Wow, those poll results are about as perfect a bell curve as you could find (as of right now, anyway.) Average being the most numerous assessment, and good/bad being evenly distributed.
I've only purchased one new Taurus semi-auto, so my results would be far from conclusive, but here's my experience:
Bought a new PT-22 from a LGS because I liked the tip-up barrel design idea. The initial performance of the gun was unusual compared to other new handguns I've purchased. It barely worked new out of the box, even though I tried to polish and buff the feed ramp and internals first to avoid problems. Jammed every second or third round, and had two or three light strikes every mag. Might've been an ammo related issue to SOME degree, but I tried several different brands.
Instead of sending it back for warranty, I decided to keep shooting it to see if it would smooth out. IT DID. Eventually got to the point where I'd have few or no jams or light strikes during a 100 round shooting session. But it took, by my count, close to 500 rounds to get things smoothed out to that point. I think keepin it clean is important, too.
Last time I shot the gun (about 70 or 80 rounds) I think I had 2 light strikes, but they don't bother me so much now, as a second pull of the trigger sets off the round 95% of the time. (It's DAO.) That makes it, practically speaking, a more-or-less reliable gun, since I don't see a short barrelled .22 as a defense gun, or at least a primary defense gun.
Do I like the gun? Actually, yes...it truly is fun to shoot and surprisingly accurate for it's size. Also looks really good (for the price.)
But does my experience with this one Taurus make me want to buy another? Not exactly.
Would I feel confident buying a Taurus that was intended for primary defense instead of plinking? Not exactly and then some.
True, the gun isn't expensive, but my S&W 22A was FAR more reliable with a wider range of ammo brands, and it cost less than the PT-22. To be fair, I've read that the Beretta .22 (the gun that the PT-22 is based on) has it's share of complaints about reliability, as well. ALSO, I've had both a new Smith and Wesson 9mm and a new Ruger 9mm fail on me recently, too, so why should I pick on the Taurus?
But I'm also kind of surprised that so many Taurus guns are sold, given the 50/50 internet opinions about them. They ARE nice looking guns at an affordable price, and their marketting is extensive, so I guess that has a lot to do with it.
I gave it an "average" rating.