Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Didn't think I'd ever get to the range but finally went today.

Before I went, I swapped out the ambi-safety with an STI left handed safety that I got from Midway. Dropped in like it was going home to momma, no fitting required and it functions like it should.

Put 300 rounds through the 1911SS and it was flawless! Didn't get 1" groups but didn't expect to with these 58 yr old eyes. It did what I wanted it to and better at 5, 7, 15, and 25 yard ranges though.
The 2 Taurus mags and 3 Chip McCormick mags all functioned great also.

The range had a nice collection of 1911's for sale, I was really impressed with the Kimber they had for $1300.00. They also had a nice stainless Springfield Armory 1911 for $900.00. My question is, why would anyone pay that much for a 1911 when the Taurus does everything it should for far less money? After shooting the Taurus, I don't think I'd swap it for the others even on a gun for gun swap. I'm happy for you if you have one of the big name guns but the Taurus is truly nice.

Glad I got the Stainless model also and I love the Pachmayr grips. I've owned/fired a lot of pistols over the years and this one is one of the best.
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I like what you have to say about the Taurus. I've been considering a 1911 for some time now, and it's been hard to decide whether to go ahead with the PT 1911 or one of the "bigger name" 1911's like Springfield or Kimber. I don't have the scratch for any of them right now, but knowing that you're happy with the PT1911 helps for when the time comes.

... if it helps.. BRA has Colt 1911 at $900 and Springfield Armory 1911 at $800; both are "basic" models that you can build upon/customize.

*I've still got my "jones" for the AR-15 so not purchases for me until that is built....

I read a lot about it on the Taurus forum, Taurus Armed. They have a pretty good group there discussing the pro's and con's. The only real cons were the 2nd class blue job on the blued models and the ambi-safety being prone to breakage so I replaced that with the STI I got from Midway and got the Stainless model. Everyone seemed happy with their 1911's and I've had a Stainless Taurus model 85 (.38) for my wife for 20+ years and it's a flawless gun.
Just doesn't make sense to spend $1300 for a Kimber or $900 for a Springfield when the Taurus is only $609 and has all the bells and whistles anyone would ever need.
It comes stock with:
Full length guide rod & reverse plug
Novak 3-dot Sights
Serrated slide rear and front
Checkered 30-lpi trigger guard
Checkered 30-lpi mainspring housing
Checkered 30-lpi front-strap
Ambidextrous safety
Beavertail grip safety with memory pad
Skeletonized hammer
Skeleton serrated trigger
Trigger job
Custom fit barrel (air-gauged bushing)
Custom slide to frame fit
Polished feedramp and barrel throat
Lowered and flared ejection port
Custom internal extractor
Extended mag release button
Beveled mag well

All mods that you have to pay for to have added to stock 1911s or pay twice the price for on a big name gun.

If anyone has shunned Taurus in the past, I'd suggest they take another look at the Stainless PT1911.

Taurus has everything going for them with one exception, customer service. While I have never had to deal with them from what I hear they suck.

I've read their customer service is mostly on the down-side but ave read good things too. I prefer to see a local smithy with gun problems since I dislike shipping my guns anywhere.
Haven't had any problems with the 3 Taurus' I own so far so cannot say either way.

I like the PT-1911 but I've also heard bad things about customer service. Taurus does make decent weapons. I've got a PT-145 and its a decent shooter.

Well, if it means anything... a guy at work is looking to sell his two Kimber 1911's because of their bad customer service. I thought Kimber was suppose to be a good brand, but he said he had to bad incidents with them.

Of course, I fired one of this Kimbers. Sweet gun! Beat the Sig 1911 in my book, which is really the only other 1911 I'd dealt with.

I've got a Kimber Custom II and it is a nice gun. Never had to deal with their customer service and hope I never do. I hate dealing with any kind of customer service.

I have a Taurus PT1911 in the not so great Blue, but I've never had a problem with it and it shoot straight every time. I want a stainless also.

Funnyrunner, if you don't mind can you tell us/me where you found yours for only $609?