Taurus Millennium PT145 Pro

[ORHunter79]

Ok, so I put my 1st 100 rounds through the gun. Had a few FTF, which I thought were due to limp wristing the gun, but then I TRIED to limp wrist it and it shot fine.

My last PT145 was flawless, but I did buy it used.

What do you think, give it another few hundred before I sell?

Here is a vid I posted on youtube of the first 100 rounds.

http://youtu.be/UE9AlBrwx8g



OR

 

[LiveLife]

Nice video! Comments were entertaining and creative shooting methods.

What you are calling FTF (failure to feed) looks more like slide locking back after extracting/ejecting the spent case (chamber is empty). Am I correct?

If that's the case, you do not have FTF/FTE (failure to feed/failure to extract) issue but a different issue of slide not returning to battery. That can occur if the slide lock is somehow pushed/bumped up by your right thumb (it was hard to see on the video if that was happening).

A good way to rule this out on pistols with slide lock on the left side is to shoot the pistol with your left hand (which you did). If you cannot reproduce the slide locking back when you shoot with your left hand, you are probably bumping the slide lock with your right thumb.

BTW, when shooting with one hand, angle the pistol so you are shooting at 45 degrees tilted inward. This shooting position help better manage the recoil and makes shooting more comfortable. (I think I got this tip from THR member RhinoDefense)

 

[ORHunter79]

Thanks. After looking at the video a few more times and thinking about it, you might be right.

It might also be that it seemed like the round didn't "rise" to where it should in the magazine causing the gun to function as if it was empty and in turn locking the slide to the rear. This could be caused by the inertia of the weapon? I don't know.

I will go back out tomorrow to and keep my thumb away while I shoot.

 

[LiveLife]

it seemed like ... locking the slide to the rear ... This could be caused by the inertia of the weapon?

The slide lock lever is normally pushed up by the magazine follower (front left notch) as the last round is stripped from the magazine.

It is under spring tension and should not be flopping around, unless the spring is broken. While holding the slide back (past the slide lock point) with your left hand, you can push up on the lever with your right thumb to see if it snaps back down under spring tension to check.

 

[Nushif]

I would just send it back ne get a good one back. Seeing as this seems to be your second one ... Just let them make it right, and sit back, with your feet in front of a fire, while they fix the gun for free.

 

[LiveLife]

Nushif, but he posted that his first PT145 was "unstoppable".

I've Carried the Glock 30 and the Taurus PT145. Sold both, but miss my .45's. I'll might go back to a PT145 MilPro, that thing was unstoppable.

Like the OP I also had a G30 that was very accurate but found it a bit bulky for carry and wife wasn't comfortable with the fat grip ... and I am a Glock fan.

ORHunter, I would give your PT145 another try at 100 rounds. To be honest I was never a fan of Taurus pistols and especially did not like the DAO trigger models. As to PT92, my notion was, "Why not just buy a Beretta?" But when I searched the market place for a subcompact double-stack 45, choices were limited. At the urging of range staff and other shooters who owned them, I reluctantly decided to check one out with STRONG skepticism as I was well "informed" of Taurus quality control issues and customer service.

Having been a 1911/Sig/Glock/M&P shooter, I approached with caution and evaluated with critical objectivity. At least for MY model of PT145, the assessment mirrored experiences of other PT145 owners. The SA/DA trigger was smooth enough for me to produce tight shot groups and it fed/chambered/extracted every type of jacketed/plated/lead factory/reloads I used. The only thing I had to do was drift the rear sight and use softer 12 BHN lead bullets due to the oversized factory barrel to reduce leading and improve accuracy.

Maybe I am one of many "lucky" PT145 owners but after 5000 rounds, the PT145 is well beyond the "break in" period and I feel comfortable enough to carry it. Was I surprised? Yes.

Of course, your experience may be different than mine.

 

[Evil Monkey]

I will go back out tomorrow to and keep my thumb away while I shoot

Show us the mags too. I want to see if they're 1st, 2nd, or 3rd generation. 1st gens are know to be quite bad.

 

[lloveless]

If you haven't, lube it with some grease on the rails.
ll

 

[Miked7762]

It might also be that it seemed like the round didn't "rise" to where it should in the magazine causing the gun to function as if it was empty and in turn locking the slide to the rear.

Yes. If you pause the video where the ejection port is showing after a jam, it shows the top round is nosediving. The slide is also too far forward to be stopped on the slide stop.

If you haven't done so, these magazines really need to be cleaned when new. Taurus packs them with plenty of sticky brown grease inside and out. They're a pain to get apart and put back together but it is an unfortunate necessity.

 

[Walkalong]

I got to try one not long ago. It shot just fine, but what impressed me was the trigger. I really liked it. It is DA/SA, with "restrike".

 

[ORHunter79]

Ok, took it back out today. Took a buddy with me, he shot 50 rounds without any issues. I shot 150 rounds with a few issues, same thing, failure to chamber a round. I played around with it for a while and I think I figured it out.

If you "limp wrist" this gun AT ALL, it will fail to chamber a round. Went back over my vids and slowed them down to 10th of normal speed and every-time I went with an easy grip, it jammed. Every-time my hand went up and to the right more than normal, it failed to chamber the next round.

So.......it's not the guns issue, it's a "me" issue. I will say this, I've owned a lot of Glocks, yes, I love them and none of them jammed even when semi limp wristed.

Only conclusion I can come up with is, due to the caliber, the short frame and the fact that a Taurus isn't quite as well machined as a Glock, it is very prone to a malfuction when it is limp wristed even a little bit.

Will this change with time as the parts mate together with wear, I don't know. I do know my last PT145 was great and never jammed, but I did buy it used and don't know how many rounds went through it.

I cleaned the mags and that didn't make a difference to me, but yet my buddy had zero issues with it.

Guess I just have to learn to have a really stiff wrist or just stick to a revolver.

 

[LiveLife]

Took a buddy with me, he shot 50 rounds without any issues. I shot 150 rounds with a few issues ... my buddy had zero issues with it.

Good thing you brought your friend along or your previous post would have been very different.

I did notice the captured dual recoil spring set was quite stiff, I think stiffer than ones in Gen3 subcompact Glocks. The stiffness should decrease as you continue to shoot the pistol or you can leave the slide locked back to soften the recoil spring set and see if that helps (you can try a day or two to start).

 

[ORHunter79]

I wouldn't be so quick to think it's a not "as well machined as a Glock" thing. My PT145 has never missed a beat in over 6000 rounds. That's with all kinds of different ammo and a whole bunch of people shooting it. I've read lots of similar stories about these pistols also. A lot of it has to do with which production generation the gun is. The 3rd gen. guns are by far the best. They're the only ones with the SA/DA triggers where you get a SA strike then a DA strike if the first strike fails to fire the bullet. It's the setup Walkalong describes above. The reports on that generation of the PT145 are almost universally great. They are accurate, reliable pistols. They are limited in their range but what < 3" barrel pistol isn't? I've nailed empty .45 casings at 20 yards before on every shot I tried. At 25 yards I was missing by less than an inch. But that's plenty good for a CCW pistol and especially for one that holds 10 + 1 rounds in the space it takes most pistols to hold 6 + 1 rounds. Their double stack .45 mag grips are no wider than most single stack .45 mag grips. The grips aren't too long either. In fact I find this pistol to be just about a perfect CCW gun. I have other, more expensive pistols but it's the Taurus I take with me every time. I have an XDm .40, a Sig P220 .45, and a S&W 629 revolver among other handguns but I carry the Taurus every time. It's hard to beat perfect service and accurate too.

I actually went to buy a Glock the day I bought the Taurus but I couldn't find a single one that fit my hand well. When I picked up the Taurus (on the suggestion of a LGS owner) I couldn't believe how well it felt and how many rounds it held. Plus the LGS owner was telling me it would be a very reliable pistol too. Keep in mind this guy could have tried to sell me a Glock for about twice the price but he sold me the best gun instead. I haven't regretted it for a second either.

You give a lot of good reasons why I should like my PT145 AND I really want to. You almost sound like a rep from Taurus

If you watched the video, you see that I do have the 3d generation I believe. I also edited the video with some voice over comments, so you'll notice I believe that limp wristing is the reason it jams. I'm not making it up obviously, it's on film.

Anyway, IN MY OPINION comparing the Glock and a Taurus in craftsmanship and finish, Glock wins hands down. I like Taurus, but I'm a realist, $325 vs $550, it is what it is.

Thanks for the vote of confidence in the PT145. I hope with time this one will prove to be a reliable as my last one.

 

[ORHunter79]

Good thing you brought your friend along or your previous post would have been very different.

I did notice the captured dual recoil spring set was quite stiff, I think stiffer than ones in Gen3 subcompact Glocks. The stiffness should decrease as you continue to shoot the pistol or you can leave the slide locked back to soften the recoil spring set and see if that helps (you can try a day or two to start).

Would't that slow down how fast the slide, slides?

 

[Ghost Tracker]

Both my early (First Generation?) PT145 cracked...oh, never mind. It'll just start another Taurus cluckfest, I'll be called a gun snob, then get my panties in a wad, then say something crappy & finally have to apologize to both the moderator and the FDB ("Faithful Defenders of the Bull") for my isolated & unexplainable dissatisfaction with their wonderful, warrantied-for-(freakin')-LIFE, who-could-ask-for-more, products. It's not worth it. :banghead:

 

[ORHunter79]

Both my early (First Generation?) PT145 cracked...oh, never mind. It'll just start another Taurus cluckfest, I'll be called a gun snob, then get my panties in a wad, then say something crappy & finally have to apologize to both the moderator and the FDB ("Faithful Defenders of the Bull") for my isolated & unexplainable dissatisfaction with their wonderful, warrantied-for-(freakin')-LIFE, who-could-ask-for-more, products. It's not worth it. :banghead:

Ha, I used to be a "gun snob". Still am in a way. I compare all semi auto handguns to my Glocks. I will say, I have had a PT145 that was great, 2d gen I think. This one, ehh??? Time will tell.

 

[LiveLife]

Ghost Tracker, actually we need more people like you, people who are not afraid to speak their mind. If we don't, how will the gun manufacturers know what we want?

Even though I am a Glock fan, I will not stay silent about the short comings of Glocks. I mean come on, Glock Perfection is perfect as long as you are "Right Handed"!!!

At least Taurus listened and the new G2 models come with "FULL" ambi controls (mag release, slide lock, safety). M&P and many other pistols have "FULL" ambi controls. What does Glock do for Gen4 models? Apparently left-handed people don't need Glock perfection!

OK <rant button off>

ORHunter79, believe me that gun components are quite durable than we think. Many double stack magazines spend their life-time fully compressed yet designed to perform - otherwise all the law enforcement officers will have FTF issues with their magazines that are fully loaded 24/7. If you have concerns, try much shorter time with locking your slide back on the PT145 - like 30 minutes to 1 hour. If the recoil spring functions well, then you can extend the time your slide stays locked back.

 

[ORHunter79]

Well of course I am. I get paid a million bucks a year to convince 10 people at a time on the net that Taurus is made of solid gold.

I've seen 100 times as many positive reviews of the PT145 as I have negative. If you had a bad experience then gee I'm sorry that I didn't. I'll go get my hammer and fix that right now. And Taurus will pay me to do it.

BTW the 1st gen. PT145's were known to crack. That's why I said not to get one. But I wouldn't want anyone to have to crawl around on their hands and knees begging forgiveness from a Taurus rep.

So bash away. I won't argue with you. But anyone interested in buying one of these fine, economical, low mileage babies should run on down to Crazy CJ's Handgun Emporium where we sell stuff CHEAP! when the boss is gone and he's always gone! We specialize in Taurus! Handguns And Accessories!

Easy man. I wasn't bashing you or Taurus. I loved my last Taurus like I said. The part about you being a Rep was a joke.

People either love or hate the name. I loved it (my last one that is). This one, I'm giving it a few more chances. I won't bash Taurus, as I know there are lemons (even in Glocks) ooooouuuuu did I just say that.

As a matter of fact, my first handgun was a HiPoint C9. Ever hear about them. That POS was as reliable as my Glock. Accuracy was ****, but so what. For a $125, I was happy.

So, anyway, I think you over reacted to my statement.

Cheers.

 

[ORHunter79]

Side note: I wish I got paid millions to promote Glock.

 

[LiveLife]

I know there are lemons (even in Glocks) ooooouuuuu did I just say that.

In Glock Perfection world, they are called limes.

 

[ORHunter79]

Good thing you brought your friend along or your previous post would have been very different.

I did notice the captured dual recoil spring set was quite stiff, I think stiffer than ones in Gen3 subcompact Glocks. The stiffness should decrease as you continue to shoot the pistol or you can leave the slide locked back to soften the recoil spring set and see if that helps (you can try a day or two to start).

bds, I did as you said and left the slide locked back over night and well, watch the video.....

http://youtu.be/p5YqaBOCi1k

 

[LiveLife]

Glad to hear your range session went well without any issues. Maybe your new PT145 will be just as reliable as your old PT145 after the break-in? Happy to hear locking your slide back over night helped.

If you don't know yet, there is a trick on popping out the take down lever/barrel lug pin:
1. Lock the slide back
2. Rotate the take down lever/lug pin down
3. Pull back on the slide to release the slide lock and slightly move the slide forward - the take down lever/lug pin will pop out from spring tension
4. Lock the slide back and the lever/pin will pull out without any struggle.

Also, some PT145 owners report that striker release pin is prone to breakage if left dirty/dry as it makes contact with the trigger bar (yellow arrows) while the slide cycles. Inspect the pin for free movement (should push down without much resistance) and lightly lube.

As to your shots shooting low, before making adjustments to the sights, let your pistol/recoil spring/trigger break in some more. My PT145 used to shoot off center and I drifted my rear sight to compensate. Well, I had to move the rear sight back after like 1000 rounds. As we discussed on another thread, I would wait until all the parts settle in and shoot consistently.

I think you may shot a moon face?

As to trigger being "OK", dry fire each evening while you watch TV. This will help break-in the trigger contact surfaces faster and lighten/smooth out to be better than "Good" trigger.

 

[ORHunter79]

Thanks for the tips bds. I look forward to shooting this gun a lot. It's fun to shoot. I fondle my guns quite a bit, maybe a little too much cause the Wife says I pay more attention to my guns than her

I told her my guns don't talk back or nag