No telling how many years ago I'd seen in a Gun Rag(or heard) that Taurus was going to be making some Pump Action Rifles. I believe the first ones were designed to clone an old Winchester Model, maybe the M62. Just looked at it 4 hours ago and already deleted the short term memory - pitiful! Anyway, those are 22LR, L & S, with a tube.

Then I happened to trip over an old memory that said Centerfire Rifles would be built too. Well, yes indeed they are being made by Taurus. In both a 357Mag/38Spl and a 45 Colt, both in Blue or Stainless with Termite Food stocks.

So, have any of you handled one of the Centerfire Taurus Pumps?

I believe that it is only the .45 colt version being produced right now. The 3 or 4 examples I have examined seem very nice. I would have bought one, but decided to hold out for the stainless .357.

Stryker60

Hey Stryker, That is the one that has my attention too. Back when the folks at IMI were making the "Timber Wolf", I kept putting off getting one because I thought they would eventually release one in the 357Max. But while I waited, I started hearing that some folks were experiencing problems with the Adjustable Stock on the Timber Wolf - splits in the wrist area.

Don't expect any problems with the Taurus though.

How did the rifle feel in your hand when in a Carry position? Did it seem to balance well? Function seem a bit rough or slick?

Hotcore,

I traded a martini for a blued one a couple weeks ago. Was busy trying to prepare for the Quigley Rifle Matches so just shot it a little with Black Hills factory 250gr stuff, and my load of 17gr of XMP5744. Both were under two inches at 50yds for a couple 5-shot groups. Not definitive, but it cycled ten rounds offhand about twice as fast as my Henry and 1873 Cimarrons did. It is just a really neat little rifle, carries well and handles great. The trigger had been smoothed up on mine.

Pax,

Rich
DRSS
SASS Life 5644

Idaho,
I've been a .45 Colt fan, mostly in pistols, but this new Taurus has got my attention. When you get a few more rounds through it, please tell us more. Somewhere I read that it would not be able to digest anything other than rounds designed for the Colt SAA revolver. What do you think?

this is a repro of the original small frame Colt Lightning Magazine Rifle, I don't know if they were ever originally offered in 45LC. It feeds the BHA and my 200gr RFN loads with XMP5744 as I said, and rather accurately. The speed drills killed the Henry and '73, by about 1/3 for ten rounds. Our state SASS Championship is coming up, that will be the test. I'm no speed freak, but I can see 3-4 seconds a stage on the rifle. It's just a shame that they won't slam-fire like the originals. Now, if they will just make them in 38-56/40-65/45-70 like the original big frame versions.

getting my 1000 yard, north-facing range done tomorrow. Concrete slab 6'X6'. 24" square slabs at 100/200 to start, then every 100yds out to 1000. Sharps heaven.

Rich
SRSS

I was just looking on Gunbroker and it looks like 3 companies are making reproductions of the Lightnings in various cartridges.
Taurus
Uberti
AWA ( American Western Arms ?)
I saw .45 Colt, 38 Special and 44/40's.
Just thought you guys would want to know.

When I was just a boy I remember a neighbor had an original Colt Lightning that he kept behind the backdoor to scare the deer out of the orchard, every time I saw it all I could think about was the history of that old rifle. If I recall it was chambered in something obscure that I can't quite remember right now.

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
Hotcore,

I traded a martini for a blued one a couple weeks ago. Was busy trying to prepare for the Quigley Rifle Matches so just shot it a little with Black Hills factory 250gr stuff, and my load of 17gr of XMP5744. Both were under two inches at 50yds for a couple 5-shot groups. Not definitive, but it cycled ten rounds offhand about twice as fast as my Henry and 1873 Cimarrons did. It is just a really neat little rifle, carries well and handles great. The trigger had been smoothed up on mine. ...

Hey Rich, Thank you for that information. I did a bit more looking at the Taurus web site and noticed the Specs for the 357Mag/38Spl call for it to eventually be made with a 26" barrel and weigh 130oz. Obviously hiding something, so I converted it and it is 8.125#.

Does your 45Colt version weigh that much? And what length barrel is on it?

I can see where the extra barrel length and weight would be a benefit in those Coyboy Shoots. But, I'm more interested in a lighter Carbine model.
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Hey Snellstrom, Thanks for that info. I'll check them out. Anyone got any experience with the ones Snellstrom mentioned?

24" barrel, 8lbs 4oz. Blued Steel. Mine is a Taurus ($600), and they are about half the Uberti. It is at my gunsmiths getting one of those tang sights that used to come on the Shiloh Sharps LRE models. He is also putting graduations on the staff.

Rich
SRSS

Hey Rich, It sounds like a great outfit for your intended purpose. And perhaps a fine up-close Deer rifle as well.
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I looked a bit more and as luck would have it there are two Timber Wolf rifles on Gun Broker, a 357Mag and a 44Mag. Looks like the bidding war will get serious on them, so I'll just stay out of those contests.

Did a good bit of Search Time on the net and it really looks like no one currently makes a light weight, handy and affordable pump in 357Mag. Everything appears to be overly heavy, barrels too long or in the $600-$1300 price range.

So, I'm still pondering the situation. Finding an older 357Mag Marlin lever action or perhaps even an older 35Rem pump action Remington shouldn't be too difficult or take too long. Don't really care about the outside, but would prefer a clean(non-pitted) barrel.

Why in the world someone doesn't make an affordable, 18" barrel, 4.5-5# 357Mag pump seems strange to me. Having one that weighs 2# more than a Youth Size M7 and costs twice as much seems to defeat the market.

Best of luck to all you folks.