks are pretty common and with patience you can probably find a pair for $10 to $15. However, I'd try them for fit before buying just in case the frame went through some changes before being superseded by Trackers.

Let us know how accurate it is.

 

[Otreb]

Taurus can make a good revolver, the 431 was proof of that.
It can hold up pretty well as a shooter, decent accuracy too.

 

[Tex1001]

Both of my 431s had mangled rubber Pachs on them when I got them. They looked bad and felt even worse. That was what what originally started my quest to make them round butted.
_______________________
I don't have Alzheimer's- My wife had me tested.

 

[ColbyBruce]

I often thought a Taurus 431 would make a decent trail gun here in bear country. I just can't find one for sale at a reasonable price. I used to have a stainless Charter Arms Bulldog I used for that purpose. Now I carry a S&W 65-3 or 65-5 with Buffalo Bore ammo around the house.

 

[k22fan]

That raises a question. Can a black bear accelerate to 25 mph faster than you can draw and aim your revolver? To stop a charge my guess is a .44 mag or larger would be a better choice for likely imperfect marksmanship.

 

[ColbyBruce]

That raises a question. Can a black bear accelerate to 25 mph faster than you can draw and aim your revolver? To stop a charge my guess is a .44 mag or larger would be a better choice for likely imperfect marksmanship.

I have a plan. If charged, I will bunny hop to one side, let the bear slide past when it hits the pile of excrement that just blew out of my pants leg, and I will draw and fire at said bear before it regains it's footing and comes back for me.

 

[ColbyBruce]

Of course, I do have one of these old things lying around...

 

[CajunBass]

I'm pretty fond of my blue Taurus 431. I got it a few weeks ago and have really enjoyed shooting it.





There was a 4" one, with adjustable sights in my dealers case a couple of days ago, but it didn't last long.

 

[Shorty 45 MK2]

Congrats on your newest!

That is a nice one.

 

[Jessie]

Any time you can get a short barreled .44 under $400, you're doing ok. They're few and far between. Some are great, some are so-so. Either way its a potent pocket full.

 

[rangemaster]

I had a blued 431, but discovered the Rossi 720 in stainless trim with adjustable sights. I much prefer them. I now have three of those. I highly recommend buying one whenever you run across one.

 

[mistermills357]

Nice guns.
I had a Rossi .38 Special snubnose and two Taurus 9mm's.
I love 'em, the Rossi converted me to snub .38's right on the spot.
And, I became a fan of the 9mm because of the Taurus M99.

 

[gaucho1]

Just purchased this on GB.

This thread made me look................

 

[CajunBass]

That's a nice one. I'd be willing to bet you'll like it.

 

[gaucho1]

I have two of the Rossi .44s. One with a smooth cylinder.

They are bank vault solid and somewhat heavy. Actions are
smooth and decent.

I like the looks of the fixed sight Taurus. More like a Smith

Seems like they are pretty well made......hopefully this one will
not be a good looking functional lemon.

 

[GerSan69]

Bought some smooth target stocks for the 431 off eBay. I liked the shaved-down set that came with the gun, but I discovered that the previous owner had shaved too much off and broke thru into the indexing pin space. These look pretty good for $29.
Very nice, Gaucho. I think you'll like it a lot. Especially where all your K-frame holsters fit it.

 

[kaveman]

Just purchased this on GB.

This thread made me look................

Yes, thanks for the thread. It got me looking again and I came up with something too. I've been looking for years off and on for a Taurus or Rossi .44 and kind of got out of the habit after picking up a Charter earlier this year. This thread sent me to GB with a lust in my heart and it paid off.

As a perennial bottom feeder,.............I settled on a 720 that I turned up after a 'deep' search. Kinda beat, rubber grips are shot, front sight insert is missing,..............but for $185 Buy Now I figured it was worth a try. I think I can replace the front sight blade with not too much effort and the grips would be replaced regardless AND I've been wanting to try the Scotchbrite treatment or bead blasting so the condition doesn't bother me at all(as long as it's structurally OK). Not much of a description and only the one auction pic, but I've wasted more money on less,.............

I'll still be competing for a fixed sight 3" 431, especially for a DAO.

 

[.455_Hunter]

I had a blue 431. It was a very high quality piece, but did shoot significantly high with "normal" 240 to 250 grain .44 special ammo. I sold it to fund more S&W purchases.

 

[Otreb]

The Rossi 720 isn't bad, I like the DAO trigger better than the DA on the 431, but I'm finding the 431 so far to be the better shooter.

 

[mistermills357]

Stopping A Charging Bear.

That raises a question. Can a black bear accelerate to 25 mph faster than you can draw and aim your revolver? To stop a charge my guess is a .44 mag or larger would be a better choice for likely imperfect marksmanship.

My plan has always been, to take cover if I can, and wait on him.
I figure at point blank range, a .357 will blow his brains out; or blow his jaw off, if he has me pinned.
A bear is a fast moving animal when it attacks, and I am not wasting rounds trying to stop the charge.

And, if he wants me that badly, he can have me, just me and my gun.
And, I think that this .44 Special would do as well as a .357 in most respects.
The bear would get a real lesson, as to who rules the Earth, and it ain't animals.

 

[shamelessinct]

I bought a blued Taurus 431 3" last week, box and papers and a Desantis holster for $350. At the range it shot both factory and reloaded 240 grain ammo 4" high at 20 yards. (I like the gun, is there a load that will shoot to point of aim?)

 

[Otreb]

I bought a blued Taurus 431 3" last week, box and papers and a Desantis holster for $350. At the range it shot both factory and reloaded 240 grain ammo 4" high at 20 yards. (I like the gun, is there a load that will shoot to point of aim?)

I wouldn't be surprised if the commonplace 200gr loads hit a bit lower. Mine shoots right on POA with 200gr ammo. You could also try the 165gr Hornady load.

 

[kaaskop49]

From the pix, nobody seems to have a 4" Taurus 431. Or is that a different model number? 441 maybe?

Inquiring minds want to know.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[GerSan69]

They did make a 4". I don't know how scarce they are. AFAIK the adjustable sight version is the 441. Here are a couple photos I came across.

 

[OldDominion]

My wife gave me the 441 new in 1992, and I learned to reload .44s with it. I picked up the 431 (1994) off of GB last year for $350.

 

[gaucho1]

This is a positive bump for the .44 Taurus I shared earlier.

Very well finished, extremely smooth and light in both single and double action.

Definitely compares well with my Rossi .44s, and is comparable
in feel and quality to a decent to very good Smith.

That surprised me............