Taurus PT1911: Benchmark Value
It is unrealistic to expect the Taurus PT1911 to have the same fit and finish and precision of a Kimber, Springfield, RRA, S&W, Ed Brown, Les Baer, Wilson Combat, Sig or other higher end 1911 pistol. But at its approx. $650 price point it is very hard to beat. In the POU of recreational range gun, home defense choice, or open carry weapon, it excels. You can expect excellent accuracy. The model shown, a PT1911 AL (aluminum frame) is capable of 2 groups at 25 yards, maybe even better. Extensive offhand shooting both at paper and steel plates, confirmed this remarkable practical accuracy, with about 1 groups being the norm at about 15 yards while standing. In this regard it competes well with most other 1911s. Reliability was spotty at first and we experienced failures to go into battery with American Eagle 230 gr FMJ loads (while Wolf ammo functioned perfectly at that time). These hang-ups disappeared after what I consider a needed break-in period. In its stock form, it cycled several loads with no problems, including JHPs. When outfitted with an Ed Brown Value Hammer and Sear and Smith & Alexander Series 80 Hi Grip Safety, problems arose: hammer follow occurred (shown) and recocking during fire sequence failed. Restoration to the Taurus stock parts brough back reliability. Taurus lists many supposedly expensive custom features that are included in the gun and indeed there are many useful features that enhance accuracy, ergonomics, reliability, and looks. Excellent features from their list include full-length guide rod, Heinie Straight Eight sights (correction from video; they’re not Novaks), 30 lpi checkering in all the right places, memory pad equipped grip safety (very beneficial), polished feedramp and throat, scalloped ejection port, extended mag release button, and included extra 8 round magazine. But saying these features amount to a custom-level gun with its inherent quality however is a bit much: many other 1911s show superior fit, finish, and precision in the execution of these details. As such the Taurus PT1911 does not really rise to the quality level of other more expensive 1911s. The safety is not as precise and deliberate as a S&W 1911 PD for instance and the grip safety is harder to depress. The beveled mag well is also a disappointment compared to the Smith. The overall finishing of the frame, slide, and MIM parts is adequate but not impressive. Only you can determine your value placed on such workmanship and if you’re will to spend about $1,000 or more to get it. For many, this 2nd Kind of Cool is important and they may not be happy with the Taurus. But the PT1911 IS a working gun and has fulfilled that role remarkably well. Durability seems excellent from our tests and other reliable sources which cite 1,000s of rounds shot without problems. The gun does contained MIM parts (which sometimes don’t achieve forged performance) but the slide, barrel, and frame (on all-steel versions) are forged. Customer service from Taurus from our broken front sight (failed MIM part) was fast. Ergos on the gun, enhanced by many of the features, are excellent but we improved a bit more with Ergo brand grips (some of my favorite) and a full-on DuraCoat application in Cav Arms OD green and Tango Down FDE. Future mods may be in store but keeping your PT1911 completely stock will not degrade its capabilities to deliver fast, accurate, .45 ACP rounds are target. It is a benchmark of value in the field of mid-priced 1911s and will bring years of enjoyment at a reasonable cost. ////////////////////Nutnfancy Likeability Scale: 7.5 out of 10 /////////////////////////////////////// Songs are called “Sudden Impulse” and “Slightly Stricken” arranged and created by Nutnfancy /////////////////////////////////// Photos are TNP originals. A select few come from the public domain. Their posters/owners have consented to royalty-free worldwide unpaid distribution through unqualified agreement to Photobucket.com Terms of Use and through their selection and agreement to worldwide public use.
Duration : 0:42:9
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May 20th, 2010 at 9:41 am
I’m new to guns and …
I’m new to guns and stuf. i have a 9mm and am wondering if this is harder to hold onto that a 9mm?
May 20th, 2010 at 9:41 am
i saw on taurus’s …
i saw on taurus’s site that the aluminum version is more expensive then the steel which should i buy?
May 20th, 2010 at 9:41 am
I was a bit shady …
I was a bit shady of this make, it’s a little too slim for my taste
May 20th, 2010 at 9:41 am
Good Video Nutn. …
Good Video Nutn. I’d like to get a 1911 for range duty. I’m pretty much into hi-cap 9’s for self defense/carry/combat. The price of ammo is a deciding factor in going with your 1911 as a main carry gun, and so is capacity, or as you call it, “firepower”. I think the 1911 is better served as a home defense or range gun. When you’ve got modern HP ammo in a hi-cap 9mm there’s really no excuse as to what is logically the better self defense gun/
May 20th, 2010 at 9:41 am
@herron404 you must …
@herron404 you must weigh 400 lbs or wear really big clothing.. The serpa is not a concealed carry holster. It’s fine during the colder months with a jacket on, I suppose, but it does not hold the holster tight to your body at all. It sits 3 inches off the belt, that’s not tight in any way shape or form.
May 20th, 2010 at 9:41 am
@EuroS50
@EuroS50
May 20th, 2010 at 9:41 am
@juanox10 very well …
@juanox10 very well put
May 20th, 2010 at 9:41 am
1911 is not a “go …
1911 is not a “go to war gun”.
WHAT? I think it did pretty well in all the wars it has been in.
May 20th, 2010 at 9:41 am
Good points on the …
Good points on the CC Nutn, I carry mine everyday but it took a lot of time to find a holster that I was comfortable with and it takes some dedication. I am most comfortable shooting the 1911 and so I suck it up and carry what I’m comfortable with.
May 20th, 2010 at 9:41 am
@juanox10 if you …
@juanox10 if you can do better, do it….otherwise, shut it….
May 20th, 2010 at 9:41 am
i love the video …
i love the video but you really be surprised at how easy you can conceal carry the pt 1911 i have one it is my every day carry weapon along with a blackhawk serpa 2 cqc holster the holster holds the weapon close to the body and you cant see any outlines i love my taurus pt 1911
May 20th, 2010 at 9:41 am
thank u so much for …
thank u so much for making these videos. Im planning on buying a 1911 for home defense and was not sure if taurus was a good choice. Im short on money and just cant afford the more expencive guns. Ive been noticing people carrying the taurus more often and i just had to check it out.
May 20th, 2010 at 9:41 am
Sigh… Don’t get …
Sigh… Don’t get me wrong. I love my country to death, but I really wish I could go to a range with some buddies every once and a while and shoot some targets.
May 20th, 2010 at 9:41 am
your vids are good, …
your vids are good, but if there was a high noon duel and i had to put money one of you, hickock is the one I would bet on he is just a beast. he is older though so maybe by the time you get his age you will be as good. He is scary good.
May 20th, 2010 at 9:41 am
i have a 1911 for …
i have a 1911 for my home defense i have the desert warrior and i put a t2 flashlight on it and what not however i do not leave the safety on.. i it and take the safety off.. the beaver tail safety or grip safety does a very good job and id hate to use this horrible reasoning but its true if u dont depress the trigger the gun will not fire.. it you have proper weapon discipline then it wont be an issue.. that is just how i feel..
May 20th, 2010 at 9:41 am
My grandfather got …
My grandfather got me one kuz he knew i wanted a 1911, and honestly i would perfer it over a $2000 colt any day, i can carry it without being afraid of hurting it…….
May 20th, 2010 at 9:41 am
why are 1911s so …
why are 1911s so expensive???
May 20th, 2010 at 9:41 am
@juanox10
Instead …
@juanox10
Instead of insulting someone you should just keep to yourself.
May 20th, 2010 at 9:41 am
i have one of these …
i have one of these in steel frame. i put about 100 rounds through it and 50% of the time the hammer drops to half or totally drops, even when cycling the gun by hand it will still do this. i havent had time to take it in and have a look at it yet but im pretty bummed that i havent been able to enjoy the gun yet. for what its worth it is very accurate when it fires.
May 20th, 2010 at 9:41 am
Great review and I …
Great review and I agree with most of it except firepower.
If carrying for self-defense, statistics show it will most likely be a 1 or 2 shot deal. You have to assume the perp is 300 lbs., just spent the last 5 years pumping weights in prison, and is now high drugs and booze…Ill take 8 rounds of .45 acp over 3 times as many 9mm.
May 20th, 2010 at 9:41 am
Great review and I …
Great review and I agree with most of it except firepower.
If carrying for self-defense, statistics show it will most likely be a 1 or 2 shot deal. You have to assume the perp is 300 lbs., just spent the last 5 years pumping weights in prison, and is now high drugs and booze…Ill take 8 rounds of .45 acp over 3 times as many 9mm. or even .40 cal.
May 20th, 2010 at 9:41 am
I’ve been thinking …
I’ve been thinking of getting myself a 1911 for a while. I’ve never owned one before. I’ve never owned anything bigger than a .380 (I’ve fired bigger…). I have a very low budget. Would this or a Firestorm 1911 be better?
May 20th, 2010 at 9:41 am
i have a kimber …
i have a kimber custom II and does not comes with front strap checkering, i seen a post online about someone that did a front strap checkering job them selves came out great, you guys should do a video on that!!!
May 20th, 2010 at 9:41 am
Has anyone had a …
Has anyone had a problem with this gun feeding hollow points out of the magazine?
May 20th, 2010 at 9:41 am
I Agree! Great gun …
I Agree! Great gun for the buck, lots of nice features for the money.