I had 2 different Taurus guns around 10 years ago...PT92 and a 627 7-shot .357. Both guns had zero issues for the years I owned them with a few thousand rounds through the PT92 and around a thousand through the 627.
I’ve got a PT111 G2/Millennium Pro. Bought new in 2014, since put almost 2,000 rounds through it. Somewhere close to 1000, it started to occasionally FTF with 115gr ball. Never had an FTF with jhp, though.
Pros: cheap, accurate; lifetime warranty (I’ve heard that’s no longer the case)
Cons: very few accessories available; pretty strict warranty terms; variable quality
If the quality control reports are a very mixed bag regarding anything, never mind just guns, I avoid it like the plague...and with T. it's a very, very mixed bag.
My Judge has had screws fall out of it. They had loctight on them from the factory, but I guess the Brazilian knock off isn't as good as the real stuff. No issues other than that.
Had a PT709. No issues, but I just didn't like the gun. Felt like crap. The Keltec PF9 feels like a better gun; that's how bad it is.
Had a 24/7 for like two months. Went bang every time and the trigger on it felt good, but was not accurate at all. It seemed like the barrel lock up was very loose.
I don't think they are "bad" guns, but they are built to a price point. The biggest complaint I have against them is that there are other guns in their price range that perform better, negating their value.
Oddly, I really like my Rossi guns even though they are essentially the same company.
I bought a PT140 Mil Pro used, later found out it was under recall. I didn't spend much on it and didn't bother sending it in. I just removed the SA sear and made it DA only, ran flawlessly. I have about 500 rnds through it so far and still performs great. Only thing wrong, which is no fault of the weapon, is I have big hands and this is a small pistol which makes it a little difficult to aim, but can still get rounds on target.
This was at 10 or so yards shooting at a 2x2 square. Started to do better after I quit looking at the target and started focusing on the front sights
Same square previous shot at with my AR, iron sights at 50 yrds
Bought a PT709 slim many years ago. Issues with jams & stove pipes first trip to the range. Cleans it good back to the range. Jams & stove pipes. Tried 4 different types of rounds. Had jams in all of them. Returned to Taurus and they replace the extractor and sent it back. Suggested I was Limp Wristing the pistol and recommend a stronger grip. On the 1st trip to the range after I got it back it still jammed & stove piped with 3 if the 4 types of ammo I ran through it. I haven’t fired it since and that was at least 4 years ago. Tired of messing with it. I’ll probably trade it off at some point but I will be forth coming with it’s issues. It’s junk. I’ll never purchase another one.
I have had a few Taurus guns and never had any issues. I currently have the FS92 9mm, a 357 tracker, and a 4" Judge. I live out in the country and the Judge is what I carry on my property loaded with 410s. A great snake gun. However YMMV.
I own the following Taurus firearms:
- PT145 (.45)
- Model 66 (.357 mag)
- Model 627 Tracker (.357 mag)
- G2C (9mm)
- Model 85 #2 (.38 special)
All of these work fine, and have no issues with function, timing or accuracy. Great firearms.
I OWNED the following:
- PT111: Worked fine until it hit round count 200+. Started having light primer strikes and misfires. Sent it back to Taurus, and it took 7 months to get it back. They replaced the firing pin, and still I had the same issues. Pawned it off.
- Model 608: Went shooting with my neighbor, and he had to have it... I mean ABSOLUTELY had to have it, so he gave me $700 and I let it go. I feel like I robbed him.
- Model 85 #1: Was my backup carry pistol for 3 years. One range trip, I put some standard 158 grain Independence ammunition through it, and KABOOOM the whole cylinder blew to bits and in all directions. Thankfully, I only had a small cut on my middle finger knuckle and some minor scratches on my cheek. It could have been worse. Sent it into Taurus for evaluation, and they determined that series of SN was experiencing failures... They replaced the entire gun at no cost.
I must admit that although I have had a few hiccups with Taurus, the ones that are still working are working fine and perform well. They are not S&W or Colt, but they still do the job IMO.
I have wanted to buy Taurus but never did. Mostly because of reputation. I have test fired the pt111 and they work. Frame isn’t right for me but the one I shot worked reliably.
The cheapest handgun I own is a ruger 9e I got new for 300. Fits my hand great, thin for a full size, and has an ok trigger. Yes they have a mag safety but silly me I never seem to remember to reassemble that part back into the gun.
Been my experience ruger handguns are a great value and still give you reliability.
I have a 689 .357 since 1994, model 85 since 94, and PT92AF since 1999, never had an issue with any of them. My dad has the tip up .22, had an issue, sent it in to Taurus and never had an issue since, that was 1996