Taurus PT-908 Range Report

[austinco2]

I just bought my first 9mm a Taurus PT-908. It was love at first sight. I got it at the gunshow the vendor was asking $339+tax I asked him to work with me and I got it for 324 out the door. So I felt like I got a deal I'd like to know what you think?

I propmtly went home to research my new purchase(backward I know) only to find out that many people think they are junk. I've never been a Taurus fan but I have heard nothing but good things from the people who own them. Anyway. I took it to the range today with a box of Winchester White Box 115g fmj and Monarch Brass 115g fmj. It took me a couple of magazines to get acclimated but I got there none the less.

Three times with the WWB I had a Failure to Eject the spent round resulting in a jam. This did not happen once with the monarch. I also took my Rock Island Armory 1911 to the range last weekend with a box of WWB and had an issue with the slide not returning all of the way back after chambering the next round. Is this just a coencidence? Has WWB gone down in quality? Did they ever have any to begin with and I just have a skewed view of quality?

The monarch also seemed to be more accurate than the WWB(back to the PT-908) I kept it in like 2-3in groups with the monarch. However I am not willing to rule out that I shot the Monarch second and It may have just had to do with the fact that I had gotten acclimated at this point.

Any advice would be great. and if anyone knows where I can get annother magazine or two for the 908 and come back intacted it would be nice too thanks.

 

[Low Budget Shooter]

Dear Austinco,

I had one of these about ten years ago, enjoyed it, and wish I hadn't sold it.

I am afraid you did not get a very good deal, though.

Happy shooting!

LBS

 

[kmrcstintn]

since yer gun is not a full size handgun, you might have dual recoil springs or one heavy duty spring which helps with the shortened cycle length of the slide; also it is a brand new gun that hasn't been shot much; both of these might be the cause for sporadic results with different brands of ammunition;

break it in, clean it, and try the winchester later on...I thought I was going to have problems with locally produced 119gr leadhead remanufactured loads so I waited til I had over 300 rounds thru my Ruger P95; the leadhead tuff is more accurate than most factory 115gr fmj's and just as accurate as Hornady 115gr Critical Defense polymer-tipped jhp's that I got recently

 

[Bezoar]

The price you paid was what you paid. Your happy with it so let it be. I could show you places online that would charge you an extra 100 easy. And i know of a few places that would charge you 20 percent above the msrp from the taurus website.


So how has the weapon been performing since the original posting? Things have probabably smoothed out a bit?

It would be good to note that every maker of ammunition will have slightly differently sized brass from batch to batch, and between makers.
Its all built into the cartridge dimensions as set by SAAMI?. The cases are given dimensions that will allow a pretty good functioning in every gun made. Some better, some worse. Its just manufacturing tolerances.

 

[Low Budget Shooter]

WWB Not Hot Enough?

Dear Austinco,

I think I found the answer to what happened. Researching another model of pistol, another fellow had an experience just like yours with that brand of ammo. His conclusion was that the WWB ammo was not hot enough to cycle the action properly. Hotter ammo gave him perfect function.

Hope that helps!

LBS

P.S. I'm sorry that I earlier criticized your purchase price. It was probably just sour grapes, I'm afraid.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

It has been my experience that WWB does have lighter recoil, therefore probably less power, than some other brands of ammo. Combine a compact handgun that has stiff springs with a brand new handgun that may still be a little tight in places, and one or two sporadic stoppages with it are forgivable, to a point.

 

[thebaldguy]

I'd say you got a good price. A good clean, inspection, and lube may help. Give it a good cleaning (I always clean new firearms before firing) and a few hundred rounds of ammo for a break in. I've used WWB in lots of different pistols and never had a problem. It may just be a break in issue.

 

[ajfamous]

I have a PT908. There was a recall on this gun for jamming when it first came out. They fixed it and have not had a problem.

 

[weregunner]

Pt 908s ahve been our of production since 1997. Single stack pistols of various brands were not selling well and that is the case today,sadly.

The pistol, if used would need a thorough look over prior to buying. Might have been done.

Have a SIG P6, used. Replaced the recoil spring and appropriated new mags for it because the old mags had worn springs.

If this is a used gun some parts will need replacement as these are tools and mechanical devices that are used a lot, normaly. Mechanical contrivances have their parts wear,tear,and then need to be replaced. Goes for all guns. Especially older models.

Magazines can be found at
www.dbshooter.com
www.gunclips.com

 

[weregunner]

Parts can be found at www.e-gunparts.com .
Mags can be found at www.gunaccessories.com .

 

[doublebarrel]

Nice looking Taurus, especially without that lock hole in the slide...

 

[9mm+]

I am new to this site, but I keyed in on this Taurus PT-908 entry. I have owned this pistol for almost 20 years and love it. I did have some issues with a few jams during the break-in period, but shortly thereafter everything was running very smoothly. I shot it today at the range with 115 gr. FMJ's and I had tight groupings at 25yds. Contrasting that with two S&W Model 10's I also fired today and there was no comparison...the 908 was the clear winner. I do blame, however, my lack of proficiency with those 38 spl.'s and their old ramp sights (performance did improve once I put in +P rounds, though).

I did take a look at the some newer pistols in the shop once I was done on the range and I just couldn't find a pistol that felt as good as the 908 in my hand (a close runner, though, was the S&W M&P 9c). I am sure that the compact 9's from Kahr, etc., are excellent, but I do love this little 908. The slide is now very smooth and easy, so cooler rounds will cycle pretty well. I really like the safety on the 908 which can be felt with your thumb without a visual and the hammer decocking feature.

I thought for a moment that I should possibly trade "up" for another compact 9mm but decided against it. The 908 is just too much fun.

 

[Big Mike]

Good pistol, and should last a long time.

 

[m2steven]

Nice looking gun. I would not worry about the winchester white box problems. I have had problems with that brand lately. I think your pistol will turn out to be a good performer.

 

[9mm+]

I forgot to put this in my previous post, but you can also get magazines for the 908 from Midway for around $22 each. I am going to order a few extra. There are 10-round mags as well 8-round ones for the same price.

 

[9mm+]

A question to all of the experienced shooters of the PT908: How have +P rounds performed at 115 and 124 gr? I haven't tried any overpressure rounds in mine and haven't found anything online yet. Maybe I am not looking in the right places, though. Lots of data out there on +P rounds in other 9mm pistols, but nothing on the 908.