Taurus 1911?

[Malice]

So I got my (very first!) issue of American Rifleman today.

There was a full page ad in it for the Taurus 1911. I heard about these things on THR like a year ago, and the last I heard they were still "on the way"

So are these things here yet? Having turned 20 last week, I am already starting my countdown to 21. My first purchase planned in a 6 pack of Gunniess, and then (a few days later of course) a 1911, followed by my CHL, and then a S&W 642.

I think the ad said they are going to go for $550, and with a plain jane Springfield hovering just under 5 bills, this gun is under consideration. I have plenty of time to save up and figure out what I want. I hope to have enough THR reviews and hopefully some hands-on time with the Taurus before next october.

So is this thing out yet or is it still in the proverbial pipeline?

 

[cbsbyte]

Yes, they have been on the market for at least several months. I believe there was a review on this site, though you will probably have to serach for it. Here is a link to another "professional" review.

http://www.gunblast.com/Taurus-PT1911.htm

 

[Rocko442]

From what I have heard, it is out and was reviewed quite well by American Rifleman magazine. I can't quite get comfortable with the concept of a non-American 1911, but I am just silly like that.

 

[BevrFevr]

rocko 442

do you mean like springfields that are made is brazil? probably right down the street from taurus.

 

[BevrFevr]

ps. there are tauruses out there. I know a guy who saw one once. he said it was nice.

 

[daysleeprx]

Search function is your friend!

The general consensus so far is that those who have them like them, however the finish on these guns is very very weak. Also, seems like they are very "hit or miss" in terms of fit. Many say not to buy one without handling one first.

Seems like quite a good value with all the features they come with.

 

[Helstrm]

I agree. I have read nothing but great things from those that own them although I have handled a few that seemed out of spec. As with any high production gun, check it out first but for the money you can't go wrong. As far as Non- American 1911s.... Research beofre you make a comment like that... A lot of 1911s are made in other countries. Unless you are ready to lay down a chunk of $$$ you will not be getting a US made 1911. RIA, ArmsCor, Taurus, HS, Springfield... Even STI uses parts made in the Philipines

 

[Ala Dan]

The Taurus 1911's appear to be a great value for the money, $459.88 + 9%
tax here locally. I haven't had the opportunity to shoot one yet, but it looks
like the first production run guns are "up to snuff". I don't much care for the
Henie "straight 8" sights, as I'm use to the three dot sights when shooting;
but I guess I could live with 'em~!

 

[Just_a_dude_with_a_gun]

I have heard many favorable reviews, some "professional" and some by ordinary owners who would gripe readily, and loudly if need be.

The collective concensus? I haven't heard any complaints on the metalurgy. Taurus's plant and foundry is generally up to snuff with Gun valley.

Fits seemed good, if not a little tight, and accuracy was surprisingly very good in most if not all cases. One review I recall mentioned it had issues feeding hollow points, but that's not so strange in a new 1911.

the PT does have many features on the gun that you can't get anywhere else in the same package, in a brand name pistol, at that price.

The issue that people had almost universally, was the rudimentary finish coating the guns came with. It didn't appear that neatly applied, and didn't appear that resilient.

I'm not sure I'd care about that, personally.

 

[tegemu]

I intend to add one to my armory today.

 

[weregunner]

Go to www.unitedforums.com and click on the Taurus Forum. Then click on the pistols section. Click on the area that says how many days worth of threads and go back a few weeks. There are already 1911 threads there. Just for giggles use the search button and look for Taurus 1911 threads. That should help somewhat. Like Taurus and Ruger products. So do the trolls. If not for dumping meaningless trumped up tripe and trying to spread misery the trolls would be throwing themselves under buses. Wish a few would. But this is a family site.

 

[longhorngunman]

I bought myself one about two months ago. I have been very happy with the gun and I'd say most owners you ask will say the same. Forged frame and slide, fully loaded for right around $500, there's not another 1911 manufacturer out there that can compete with that. As has been previously stated the finish leaves a lot to be desired and you can throw that dinky case it comes in into the trash. Since your waiting to turn 21 this will work out for you because the SS model should be out then and that should address the finish issues. BTW I'm only up to 400rds in mine but it has been flawless and eats ANY type of .45acp bullet.

 

[gandog56]

ps. there are tauruses out there. I know a guy who saw one once. he said it was nice.

I have a real nice Taurus revolver in .357 mag, but one of my buddies swears he'll never buy another Taurus semi-auto as long as he lives. But the reviews do seem like you should consider one. I wonder when my gun range might get themselves a rental one?

P.S. My 1911 is a Springfield Armory stainless GI which I got NIB for a little less than 5 bills.

 

[High_Cap]

Sold two about 1 month ago. One guy has put about 1000 rounds through his and it works great.

We just got 10 more in and most of them are sold.

Very accurate, my only gripe is series 80, and the sights. I cannot deal with only two dots, gotta have 3.

 

[TimboKhan]

I bought one, and short version: I love it. I flat out can't miss with the Straigt Eights, and everything else is fine. The finish on mine did have a couple of shiny spots, but you know, I compared the finish to a Kimber in the case, and the Kimber had more shiny spots than the Taurus. In any event, for the price of the gun, with the features you get, you can have the thing refinished in whatever you want and still be money ahead.

 

[knuckles]

My first purchase planned in a 6 pack of Gunniess [sic]

Excellent choice...

(Sorry for the OT post, BUT we're talking about Guinness after all...)

 

[KaceCoyote]

Newcastle is far superior to guiness.

 

[carterbeauford]

stupid question: any issues with the stainless models?

It's come down to the Taurus or the GI for my first 1911, if I go with the GI I'll just have to replace the sights anyways, so unless someone can make a convincing argument against the Taurus 1911 I plan on getting one.

*Taurus sucks is not a convincing argument, I'll say that right now.

 

[daysleeprx]

I believe the stainless model has yet to hit stores, so stay tuned!

 

[the pistolero]

Shiner Bock man here.
I didn't much care for the straight eight Heinie sights either, Ala Dan -- in fact, if I got the Taurus 1911, that'd be the first thing I'd replace on it! Well, maybe No. 2, after a set of Hogue rubber wraparounds. As of yet, the only full-size .45 1911 I have is the Springfield GI (just over $400 after tax), but it's been a great gun. I wouldn't trade it for nothin'. Although the fact that it was my very first 1911 does have a good bit to do with that (yes, I am a sentimental not-so-old fool!), it's been a great gun. I like the parkerized finish, too...if I were going to get the Taurus refinished, I think that's what I'd do.

 

[knuckles]

Newcastle is far superior to guiness.

Well now, I have been known to enjoy a New Castle too now and then, but I wouldn't ever say that it's far superior to Guinness.

But, to stay on topic, I think I would go for the SA 1911 before the Taurus, however, I am considering the the Taurus as well. Probably will get the SA first only because it seems to be more available in my parts....

 

[cpirtle]

I'm not a huge fan of the 1911 platform but a few months ago I picked one up from my local dealer for just under $450 out the door. Wanted it mainly for shooting wild bunch matches at cowboy shoots.

I've sent about 1000 rounds down the pipe and feel it's a fantastic gun. Mine has broken in nicely and has never had a hiccup even when I ran 100 rounds of oxidized (rusted) silver bear ammo through it to see how it would act.

Accuracy is as good as any of the much higher dollar 1911's I've owned or shot and the trigger is excellent. Mine breaks right at about 3.5# and may be a touch lighter since I've run a lot through it.

Finish has held up well and I would say it's on par with any parkerized guns I've owned.

The only downsides I've found is that the grips screws are not mil-spec, so if you change the panels order new screws at the same time, the Taurus heads are too big. Also, my offside safety lever was a little lower than standard so I had to remove some material from the grip to allow it to operate properly. (I've heard this problem before and it seems that a batch of safetys were made that were slightly lower, does not seem to affect all of the guns out there). I actually like the safety with a lower tab because it's easier for me to operate.

I put split checkered charcoal grey thinline Alumagrips on mine and the gun looks fantastic.

I think Taurus has a winner on their hands.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I fondled one last week in Florida at a local gun shop and it was pretty nice. I might pick one up for the hell of it and run it thru the wringer to see how it performs.