Taurus 1911 as good as the dealer said???

[kcshooter]

Not many people are willing to offer personal experiences...

I didn't think this was still a point of debate anymore, but here's my limited personal experience.

A friend of mine had feeding problems with a PT145. It took him over 2 and a half months to get his gun back. I know this is a fact even t hough it wasn't my gun personally.

When I was shooting my 3month old 651 .357, after about 500-600 rounds my cylinder release button flew down range. I called Taurus and they said to ship it in. I said no way, just send the button and screw to me. This part couldn't be easier to replace! They argued with me until I had spent over an hour on the phone and gone thru 3 people. Finally they agreed to send me the part.

Unfortunately it was out of stock. I called every two weeks for 2 months before it was finally back in stock. I had to fight with them every time as to whether or not they were going to send me the part, before they even looked up to see it they had it in stock!

I did finally get it, replaced it using locktite and it's been fine since, but no way would I want to send my gun to them.

 

[Storm]

Sorry, Taurus customer service sucks. It's well documented time and time again by people with actual experiences. I have had my actual experience and really don't feel obligated to expound any further than that.

If I am to spend $300, $500 or $1500 on a gun and I feel no confidence in the company's ability and/or willingness to service and stand behind their product then I will take my money elsewhere as I did in this case putting it into a SW 1911, the product of a company whose ability and willingness to stand behind their products is well known and within my personal experience.

I work too hard for my money to be any less cautious on any purchase. We each act in accordance with our experiences and try and warn others of the possible pitfalls of dealing with any one manufacturer. The man has asked a question, and many have answered it. You may or may not like the answers, but they stand as such.

 

[AndyC]

If you get a good one, you're golden - if you don't, you'll get to experience their *cough* service.

The US distributors of Rock Island Armory, on the other hand, are truly known for legendary customer service.

 

[SeanMTX]

My issues with ya'lls posts is that you seem to be dealing in absolutes. You are arguing that IF you buy a Taurus you WILL at some point encounter a problem and if/when you do, you WILL encounter horrendous customer service that will not give you your gun back, but will likely give you crabs, or worse yet, herpes.

It just isn't to that level of an extreme. I am only trying to point out that while there are stories of their problems, that are surely valid, there are also stories to the contrary. I've owned 2 autoloaders of theirs...no revolvers...and not a wide swath of autos either......but my 2 have been relatively fine.

So, KCShooter, this IS a topic of debate, and likely will continue to be as such until Taurus either falls into the same pit as NAA, HiPoint et al, or climbs out into affordable quality as RIA and other manufacturers.

Again, I have had a tank of a Taurus, and one that had problems...the one that was problematic was fixed in a timely manner, and with good customer service. I'm sure there are stories to the contrary, but they were good to me.

As a disclaimer, I no longer own a Taurus handgun...but I wouldn't be deterred from buying another.

So please, stop saying things like 'I didn't know this was still up for debate,' or 'they suck like a Thai hooker and no one who doesn't drool on himself can argue otherwise.'

There are at least 2 sides to every story, and often much more than that.

 

[kcshooter]

My issues with ya'lls posts is that you seem to be dealing in absolutes. You are arguing that IF you buy a Taurus you WILL at some point encounter a problem and if/when you do, you WILL encounter horrendous customer service that will not give you your gun back, but will likely give you crabs, or worse yet, herpes.

Read my first post again. I never said anything like that. I said they seem to be hit or miss, and even said there seem to be more hits than misses. Subsequent posters seemed to agree that the good ones are good, but there are enough bad ones out there to give enough of a reason to really think about paying the same price for one of these as a Colt 1991 or Springfield MilSpec or RIA Tactical, all of which have far superior reputations, especially in the customer service department.

So, KCShooter, this IS a topic of debate,

Not to me. Read my second post. In the experience my friend and I had, the service was seriously lacking.

So please, stop saying things like 'I didn't know this was still up for debate

Well, I honestly didn't. I was pretty sure the reputation of their customer service was well documented enough at this point that it was pretty much a given. Glad you had good luck with them. Apparently their customer service is also hit and miss. Like their guns.

And that's MY side of the story.

 

[glockman19]

There is only one manufacturer I will not buy from.

Get a Kimber, Springfield or Colt. They will be worth the little extra money and easier for trade or resell down the line.

Customer Service is also another important issue. I have heard of guys sending away a gun for service and not getting it back for months. Kimber & Springfield have good Customer Service.

You could find a nice Kimber Custom II for around $600.

 

[Storm]

My issues with ya'lls posts is that you seem to be dealing in absolutes. You are arguing that IF you buy a Taurus you WILL at some point encounter a problem and if/when you do, you WILL encounter horrendous customer service that will not give you your gun back, but will likely give you crabs, or worse yet, herpes.

Okay, then lets try this:

"If you buy a Taurus you may well at some point encounter a problem and if/when you do, you may encounter horrendous customer service that will most likely give you your gun back but possibly not in a timely manner."

My money still goes elsewhere.

 

[pitbullman]

ive put about 750 rounds thru my pt1911 and had no problems at all.using walmart wwb or hand loads it eats them all.

 

[Big Gay Al]

See this:

​

I've had this pistol since 1992, never had a problem, never had a malfunction. And I'll NEVER give it up. I've owned other Taurus pistols as well, and only had a problem with one of them. Bought it used, so the local gun store where I bought it, took care of the problem.

The only reason I've ever sold ANY gun, was because I needed the money. But I've always done what I could to avoid selling the above. I don't really know why, other than maybe because having it saved my life. But I would not hesitate to buy another Taurus, if I like the design.

I used to own this:

​

But, financial situation force me to sell it. I am still thinking of buying another, though not as flashy as this one was. It worked just as well as it's bigger brother, and I did not like having to sell it.

Any way, that's my opinion.

 

[XDKingslayer]

There are at least 2 sides to every story, and often much more than that.

Pouring syrup on a turd don't make it a flapjack...

 

[Big Gay Al]

Maybe, but Taurus is not a turd.

 

[lions]

I tend not to get advice about a gun from the guy who is trying to sell it to me. In two different breaths I have heard a dealer have two entirely different opinions about Taurus. I went in to buy my first gun, a PT92 and asked the guy what he thought about it and he was in love with Taurus. Next guy through the door wanted a Beretta 92 and I overheard the dealer bashing everything about Taurus. From that point on I did my own research and never went back to that store. I ended up buying the PT92 elsewhere and I don't have my own story about customer service because mine has been perfect!

A 1911 is on my short list of upcoming guns and I very well may buy the Taurus. I say if you like it buy it and I bet you'll like it.

 

[Mortech]

I've own various Tauri and in over 22 years none have suffered any breakdowns what so ever . Right now my main OC weapon is a PT1911 , true the finish is not up to say Colts but its accuracy has been second to none so far . Remember , you will see alot more naysayers than people expressing a positive opinion on any subject on the net .

 

[coyotehitman]

I am still biased by the rough/junk Taurus days. I really do not even consider them when I am gun shopping, even though their quality is much better now.

 

[Big Gay Al]

Good! That means more Taurus products for me!

 

[jlh26oo]

I tend not to get advice about a gun from the guy who is trying to sell it to me. In two different breaths I have heard a dealer have two entirely different opinions about Taurus. I went in to buy my first gun, a PT92 and asked the guy what he thought about it and he was in love with Taurus. Next guy through the door wanted a Beretta 92 and I overheard the dealer bashing everything about Taurus. From that point on I did my own research and never went back to that store. I ended up buying the PT92 elsewhere and I don't have my own story about customer service because mine has been perfect!

A 1911 is on my short list of upcoming guns and I very well may buy the Taurus. I say if you like it buy it and I bet you'll like it.

That's funny he pulled that 180 with you still there to hear it. But it's a smart dealer who says to potentials seeking X, that "X is great, Y is crap" (instead of the other way around). Not only because X is where they are already leaning- but it's also an "ah good choice, you must know your stuff" validation. Great sales tactic.

Is the Taurus 1911 as good as the dealer said???

No. It's much, much better. Well, except the part about getting $2,300 worth for $600. Because while I am sure they are worth six bills and then some, I doubt you'd get even most ardent P.T. aficianado to pass on a trade if you offered him say an Ed Brown Executive Elite straight up, or a Colt S.C.G. (plus $1,000 L.O.L.) for his P.T. 1911! Although there is someone here at T.H.R. who claims there is NO other 1911 he'd take over his P.T. so Y.M.M.V.!

 

[Storm]

While I do have issues with Taurus customer service, and enough to take my money elsewhere, I do not have issues with most of their offerings. They are frequently good guns and a good value for the money. I think that the problem with the PT1911 is that it treds in a territory where perceived value may come at a sacrifice in quality, and where there is far less tolerance for quality control issues and materials used.

It's really too bad about the customer service as I've had good performance from their guns for years, having depended on at least two of them on a day to day basis. But, the thought of having to deal with their customer service is a deal breaker, and other than a PT92 that I'd never part with, they are all gone. And then when you start to say that a $600 is the equal to a $1200 gun and don't provide the customer service commensurate with the claim, the whole thing breaks down. One a new gun, especially when you have safeties falling off, guns flying apart (see posts at The Firing Line) and hit or miss quality control, the issue of customer service comes right to the forefront. That may change as the guns's bugs are worked out (and if and when it proves itself), but for now there is somewhat of a gamble involved. I really hope that customer service improves, as I would like to someday own a PT1911.

Of course, more current reports back on customer service, both positive and negative, would be useful in gauging the current state of affairs. Relying solely on past accounts may well mask any current improvements being made. Stuff like that floats around the Internet for years as if fresh news.

The real bottom line is that a bunch of negatives on Internet newsgroups about customer service probably doesn't mean a dang thing to the brass at Taurus as they never see it. The devil lady at the phone and the questionable techs will continue to be part of Taurus shooting itself in the foot over and over again. Probably the best course of action would be to write to Taurus with concerns so that they can do what is necessary to improve matters. That only seems fair.

 

[SureThing]

For what it's worth, I called Taurus about one of the mags not working on the new PT92 I bought, but it was a 14 year old gun. I was told to send it in and they would send me a new one.

 

[mpmarty]

Most of the complaints about Taurus customer service revolves around the time it takes to turn the repair around.

My 1911 went back for a problem with the safety. It was gone for six weeks.
When it came back it was the same serial number but the fit and finish were much improved, the problem was solved, they sent it back with two extra mags and in checking the stickers on the package, here is what happened.

I sent the gun to Florida for repairs. Taurus USA sent it to Brazil to their "custom shop" for reworking. Brazil did its job in about a week and then the gun had to come back into the USA through customs and reach Taurus USA in Florida where they put it in a Fedex box and shipped it to me.

I am perfectly happy with this, the Taurus 1911 is a tack driver and absolutely reliable.

What's not to like? Taurus USA didn't make the gun, Taurus Brazil did. Why should the USA importer have to repair what they made in Brazil?

Similarly,. EAA sells firearms made in Italy. Could the "bad customer service" be due to similar import / export problems?