Ok, so one of my favorite guns is a ten year old Taurus PT92. It’s been fairly solid and reliable and is always fun to shoot.
I’m seriously considering picking up one of the Taurus 1911’s, but can’t help notice that Springfield Armory copies can be had for about the same price. Is there any reason to consider Taurus at this point?
Short answer, No. Buy the Springfield.
I would strongly encourage you to stay away based on personal experience. I could not get my Taurus 1911 to work when I owned in a few years ago, and have heard many similar stories.
Not only No, but hell no. Buy the Springfield.
Nolo contendere, buy the Springer.
My buddy has one that has been pretty reliable. Loose as all get out. But if it’s between that and a Springfield…get the Springfield.
I’ve never had a problem with mine. I’ve been carrying it for 3 years almost every day. Finish is coming of the slide a little, but it has never failed to feed, fire, or eject. Oh, I still want something better, but I really can’t complain for the price.
I’ve had mine for about 6 years. I’d guess around 1200 trouble free rounds.
It wasn’t what I was after, and I just kinda happened into it.
Be aware though that some parts on the Taurus are proprietary and won’t interchange with standard 1911 parts.
Another thing, I have the railed version which requires a custom holster. It won’t fit standard railed 1911 holsters
My buddy has the PT1911. It is ok at best. The sights are mediocre, the trigger is mediocre, see the trend forming… I don’t hear much good about Taurus’ warranty service.
Go buy the Springfield with confidence and gusto. If it ever breaks you have their awesome customer service standing behind their guns.
If you can get/find a Springfield for the same price as the Taurus, get the Springfield. But, frankly, what you are paying extra for is the name. I’ve owned two TRP’s and was very dissapointed with the build quality and what they attempted to pass off as “hand fit”. The things I’ve experienced were hammer hooks/sear not making full contact, beaver tail safeties so loose they could be depressed at an angle which wouldn’t deactivate that safety, loose barrel fitment, and hammer struts so undersized I could freely flick them left or right where they were connected to the hammer.
With all that being said, is Taurus better or not have some of those problems? I wouldn’t bet on it lol…but at least its pretty cheap and you know what you are getting into. Taurus was my first 1911 10yrs ago, I’ve since learned a lot more about the platform and gravitate towards semi-custom guns now; but it wasn’t a bad pistol or regrettable purchase. That title goes to the Kimber Custom TLE II that replaced it…
For a first 1911, I would get the cheapest one you can find. Get proficient with it and then determine if you even like the platform. If you do, focus on the things you would like your next one to improve on and seek a replacement (which at the very least should be used Dan Wesson).
I will echo the sentiments. Springfield is the cheapest 1911 I would ever consider, and honestly I would probably pony up a few extra hundred bucks and buy a Colt over a Springer.
I agree.
Very interesting. Was looking at the Range Officer model (with the target sights).
Imo the range officer is one of the best low priced 1911. I have shot three different ones and each was great. I have shot two taurus 1911. One was ok, fit and finish were mediocre. The other funny enough was built a little tighter and had a better trigger. But was a absolute pos. It is hard to pass on a Springfield in the under 700 category. I have a loaded 9mm and love it. Bought it used in great shape. So far so good.
I don’t know but I would not buy a Taurus. Maybe I should buy one and post up the results of shooting it.
I know this is the 1911 section: But, I’ve got to ask, Is that ALL handguns made by Taurus?
I’m only asking because I know (IMHO) they build some Very Nice revolvers, No I don’t own any but I have shot a few.
For me, I’d pass on ALL their>> Semi Autos, However… see above statement.
Peace Jeff
I remember when the Tauras was first coming out. (I was at the tail end of my 1911 delusional phase). It was going to be prices cheap enough for a base build gun. But all the mouth breathers bought them up so fast, the price went up to the point that it was no longer attractive. I never got to try one.
Both of the base model Springfields I’ve owned were garbage. So… ???
Out of those two choices I would go with the Springfield, but I don’t find them overly impressive either. Low end 1911’s are pretty hit or miss. One of the best inexpensive 1911’s IMO is the STI Spartan. Main components are sourced from RIA (who has a good track record with cheap 1911’s) and are fit by STI and finished with STI small parts. If I wanted a budget 1911 the Spartan would be my choice. Otherwise save a couple hundred more dollars and buy a Colt or a used Dan Wesson Heritage.
They are an entry level gun at best. Fine for a range toy, but would pick something else to bet my life on.
C4
I wouldn’t own a Taurus product of any kind personally, but especially a 1911 made by Taurus. This is an area where it’s always worth paying a little extra for a known brand with a known history of making quality 1911s. For the same price, it wouldn’t even be a consideration between Taurus and the Springer or a used Colt etc.