Taurus 1911

[Walkalong]

I went and looked at a Taurus 1911 today after work. It felt real good in my hand. It looked and felt like an old military 1911, sort of. Of course it has a different hammmer style, checkering, slide serrations, better sights, and an ambi safety, but overall it had that look & feel. Looks parkerized too. The trigger was pretty nice, not great, but nice. It was better than a lot of them I have tried. Usable as is. I liked the sights. My old eyes could line up the dots real well. In fact, they just fell into place when I pointed the gun. Part of the 1911's shootability factor I guess. It has a trigger activated firing pin block of the Scwartz variety. It also has a lock built into the hammer which will stop the hammer from cocking back. I guess that would be an easy fix with a new hammer. Might as well throw in a matching sear though if you do that. Bottom line is that for 499.99 you have a 1911 with a lot of features that should be very serviceable right out of the box. The fireing pin block I guess I could live with, but I would probably replace the hammer & sear even though it really isn't necessary. It has to be one of the better values per features & shootablity out ther in 1911's. If I can't talk my brother into selling my old Springfield back to me I will have to give it another serious look.
Who else out there likes these 1911's and why? If not what would you buy instead and why?

 

[treebeard]

Hmmm......seems most people would pick the Taurus. BINGO! Looks like they have a winner. Now I wonder how many people will buy the stainless when it is available?

 

[Zundfolge]

When the stainless PT1911Cs in .40S&W start to hit the shelves, I might consider one as a 10mm conversion project.

 

[possum]

The aurus is mostdefinetly my irst choice and will most definetly be the next handgun i buy, but i am waiting fo the ss .40 model. value is a big, big deal to me and the tauru pt1911 is packed full of value. i have always loved the 1911's and have aways wanted one but didn't wat to dish out the money, but now that taurus has made such a value packed 1911 for the money i am all over it. plus all the range reports on here and other sites, as well as the pol shows that they are great handguns, and those that own them are very pleased with em. i think they are awesome and can't wait to get one and telleveryone all about it!

 

[10-Ring]

I have had spotty experience w/ Tauri. The semi auto I had was a POS & the wheelgun I still have has been shot alot but the trigger is one of the worse I've ever tried...I guess it's not so spotty
For me, it's not an option

 

[GreenFurniture]

Ok, ok, ok.

I'm sorry if you've purchased one of these abortions from me/us, but I had no hand in the ordering and if I had my choice we would have only ordered the one to see what it was like.

These guns are total piles of ****. The Taurus "1911" should have been finished when it left the factory. The "checkering" is spotty, the front sights have gaps large enough to watch television under, the hammers are plastic and have a silly assed lock integrated into them. They are an insult to the model "1911."

If you're looking to buy a 1911, please, dear God, do not buy one of these.

 

[treebeard]

These guns are total piles of ****. The Taurus "1911" should have been finished when it left the factory. The "checkering" is spotty, the front sights have gaps large enough to watch television under, the hammers are plastic and have a silly assed lock integrated into them. They are an insult to the model "1911."

Wow, that's some serious anger towards Taurus. I would have to disagree with the insult part though as I have seen some pretty ugly Springfield's. Everyone has to own at least one ugly gun!

 

[jkomp316]

GreenFurniture

*** are you talking about? I own one, its an outstanding gun. The only plastic on it is the grips and magazine baseplates. The sights work fine, the checkering is machined. You cannot expect $2000 gun quality from a $450 package. I would consider this gun a tie with a SA Millspec for my first choice. I am very happy with it.

 

[jlh26oo]

You cannot expect $2000 gun quality from a $450 package.

Agreed. But Taurus would probably be better served by not advertising it as if it were (based on the ads I have seen).

I actually LIKE the fact that there is something specific to point to and say ok that's why it's so cheap (finish)- takes away the "too good to be true" factor. Something cosmetic to say ah THAT's why they can make it so cheap. Then you don't have to worry about if it'll run or not. Just can't have it both ways- itemize the options to $2000 on a full color ad, then not expect naive customers NOT to get their hopes up.

Still probably a steal at that price, depending on the quality of the upgrades. For instance, apparently the sights, while licensed by Heinie, I understand they are not the same straight 8's. No clue about the other upgrades, hopefully someone can speak to this.

If it runs, and is accurate, and is cheap, what's the problem? Though I don't necessarily disagree with the position of likening it to a Hyundai luxury car- the elantra (?) might have the heated leather seats, gps, premium sound system etc (same features as on bmw or mercedes), but at the end of the day it's still a Hyundai. If your good with what you get, more power. Looks like a solid bargain to me. I voted 2nd choice because Springfield has established track record (though says nothing aobut the pt1911, no fault of taurus).

 

[Autolycus]

I would look for a Springfield Armory before a Taurus.

 

[HGUNHNTR]

For just a shade over 600 ($629) you can have a Kimber Custom II. I think that would be $130 well spent. The big thing that turned me off to Taurus, was when I was living in NJ the gov't votes that as soon as the technology was developed, the only handguns to be sold in New Jersey were "smart" guns. Yes, they passed the law before the technology was available. Well, guess who jumped on the boat to develope the "smart" gun. Thats right, Taurus. At that ponit the gunshop I worked at stopped ordering all Taurus firearms, and thats why you won't see one there to this day.
Since then Taurus has pulled out, It just left a bad taste in my mouth for Taurus.

 

[Ala Dan]

If I had $600 too spend on a 1911, my first choice would be a Springfield
MIL SPEC, or a basic WW-II G.I. replica; with the Taurus coming in third
on your list. But OTOH, if I had the $600- why not add a few bucks too
it and get a Kimber Custom II~?

 

[Caimlas]

Hmmm......seems most people would pick the Taurus. BINGO! Looks like they have a winner. Now I wonder how many people will buy the stainless when it is available?

I'm waiting for the PT1911B3, or whatever they're calling it - with a shorter magwell and barrel, sans front slide serations, so I can carry it.

BTW: I've heard of people picking up the PT1911 for as little as $425. You can not beat that quality anywhere near that price elsewhere; I've not seen them for over $525 - but I do think they're going up a bit now.

 

[mscott]

Since your price range goes up to $600 you could certainly do better. STI's Spartan is selling for $570 and if you want to go even cheaper look into the Rock Island guns such as the Tactical model. I've just been around too many junk Taurus guns in the last year or so. Flame away if you want, but it's true. Yes, I have haldled a Taurus 1911 and was not impressed. They will sell plenty due to the price and being new, but not to me.

 

[Manedwolf]

For just a shade over 600 ($629) you can have a Kimber Custom II. I think that would be $130 well spent.

Don't forget to factor in the costs of sending the Kimber off to a smith to make it run right.

 

[SoCalShooter]

My first choice would be a springfield (like to keep it American when I can) but it would definetly be my second choice, great inexpensive 1911 thats a straight shooter, love my friends but I had the extra cash and bought a Kimber TLE/RL II 5" stainless.

Don't forget to factor in the costs of sending the Kimber off to a smith to make it run right.

OUT of the box my kimber keeps it in the 10 ring at 25yds. Please enlighten me to what "run right" means?

 

[Manedwolf]

As to the previous post, I see an inordinate amount of posts that go something like "My new Kimber is great! It only had a few FTFs in the breakin period, and once I had a smith polish the ramp, it's fantastic!"

 

[orionengnr]

Just FYI, the Springfields I have seen say IMBEL on the underside of the frame.

Imbel is Brazilian. Springfields are assembled in the US. They are not manufactured in the US.

 

[Green Lantern]

I'm giving a hard look at the Taurus 1911. My main reservation with any brand-new gun to the market (even if a new version of the classic 1911) is waiting to hear the results from the "beta testers" to make sure the mfg. got everything right!

Dan - Gun Tests gave a "do not buy" rating to one 1911 GI replica this year for poor ergonomics and inability to feed anything but ball... Even on a budget, I'll pass on the BASIC basic model!

 

[Shootcraps]

I sure hope some of you (like GreenFurniture) can smell what you're shoveling.

IMHO, the Taurus PT1911 is THE 1911 bargain. There is no other gun that you can buy for $459. (local gunstore price) that has the features and performance that the PT1911 has.

Forget the glossy ad gimmick, forget all the stupid politics and look at what you get for $459.:

Forged frame and slide
Heinie Straight 8 sights
Checkered front strap - ok so it ain't 30lpi hand checkering and it ain't gorgeous. BUT it's there and it's functional. You have to spend a LOT more to get a production come that comes standard with it.
Match grade barrel
Hand fitted trigger with ~6lb trigger pull
Full length guide rod
Beavertail grip safety
LIFETIME warranty

NO gun company even comes close to offering all that in a 1911 for $459.

As for the Kimber Custom - that's the bottom of the line Kimber. Has no extra features like good sights or checkered front strap and it's almost $200 more at the start. Only a 3 year warranty to boot.

Mine has over 500 trouble-free rounds through it and is running strong. I don't expect it will stop either. Shot it in IDPA and it was excellent. It's a great gun.

 

[Shootcraps]

Posted by SoCalShooter:My first choice would be a springfield (like to keep it American when I can)

orionengnr is right. Springfields are made in Brazil.

 

[GreenFurniture]

You also get a plastic hammer and the dreaded MIM in every small part in the gun.

500 rounds? Hmmmm, that's just about where you should be before you decide to carry it. Another 1000 rounds before you do.

Let me know when you hit 1500 trouble free rounds.

Of course that won't happen. It's a Taurus. It will be shipped back to Miami before you hit 1000 rounds.

 

[SoCalShooter]

orionengnr is right. Springfields are made in Brazil.

Please dont ruin my delusions! I am now saddend a little by this.

As to the previous post, I see an inordinate amount of posts that go something like "My new Kimber is great! It only had a few FTFs in the breakin period, and once I had a smith polish the ramp, it's fantastic!"

And as for the KIMBER if you purchase one and feel it needs improvement your silly. Cause out of the box its a great weapon and *** is this polish the feed ramp? Never needed to polish the feed ram. I have used and enjoyed 4 different models of kimber from the customer II (affordable kimber) to their high end target pistol, they all shoot awesome. I suggest kimber if you have the money or a les baer.

 

[Old Dog]

Probably to be expected that any thread with the word "Taurus" in the title will quickly bring out the usual plethora of Taurus bashers, but within 20 posts we also get the Kimber and Springfield Armory bashers. What a treat.

I've had fabulous luck with all my Springfield Armory and Kimber 1911s. I will, as an official curmudgeonly (yet not snobbish) 1911 aficianado, in all probability, buy the Taurus offering (shockingly -- I've never owned a bad Taurus, and I've owned several) because ... well, it's a 1911. And for the price? C'mon guys. Lighten up. But hey, I'm a sucker. I even love Colts.

Let me know when you hit 1500 trouble free rounds.

Of course that won't happen. It's a Taurus. It will be shipped back to Miami before you hit 1000 rounds

.Hmm. My 1991-vintage PT-92 has seen about, oh, 20,000 rounds ... and never had to go back to Miami ...

 

[Shootcraps]

Posted by GreenFurnitureYou also get a plastic hammer

This is the kind of stupid crap that some people like to spread. :banghead: The hammer isn't plastic.

and the dreaded MIM in every small part in the gun.

That horse is already dead. Next.

500 rounds? Hmmmm, that's just about where you should be before you decide to carry it. Another 1000 rounds before you do.

Something we agree on?? It must be a Christmas Miracle.

Let me know when you hit 1500 trouble free rounds.

Of course that won't happen. It's a Taurus. It will be shipped back to Miami before you hit 1000 rounds.

A thousand more rounds?? I'm a gambling man, are you? If you're right and it has a problem which disables the gun (part must be replaced to fire it safely), I'll edit my posts and agree with everything you've said. If you're not, and I hit 1500 rounds with zero problems - YOU pay for those 1000 rounds.