I am just a three gun enthusiast. I believe in just having one pistol, one rifle, and one shotgun. I have a maverick 88 general purpose shotgun, and a smith and Wesson M&P 15 sport 2 for my rifle. My dilemma is in the pistol dept. I initially had a Taurus pt 111g2 as my pistol. I thought I needed something better quality so I bought an mp shield in 9mm. Everything tells me I should like the shield more. It's more solidly built, more accurate, and more concealable. I just..for some reason enjoy shooting the Taurus more. I will be selling one of them and I need to remain practical. Should I just get rid of the Taurus and keep the better shield?
I shouldn't like this gun but I do
- Thread starter mgray0120
- Start date
- Status
DDDWho
Member
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2016
- Messages
- 793
I lost count long ago of the guns I've sold, lost, had stolen or traded off. About 10 years ago I began trying to duplicate those that were my favorites back then. Let me tell you prices of guns have increased significantly of the past 40 or more years. A shotgun I bought for $100 in the 1960s now sells for $8-900. I made my mind up to never get rid of any gun again..... let my heirs sort it out when I'm gone.
Now if I have a gun I dislike or think is useless I rub it down with Johnson's Paste Wax and stick it somewhere that I don't have to look at it. Because some day I know, just as the Sun will rise tomorrow I'll want it back.
Now if I have a gun I dislike or think is useless I rub it down with Johnson's Paste Wax and stick it somewhere that I don't have to look at it. Because some day I know, just as the Sun will rise tomorrow I'll want it back.
jrmiddleton425
Member
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2011
- Messages
- 663
Two thoughts:
1.) It's certainly okay to favor one over the other. But, provided you can afford more than one, there's no logical reason to limit yourself to only one of anything.
2.) Spares are good, like Haywood said above. In the ultimate contingency, if you have to use a pistol in self-defense, you should probably expect that the police will take it for evidence. And if you have a spare, you're not down to zero while waiting possibly years to get it back...if you get it back at all.
Sistema1927
Member
Yep. "One is none, and two is one."
What happens when your handgun is confiscated in the aftermath of a self-defense encounter?
Varminterror
Member
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2016
- Messages
- 14,935
The Taurus isn't worth enough if you sold it to make a difference. If a one time sale of $200-300 means the difference between living in the street and paying next months rent/mortgage, you should be worrying yourself with much more important decisions.
The Taurus is one of the least reliable pistols on which I've ever had the burden of working, so I personally wouldn't keep that one, but if the Shield doesn't suit you, I wouldn't keep that either. There are lots of fish in the sea, better quality isn't "better for the shooter" unless it also has a better fit. You'll be able to find a model which fits you well and is better made than the Taurus, even at a reasonable price.
The Taurus is one of the least reliable pistols on which I've ever had the burden of working, so I personally wouldn't keep that one, but if the Shield doesn't suit you, I wouldn't keep that either. There are lots of fish in the sea, better quality isn't "better for the shooter" unless it also has a better fit. You'll be able to find a model which fits you well and is better made than the Taurus, even at a reasonable price.
bannockburn
Member
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2007
- Messages
- 26,306
mgray0120
Pretty good advice here about hanging on to both guns unless you have some dire financial matters to contend with. Probably wouldn't get much for the Taurus anyways as new ones currently sell for less than $300. It also sounds like you have some concerns as to it's reliability or else you wouldn't have bought the Shield.
Another "what if" situation: suppose something goes wrong with one of your handguns and requires a trip back to the manufacturer for repair. What are you going to use in the interim while one of your guns is gone?
My advice: keep both until you find something else you like better. That to me would be the "practical" thing to do.
Pretty good advice here about hanging on to both guns unless you have some dire financial matters to contend with. Probably wouldn't get much for the Taurus anyways as new ones currently sell for less than $300. It also sounds like you have some concerns as to it's reliability or else you wouldn't have bought the Shield.
Another "what if" situation: suppose something goes wrong with one of your handguns and requires a trip back to the manufacturer for repair. What are you going to use in the interim while one of your guns is gone?
My advice: keep both until you find something else you like better. That to me would be the "practical" thing to do.
olgeorge
Member
I agree with Bannockburn! Besides the idea of having too many guns is like having too much money. I don't believe there is such a thing and I'm sticking to that belief until I'm proven wrong!
Last edited:
I agree with the general consensus here. I've had a few Taurii, and what I found is the ones that work are good guns. If you have one that fits and works well, makes no sense to get rid of it. Keep the shield as a backup should the Taurus ever need to take a trip back to the factory for warranty work
Carl N. Brown
Member
"I am just a three gun enthusiast. I believe in just having one pistol, one rifle, and one shotgun."
Is that three gun competition (action sport) or just believe in having one each pistol, rifle, shotgun? I believed in having one .22 S,L,LR rifle, one deer rifle, one varmint rifle, a general purpose shotgun, and a target pistol, all for recreation. Then I added defensive handgun and shotgun because experience dictated it. Occassional guns-out-of-service (broken firing pin, etc.) led me to have at least a spare .22 rifle. I don't do formal three gun, but on third Saturdays I do the morning modern and afternoon vintage military pistol and rifle matches (four guns): and just-in-case one goes out, a pair of stand-ins in the case in the truck.
"Should I just get rid of the Taurus and keep the better shield?"
I believe in keeping spares and would see no reason to get rid of either.
Over the past fifty years, I have been in dire financial straits at times and had to sell a gun to meet obligations. I often regreted selling guns too because I did not choose them lightly.
Is that three gun competition (action sport) or just believe in having one each pistol, rifle, shotgun? I believed in having one .22 S,L,LR rifle, one deer rifle, one varmint rifle, a general purpose shotgun, and a target pistol, all for recreation. Then I added defensive handgun and shotgun because experience dictated it. Occassional guns-out-of-service (broken firing pin, etc.) led me to have at least a spare .22 rifle. I don't do formal three gun, but on third Saturdays I do the morning modern and afternoon vintage military pistol and rifle matches (four guns): and just-in-case one goes out, a pair of stand-ins in the case in the truck.
"Should I just get rid of the Taurus and keep the better shield?"
I believe in keeping spares and would see no reason to get rid of either.
Over the past fifty years, I have been in dire financial straits at times and had to sell a gun to meet obligations. I often regreted selling guns too because I did not choose them lightly.
Last edited:
BSA1
member
There is no right or wrong answer as everyone has different preferences. Taurus semi-autos have a good reputation. It is their revolvers that have inconsistent quality control problems.
With that said my wife and I went to a LGS and she brought a S&W M&P 9mm that was upgraded with APEX trigger and Truglo fiber optic sights. It is a full size pistol which doesn't matter for home defense and range use. What really sold me on it was the APEX trigger and Truglo sights but that also came at extra cost.
As other forum members know I am a big believer in "One is None. Two is One" concept and would keep both guns.
With that said my wife and I went to a LGS and she brought a S&W M&P 9mm that was upgraded with APEX trigger and Truglo fiber optic sights. It is a full size pistol which doesn't matter for home defense and range use. What really sold me on it was the APEX trigger and Truglo sights but that also came at extra cost.
As other forum members know I am a big believer in "One is None. Two is One" concept and would keep both guns.
SSN Vet
Member
I don't recall reading much positive about the Shield... however, I do recall reading a lot of complaints about it.
Everything tells me I should like the shield more
Don't worry about what the internet experts tell you, be your own man and do what you think works best for you. Keep the one you shoot and like better.
Everything tells me I should like the shield more
Don't worry about what the internet experts tell you, be your own man and do what you think works best for you. Keep the one you shoot and like better.
bikerdoc
Moderator In Memoriam
Shoot what you like. I have 2 dozen hand guns
my favorite revolver is taurus 605 and my favorite 1911 is an RIA.
When other people pay your bills they can have a say.
my favorite revolver is taurus 605 and my favorite 1911 is an RIA.
When other people pay your bills they can have a say.
Jim NE
Member
- Joined
- Feb 28, 2011
- Messages
- 1,888
I have both a Taurus Pt 111 G2 and a Shield in .45 acp. I have no reason to think that one is better than the other...unless I'm guided primarily by the opinions of others. The Shield .45 is better than my Taurus PT 145 MilPro, though, which it will be replacing. My Pt 145 is an awesome gun, but developed an issue...which I resolved, but not in a factory spec way. Thought it would be better to have a compact .45acp operating exactly the way it was designed.
But the PT 111 G2 has been flawless so far, and is comfortable to shoot and conceal, as well as accurate. I guess that makes it "better" than my former Smith and Wesson model 681, which had issues (and which I replaced with a 3" Interams Rossi in stainless.)
I guess I'm saying each firearm should evaluated on it's own merit, not it's roll mark.
But the PT 111 G2 has been flawless so far, and is comfortable to shoot and conceal, as well as accurate. I guess that makes it "better" than my former Smith and Wesson model 681, which had issues (and which I replaced with a 3" Interams Rossi in stainless.)
I guess I'm saying each firearm should evaluated on it's own merit, not it's roll mark.
FL-NC
Member
I think you should dump the taurus and get a full size M&P and keep the shield. I know this would violate your 3 gun doctrine, but here's why- having the full size in addition to your shield gives you 2 handguns- 1 full size for HD and a smaller one for carry. The function and loading drills, controls, etc. will be the same. You can keep them in opposite ends of your house, to prevent the chance of a threat occurring between you and your only handgun. Also, in the event that you find yourself in the unfortunate situation where you are forced to use a handgun in lawful self defense, it will be confiscated from you (at least for a while) as evidence until such time as the case is closed, at a minimum. This would leave you without a handgun for defense from reprisals, etc. from the family, fellow gang members of the assailant, etc. during the "hot head" period immediately following the lawful self defense shooting. 2 is 1. Just my opinion.
BSA1
member
This is very good advice.
I spent this morning cleaning, lubing and generally playing with The Lady new M&P. I am a anti-striker fired gun snob but this gun is changing my mind. The APEX trigger set which makes all of the world difference to me. It also has Truglo fiber optic sights which are big and bright.
The jury is still out until we get a chance to shoot it this coming weekend but I am very impressed with it so far.
huntsman
Member
Stay true to the Minimalist credo, dump the cheap Taurus and whatever you get buy ammo with it.
- Status
