well, add me to the taurus collective

[havoc1969]

got my new pt1911, fit and finish look good, everything looks nice...

EXCEPT!!

Went to change out the grips, and the grip screws stripped out on the allen heads. Doesn't upset me, just put in an order at novaks for two sets of grip screws from them....

No picks yet, as they all look the same in stock form...
will be interesting to see how it does, compared to the rest of my 1911 addiction!!

Series 70 Colt Combat Commander
Series 70 Gov't 1911
Series 80 Gov't 1911
Series 80 1991A1
Sig GSR Revolution railed
Nighthawk Talon

more info to come...

[dbadcraig]

Welcome to the PT1911 club. So far the numbers of PT1911 owners on this forum appear to be very pleased with this pistol and the reported problems few and/or minor.

I am sure a lot of "fence sitters" will be interested in hearing how your new Taurus stacks up to the many steeds of noble blood in your stable!

Several folks have reported that the grip screws are soft, so you are not alone. Thanks for that alert. I think for the time being, I will be keeping the factory plastic on mine (although I have been very tempted to replace them with some nice checkered wood).

Don't forget to take advantage of the free NRA membership Taurus offers with the purchase of each new Taurus in 2006.

The coupon is at the link below, submit the reciept with the coupon by 01/31/07.

http://www.taurususa.com/pdf/nra2006offer.pdf

[havoc1969]

I used my dremel to cut a flathead slot in the two screws that were stripping out. It's a temp fix till the new grip screws show up, but I at least got them out easily at that point and installed my Simonich tan gunner's grips on it.

I have printed out the coupon, have to call taurus tomorrow, will see if I can put the NRA's membership in my son's name, as I am already a lifetime member...

[rogue007]

Sorry to hi-jack but, what benefits do you get when joining the NRA......?

[havoc1969]

Sorry to hi-jack but, what benefits do you get when joining the NRA......?

No problem Rogue007, here's a link that should answer some of your questions...

NRA benefits (http://www.nra.org/benefits.aspx)

[havoc1969]

Ok, I went and shot it today. Conditions were less then ideal, as it was snowing hard, though I did shoot from under a awning.

Shooting was done using WWB 230 grn, as well as Federal Hydroshocks and Golden Sabers. Just under 500 rnds in total, with about 220 of them going through the taurus. No problems at all, shot very accurately! Mags used were the taurus factory novak clones, real novaks, and wilson 47d's. I mentioned above the different types of 1911's I own, here's how the taurus stacked up in the accuracy dept.

In order of best to worst accuracy. Let me just add that all 1911's performed excellent, with no problems as well.

1st-Nighthawk Talon
2nd-Tie between taurus pt1911,Series 70 Gov't 1911,Series 80 Colt 1911, Sig GSR Revolution railed
3rd-Series 70 Colt Combat Commander,Series 80 1991A1

Overall, thusfar I am impressed. Like I previously stated, the only problem I had was with the soft metal in the grip screws. I ordered two new sets from Novaks. In the meantime, I used a dremel tool to cut a full lenth cross slot in the two screws that were stuck, and got them out no problem with a flathead screwdriver....

At a approximate $500 price point, I believe it is an excellent value. Though if I ever resold it (which I doubt, as I plan to add a stainless and a commander from them to my collection in the future), the resale value I am sure would be less then my Colt pistols. This is a great field 1911, hands down.

Hope my little review helped.

[dbadcraig]

Very impressive! Thanks so much for the informative comparison test, it appears that the PT1911 can hold its own with some pretty good company. I agree it may will not have the re-sale value of the better recognized name brands.

Over this last month, I showed my PT1911 to some friends who own several 1911s and each of them said it was going to be on their next to purchase list. When I asked them why, when they owned Kimbers and Colts (all with price tags 50-100% higher), their response was similar to many on this forum, and that was you can't own too many 1911s! But seriously, they indicated that the build quality of the PT1911 and the list of features was impressive and that a $500 1911 with these features would be the ideal rough duty (glove box) pistol (thus, saving the wear and tear on their more expensive 1911s).

[havoc1969]

Yep, now I want a stainless, and maybe a commander sized. I agree with your statement "1911 with these features would be the ideal rough duty (glove box) pistol"
that's why I initially bought it. Did not expect it to do as well as it has!

[dbadcraig]

I think a lot of people share our unexpected surprise over how good the PT1911 is.

Take a look at the January 2007 write up on the Wilson Combat Carry Comp pistol. Maybe like comparing apples to oranges (the Wilson is a compensated 4" pistol). Average group size from the Wilson was 1.91" from a Caldwell HAMMR rest (described as "match grade accuracy" by the author) for $2,895. The PT1911 delivered an average group size of 1.84" and most folks are finding the PT1911 for under $500 out the door.

Is the Wilson a better pistol than the Taurus...maybe, maybe not. But $2,500 will buy a lot of ammunition, and let's face it; nothing makes for a more accurate pistol than practice!

[kansas45]

I think a lot of people share our unexpected surprise over how good the PT1911 is.

Take a look at the January 2007 write up on the Wilson Combat Carry Comp pistol. Maybe like comparing apples to oranges (the Wilson is a compensated 4" pistol). Average group size from the Wilson was 1.91" from a Caldwell HAMMR rest (described as "match grade accuracy" by the author) for $2,895. The PT1911 delivered an average group size of 1.84" and most folks are finding the PT1911 for under $500 out the door.

Is the Wilson a better pistol than the Taurus...maybe, maybe not. But $2,500 will buy a lot of ammunition, and let's face it; nothing makes for a more accurate pistol than practice!

That's about the way I see it too. Just because something costs 4-times as much dosen't always mean that it's a better piece of equipment. Of course, this dose not apply to all things. But in the case of the PT1911 it does. And enough can not be said for practice!

[havoc1969]

I too have to agree with that statement.
Though I have many tools in my closet, the training I have recieved from the USMC, Gunsite, Frontsite (to name a few) is where my skills have truly developed. You can spend a ton of money and still have no skill, if you haven't trained and practiced.