Taurus 1911 troubles.

[peacemaker45]

Well, I had the first signs of trouble with my PT1911 the other day. It's got about 1800 rounds through it so far. I was at an indoor range, poking holes in paper when I pulled the trigger, and the hammer failed to fall. After putzing around with it for a while, I remembered that ignorant lock on the hammer, unlocked it, and resumed shooting. A couple of mags later, it quit again, and would no longer unlock. Later, upon disassembly, I found out that the ejector had broken one of it's little legs as well.

I think that rather than send it back to Taurus, and get another MIM ejector and another hammer with a lock in it, I'll just have real parts fitted.

Just thought I'd give y'all the update.

~~~Mat

 

[boomer1911a1]

Post an update if the parts don't just drop in.

Thanks!

 

[LubeckTech]

Get a good quality ejector and hammer - forget the lock unless you use it. Keep the old parts in case you need to sent it to Taurus

 

[mpthole]

What is this "lock" you're talking about?

 

[Walkalong]

Taurus built a lock into its hammer so you can "lock" the gun making it unable to fire. It would be the first thing to go if I had one. They also have a firing pin block.

For what it is worth, the guns feel good in my hand and are a pretty good value for the money. Most reports on them have been positive.

 

[strat81]

I've heard of some Taurus owners using a drop of loctite to keep the gun unlocked. Anyone know if it works on the PT1911?

 

[briansp82593]

i only like the taurus raging bull the 1911 is ok its just i think they are cheaping out on us by using those mim parts and frankly i dont want it on my guns

 

[GreenFurniture]

Yep, we've seen this sort of problem with those pistols at our range too.

 

[shaggycat]

First function related complaint I have heard about the pt1911. I hope that this is an exception rather than rule.

 

[longhorngunman]

It is the exception. I've read of other field reports of guys working on 3,000 rds through their's with no problems. Of course a quick hammer change would solve this anyways.

And to the poster who doesn't want a Taurus 1911 due to MIM parts, well you'd better scratch Springfield, Kimber, S&W, and Colt off your list too, since they also use MIM parts as well .

 

[zachsm]

you should take a picture of it. i don't doubt that its possible but mentioning a gunlock and mim makes it sound suspicious, no offense.

 

[shaggycat]

It is the exception. I've read of other field reports of guys working on 3,000 rds through their's with no problems.

Good. I hadn't heard much from anyone with more than a few hundred rounds through them.

Although I didn't buy one when recently in the market for a 1911, I am pulling for the pt1911, as should all 1911 fans. A low priced 1911 with tons of features in the market is only going to increase competition and help consumer prices.

 

[mattk]

Which leg of the ejector broke?
I ran an SA 1911 with a broken rear ejector leg for a year. The front leg was pinned and the slide held the rear in place.
I never figured out how I broke the thing. Replaced it when I was doing some other upgrades.

 

[peacemaker45]

Which leg of the ejector broke?

It's the front leg. I don't know exactly when it broke, either. I hadn't had the gun apart for about 500 rnds before the malfuncion.

you should take a picture of it. i don't doubt that its possible but mentioning a gunlock and mim makes it sound suspicious, no offense.

Ok, Thomas. pics will be forthcoming, soon as there's daylight. The ejector will be an rasy enough pic, but how do i show that the hammer won't fall, well enough to convince? This being the net, I can't let you put your hand in the side of my wounded taurus.

Anyhow, ovrtall, I really like the gun. Prior to this, I'd had zero failures. Soon as I get it back, and verify function, it'll resume it's place on my hip.

 

[possum]

thanks for the info and, and letting us know. any problems up until that point?

 

[SouthpawShootr]

Oops----doubletap.

 

[SouthpawShootr]

For the hammer problem, I think there's no excuse. That part should not fail......period.

What brand of ammunition were you using.

I would tend to agree that you should replace those parts with best quality aftermarket parts. You might want to save the original parts and put them back in the gun should you even need to return it for service. Some manufacturers use the presence of non-factory parts as an excuse to void the warranty

 

[RSanchez]

Taurus 1911 troubles

Can someone tell me what MIM is mentioned above?

 

[Ukraine Train]

MIM is metal injection molding.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_Injection_Molding
It's basically powdered metal held together by glue. I don't have much experience with it but hear it's pretty weak.

 

[Walkalong]

If done right MIM is fine, if done wrong it IS weak. Most would prefer machined parts, but most enjoy the price benefit MIM gives also.

 

[doubleg]

But I though only KIMBER's 1911s had problems.

 

[Old Fuff]

You don't have to replace the hammer because of the lock. Simply screw it all of the way out ("on" position) degrease it with a Q-tip and a little fingernail polish remover, put a drop of RED Loc-tite on it (available from Brownells / www.brownells.com or many hardware stores) and then screw it all of the way in ("off" position). Let it set overnight, and thereafter the lock screw won't move.

As an alternative: Screw the lock all of the way out ("on position) and then file it down until the screw is flush with the hammer. Thereafter it is totally disabled.

If on the other hand you have a serious problem with the MIM construction of the hammer you can replace it with a machined after-market one, but don't expect it to be a drop-in part. As they are made today, 1911 platform pistols are not a drop-in sort of handgun. The USGI guns for the most part were, but today's guns are not close to being made to USGI specifications, materials, or dimensions.

Also understand, the less expensive the pistol is, the more MIM parts it will have in it.

 

[kansas45]

I've quit counting, but my Taurus PT 1911 has a little over 5000 rounds through it without any problems. Maby I'm just lucky. Maby not. I think the PT 1911 is a pretty good pistol.