Taurus semi-autos, are they as bad as I've heard?

[Hypnogator]

Add my vote for Taurus. I've had a 2nd Gen stainless PT-145 Millennium Pro that I bought shortly after they came out, that I'm completely satisfied with. Had an occasional jam during the first 100 rds, but after a thorough cleaning and proper lubing, it's run 100% now for years. Feeds anything I care to put through it, and loves WWB for a day at the range.

Only problem I had was the front sight kept coming loose, which I fixed with a drop of Threadlocker Blue.

My only complaint was that mine was before they began molding the grip with an accessory rail. Fixed that by filing down an aluminum scope mount and attaching it to the underside of the frame unit with a couple of screws and some epoxy. Am planning to mount a Viridian green laser/light combo onto it.

Others say they have had problems with Taurus guns, and I certainly wouldn't be comfortable saying they exaggerated or were less than truthful. I'm tickled spitless with mine, however.

It's interesting that some have gone from "bad" Tauri to Kahrs. A Kahr PM-45 was my biggest disappointment. Jam-o-matic, even after a trip back to Kahr, low capacity, and not significantly smaller than my 145, holding only about half the rounds. It performed far worse than my Taurus, but cost more than twice as much! Traded it soon after giving up on it for reliability.

 

[roadliner]

From what I hear, it's hit or miss with Taurus. I've had a .44 special for 12 plus years without a problem. And I just bought a PT145, no problems yet. Seems like a well built gun.

 

[Janos Dracwlya]

I bought a TCP back in July and immediately cleaned it and took it to the range. I put about 250 rounds through it, including some Golden Saber hollow points, with no problems. My hand didn't even hurt. After the first range session, I polished the feed ramp and cleaned it, though maybe not as well as I thought I had, since I had one FTE the second time I took it to the range. The only other problem was a FTF, which I believe was operator error - it was during the first few shots my wife fired with the gun.

Now, I really wish there was a firing pin block, or it was true DAO like the NAA Guardian, and I hate the sights. The first would be true with all of the other, similar guns, and the second is true of almost all pocket pistols and sights made to prevent snagging on clothes.

I'm happy with my purchase, and when I decide to get a pocket 9mm, the 709 will get a look (along with that new Ruger).

By the way, I was a little leery of going with the Taurus over the Kel-Tec P-3AT and Ruger LCP, but the Taurus fit my hand better than either of the others. Plus, it came with two magazines instead of one and a practical carry pouch (to which I've added a famous-name luggage brand label as additional camouflage).

 

[Slimbo]

My dad has had two, a mil pro .40 and a 24/7 pro 9mm. The .40 was alright from a function standpoint, never had any failures other than some feeding issues when i didnt get one of the mags back together correctly, spring didnt seat in the housing. The 24/7 i totally loved, 17+1, very little recoil and it had a pretty good trigger and sights.

 

[rd2007]

Have at least 250 rounds through my 709 and 0 issues so far. It's also very easy to carry.
You need to be careful with complaints on the Internet. Many are from the same person posting in multiple forums or a person that knows a person that had a cousin's niece that had a problem... nothing is perfect, though.

 

[pistolpacker]

Add my vote for Taurus. I've had a 2nd Gen stainless PT-145 Millennium Pro that I bought shortly after they came out, that I'm completely satisfied with. Had an occasional jam during the first 100 rds, but after a thorough cleaning and proper lubing, it's run 100% now for years. Feeds anything I care to put through it, and loves WWB for a day at the range.

Only problem I had was the front sight kept coming loose, which I fixed with a drop of Threadlocker Blue.

My only complaint was that mine was before they began molding the grip with an accessory rail. Fixed that by filing down an aluminum scope mount and attaching it to the underside of the frame unit with a couple of screws and some epoxy. Am planning to mount a Viridian green laser/light combo onto it.

Others say they have had problems with Taurus guns, and I certainly wouldn't be comfortable saying they exaggerated or were less than truthful. I'm tickled spitless with mine, however.

It's interesting that some have gone from "bad" Tauri to Kahrs. A Kahr PM-45 was my biggest disappointment. Jam-o-matic, even after a trip back to Kahr, low capacity, and not significantly smaller than my 145, holding only about half the rounds. It performed far worse than my Taurus, but cost more than twice as much! Traded it soon after giving up on it for reliability.

Thanks for the info... I was looking at the pm9 kahr as one of my options, so its alittle disheartening to hear about your experience with the kahr line but overall kahrs seem to have great reputations and more and more its looking like Tauruses are much better than I had initially heard. Most of the helpful responders have been more than pleased with their Tauruses.

 

[pistolpacker]

Have at least 250 rounds through my 709 and 0 issues so far. It's also very easy to carry.
You need to be careful with complaints on the Internet. Many are from the same person posting in multiple forums or a person that knows a person that had a cousin's niece that had a problem... nothing is perfect, though.

I agree you have to take them with a grain of salt. I appreciate your advice. My reports worried me because the majority of them came from personal friends who owned them in the past and a guy at one of the local gun stores told me to steer clear of them. Of course thats until I found this sight and opened this thread for more feedback. Getting good overall feedback so far. Its looking good for Taurus.

 

[Jotobo]

I have been looking at the PT111, 9mm. I mostly hear raving reviews of the gun. But there are a few that seem to abhor them. Same with the P11 from Kel Tec.

 

[benzuncle]

I have a stainless PT-145 Mil-Pro. I have shoved 2000+ rounds of 230gr ammo (LRNs and Remington Golden Sabers) through it with zero failures. Its 3¼in. barrel is surprisingly accurate. Whenever I let someone run a couple mags through it at the range, they are always surprised at how well it shoots. Takedown and cleaning is straightforward. 10+1 rounds of 230gr HPs: A lotta big pills in a small, carryable pkg. All for around $350.

 

[Airburst]

The only qualm I have with Taurus is resale value. There isn't any. However, they stand behind their guns, the new pricing is good and I think for the money, they are good guns. I have owned a M44 6inch and currently own a sweet stainless steel PT945. One thing about the 945 I really love is you can carry this gun three ways. Cocked and locked. Hammer down, safety off or hammer down, safety on. Plus, the safety is also a decocker. If you are not interested in a resale value, I say buy.

 

[LiveLife]

Another vote for PT145.

I can't speak for other models, but since last year, the third generation stainless Mil Pro PT145 with SA/DA trigger (No "Pro" next to "MILLENIUM") has been very reliable with several thousand rounds of factory FMJ/JHP, plated and lead reloads. Not a single FTF/FTE. It especially feeds LSWC like butter. Now that the pistol is broken in, the SA trigger is a very smooth and "light" 4 lbs.

It is one of few carry-able 10 round double-stack 45 semi with 1911/Sig like grip angle (it points naturally at a light switch every time) and very good ergonomics (I can reach all the controls without adjusting my grip). Slide length is actually shorter than Glock 26 and grip length is comparable to Glock 19. The slide thickness is comparable to XD and actually shares the same holster.

I used to hate the DAO Taurus pistols because of the heavy trigger pull, but the new SA/DA trigger makes it a very different pistol. Other shooters who have shot the PT145 have been impressed and my wife really like the smaller grip (just about the smallest grip for double stack 45ACP) for her smaller hands. We carry G27's but I would not hesitate to pack the PT145.

 

[SpodWo]

I had a 709 Taurus - it started to FTE and had problems with the slide stop working. I sent it in - they put on a new extractor and it still had FTEs....

I replaced it with a Kahr PM9 - not ONE single issue with the Kahr after about 700 rounds firing all sorts of quality AND cheap ammo. I made the right choice in getting rid of the 709. Quality is hit of miss with Taurus. I have a Taurus PT 92 that is flawless but I doubt I will ever buy another Taurus...

 

[BP Hunter]

I owned a 24/7 in 9mm , second hand that I traded because it had a broken extractor. I then bought a Model 85 .38 snubbie. It was a great revolveer but wanted somethng different so I also sold that. I bought a Millenium Pro 145 that served me well, but i also sold that because I wanted a higher quality .45 carry. I then bought a PT101 in .40 that I kept only for a few months because I gre tired of it, but it served me well. I then bought a Pt1911. I have fallen in love with that gun and have not chosen it to be my favorite gun.

 

[Hypnogator]

I was looking at the pm9 kahr as one of my options, so its alittle disheartening to hear about your experience with the kahr line but overall kahrs seem to have great reputations

FWIW, 9mm Kahrs seem much more reliable than their .45s. OTOH, if you buy a Taurus and it's bad, you can throw it in the river and buy another one, and still have spent less money than you would on a Kahr.

 

[NoobCannon]

or throw it my way! I'm actually becoming a bit of a Taurus fanboy because of my pistol.

 

[bannockburn]

I have a PT-92 that has run perfectly for a number of years now. I had a PT-111 MIL-PRO that was also fine, but I never really felt comfortable with the grip so I sold it. A friend of mine has an older PT-145 that has worked great for him as his EDC gun.

 

[RevDerb]

I've had three with zero problems.

 

[Geckgo]

On the internet I had people badmouthing the remington 700 before I got one, saying that it will fire while chambering and such. Don't listen to internet people who badmouth firearms. Taurus is made in Brasil and is carried by law enforcement in a lot of countries. When I was working in Ecuador it was the standard issue for our security patrols, as well as a security comapany that works worldwide who I met the president of on a plane while down there. I'm a little twitchy about buying them, but I wouldn't say no if someone gave me one. Take everything you hear with a grain of salt.

 

[W L Johnson]

Taurus is made in Brasil

Some models including the PT-738 TCP are made in the U.S. of A.

Oh, and before someone wants to correct you on the spelling of Brazil (English spelling), Brasil is the Portuguese (official language of Brazil) spelling. Ok, maybe I am a nerd.

 

[JW2]

I have a TCP and have had no problems at all with any FMJ or with PDX1 ammo, but it won't feed Federal or Hornady JHPs at all. Not much of a problem for me, as I just load it with the Winchester PDX1 which is a fine SD round.

 

[bigmobrown]

Taurus fan

I currently own 5 Taurus pistols: a Judge 410/45LC revolver, PT24/7 Pro DS in 9mm, 40S&W, and .45 ACP, and a PT738 TCP in.380. All but 2 were bought used from a local gunshop at a substantial savings.

I used the 24/7 .45ACP to qualify for my CHL. I carry the TCP concealed in a wallet holster. The Judge is loaded with Winchester PDX1 .410 shells and resides on my bedside table. I normally practise with the 24/7 9mm because 9mm is cheap to shoot and frankly it's so accurate it makes me look good.

I haven't had a single problem with any of them.

 

[bikerdoc]

No, 3k through my 92PT shoots accurate, with a hiccup and carries nice in a paddle.

Trust it like my CZ.

 

[vsteel]

I have about 500 rounds through my PT 1911 and love it. No issues of any kind with any kind of ammo I have put through it. Happy as can be with it.

In addition to all of the other take it with a grain of salt comments there is another I haven't seen mentioned yet. Buyers justification. Someone buys gun X (fill in X with your favorite high end weapon which attracts snobs.) for 2X the price of the Taurus and doesn't want to think he didn't get the same bang for the buck as the Taurus so he will cling to stories of his second cousin's uncles roommate who knew a guy with a problem. Or he will not like it as much because of the name, think the reverse of the placebo effect. I am not saying the more expensive guns are or are not worth it, just that a certain percentage of people have it boiled down to price, and more is always better.

Sure there are Taurus's out there with problems, but the same can be said for any manufacture. Even Porsche has a warranty department.

 

[bubbaturbo]

I don't have much of an opinion about Taurus firearms but I have noticed that threads about Taurus quality come with a guarantee of at least 2 things:

1. No matter how many people give their actual experiences with Taurus pistols they own or have owned, all of the bad posts are dismissed as coming from people "who have never owned one" and conversely, all of the good posts are irrefutable proof of Taurus quality and must be the gospel truth.

2. Although mentioning a bad experience with a Taurus firearm will simultaneously be dismissed as internet fiction

Don't listen to internet people who badmouth firearms.

it will still hurt the feelings of many Taurus owners as if you had insulted their children.

Every time.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I mostly hear raving reviews of the gun. But there are a few that seem to abhor them.

You will find that with every brand on the planet!