Taurus 1911s. To buy or not to buy?

[Shienhausser]

I was also entertaining a year or two ago to buy a 1911. The Taurus stood out as it offered alot for little money. Then I asked:

What am I paying for
Why is it so cheap
What do I get
Why are 1911's over 1k$ existing.

Well, I dropped the 1911 thing and went revolver BUT in the revolver world with New vs Old S&W I found out. What im paying for, what im getting and why does it cost XXX. Same game different gun.

Saving money with a cheap brand is a great thing but the little nuances may come to bother you such as MIM parts and fit and finish.

 

[silversport]

except that in this price range many gun makers have MiM parts that work just fine...Taurus' can be cheaper as they make everything for their own pistols (as well as parts for other companies)...

I wouldn't have bought my PT1911AL for retail or my local gun shop's $669 but when Larry's Pistol and Pawn had them for $449 I decided to try the lightweight 1911 to go with my "better built" all steel models...

...all you can ask of a pistol is that it go bang when you press the trigger...mine has thus far...I have spent more money and gotten some dogs over the years so spending more is no guaranty of quality...some companies have great customer service but those I personally know that have tried Taurus' CS have been happy...

1911s in particular seem to beg to be customized by their owner's...not always the smartest thing to do as some parts don't play well with others...mine is stock thus far and totally reliable...

as to all the "extras" worth $2K...marketing hype...everyone does it...however...as a southpaw, I appreciate the ambi safety and some of the "fluff" like checkered front strap, mine has Novak's sights (albeit a little shorter than regular Novak's) and where else could I have gotten an alloy'd frame (aluminum) all forged 1911 for this price???

Bill

 

[SSN Vet]

STI Spartan is a lot of 1911 (in all the important ways) for the money....

 

[Nushif]

I wouldn't so much beware the brand Taurus ... I'd beware of people giving you advice who have never shot the gun, no matter what it is.

That being said, I have never shot their 1911, but when fondling it at the store it felt like a non-custom 1911, which is what it is.

 

[clem]

"I wouldn't so much beware the brand Taurus ..."

"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."



Never again will I buy a NEW Taurus!

 

[silversport]

totally understood when you've been burned but you can understand those of us who stand by Taurus when ours have been good...sorry for your experience...I've been burned by a couple pistols and know what you mean about never again...

Thank you for your Service clem...

Bill

 

[bnkrtstk]

I had a Taurus and it wouldn't feed with factory mags. I switched to Wilson and CMC and it was slightly better. My old Llama was more accurate and more reliable.

 

[cyclopsshooter]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=588451

 

[gunfighter48]

I have owned two PT 1911's and they ran just fine. I had no problems with either one. The only reason I don't have them today is I had to sell most of my guns to pay for some of the wife's medical bills. Otherwise I would still be shooting them. I also owned a Kimber that ran 100% right out of the box. Two strikes against me (according to the internet gun commandos). Every manufacture puts out a lemon at some time, that doesn't make all of their guns bad. And I just can't be that lucky to have two of the "worst" 1911's on the market and they ran just great.