Taurus PT1911 as Offensive/Defensive Pistol:

[10851Man]

Greetings,

I have come to realize that there are some very intelligent folks here in this forum and to that end, I would like to pose the following question to you.

One of our officers recently bought a Taurus PT1911 as an off-duty pistol. Our policy does endorse Taurus revolvers for back-up and off-duty carry, but not autoloaders.

I stripped this pistol and found the machine work to be very good. The gun fucntions well with our issued loads (Federal HST 230 grain) and has digested 500 rounds with no problems.

What is the professional gunsmith's opinion of this pistol from a reliability standpoint??? I have to make a recommendation (yeah or nay) to the chief regarding this pistol, so your input is appreciated.

Thanks for your time and attention regarding this matter...Robert

[torrejon224]

If you do a search on this and the "other" 1911 forum you'll find a lot of discussion on this gun. Bottom line is that a good majority of the parts are propietary such as the trigger and ignition parts and cannot be replaced with parts fromm outfits like Wilson, EGW, etc. Also from what I have read a lot of smiths will not work on them or use them as a base gun for a build. I know this doesn't answer your question but you can probably make an educated guess. Use the search on both sites to see more as I don't belive in "slamming" any make or model of weapon on an open forum.

[10851Man]

Thanks...I didn't know about this and it definitely makes a difference. Whay make proprietary parts for a 1911???...Robert

[Cap]

I'm not a gunsmith.
I don't play one on TV either

Don't own a Taurus, but I'm curious..
are they any more or less reliable or prone to fail than any other common production 1911?


If you look thru the other manufacture forums here, you'll see more than a few issues great and small with all of 'em



..L.T.A.

[Cap]

Bottom line is that a good majority of the parts are propietary such as the trigger and ignition parts and cannot be replaced with parts fromm outfits like Wilson, EGW, etc. .


that seems to run contrary to what I've read here
(in the Taurus section)

I asked that very question cause i was considering buying one

..L.T.A.

[John]

If you do a search on this and the "other" 1911 forum you'll find a lot of discussion on this gun. Bottom line is that a good majority of the parts are propietary such as the trigger and ignition parts and cannot be replaced with parts fromm outfits like Wilson, EGW, etc.

Huh? Says who? Trigger and ignition parts (like firing pin?)???

IF I am not mistaken, the Taurus uses a standard Series 80 mechanism, which while not WWI standard, it is fairly standard since Colt started using it in the eighties. Colt and Para Ordnance use the same mechanism, possibly others too.

The only non-standard part in the PT1911 is the hammer, which has a lock (again, if I remember correctly) but this can be replaced with any other 1911 hammer, without any issues.

What is the professional gunsmith's opinion of this pistol from a reliability standpoint??? I have to make a recommendation (yeah or nay) to the chief regarding this pistol, so your input is appreciated.

As far as the original question is concerned, 10851Man, I am sure you know that a pistol is NOT an offensive weapon. It's a defensive one, and in that role, the 1911 is by far the best you can get your hands on. If the Taurus is a good one? It is definitely not a Colt, or anything more expensive, but it is also nothing to sniff at. There are pistols which I would personally consider better than the PT1911, and there are others I may consider worst. The whole thing is a moot point though, the person behind the gun is what counts more. If that particular officer is willing to bet his life on his pistol, and if he can qualify with it, I would say the answer should be yes.

Oh, I am not a professional gunsmith though, so my opinion is worth exactly what you .... paid for it. :D :) :p

[bakerchris]

john is not mistaken, the pt1911 usues a standard series 80 system. I just got one and have been compliling parts and info to turn into my first hand customized 1911. other than the lawyer lock hammer all the "guts" are standard 1911.

I have been reading everywhere on replacing the hammer and from what I have read, a very easy procedure that is no different from replacing the hammer on any 1911 with a series 80 FP system.

I spoke to fine folks at cylinder and slide yesterday and they assured me that their "trigger group kits" will drop right in with the normal fitting that one may have to do with any other 1911. so at least the sear, sear spring, mainspring, hammer and trigger are compatible with other 1911 parts. I ordered one of their kits then.

taurus customer service told me that I was good to go with all standard series 80 compatabile firing pins, firing pins stops and springs.

My ed brown hardcore stainless slide stop went right in. no fitting necessary.

[bakerchris]

they do use a funny ambi safety. it needs a bigger clearance cut on the right side grip panels as its a bit longer than other ambi safeties.

[10851Man]

Thanks, John...

I do understand where you come from and I appreciate your insight. If the fire controls are readily replaceable with commonly available parts, then I wouldn't have a problem recommending this pistol be approved as an off-duty pistol.

Defensive Vs. Offensive:

This has come up numerous times in civil actions here in California. The term defensive use pertains to that display or use of a pistol in response to a credible and/or verified threat. Offensive use pertains to display or use of a pistol when a threat is not verified, but is merely suspected.

There is a lot more to it than that, but that's the basic consensus...Robert

[sevenL4]

A couple of weeks ago I posted a query about the differences between Taurus pistols and others. I asked for evidence, not opinions. Here's what I got;
1.The frames are not as hard as most (he thinks)
2.They are not 'in spec' because other grips don't fit (well, some do)
3.They are not 'mil spec' (neither is a 70 or 80 series Colt)
4.Taurus can't get grip bushings right (huh?)
5.The serial number is in the wrong location ('cause he says so)
6.Barrels are not forged (even though Taurus claims they are)
7.Taurus uses cheaper steel (cheaper than what?)
8.The Taurus sear is longer than some (but we don't know where it's longer)
9.Trigger parts are not standard (whose standard?)
Any definitive offer of proof? Nope. 40 years ago when I started carrying a 1911 I got the same kind of arguments from the S&W revolver clan. There's lots of good information on this forum. I just didn't get much when I asked about Taurus pistols. I don't own one, I was just curious.

[SGT405]

One of the other officers in my dept. just purchased one for carry. Aside from all the internet rumors and prejudice against Taurus, it is a good, decent 1911 in my opinion.

[10851Man]

Sgt405,

Is that on or off-duty carry???