I have a Taurus .44 Special that I carry with me while hunting and on canoe trips in northern Minnesota. I bought it specifically as a "bear" gun for those "just in case" situations that you always hope never arise. The Taurus model I have is stainless steel and has rubberized grips...perfect for tucking away in a pack or in any situation where a little moisture might be a problem for a blued weapon. I have had this handgun for 4 or 5 years and it has never disappointed me in it's reliability and dependability. I too compared prices when I was in the market for a large caliber handgun and couldn't justify the extra money that a Ruger or S&W would have cost me. Good luck in your hunting.

[ This Message was edited by: Live2Ride55 on 2004-03-24 12:36 ]