Re “Everyday Carry 357 Magnums: Smith & Wesson and Rossi Tangle,”
August 2024
When I received my August 2024 issue of your fine publication, I immediately retired to my “reading throne,” after ensuring nobody else had to use the facilities with a quickness. After a hasty glance-over of the ubiquitous polymer, striker-fired, 9mm article, my eyes grew wide in wonder and amazement as I came to the next article, a match-up of 357 Magnum revolvers for concealed carry. OMG, I could barely read as my eyes welled up with tears of joy! You see, I am a revolver (and 1911) man from way back, and in fact my current EDC is the newer Colt’s King Cobra, which I appendix carry fairly unobtrusively in an IWB holster. With the 3-inch barrel, custom boot grips, and bobbed hammer, my Colt hides well under a loose T-shirt, even considering my slightly pudgy 5-foot 7-inch 78-year-old frame. And I feel very protected with Hornady’s 125-grain FTX load. Plus, there is the revolver advantage; on days I may be feeling my age a bit much, I can switch to 38 Special +P’s for carry, or light 38s for grins. Todd, my only wish going forward is that you might find it interesting to comparison test a few more carry-capable revolvers, such as offerings from Colt, Ruger, Taurus, etc. You might also brighten my day with a piece comparing some 44 Mag, or especially 45 Colt, deer-hunting revolvers, as I often like to go out with just a revolver in a shoulder rig, leaving the rifle at home. Many thanks to you and the crew for your excellent publication. — Mick
Hey Mick: I do try to program a lot of revolver comparisons, but there just aren’t as many match-ups for them as there are for polymer striker-fired 9mms. But I hear you.
— Todd Woodard
Tracker Durability
Hi, I’ve read a few reviews where you praise the Taurus Tracker 44 (and also the M44, though you seem to prefer the Tracker). I’ve also read on the web (perhaps a mistake!) and have seen two camps — love Taurus or hate them at all costs. No one can explain why or what bad thing happened to them, it’s always, “I heard from someone….” My question: What is your assessment of the long-term durability of the Tracker (or M44) in 44 Magnum using 240-grain “typical” ammo like Federal, etc. I’m looking for a 44 Magnum for the occasional hike, occasional fun, and just to have. My guess would be 100 rounds a year or so. I don’t get to shoot as often as I’d like. I know the value of Ruger’s Blackhawk and the S&W 69/629, but I don’t want to be penny-wise and pound foolish, but I also don’t want to believe some blog. Your thoughts on a Tracker or M44 holding up literally 20 years later? Thank you. — Marc
Hey Marc. The last time we evaluated a Taurus Tracker in 44 Magnum was the January 2018 issue, where it earned a Best Buy rating and a Grade A ranking. The specific revolver was the Taurus Tracker 44TRACKER4SS 2-440049TKR. Of it, Contributing Editor Bob Campbell wrote, “The overwhelming advantage of the Taurus is the Ribber grips. As far as felt recoil when firing 44 Special loads, no real difference was detectable until we reached the Buffalo Bore 200-grain Barnes load. At that point we felt the Taurus was the most comfortable handgun off the bench, but none were painful. The trigger was smooth enough during the combat-firing stage and trigger reset fast enough for self-defense use.” The 4-inch barrel was ported. We fired a lot of rounds in that evaluation, though most of them were 44 Specials shot for additional velocity comparisons. Two of the rounds were full-boat 44 Magnums, the SIG Sauer Elite 240-grain JHPs and the Winchester Super-X 240-grain JHPs. In the aggregate, we fired more than 200 rounds in the Tracker in that test, but we didn’t see any looseness develop in it. In the February 2015 issue, Contributing Editor Robert Sadowski’s team also evaluated a Tracker, which got a B grade. We said of it, “The 44 Tracker has routinely graded well with team members, and this one is no different. For the price, you get a ported barrel and excellent grips to handle the bone-crushing 44 Magnum recoil. We liked it even more because it was accurate even with less-expensive ammo. All told, the one sticky chamber, lack of a crowned muzzle, and double-stamped rollmarks made us mark down this revolver.” Again, no wear or pressure issues. We also tested one in the October 2007 issue, and we tested a Model 44 in the December 1999 issue. It’s rare for a nameplate to last that long if it has problems. With the limitations you describe above, 100 rounds a year of standard 44 Magnum loads, you’ll likely tire of shooting the Tracker before it quits on you. Write me back in five years and tell me if you agree. — tw
Re “Duty 9mm Pistols: Glock, SIG, and Springfield ArmoryShoot It Out,”
June 2024
Judging from your review of the Springfield Echelon, it looks like Springfield Armory and Rob Leatham have taken a microscopic look at what could be improved on a pistol and actually did just that. I cannot tell you how many times I have shot pistols made by different manufacturers and wished the grip texture covered every surface that my hand touches. My hands sweat, so I need texture, not a smooth surface. I wish every manufacturer understood this. Also, at some point, it would be nice if Gun Tests could do an article on the ergonomics of pistols. Exactly what goes into the thought process of the frames. Take Glock vs CZ, two very different frames. CZ is known for their great ergonomics, while Glock is known for the “Glock hump.” I have shot both, and each pistol has a completely different feel in my hands. It’s obvious that Smith & Wesson has studied ergonomics and implemented positive changes to their pistols over the years. Cowboy revolvers offer a completely different take on ergos. It would be nice to know why ergos are so different from manufacturer to manufacturer. Hope you will consider my idea. — Kent
Hey Kent: More than consider, I’ll assign a Gun Tests+ article on the topic. The interface between the shooter and the handgun is complex. Great idea, and thanks for sending it.
CZ/Colt Delivered For Me
About seven years ago, I bought a Colt Cobra stainless snubby six- shot 38 Special +P revolver, which became my daily carry gun two years ago. Also, about two years ago, CZ bought Colt. Last month, the cylinder would not reliably turn and got out of time. I believe that the new Colt paperwork specifies that the gun has only a one-year parts and service warranty. Recently, I contacted Colt, and they sent me a pre-paid shipping label. I shipped it to Colt, and about two to three weeks later, I received an invoice of $0.00 for the timing repair and Colt returned the Cobra to me, at no cost to me. I took my repaired Cobra to the range and test-fired 50 rounds. Perfection! I could not ask for better service than that, especially on a seven-year-old, out-of-warranty Colt-built pistol. CZ came through as Colt’s corporate owner. — Paul
Hey Paul: This is good to hear, and I wanted to share your positive experience with the rest of the readership. Colt didn’t have the best customer-service reputation over the years, but if the company is trying this hard to satisfy its customers, then that’s great news. — tw
