Taurus PT-1911 range report

[treebeard]

As promised, here is my range report for my newly acquired PT-1911. First off, I did not bring any factory ammo with me to the range. I only brought 50 rounds of 185gr. plated SWC, 50 rounds of 185gr. FP, and 25 rounds of 185gr. FP's, but with Bullseye powder instead of Titegroup. I won't get into which powder performed better, unless someone wants to know.
The goods:


1st 7 rounds at 15 yards:


2nd target at 15 yards:


3rd target at 15 yards:


Final target at 20 yards:


My thoughts are that this gun is an incredible deal at the price I paid ($525). It handles very well, it points nice and straight, the trigger has a nice smooth feel with a definite break, and I had not FTF's or FTE's. I only shot 185gr. stuff so I don't know how the recoil is with 230gr. ammo. It is also very easy to take apart and put back together. I was very impressed with the accuracy and I know I can shoot better with it, especially once I find the right bullet and load. I think the Taurus is worth every bit of the price I paid, especially for a full size 1911 style handgun. My only gripe is that I had some issues getting the first round on a few magazines to load, but I was using plated SWC and FP's so who knows. Again....I experienced no malfunctions and the slide cycled as one would expect. Now I gotta go post pictures of the S&W 1911PD I just bought! Thanks for looking!!

 

[earplug]

You need to aim

You ability to shoot a paper plate is ok.
My 642 and I can keep stay in the black on a 25 yard slowfire target at 7 yards. I'm slow.
Practice more and show us again.

 

[GreenFurniture]

How do you feel the fit and finish is on your pistol?

I've seen a couple and they left something to be desired.

 

[Mulliga]

Thanks for the report. I'm curious about these guns, as well.

 

[jkomp316]

I always use bullseye and 230fmjs. Im far from a sharpshooter, and this is my first target with my taurus 1911. The finish is plenty good for a working gun. I didnt buy a Taurus to look pretty. Try the 230fmj, its what the gun was built for. You can get better groups.

 

[treebeard]

You need to aim

Thanks??
I know my groups could be better, but considering I shot 3 of my different loads I did not expect 5 shots dead center at 15 yards. jkomp316, thanks for the thought on the 230gr. I have some 230gr. LRN from Meister bullets coming this week and I plan on giving those a go. It seems that I am going to be better off going with 200 or 230gr. bullets. GreenFurniture, the fit on the gun seems to be really nice. As far as the finish goes it seems to be okay. I would expect the finish to wear rather easily though. Like I said, for the price I paid I think it is a great deal. When I load up some 230gr. and 200gr. I will post my results.

 

[Walkalong]

Nice shootin' treebeard.. Looks like they are all minute of chest to me.

 

[treebeard]

Thanks. I will get better once I find the right load. That is one of the things I love about reloading, once you find the right load WHOPEE!

 

[strat81]

Cool review. I have the same problem with my Taurus 24/7 - low and left. The weapon is fine, it's the operator that's defective in my case.

How long did it take for you to get the PT1911? I've heard they're hard to locate and orders can take a while.

 

[civilian]

i've been keeping an eye on this gun since it was announced a while back. only handled one so far but liked what i saw. waiting to actually find one in a store before picking one up.

 

[SSN Vet]

were'd you pick yours up at???

Ammo dump? KTP?

If they have any more in house, I might stop on buy and take a peek.

 

[Northslope Nimrod]

I handled one the other day. People have complained about fit and finish. I'm not an expert on tolerances, but I thought the finish was great.

I'm holding out for a 9mm version.

 

[never_summer]

are the 9mm versions very hard to find?

 

[KI4LIV]

EXTREMELY - considering they aren't on the market yet!

 

[never_summer]

man i thought they were out in 9mm already? when will they be out?

 

[treebeard]

SSNVet, I picked mine up at Renaissance Firearms in Gonic, NH. Gonic is right next to Rochester and Rennaisance Firearms is right off of Rt. 125. Ernie at Rennaisance has always been good to me and I have worked some great deals out of him. I believe he has one left.
Strat81, I stopped by the store one day, held it for awhile and then came back 2 days later and purchased it.

 

[rockstar.esq]

Treebeard, I think that's fine shooting for you first range trip with a new gun. My buddy Timbokhan has one like yours and it shoots just fine. Frankly it's more fun to see yourself improve with time. I'd wager that most bragging groups on this forum were shot with a wussy rest off a concrete platform instead of offhand on your hind legs. The finish complaints should be re thought considering the poor state of affairs at SA. I've handled five new SA 1911's in the last year that had uneven cocking slots, poorly fit slides, and misaligned sights. I'll not be paying a grand for that nonsense.

 

[.357 magnum]

treebeard

Thank you for the range report! Pretty good shooting. My thought's are, center mass takes care of the bad guy, and they do not wear bulls eye's. A .45 is really meant to shoot 230gr anyway, especially with the five inch barrel. I would not worry about the finish too much. Some of these Teflon selant gun oils you can put on these days will keep anything from rusting with regular treatment. I sure do not think I will be able to resist the temptation much longer, my gun shop guy can get me a PT1911 for 500 even. Hey strat81 my 24/7 .40's sometimes shoot low and left too, but it is usually me. I think I sometimes anticipate recoil.

The Best to you and yours!

Frank

 

[treebeard]

I would have liked a stainless version too, but my dealer said those are hard to get. I never shoot on a rest, but I suppose someday when I decide to I will. Tomorrow I am hoping to get to the range with some factory 230gr. hardball and my 200gr. JSWC's. There is no doubt that my accuracy will increase over time, as I find the 1911 the easiest and most comfortable semi-auto for me to shoot.

 

[KI4LIV]

Treebeard,

Yes, they are very hard to get, considering they aren't out yet!

Ok - I could be wrong on that, it's been a while since I checked, but last I knew they were talking about early next year on the stainless model!

 

[.357 magnum]

KI4LIV

You are correct. According to Taurus the stainless is not out there yet. They do not have a date online, or in their catalog. Hopefully, knowing their timing at Taurus, second quarter of 2007. I will still be waiting for my 24/7 OSS too come out then too. They are usually about 6-24 months behind from annoucement to production. Taurus has come a long way in quality, so they are worth the wait. My two 24/7's Pro's have been awesome!

The best to all!

Frank

 

[treebeard]

I know, he was just messing with me! I probably won't get one because my next purchase will either be a Colt Commander or a Kimber.

 

[steelhead]

Thanks and good report.

I agree on the 230's. All of my 5 inchers respond better with the 230gr loads. As for aiming??? Pretty darn good for shooting it the first time. As it is you are already "combat" accurate. Hmmm.... a PT1911 to go with my PT145.... I'm getting an itch.

 

[TimboKhan]

You ability to shoot a paper plate is ok.
My 642 and I can keep stay in the black on a 25 yard slowfire target at 7 yards. I'm slow.
Practice more and show us again.

Lighten up. It was a new gun, with different loads and frankly if you haven't shot the straight-8 sights before, they are a little disconcerting. Also, he was shooting at double the distance you shoot at. By any standard that is perfectly acceptable combat accuracy.

Back to the sights, I was a little off with them at first, but I warmed up to them quickly and I LOVE them. I liked your range report, and I would only add that when I shot mine, I tried pretty hard to get it to jam. Fully loaded mags with one up the pipe, mixed bullet mags, limp wristed and so on. Thus far, 550 rounds with no jams, and it feeds hydra-shok just fine.

 

[treebeard]

I am going to the range today with some more of my own loads, as well as some factory 230gr. ball ammo. TimboKhan, I am curious to see what happens if I try the same thing with my PT-1911. I don't like having the first round jam at the feed ramp, so I am wondering perhaps if I need to polish it?