Redlg155
Member
I’ve always been interested in the new Taurus 1911 and was curious as to how it would compare to other 1911s. As luck would have it, a friend of mine purchased a new Taurus PT1911 and was kind enough to let me borrow it for a quick review. Unfortunately, the digital camera is not cooperating with me at this time, so no pictures for now. Hopefully I’ll have a couple up soon. The comparison pistol is my personal Kimber Custom II 1911, which is factory stock except for an added Novak light rail on the dustcover. I’ve broken this review down into several comparison categories and awarded a winner each particular category.
Initial Quality/ Impression. TIE
Taurus- The Taurus has a “Beefy” feel to it, functional and utilitarian. The corners and edges of the dustcover and the trigger guard are not smoothed or beveled, giving the appearance of a solid, more robust frame. The front strap as well as under the trigger guard is checkered while the front of the trigger guard is left smooth. The finish is a matte blue type, nothing special, but functional. A nice added touch is that all major parts, the barrel, frame and slide all have matching serial numbers.
Kimber- Edges and corners are slightly smoothed, however, no checkering is on the trigger guard or frontstrap. The hammer, trigger and recoil rod/ bushing are all “white” making for a nice appearance. In contrast, these items are blued on the Taurus. The finish is also nothing special, but functional.
Both the Taurus and the Kimber also have front slide serrations that are popular these days. I’ve never used one or done a “press check” besides, how can you with a 2 pc guide rod?
Trigger- Winner= Kimber
Taurus- The Taurus trigger had some fore and aft play as well as up and down play, enough to hear a slight rattle if you shake the weapon. However, there is an overtravel adjustment screw that may help matters. The trigger pull is acceptable, but has an initial “mushy” feel due to the type of firing pin safety – I’ll go more into that later.
Kimber- Excellent trigger. I can’t say much more.
Grips= TIE
Taurus- Hard plastic checkered with a diamond pattern.
Kimber- Softer rubber.
Personal preference prevails.
Mainspring Housing- Winner= Taurus
Taurus- Flat checkered metal (verified with magnet)
Kimber- Flat checkered plastic.
Manual Safety- Winner= Taurus
Taurus- Ambi safety with positive engagement. You can hear and feel and audible click when engaged.
Kimber- Standard safety. Also positive.
Sights- Winner= Taurus
Taurus- Heinie lower profile sights. White dot front, one white dot rear. Drift adjustable with allen screws locking them in place.
Kimber- High profile black sights. Suitable for target and good light shooting, but not so good for low light shooting.
Hammer- Winner= Kimber
I rate this for Kimber only because the Taurus has a built in key safety in the hammer. As for looks, the Taurus is a round spur vs the skeletonized in the Kimber.
Ejection Port- TIE
Both are the same, lowered and flared.
Recoil Spring/ Guide Rod Setup= Tie
Both use a 2 pc guide rod setup and single spring.
Grip Safety- Winner= Taurus
Taurus- The Taurus has a pronounced “bump” to help you feel for the right hand placement as well as a more positive engagement. The beavertail is also a bit longer.
Kimber- a slight swelling of the safety in the lower area ensures that it engages.
Barrel = TIE
Both are polished and throated for hollowpoint use. If the hollowpoint misses or hangs up on the gaping maw of either of these two pistols, then you have a serious problem.
Taurus- Slightly different in that there is an approx ¼” section that has an increased diameter to mate with the barrel bushing.
Kimber- has a loaded chamber indicator cut, but you really need good eyes to make use of it. Besides, I don’t trust one.
Ejector= TIE
Both are pinned.
Extractor= TIE
Both are internal type.
Firing Pin Safety- Winner=Kimber
The Kimber firing pin safety relies on the grip safety depressing the plunger while the Taurus uses a bar connected to the trigger mechanism. Although I’m not particularily fond of firing pin safeties in a 1911, I’d rate the Kimber better because it does not interfere with the trigger pull.
Unfortunately time did not permit a range session, and I’m sure that I’ve left something out, so feel free to add to this post. Would I buy a Taurus? After examining one, yes. I think it offers a great value- even when compared to a higher priced Kimber. In my area the Taurus goes for a bit over $600 vs $750 plus for the standard Kimber.
Again..hopefully I’ll have pics soon.
Initial Quality/ Impression. TIE
Taurus- The Taurus has a “Beefy” feel to it, functional and utilitarian. The corners and edges of the dustcover and the trigger guard are not smoothed or beveled, giving the appearance of a solid, more robust frame. The front strap as well as under the trigger guard is checkered while the front of the trigger guard is left smooth. The finish is a matte blue type, nothing special, but functional. A nice added touch is that all major parts, the barrel, frame and slide all have matching serial numbers.
Kimber- Edges and corners are slightly smoothed, however, no checkering is on the trigger guard or frontstrap. The hammer, trigger and recoil rod/ bushing are all “white” making for a nice appearance. In contrast, these items are blued on the Taurus. The finish is also nothing special, but functional.
Both the Taurus and the Kimber also have front slide serrations that are popular these days. I’ve never used one or done a “press check” besides, how can you with a 2 pc guide rod?
Trigger- Winner= Kimber
Taurus- The Taurus trigger had some fore and aft play as well as up and down play, enough to hear a slight rattle if you shake the weapon. However, there is an overtravel adjustment screw that may help matters. The trigger pull is acceptable, but has an initial “mushy” feel due to the type of firing pin safety – I’ll go more into that later.
Kimber- Excellent trigger. I can’t say much more.
Grips= TIE
Taurus- Hard plastic checkered with a diamond pattern.
Kimber- Softer rubber.
Personal preference prevails.
Mainspring Housing- Winner= Taurus
Taurus- Flat checkered metal (verified with magnet)
Kimber- Flat checkered plastic.
Manual Safety- Winner= Taurus
Taurus- Ambi safety with positive engagement. You can hear and feel and audible click when engaged.
Kimber- Standard safety. Also positive.
Sights- Winner= Taurus
Taurus- Heinie lower profile sights. White dot front, one white dot rear. Drift adjustable with allen screws locking them in place.
Kimber- High profile black sights. Suitable for target and good light shooting, but not so good for low light shooting.
Hammer- Winner= Kimber
I rate this for Kimber only because the Taurus has a built in key safety in the hammer. As for looks, the Taurus is a round spur vs the skeletonized in the Kimber.
Ejection Port- TIE
Both are the same, lowered and flared.
Recoil Spring/ Guide Rod Setup= Tie
Both use a 2 pc guide rod setup and single spring.
Grip Safety- Winner= Taurus
Taurus- The Taurus has a pronounced “bump” to help you feel for the right hand placement as well as a more positive engagement. The beavertail is also a bit longer.
Kimber- a slight swelling of the safety in the lower area ensures that it engages.
Barrel = TIE
Both are polished and throated for hollowpoint use. If the hollowpoint misses or hangs up on the gaping maw of either of these two pistols, then you have a serious problem.
Taurus- Slightly different in that there is an approx ¼” section that has an increased diameter to mate with the barrel bushing.
Kimber- has a loaded chamber indicator cut, but you really need good eyes to make use of it. Besides, I don’t trust one.
Ejector= TIE
Both are pinned.
Extractor= TIE
Both are internal type.
Firing Pin Safety- Winner=Kimber
The Kimber firing pin safety relies on the grip safety depressing the plunger while the Taurus uses a bar connected to the trigger mechanism. Although I’m not particularily fond of firing pin safeties in a 1911, I’d rate the Kimber better because it does not interfere with the trigger pull.
Unfortunately time did not permit a range session, and I’m sure that I’ve left something out, so feel free to add to this post. Would I buy a Taurus? After examining one, yes. I think it offers a great value- even when compared to a higher priced Kimber. In my area the Taurus goes for a bit over $600 vs $750 plus for the standard Kimber.
Again..hopefully I’ll have pics soon.
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