Having always owned revolvers, I JUST now bought my first semi-automatic - a 9mm Taurus PT-111. I have not made it to the firing range yet. However, I noticed that when I pull the slide back manually to load a cartridge, the bullet (Winchester WinClean) hits low on the barrel and jams. BUT, when I have the slide back and locked, and THEN release it (the slide moves forward quite a bit faster than when I pull the slide back and let it go forward with my hand) it seems to load OK. Is this normal?
Taurus PT-111 Jams - Is this normal?
- Thread starter Logistar
- Start date
How hard are you cocking the slide. You must compress the recoil spring. When charging the weapon you must pull back on that slide rather smartly!!!! Some autos are hard to cock by hand.
Second, how does it fire??? Does it jam when you fire the weapon??? Give us some more info, please!!!
Second, how does it fire??? Does it jam when you fire the weapon??? Give us some more info, please!!!
"when I have the slide back and locked, and THEN release it (the slide moves forward quite a bit faster than when I pull the slide back and let it go forward with my hand) it seems to load OK."
It sounds like you might be "riding the slide." If the slide moves forward faster when you release the slide stop than it moves when you release the slide manually, it is probably your hand which is slowing the movement of the slide.
Try having the slide locked back, then (with your weak hand) pull the slide farther back (a small fraction of an inch) and then let go abruptly. Do not drag on the slide with your hand.
Try it and let us know, okay?
Oh, and all this should be done someplace like a range where, if you accidently fire a round downrange, nobody (and nothing expensive) is endangered!
It sounds like you might be "riding the slide." If the slide moves forward faster when you release the slide stop than it moves when you release the slide manually, it is probably your hand which is slowing the movement of the slide.
Try having the slide locked back, then (with your weak hand) pull the slide farther back (a small fraction of an inch) and then let go abruptly. Do not drag on the slide with your hand.
Try it and let us know, okay?
Oh, and all this should be done someplace like a range where, if you accidently fire a round downrange, nobody (and nothing expensive) is endangered!
It looks like you guys might be right. It seems that it jams when I hang on to the slide and don't let it come forward as fast as it would if I just "let go" after pulling the slide all the way back. (I am using hollow-point bullets).
I will get it to the range this week. I was just concerned that if I couldn't get the first round chambered reliably that this would not make a good defensive gun. (most of the time I won't carry a round in the chamber)
I tried it again today and I think it might be alright as long as I keep my hand off the slide after pulling it back.
Hopefully I am using the correct ammo. This gun uses 9mm Parabellum. I am using Winchester WinClean 9mm Lugar ammo.
I believe that 9mm Parabellum and 9mm Lugar are the same thing. If they aren't PLEASE let me know!
Thanks to all for the input. I will report back after I use it at the range. I guess I need to get used to having a semi-auto. Until then, I will still carry my revolver. It has never jammed.
I will get it to the range this week. I was just concerned that if I couldn't get the first round chambered reliably that this would not make a good defensive gun. (most of the time I won't carry a round in the chamber)
I tried it again today and I think it might be alright as long as I keep my hand off the slide after pulling it back.
Hopefully I am using the correct ammo. This gun uses 9mm Parabellum. I am using Winchester WinClean 9mm Lugar ammo.
I believe that 9mm Parabellum and 9mm Lugar are the same thing. If they aren't PLEASE let me know!
Thanks to all for the input. I will report back after I use it at the range. I guess I need to get used to having a semi-auto. Until then, I will still carry my revolver. It has never jammed.
Cavè Canem
New member
When you manually rack the slide to load the first round, pull it all the way back and let go. DO NOT RIDE THE SLIDE INTO BATTERY WITH YOUR HAND. This will slow it down and cause the jamming you are seeing.
And a PT-111 is DA only correct? I believe it is, I shot one at the range and absolutely hated the trigger. It feels like it will never fire. Since the PT-111 is DA only, you can safely carry a round in the chamber but I would advise getting some sort of Defensive handgun training if you do not have a lot of experience with weapons. You can usually get a basic cheap course for around $40.
And a PT-111 is DA only correct? I believe it is, I shot one at the range and absolutely hated the trigger. It feels like it will never fire. Since the PT-111 is DA only, you can safely carry a round in the chamber but I would advise getting some sort of Defensive handgun training if you do not have a lot of experience with weapons. You can usually get a basic cheap course for around $40.
I have had medical problems and probably won't get to the range this week as promised. It appears that the Taurus PT-111 does NOT jam when chambering the first round if you let go of the slide! (THANKS!)
I bought an extra magazine (only one they had) when I purchased the gun. It was $30! (Louisville, KY)
PT-111 IS DAO only. I hate that too. I REALLY liked some of the single action pistols that I saw. However, this gun will only be used for defensive purposes and I felt like I might be a little safer from a premature or accidental firing. I am sure that accuracy will suffer a little though. I will find out when I get to the range.
I had to take Kentucky's "Concealed Carry Course" (if that is what it is called.) I learned safety and "how to shoot" from my father when I was young. He was VERY thorough. I think everyone should probably know gun safety EVEN if they don't have a gun.
I bought an extra magazine (only one they had) when I purchased the gun. It was $30! (Louisville, KY)
PT-111 IS DAO only. I hate that too. I REALLY liked some of the single action pistols that I saw. However, this gun will only be used for defensive purposes and I felt like I might be a little safer from a premature or accidental firing. I am sure that accuracy will suffer a little though. I will find out when I get to the range.
I had to take Kentucky's "Concealed Carry Course" (if that is what it is called.) I learned safety and "how to shoot" from my father when I was young. He was VERY thorough. I think everyone should probably know gun safety EVEN if they don't have a gun.
Cavè Canem
New member
You appear to be taking the smart way to learn Defensive/CCW weapons handling. Kudos.
I finally made it to the range with my new Taurus PT-111. Here is how it went.
The Good!
Gun FELT GREAT! Accuracy (which I was worried about) was as good if not better than my .38 revolver w/6-in barrel. (I must have been having a good day!) Seriously, I was very impressed at how quickly I was able to adapt to the longer trigger pull. In the first 100 rounds, NOT ONE JAM occurred after I pulled the trigger.
The Bad
Gun jammed repeatedly when trying to chamber the first round. I actually locked the slide back, then released it. I did not touch the slide with my hand at all. - it STILL jammed... again and again. This actually ONLY happened with Speer Gold Dot GDHP. I also shot Winclean ammo and it NEVER jammed at all UNLESS I slowed the slide down with my hand. (I know... I know...) I just bought a box of Federal "Hydra-Shok" JHP. I have not fired them yet but I practiced loading them into the chamber. I could not get them to jam. - Always a good feed.
Also... cannot find accessories for the PT-111. Currently using a Glock holster that seems to be a very good fit.
One of the guys at the shooting range told me that the jams should stop after about 200 rounds. (maybe that's why the Federal ammo I just bought doesn't jam.) If not, he suggested that I have the slide polished.
Thanks to all for your help. It is greated appreciated!
The Good!
Gun FELT GREAT! Accuracy (which I was worried about) was as good if not better than my .38 revolver w/6-in barrel. (I must have been having a good day!) Seriously, I was very impressed at how quickly I was able to adapt to the longer trigger pull. In the first 100 rounds, NOT ONE JAM occurred after I pulled the trigger.
The Bad
Gun jammed repeatedly when trying to chamber the first round. I actually locked the slide back, then released it. I did not touch the slide with my hand at all. - it STILL jammed... again and again. This actually ONLY happened with Speer Gold Dot GDHP. I also shot Winclean ammo and it NEVER jammed at all UNLESS I slowed the slide down with my hand. (I know... I know...) I just bought a box of Federal "Hydra-Shok" JHP. I have not fired them yet but I practiced loading them into the chamber. I could not get them to jam. - Always a good feed.
Also... cannot find accessories for the PT-111. Currently using a Glock holster that seems to be a very good fit.
One of the guys at the shooting range told me that the jams should stop after about 200 rounds. (maybe that's why the Federal ammo I just bought doesn't jam.) If not, he suggested that I have the slide polished.
Thanks to all for your help. It is greated appreciated!