I've been looking at handguns lately, and Taurus versions always seem to be cheaper. Are they less reliable or less accurate?

I personally don't have any experience with their semi-autos, but their revolvers don't seem half bad.

I did see, however, 3 people with brand new Taurus semi-autos have multiple FTF during my CHL qualification. Pretty much guaranteed I will never own one.

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."
-Thomas Jefferson

A LOT of people are carrying a Taurus now-a-days. I see several over at texaschlforum, and there were a couple at my CHL qualification. In fact, my uncle carries a 709 slim.

I was told (by a guy at academy, so consider the source) that they were using a Beretta plant in Brazil, and that since their moved to that plant, they quality went up. I am not sure how true this is.

Having said all that, I cant criticize anyone for buying a Taurus, but I would not carry one until I had put at least 1000 rounds through it to make sure I could trust it.


Edited because I need to learn to proofread my posts.


[This message has been edited by PTXaggie08 (edited 2/3/2010 9:24p).]

I have a Millineum Pro in .40 S&W. It is a nice little gun. The trigger pull is long on it, but that is the way it is designed. I have had some FTF & FTE with mine but that was when it was really dirty.

I don't know about their quality today but several years ago when I was smithing their quality was at best just OK. The best I can remember is their barrels and cylinders were satisfactory but the rest was, well never mind. I will admit that I never saw their auto loaders but I would never own one of their revolvers.

I saw a 40 cal Taurus on sale for 279 at Academy in this week's add.

About 4 years ago I was in the market for a .40 and had the money to buy whatever make and model I wanted. I spent a couple weeks handeling glocks, s&w, sig, etc. and none of them felt right to me. The glock and the s&w felt blocky and didn't fit my hand well. I liked the Sig, but already own a P226 in 9mm and wanted something different. Long story short I visited a customer who had just purchased a Taurus .40 and he was showing me. From the first second I loved the way it felt in my hand and the way it pointed.

Intrigued we set up a time to go shoot and it was nice. Great action, accurate, and looked sharp. I went to Academy a few days later and bought it. The model is the Taurus 24/7 Pro in .40, and I am glad to own it. In 2005 it was the NRA's Handgun of the year, and was a bargain at less than $400 for the gun, case, and two magazines.

So I would absolutely buy another Taurus handgun. I have been very happy with my purchase and the fact that I got a great gun for half of what I was willing to spend.

I was specifically looking at the Taurus clone of the Beretta M9/92F versus the Beretta itself. The Taurus is about $150 less.

IMHO, it is worth the $150 to get the namesake of Beretta. They are such a great company with a great reputation.

Sure, everyone loves to save $150, but when you grab that gun off your nightstand, do you want to point a gun that didn't hurt your wallet, or do you want a gun that has a great reputation behind its design?

I like to think that I am not a gun snob, and I am not suggesting that you go out and buy an HK or a custom 1911. I am just suggesting that it would be in your best interest to spend money on a quality firearm.

If it were me, I would wait a few months to save a little more cash so that I could get what I really wanted.

my dad has a taurus revolver and has had it for 9 years and nver cleaned it. it works just as good as it did the first day he bought it. I have it now, looking for a rear sight for it. great gun, cheap, looks good.

Basically all of the criticism I've heard about Taurus's was about the semi autos (which I'm considering), not the revolvers. The revolvers seem to get widespread approval.

I took a gander at that ad also, figured for $300, why not.

We have a 9mm 24/7 DS that was purchased to use as a range/fun/loaner gun. I like the grip size quite a lot, as does my wife. Accuracy is average, and pretty much commensurate with the price. No failures of any type over what I would estimate to be around 500 rounds (which isn't a lot). So far, I'm quite happy with it.

It seems like the Taurus semi's are not as reliable overall as the more expensive American and Euro semi's, but I'm not worried. I would never rely upon it for defense use. I would not recommend one to anyone else for defense use, but I would have no problem recommending one for range use.

I know the quality used to be sub-par but I've had several people who's opinions I trust tell me that the quality has increased substantially and the PT1911 is an especially good value. But I haven't shot any lately myself so take it for what it's worth. I do know it's very hard for a tarnished rep to be repaired in the firearm world.

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I own a Taurus PT 24/7 .40. I have put well over 2000 rounds through it and haven’t had a single problem. My only complaint would be that the trigger pull is a little long but it only takes a little practice to get used to. Other than the trigger it has been a great gun.

I’ve also heard that since Taurus bought the Berretta plant in Brazil that their quality has gotten much better.

I have a 24/7 that I have put close to 1,000 rounds through with no real issues.

I own a Taurus PT 24/7 Pro .45 -- no issues so far.

I can shoot this one better than any other .45 I've tried actually. For some reason it really fits me well. I've run about 1k rounds through it so far.

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I've been looking at handguns lately, and Taurus versions always seem to be cheaper. Are they less reliable or less accurate?

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In my experience, yes, but that experience is based on owning only one Taurus (a PT145). That's the only gun I've ever owned that I don't regret getting rid of. It was horribly inaccurate and had a terribly long and heavy trigger pull. It would also drop the mag while I was shooting. I traded it for a Glock 30 just a few months after purchasing it new.

[This message has been edited by Hoss (edited 2/4/2010 6:50a).]

I had an early model pt111 that was terrible in every way you could measure a handgun. This was one of their early models, but I've been hesitant to get one again.

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I was specifically looking at the Taurus clone of the Beretta M9/92F versus the Beretta itself. The Taurus is about $150 less.

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Buck. Take it from someone who ACTUALLY OWNS the exact model of firearm you are talking about. I bought a Taurus PT92AF about 4 years ago at Academy. The price was the big selling point. I had done a little research and found out Taurus had basically purchased P92 production line from Beretta, and added a couple of extra design features to the PT92AF, and used Beretta tooling to make the gun. It is a quality firearm. The finish is a little bit rougher than a Beretta, but the function is at least as good, and I MUCH prefer the position of the safety/de-cocker on the Taurus as versus the Beretta. It is easier to reach, and the ambi lever is larger.

Also: I've shot over 2000 rounds out of it so far, including all kinds of crappy cheap ammo, and have had ZERO fail to cycle. ZERO fail to eject, and ONE FTF due to a dud primer, and it had a quite sufficient pin dent in it. The thing is UTTERLY reliable, and easy to clean. It is also about as accurate as the Beretta in my experience.

Some people gripe about Taurus service, but I've seen no reason to be bothered, as this gun simply hasn't required it.

Thanks for the input everybody. Also forgot to mention the Taurus holds two more rounds than the Berreta (according to the Gander Mountain website).

I'd get the Beretta.

i'd save up for something better.....corners have to be cut to offer a gun at such a low price....buy quality and cry once

"Now none of the frightened soldiers moved, for they saw that cowardice and valor purchased equal plots in the snipers' killing field"

I bought a Taurus PT101P in .40 at Academy back around Xmas cuz it was on a sale, for the price I paid and from how the gun has shot so far, I love it. Although I've only put about 250-300 rounds through it so far, but like I said no problems as of yet.