Taurus PT1911

[RonBernert]

First: Not really a Taurus revolver guy. The quality control leaves quite a bit to be desired. That being said:

I may have a great deal on a Taurus PT1911 coming my way and wanted to see if any of you have one or have shot one.

The Taurus autoloaders like the Millenium series have (sort of) impressed me and are being carried by 2 of my close friends as we speak. I have not experienced any problems with the .40 or 9mm version, and am curious if the PT1911 would be the same...

For those who own or have shot them, what do you think? The deal is $500.00 on a never fired 1911ALR
http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=610&category=Pistol&toggle=tp&breadcrumbseries=19

Thanks for the input!!

 

[Mainsail]

You’re opening a can of worms with this thread.

From what I've read, some people like them and some people hate them. Helpful hey? Just keep in mind that a 1911 with all the bells and whistles will cost X dollars to build properly, in other words, there is very little (if any) markup just for the name on the slide. So if several reputable companies, like Sig, Springfield Armory, or Rock Island, are selling them in a certain configuration for ~$900, and another company is selling a similarly configured gun for ~$600, then the ~$600 gun maker had to cut costs somewhere. He might have used cheaper parts or cheaper labor or a little of both, but either way you cannot squeeze blood from a turnip; it costs what it costs. Cheaper parts may mean it’s more prone to breakage, cheaper labor means the fit & finish may be sub-par.

So it really depends on what use you intend for the gun. If its destiny is to be a range gun, a cheaper 1911 may be just fine. If it’s to be a competition gun, a cheaper 1911 could potentially cost you a match. If it’s a HD or carry gun, it could fail on you when you need it the most.

Remember, little if any of the cost is going for the name on the slide; there’s just too much competition in the mid-range bells-&-whistles 1911 market right now. You get what you pay for, so your intended use should be the deciding factor.

 

[RonBernert]

I know and understand that. I've owned a bunch of 1911 based guns but this just seems like a good deal, so I figured I'd put it out there. $500.00 for a never fired 1911ALR vs the list of $870.00 seems like I should just buy the damn thing.... That's why I asked for informed opinions only.

 

[TheNev]

FWIW, my PT1911 has been really great. I did have an issue with the left side of the safety falling out while shooting. It is a known problem. The shop I bought it from sent it back to Taurus, and I had it back in 3 weeks, free of charge.

It is extremely accurate, and fit and finish isn't the best but certainly not the worst. I guess my biggest complaint is the thin bluing. If you go stainless, that's a moot point.

The trigger is fantastic, very light and crisp. I have yet to have a fail to feed, fire or extract, and this was the first handgun I bought. I've owned it for about 3 years now. Couldn't even tell you how many rounds have been through the tube, but I'd venture somewhere in the 5,000 range.

 

[Mainsail]

I’m just trying to offer you the benefit of the research I did before I bought my Sig. Also, the ‘list’ price isn’t a useful indicator of the price and whether or not it’s a good deal, since the manufacturer can throw any price at it and call it list. A better indicator of whether it’s a deal is the going price, so I would suggest looking around at some of the online dealers and see what they’re selling them for. It has been my experience that the Taurus was selling for ~$600, but I can certainly agree that I may be mistaken.

Again, it’s only a good deal if your intended use for the gun and the quality level align.

If nothing else, I’m bumping your thread to the top for you.

 

[Kingofthehill]

I have several 1911's and id snag that version up for $500 never fired.... they are a good bang for the buck IMO

JOe

 

[Mitch from LA]

I'm a big fan of mine. It's one of the few pistols I post about because it's one of the few I actually own. I think if you poll actual owners you will find an overwhelming amount of positive reviews. I'd happily buy another one.

 

[deadeye dick]

As TheNev said , the trigger is the nuts. I'v had mine for over a year now and like it. It's got some bells that others don't have looks wise checkered front and back straps, slide serretions etc. My .02

 

[StorkPatrol]

I've shot one that belongs to a buddy. It was a good experience. He doesn't carry it, so I'm unable to pass judgment on the durability of the finish. --Stork

 

[kragluver]

I have had my PT1911 (standard blue model) for over 2 years now and have between 1000 and 1200 rounds through it. No problems what-so-ever. Great pistol. At $500 you are getting a good price on the PT1911. I don't know anything about the ALR model. While my results have been nothing but favorable (extremely reliable pistol and very accurate), the three dings I've heard against the PT1911 are: (1) ambi safety breakage or right side safety lever backing out (not my experience); (2) non-mil-spec sight dovetails requires re-fitting if you want after-market sights (true - although I like the Heine straight-8s that came on mine); (3) blued finish wears easily (not my experience and I carry mine on average 4-days a week).

 

[BCCL]

Mine has been flawless from day one, not a single jam or failure to fire or eject, or any other problems.

 

[acmax95]

I had a Blued PT1911 that bought used in the Spring of 08 for $440. I really liked the gun and it shot well. I even trusted enough to carry it.

I sold the gun at the end of 2008 only because I wanted a smaller carry gun and the Taurus was the only gun I was willing to sell, plus my dad really wanted a 1911 so he bought it from me.

Everyone that shot the gun enjoyed and a few offered to buy it from me.

My only complaint was the sights (Heine Straight 8s) but some people liked those as well.

I would buy another if I had the money and wanted another 1911.

 

[DasFriek]

I have a PT1911 with about 1000 rounds threw it, But its not been flawless.
But its proven to be reliable enough to be my EDC ccw.

AT 600 rounds i started having feed issues, A Wilson 47D mag cleared that up.
800 rounds the extractor was loose and peened, I cleaned it up with a file and adjusted it accordingly. Then replaced it asap with a Wilson part for reliability since this is my main carry weapon. Had i known about how to keep an extractor adjusted correctly that could have been prevented.

While replacing the extractor i quikly found out not all slide internals are standard 1911 parts. They are slightly changed so you much keep all Taurus parts in it, Or replace it all with standard parts as mixing parts wont work. This is the slide only i can attest too, The frame and fire control i cant comment on.

Im also seeing some excessive wear on around the firing pin safety plunger that has worn threw the thin metal and the plunger is slightly exposed into the channel next to it.
I filed and rounds any edges so nothing can bind or get caught up and jamb.
This happened at 1000 rounds btw.

To me Taurus uses a slightly soft metal in many of its parts and wear happens faster than i expected. I bought the gun to be a gun i could learn to work on and be and "owners" gun when repairs and adjustments are needed. If i had to send it back to Taurus they would have had the gun 3 times by my count and im sure a new slide would be in order.

Overall im very pleased with the gun, It may not sound so reliable or well built but it is for a gun of its price point. I trust my life to it also.
I will eventually be upgrading too a smaller 1911 of higher quality since i now know i always want a 1911 as my edc ccw.

At 1100 rounds i replaced the recoil spring with a Wilson 22lb recoil spring and HD firing pin spring and the gun shoots so flat with no rise its amazing how well it handles and gets back on target. Also the trigger is very good straight from the factory and makes the gun a joy to shoot.
I give it a 7.5 out of 10

 

[JEB]

i would say buy it. if you decide later that you dont like it you shouldnt have a problem selling it for 500-$600.

 

[Jeff H]

Another +1 for the PT1911. Mine has been flawless except for one mag that broke a follower for some dumb reason. I just use CMC mags now anyway so that is not an issue for me anymore. The gun itself has been great and while it may not be the tightest and most accurate 1911 in the world, it doesn't cost $2000+ either.

As with all Taurus' it carries a lifetime warranty, but if you like to tinker on 1911s, you should save your stock parts and put them in if you ever have to send the gun in for service.

 

[RonBernert]

Actually, I decided to pass on it. He got a little weird giving me a guilt trip because he implied that he was getting taken advantage of (he offered it to me!!) and that it has that accessory rail, which severely limits the holster selection..