The Taurus Rocks!
While this is an interesting thread, I will weigh in with my .02 on the Taurus. I own and shoot my first 1911, which is a Springfield WW2 Mil Spec Model to which I have added Hogue wrap around grips and nothing else( I like reliability). I have acquired a Taurus 1911 in Blue for basically $500 (+ Uncle Sam's cut)and shot the h__l out of it along with my Springfield and a good friends customized Colt( Acurized, trigger job, mag well, and very nice engraving).
Lets put it this way, my friend who owns the Colt has already purchased a Taurus. My Springfield Mil Spec is a VERY relaible shooter with 230 GR Ball but it has hiccups with anything else (hollow points, etc), so I just feed it ball ammo and everything is fine. My friends Colt does take the misc ammo OK but it does best with ball also.
The Taurus will take basically anything that I feed it. The pistol is more accurate than I am (Which I am working on, I still only hit the coke can about 50% of the time at 25 yards). The pistol works seamlessly and without a hiccup, including rapid fire and mag changes. For the amount that I paid, I can't say a thing about it and would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone that is looking for a good value in a serious pistol. Sure you can spend a ton of $$ on a custom pistol, but the Taurus has all the features and the performance to boot for a decent price. My trigger pull feels about the 3.5 lb area, but I do not have a gauge to be sure. The pull is clean and crisp, fires the same place every time. The mags are quality, and the gun also feeds with the menagerie of mags that I have with no problem.
In short, I think the Taurus is an EXCELLENT value for the $$, and while there are people that bash Taurus in general, I buy my weapons for function and relaibility, not re-sale value and name. I will Keep my Taurus and add at least one more......or two......or three......