Thinking about Taurus PT911

C

chaim

New member
I went to the range/gunshop the other day, just to shoot a rental or two (wanted to shoot something different) and to browse. I have many guns on my "must have list" but decided to check out one that wasn't on the list. I checked out the Taurus PT911 and boy was I impressed. All of a sudden it is not only added to my "must have list" but it is #2 (I've wanted a CZ long enough that it is still next).

I didn't get to shoot it but I was impressed. It's size was perfect, small and concealable, but big enough for my beefy hands- it may have been the most comfortable gun I've EVER had my hands on. SA trigger pull (with snap caps) was great and DA was good. I LOVE the Taurus safety. I prefer SA so being able to carry "cocked and locked" will be nice- when I move out of MD of course, but I must admit that the decocker and DA carry would be nice at times too. With Taurus' safety this can be accomplished with one gun instead of two. This gun so impressed me that I actually had a dream about owning the damn thing last night (never had that happen before- guess it has been too long since my last gun purchase :( ).

I know of the problems with the polymer frame Taurus guns but from all I've heard (and seen from my own ownership in the case of revolvers) the steel framed autos and the revolvers from Taurus are great- up to the standards of some of the best. Anyone telling me Taurus guns are POS will be ignored, I know better (only the polymer Taurus guns are POS).

I have heard of some people having trouble with hammer bite. My hands are on the beefy side (short but fat). What can I do to avoid hammer bite? Can I try a rubbery aftermarket grip that swells a little to the top (any suggestions on brands)? Is this more a problem with the PT945 (.45acp) and PT940 (.40 S&W) or is it not aggravated by recoil?

I may not get a chance to fire one before buying so other than handling it in the shop this (your input) may be my only other means for me to evaluate this. No range in the area seems to have one for rental. None of my friends own one. I will check some ranges (by phone first) that are a bit further away (Philidelphia is about 2-3 hrs, Lancaster PA is nice to visit and not too far, York PA is under 2hrs and a nice drive, N. Virginia is 1 hr, the Williamsburg VA area is 4hrs but I love it and I would take the excuse to visit). If anyone from those areas knows of someplace that rents the Taurus PT911 and/or PT940 please let me know. I may simply have to buy one and see and if I have a problem with hammer bite I'll have to decide what to do with it (see if a buddy doesn't have the problem and likes the gun and give it/sell it to him or her, keep it anyway, sell it back to the shop at a big loss, etc). As the gun isn't too expensive (as guns go anyway) this may be an option.

Any suggestions on caliber? I will probably buy the PT911 (9mm), the 9mm ammo is probably the most versatile ammo in an auto (like .38 it is available in everything from really cheap target loads to very effective self defense loads) and I don't currently own a 9 (recently sold my Ruger P89- stupid, stupid, stupid). I really love .45s, but I already own one, the ammo is expensive and if I buy a PT945 it would have to compete with my 1911 for range time :D. I would likely consider the PT940, I am becoming quite fascinated by the .40 round but it is nearly as expensive as the .45 (without much available cheap practice ammo like the 9mm). With the effective 9mm defense loads and .40 ammo costing nearly as much as .45 loads, which are better IMHO than a .40 (and with .45s getting smaller every day- the Glock 36 for example) I'm not sure that the .40 actually accomplishes anything unique. However, it is a great round. I will probably wait for a .40 until I can get it in a gun that I already own in 9 or .45 (maybe get a .40 CZ 75 or the PT940 after I have the 9mm version). However, I may still be able to be convinced.:D
 
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Slash,

Sorry you were one of the unfortunate souls that bought a Taurus Millenium series pistol. These are the polymer Taurus pistols that ARE POS. Most Taurus guns today are very high quality. The PT911 is steel framed and owners of Taurus steel framed autos tend to have high opinions of them, they may be better than the Taurus revolvers which are among the best- far better than S&W now (they were Smith copies originally but Taurus has made improvements on the designs- better springs, better materials, etc).

I know it is hard not to judge a manufacturer when your one experience with them is negative, but try not to judge Taurus over this one gun. You bought a gun which they have had many problems with. They brought something out that was totally new for them and apparently they hadn't worked out the kinks before releasing it (hopefully they'll fix the design soon). However, the other Taurus designs are good. I had a used (10 year old) Taurus 82 revolver and it was terrific. An aquintance who used to work at the range I usually go to owns the PT92, a Taurus .44 mag (forget which one) and loves them both (says his PT92 is better than his Beretta 92 it's based on). I also know of several people on this and other boards who are happy with their Taurus guns.

One thing I do take from reading about the PT111 and 145 troubles (I assume the PT140 is just as bad but haven't read anything about it- I'm assuming they just haven't sold as many) is to ignore the Lifetime Warranty, they apparently have it just as a selling tool but getting them to honor it is like pulling teeth. Stick with the proven Taurus designs, thats the steel frame autos and most revolvers (after the polymer trouble I'll wait a few years on a Titanium revolver), and you should be fine.
 
chaim,
I will second your motion to get a pt 911. I owned the pt 940 and
I have posted this numerous times, is the sweetest shooting gun I have owned, bar none. It is the perfect size for shooting and carrying. I had the stainless/alum. so it was lighter loaded with ammo , than my CZ compact without it.
For the steel PT series..Taurus took all of their Beretta know how,
thru in some SIG tech and a little of their own. Its a product of evolution.
My 40 never bit me nor have I heard of this, my buddies pt945 bites him but I have a different grip...so I miss out on his fun.
The trigger on my pt was almost perfect..da was fairly short and light..broke nicely. S/a trigger is lighter but much the same as my CZ 83...very nice.
All who shot my pistol, much of whom were "High end gun users"
Sigs, Glocks, Custom 1911's and so on...had nothing but crap to
say about my gun before they shot it and nothing but praise afterwards. :eek: Its amazing the stereotypes guns get sometimes..

I was short on funds and xmas was approaching...when I found my CZ Compact at a deal I couldnt pass up. I made the choice to sell my pt940 and aquire the CZ. I love CZ guns....love them.
But, I will admit that I regret selling my Taurus. It was a better gun than my Compact has proven to be so far. MUCH BETTER! :(

The only thing I didnt like about my 40 was it had to "big dot" front sight...It took a long time to get used too. It always seemed to cover the target instead of let you zero in on it.

I will get another hopefully fairly soon.....
The 911, 940 and 957 are all the same gun..the .380 is a mini
version and the 945 is a larger frame. Get what you want..dont
listen to the people who know nothing but what they have heard
about Taurus guns.....the poly guns have problems. The metal
semi's are worth looking at, buying, shooting and keeping for a long time.....
To top it off, I shoot with the guy who bought my gun.
I get reminded constantly of my choice....oh well.......sh*t happens.

Shoot well
 
My 40 never bit me nor have I heard of this, my buddies pt945 bites him but I have a different grip...so I miss out on his fun.
Click to expand...

This is what I need to hear, please people more. Seriously, now that I think about it most of the people who I've heard hammer bite stories had the PT945. Hopefully, that is it: the PT945 being a slightly bigger, modified version of the PT911/940 AND having the harder recoiling .45 round may have a hammer bite problem but the smaller lighter recoiling PT911 and PT940 don't (only problem with that theory is I think the .40 has more recoil than a .45- but still the size/design of the gun is a little different and that may make all the difference on this). Of course, I still need to hear from more people (maybe Erik just has a smaller hand so there is less flesh to get in the way of the hammer :)).

Get what you want..dont listen to the people who know nothing but what they have heard
about Taurus guns.....the poly guns have problems
Click to expand...

I would agree. From what I have seen MOST Taurus guns are great guns. Aside from polymer guns there aren't really any more complaints than you'll see from owners of the higher priced guns (anyone can make a lemon from time to time), if you doubt that go to 1911forum.com and check out some of the areas dedicated to various makes (Kimber for one comes to mind). In the past Taurus used to make crap but they changed that and for the past 10 years or so they have made good guns. They were just starting to get out from under that image when the milennium series came out. Unfortunately they didn't get that one right, the polymer guns are POS and that has put their public image back 10 years. However, the revolvers and steel framed autos are still great guns.
 
Does the 911 take 15 round mags? I have held the .45 and I thought it was nice. I could see where the hammer would bit though.

Mike
 
Does the 911 take 15 round mags?
Click to expand...

I know there aren't any made for it imported here as the gun came out after the ban. However, it is on a slightly modified PT92 frame so I wonder if it could use PT92 pre-ban mags. Anyone know if they'll fit? What about the legality of it?
 
Great gun. Along with the Ruger P95, 2 very underrated pistols. It is however better for concealed carry than the Ruger. Taurus also has the PT915 which has a fifteen round mag. Not sure if available in America.
 
Hey guys,

In regards to the pt945 not biting me..I have the same large hands that the owner does...I just hold the gun differently.
I cant explain how...but it works.

The pt940s recoil kicks like a mule compared to the pt945.
Its light and has a relatively small grips area..plus I usually shot
hotter 40 loads. It was always a treat. The pt911 still has a snap to it but its not as bad as the 40 or the 957, 357 sig.

The pt911 has a 10 rnd mag and the 92/96/100 series mags wont work without tweaking them...altering the locking hole.
I think the tweaking part makes them questionable legally.
Hey, if the mag works in the gun without modification...use it.

I dont know if the pt915 is available or not...They made a pt908
which I think is the same gun as the .380 but was an 8 rnd 9 mm.

Shoot well
 
Thanks everyone who has posted so far. I still want to hear more.

I am probably a month or two away from buying anything (finances) but when I do I will quickly pick up several guns (one a month as per MD law). Since I do have more time I would love more info and I will still look for someplace I can rent a PT911 from. So far from the info you all have given me and from looking it over at the gun shop I am STONGLY leaning towards giving the PT911 a chance. If I am unlucky enough that I do have a problem with hammer bite I will just have to decide what I'll do about it (the gun is inexpensive enough that this is an option). If I don't have a problem with hammer bite I am very confident that this will be a good purchase.

It is still probably number 2 (behind the CZ). However, I have been known to go on impulse so who knows? My Charles Daly was number 3 or 4 on my list when I bought it- I had my money and trade with me and happened to be at a shop that had it and not number 1 and 2 from my list and bought it instead of going to a shop that I knew of that had both 1 AND 2 (CZ and Kahr respectively or was it Kahr and CZ :)). If the CZ ends up waiting again I don't think I'll be upset at the results. Heck, (did I actually use 'heck', I never do that) by the time I'm ready, depending upon whether I get to shoot the two and the results, the PT911 may pass the CZ on the list anyway.
 
I got my CZ a week and a half ago (picked it up on Feb 14). I have shot 1000 rounds through it and it is now my favorite gun.

I still REALLY want the Taurus PT911 but it may have to wait a while. When I picked up my CZ I found out that under a new Maryland law that goes into effect on Jan 1, 2003 only guns with internal locks will be able to be sold here. CZ has decided that they will not put in internal locks, Taurus already has them. So after Jan 1 it will no longer be possible to buy CZs in MD and I want several more CZs. MD law only allows one gun purchase a month, plus since I've returned to school (and recently had a long unemployment period) it will be hard to even buy that many guns. So I may have to put the Taurus on hold since I'll still be able to buy them.

That said, there are a few Taurus guns that I want so much and have had my eye on so long that I may need to pick up a few before I get all the CZs I want (even though that means that I may never get some of the CZs I want). In addition to the PT911 the 85UL (or the 85CH) and the 450 may end up in my collection very soon despite the new law, and soon to be unavailability of the CZs.
 
chaim,
Congrats on the CZ....they are shooters arent they! You need to get ahold of Hakan...on the CZforum. He is the grip dude.....he does some beautiful beautiful stuff. 50$ shipped from Norway and you can choose the wood.......check his stuff out.
I am still yelling "get the pt911"..I have another pt940 lined up for this spring. Selling mine was a big mistake and wont make it again.....The 85 and 450 are also great guns....my 2 choices are the 650 CIA and the 415.....I guess I like the magnum guns.....
I will have all 3 plus a 454 Casull 5" barrel before the end of the year....my goal. Keep us all posted on your CZ adventures...
Shoot well
 
MD Exemption to One Gun a Month

Chaim,
You can purchase more than one gun a month in Maryland if you apply for a collectors' license with the State Police. It was free and involves only completing two or three pages of paperwork. IN 3-4 weeks, you get a letter from the State Police stating you are a licensed cokllector and can purchase as many weapons as funds allow.


I am sure that I am in their computer databse somewhere, but I have done nothing illegal or immoral, so I am safe until the Mrs. and I skeedaddle out of heere in a couple of years.

OH,...
the PT911 was a very good gun. The previous mate got to keep that in the meltdown. :mad:
 
Chaim,

FWIW, the PT915 was the pistol that I seriously considered buying first. I was somewhat misled by the bad rep Taurus was getting over the Millenium series, and i decided to pass up the chance. It was a beautiful, compact, stainless 15 rounder with extra mag.

Someday, when funds allow, I'll be ogling at that beauty, resting proudly in my gun case.
 
Bulldozer,

I am aware of the Collectors status giving an exemption to the one a month rule. I've thought about applying but right now it won't help me much anyway. I was unemployed for 4 months recently and I am also back in school to get certified to teach (and my work isn't steady as I'm a substitute teacher) so I can't really afford much more than one a month (some months I can get more some I can't even get one). If the situation changes I may be tempted to apply (or I may for the few months where I can afford multiple guns). Still, I want several CZs and my funds are limited enough that even with the Collectors status I'd probably be sacrificing a CZ for just about every other gun I buy until Jan (though, as I said I'll likely buy at least one or two Taurus guns anyway).



Eric Larsen,

I too am usually a magnum fan. I have a 3" S&W 65 (K-frame) in .357. Especially since .357s can use .38s that is my usual preference with larger guns. However, in a small framed 2" snubby I'm not sure that I'd really want to put up with the added recoil of magnum ammo. In that short a barrel I'm not sure that the increase in performance is great enough v. a good .38+P to justify the recoil and slower follow up shots (for me, my suggestion to others would be similar but with the caveat to try them to know for yourself). This is where the draw of the 450 is for me, it is almost as small as a J-framed S&W, it has a fairly slow (and thus low recoiling) .45LC chambering, and the .45LC (like the .45ACP) gives great stopping power due to the large hole it leaves in your attacker.
 
Chaim, the PT911 was my first Taurus purchase and I haven't had a hammer bite or a single mechanical malfunction after hundreds of rounds. The only problem that I've had was the white dot came out of the front sight and Taurus replaced the sight. I really like the safty/decock feature which can be used right or left handed and the internal locking system. :)
Looking at a CZ75B or a Ruger 89 as my next handgun purchase but leaning towards the CZ75B at this time.
 
My wife had a PT92, and it was very forgiving about magazine changes. Even the POS 30rd mags that won't work well in the beretta it was cloned from could be made to work in the Taurus. The most I ever had to do was enlarge the hole for the retainer pin. I'd be willing to bet it will work. It would be worth it to get a pt92 mag and try it on the rental gun. I see the lo-cap ram-lines for $10, a small price to pay for research.

That PT92 was a great pistol, just too big for her hands.

I have a Bull in 454, and I am very very satisfied. It is no FA, but it has a great grip (for me) and standard porting, and I use it as my main piece. If I didn't have to have a semi-auto to take my CCW test I would use it just because of the confidence it gives me.

On the other hand, the CZ design is A1 in my book, so you can't go wrong with either one.

One thing I have gathered, unscientifically, is that if you handle warranty stuff through a taurus dealer you get way better results. This may just be coincidence.

Stick with a 9mm for the reasons you outlined. You can compliment it with a big-bore revolver later on if you want.
 
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