S&W or Taurus 1911

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I am considering on buying one of these 1911,S&W SS 108284 or Taurus SS w/Bull grips.It's not like I need another gun,I just want one cause I can.I really like the Smith,but I think the better bargain is in the Taurus.The Smith is a third more than the Taurus,but if it is the better of the two I would go for it.Help is needed from feedback to help me to decide.:banghead:
 
as far as i know, taurus might be the only company to issue their 1911s ambidexterous safety, full length guiding rods, and checkered frames as a standard. it costs a lot to get those done to other 1911s that come without all those. so taurus is good for what you're paying, but i shot mine the other day and it jammed a bunch...

my two cents
 
I was in your same shoes not too many moons ago. Went to the fun store with every intention of buying a Taurus SS 1911. Got there, checked it out, compared it to every other 1911 in stock. It felt "loose" in comparison and after careful consideration, I walked out with a SS S&W 1911 and couldn't be happier. Not to say I wouldnt buy a Taurus, just felt the S&W was a better buy. Just my experience.
 
I have nothing against either gun. We do have a rental 1911 Taurus at the local range here that I am very impressed with. I use it sometimes for showing potential customers the features of a 1911 ,and sometimes let them run a few rounds through it as well ,if they are serious about wanting a 1911.

From my experience they are a bargin.
 
I have never shot a Taurus 1911 and I dont own a SW 1911 so this is very subjective....BUT from just handling the both, the SW feels better built. I had a Springfield Loaded model a few years back and the SW's feel better than my Springfield did.
 
You get what you pay for.
I have shot a S&W several times and recently got to shoot a Taurus (vs just handling in gun store)
I like the fit and finish of the Smith better.

More importantly, if you have a problem with the Smith you will have a great customer service experience and a quick turnaround.
If you have a problem with the Taurus, well, good luck. (Use the search feature on THR to compare)
 
The Smith all the way. You get what you pay for. I also walked away from a Taurus and ended up with a SS S&W, and I couldn't be happier.
 
Make sure you get a chance to compare these side by side - if so, you'll probably end up paying the extra money for the S&W (by the way, I do own one myself).

Many of the advertised features on the Taurus just don't compare to how much better they are done on the S&W (for example look at the trigger and sights). Not to mention the full warranty that S&W offers.
 
Here is the first post I ever contributed to THR and it is because of a PT1911AR that has given me hell:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=4548613#post4548613

Everybody else is right. For what it cost me to turn this gun into a real shooter, I could have gotten a S&W, Springfield, SIG, Kimber, LOTS of better choices. And now that it really does run, it STILL says "T A U R U S ! ! ! ! ! ! " on the slide.

I'd give anything to go back and do this one over. Don't make the same mistake I did. It's not a bargain.
 
I own both a Taurus and a S&W 1911, I carry the Smith and abuse the Taurus on weekends.
Neither gun has given me a single problem at all, and they get shot Alot!
I think the S&W is finsihed a little nicer but they both get the job done!
 
My 2 cents? Go with the Smith & Wesson.

I owned a PT-1911, see some of my review here. It was okay (after some TLC) but I'd had so much trouble with the rest of the Taurus firearms I've owned that I really just lost confidence and also sold the two remaining Taurus guns I owned and I, for one, am done with that company.

For other opinions...
The "Yea/Nay" Taurus Poll - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=311480
 
I don't have the Smith, I do have the Taurus.

Got around 500 rounds through her with not a burp. Something like $450 out the door. Couldn't be happier, has become my everyday carry.
 
I have one Taurus 1911 and 2 Smith 1911's. Hands down the Smith 1911's. The front sight was too high so I called Taurus CS and explained and they said "what do you want us to do"? I have used Colt, Sig, and Glock CS and never been asked that question. They all seemed to know what to do about an issue. I filed down the front sight and it shoots ok. The Smiths are much better IMO. C
 
Well, I really like my PT1911. The S&W's are also very nice, but cost considerably more for the same spec goodies.

If you go the PT route, when you get it home, strip it, apply Loctite 222 (low strength) to any screw you don't want to lose, and tighten it properly. Pay special attention to the grip screws and sight set-screws. Don't ask how I know this... :(

I was in the store I bought mine from last week (bought in December), and overheard one of the staff saying that they were reducing their involvement with Taurus due to problems like this. I related my experience, and he said that was not uncommon. Mine has never malfuctioned (over 2200 rounds), but the loose screw problem really made me raise an eybrow. I'd buy one again (I would like to add the railed version), but I'd check it well when I got home.
 
I shopped a long time , the Taurus IMO is a great deal.

My pt1911 is over 1000rnds and not a hiccup. The finish on some of the others may be a little better, but this is not to bad. Heck, It is my carry gun, it is going to get some wear no matter what the finish is.

This was smooth, and good trigger out of the box. Just a great gun, and the price makes it even a better deal.

After the last deal I had With S&W customer service, well, I am not really in the market for another smith. I had a less than positive deal with a brand new Walther from smith, just poor service and attitude.
 
From all the examples of the Taurus that I have handled (At least 7 or 8 at various shops), the frame checkering is bad enough that they should be paying you money for that "feature". It's poorly machined with lots of tool marks, inconsistent line widths and variable depth of checkering on both the forestrap and the underside of the trigger guard.
 
Its kinda like this, if you want a 1000 dollar gun, then go buy one. If you want a good shooting, reliable, good priced 1911, get a taurus. The taurus 1911 is nothing like other taurus auto loaders. Most of the people I talk to that knock them dont own one and havent put an appreciable amount of rounds out of one either.
 
For the Taurus price-range, you might want to consider a Rock Island such as the Tactical or STI's Spartan. In the S&W price-range, you might want to look at Dan Wesson.
 
While the PT1911 is decent (I like mine), it is not the equal of the S&W, Springfield, or other similar 1911s. Generally, I recommend the Taurus to those whose budget won't allow anything more. For those who can obtain a Springer or Smith without blowing the pocketbook, I do recommend going with those instead, if for no other reason than the better customer service.
 
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