The Truth about Taurus?

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space_ace

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I would appreciate any true information from those who do or have owned Taurus firearms. What are they like and are they comparable to thier more expensive relitives Beretta and S&W. I have heard from one member on this board that was looking for a firing pin that parts are "impossible to get". Is this true? What failure issues do they have if any? Please no bashers of the stuff or copyright preachers just those who have used them.

Ace
 
They're not terribly bad firearms, but the problem with them here in Canada is that their distributor is R. Nicholls. They have notoriously crappy service and dealer support. Taurus USA also will not ship anything to Canada.
 
space_ace, what makes one a Taurus basher? In my case it was Taurus-USA's total lack of customer service. I bought a sub-compact semiautomatic pistol and I expected it to be able to group at 6.4 meters. The trigger is so bad on my PT111 that grouping at this short distance is impossible and when I called Taurus they could care less. Regards, Richard :D
 
One of our Manitoba IPSC competitors used at PT99 for a few months, it seemed to be A-ok until the rear sight came apart. I think he's been 6 months waiting/looking for a replacement (and has since switched to a CZ Tactical). The guy also owns at least one of their revolvers and is happy with it so 'your mileage may vary' as they say.
 
I have a Taurus revolver and love it... I showed it to a guy at a range, he couldn’t stop saying "f__k me". :lol: (He never seen one of those).

I also handled a couple of their other revolvers (model 66 and tracker) and a semi-auto (pt24/4 with convenient 106mm barrel :wink: ) and they all looked like nice guns.
 
Hey, I'd consider using a 'Taurus' at the range on the bench to stop the paper targets from blowing away in the wind. :lol:
 
I had an older PT92 for several years. The slide to frame fit was tighter than the Beretta 92F's I looked it when shopping. It was very reliable, had a decent trigger pull, was fairly accurate and was an enjoyable pistol.
 
I believe that the problem is more service then quality related. I have used and known many other folks who have used and owned Taurus products over the last 20 years or so. While I wouldn't put thier quality up there with a good S&W, they are certainly the equal of an average S&W or Berretta. Getting parts or service out of Nichols is like pulling chicken teeth though, practically impossible. - dan
 
I've owned a PT99 for over 10 years and I've never had a problem with it.
I lost a grip screw and called Taurus USA to get a new one. Was told they would put one in the mail right away. Well over a year later and it ain't here yet.
I made an attempt to get my grip screw and several other parts (that firing pin included) through a gunshop in Florida. They couldn't get any satisfaction either.
I love my PT99 and find myself shooting it less and less because I don't want to end up with a paper weight.
I wonder if a letter writing campaign would help? Their pistols are very good quality and reasonably priced...it's a shame their customer service up here is non existant.
 
richardoldfield: You're comments are valid and to clairify a Taurus basher would be someone with no experiance with their products and just says they're crap for no reason....a lot like the Norinco bashing types. I appreciate all the info from you guys. My budget is tight so Taurus, CZ, Grand Power and Norinco are all on the radar as possible buys.

Ace
 
what Taurus are you considering PT92/99? I'm sure it's a good gun well worth the money I would like to get one of the 'pimp' models with pearl grips and a golden parts (I wish Beretts made one loike that) :p

and to clairify a Taurus basher would be someone with no experiance with their products and just says they're crap for no reason....
Click to expand...

+1
 
Was just browsing the Taurus website and found this sweet toy;

Man, this is a one ###y gun :) me want one....
H_92SPL.jpg
 
Taurus are really hit and miss, it's like Norinco I swear. I think they make their revolvers in one place and their semi's in at least two other places. I've seen absolutely great Taurus's, but then I've also seen a bunch of crap ones. And unfortunately the crap ones outnumber the good ones I've seen (semi's).
 
I've got a Taurus 6" .357, looks like a 586 S&W. It has very nice deep blueing, a very nice trigger, and is accurate.

Haven't had anything go wrong with it so I can't personally comment on the customer support.
 
I've got an older PT-92. Its a well made pistol and is comparable to any of the Berettas I've shot it against, including my own 92FS, in terms of quality, fit/finish & overall accuracy. However, I think I got lucky. I've handled others, especially of recent manufacture that I wouldn't touch with a 10' pole.

As other posters have said, their customer service and support in Canada is non-existent, and if it can be believed, not much better in the USA according to several cousins/friends of mine and from what I've read on US based gun forums.

I don't believe I'd purchase a Taurus today, especially a new one, 1.) because of the zero customer support & repair & 2.) possible quality issues/hit & miss.

Out of the manufacturer's you list in your previous post, I'd go for a new CZ, hands down, no question! You'll get a well made, quality firearm that is fully supported within the Canadian market. Parts are readily available and CZ isn't "hit & miss" in terms of quality and accuracy. I'd consider a Norinco if I could handle it before hand, or go ahead and buy one that Gunnar has gone over first from Armco.
 
raks said:
One of our Manitoba IPSC competitors used at PT99 for a few months, it seemed to be A-ok until the rear sight came apart. I think he's been 6 months waiting/looking for a replacement (and has since switched to a CZ Tactical). The guy also owns at least one of their revolvers and is happy with it so 'your mileage may vary' as they say.
Click to expand...

I am that competitor and I did finally get the rear sight replacment part after a great deal of waiting. Taurus would not ship to Canadian residents. When they did ship to a dealer there were no parts included, only whole guns. Another dealer on a trip to the States brought it over the border for me. Other than that, the PT-99 functioned perfectly. I used it for two years plinking at targets before getting into IPSC. The rear sight broke after about three months of competition shooting. I also own the Raging Bull in 454 Casull and it is working well although the sights do seem to drift. I need to adjust them every 20 or 30 shots. I guess what I am saying is that they are good guns, except for the sights. :? :(
 
Dan-O-Mite..does your PT99 have the adjustable rear sight? If so..I can understand it coming off. They are kind of hanging out there on the slide.

Sprite%2070.jpg
 
IM_Lugger said:
PT-92 9mm fixed sites...
PT-99 9mm adjustable sight...

PT-100 .40 fixed sites...
PT-101 .40 adjustable sight...


:wink:
Click to expand...
Ya..but that's getting technical and stuff... :wink:
 
So it appears that its not the gun, but the location of the buyer. and the crappy service of the dealer.
I once owned three. A PT92 that never gave me any trouble, but I traded it off for a Ruger P345 since I prefer that to 9mm

Still own their stainless snubbie in 45LC which has been very reliable

The only one that had problems was the PT945
when new, it would fail to feed, leaving the slide part way open with a round halfway in the chamber. I sent it back and they repaired it no charge, (replaced the slide and something else.)
Second time was when the safety wouldn't engage. Sent it back and they repaired it, again free of charge. I still have it.
Apparently when they said a lifetime warrantee, they meant it.
 
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