Taurus PT 1911 Review – Things To Know Before Buying

First and foremost, the Taurus PT 1911 can be a bit of a turn-off for some, especially first-time gun owners, due to the fact that it requires a bit more attention and more maintenance than most pistols.

 

Why does this matter?

Because some dismiss it without knowing how to properly use it or giving it a fair chance. However, let’s dismiss that for now and look at the positives of this excellent handgun before addressing maintenance again later.

 

The Taurus PT 1911 – An Overview

The PT1911 is an affordable, compact, and lightweight .45 calibre pistol with the same design elements found in the M&P line.

Some people might question the fact that the PT 1911 is sold as a .45 ACP and chambered for the 45 ACP round. While they may be a little more expensive to produce and repair, they are also more reliable and easier to obtain compared to other cartridge options on the market.

 

Just as with any other firearm, you have to get used to the system, and in order to do that, you need to practice.

Now let’s jump into our in-depth review of this bad boy. Whatever your reason may be to purchase one of these, either for self-defence, home defence or as a first-time buyer. This is going to be one to add to your collection…

 

The Build

The PT 1911 has a nice lustre finish, plus the monolithic grip is a great size, and with the rubber pad, the gun fits perfectly in the hand and is easy to fire. The cleaning rod and one-hole barrel stop, also work well on this pistol.

One might have some problems with the magazine catch, but it can be easily and quickly fixed, with a little effort. Overall, this gun requires a bit more patience and maintenance, but with time, this will become second nature.

 

Why Choose a PT 1911?

Here are a few reasons why you should invest in a Taurus 1911.

They are built to last, and honestly, owning a Taurus 1911 is like owning a well-manufactured dependable car that you never want to part with. The Taurus 1911 is one of the most secure semi-automatics on the market.

First and foremost, this is not an expensive gun, but neither is it cheap. Let’s just say that it’s affordable straight from the factory without all the bells and whistles. However, bear in mind that the price will increase if you include all the modifications to around the thousand dollar mark.

It is, therefore, best to upgrade and modify it yourself; that way, it doesn’t hurt the pocket all at once, but it pays off in the long run, and you can choose exactly what to upgrade and with what at any time.

However, the con for owning a Taurus 1911 is the time you need to invest in order to fully appreciate it.

 

Safe and Secure

Remember, this pistol has manual safeties, making it practically impossible to fire wild rounds. In order to use it, take the safety off with your thumb, press the trigger, and voila, it is ready to be used. This feature alone makes it safer than most pistols.

Even if this revolver were to fall, it requires both the safety to be off and the trigger to be used in order for the weapon to fire. In order words, I cannot accidentally go off.

Also, keep in mind that the safety on the PT 1911 cannot just pop up, it’s been designed to have your thumb riding it.

 

Accurate and Comfortable

With time you will find that the gun is very accurate. It shoots reliably in all types of ammunition.

The nickel frame has a comfortable feel on the hand and muzzle. Its well-rounded grip is comfortable in all situations. And the short action, size of grips, ergonomics, and smooth action make it a powerful addition to the revolver family. The expert in design and practical performance has given a superb performance to the much-loved all-steel masterpiece.

 

There are a few really nice features of the PT 1911…

The first, and in our opinion the most important, is that it has a free-floating, canted recoil spring. Since there is no disconnector, it creates a recoil impulse that is “in line” with the front of the slide.

 

Safety first…

In order to draw the PT 1911, you must first take the gun off the safety as soon as it is unholstered. This means the trigger must be pulled manually prior to firing.

The weapon has a simple six-position safety and a barrel cocking lever at the rear of the frame. The trigger pull is listed at 3.5 lbs. To disengage the safety, you must pull the trigger again at full cocking. Keep in mind that the PT 1911 has an incredibly short trigger pull.

Another reason some might not like the Taurus 1911 is that it does not carry much ammo. The max capacity per mag is seven to eight rounds; however, these rounds are much bigger.

 

Quality Features

The standard base PT1911 comes with many customizable features. The locking block can be blocked at the front of the lower receiver, which keeps the magazine in place. The simple bracket can also be secured in the barrel using threaded tabs on the magazines.

The rear sight can be extended and lowered using a single hex key. And the upper receiver, including the recoil lug, can be cut to any diameter as needed.

These modifications obviously involve work, but they do allow you to create a revolver that is specifically designed to your exact needs and shooting style. So the initial disadvantage quickly turns around to a huge advantage, once you have set the firearm up to your perfect specifications.

 

Great for right or left-handed shooters

The revolver uses a two-stage trigger as opposed to a single-stage, and the pistol has ambidextrous extended safeties.

A scoped version of the pistol is available with a UDT suppressor.

 

General Maintenance

The PT1911 also requires more oil and a little more maintenance than most revolvers, but if cared for, the pistol will work properly for many years to come. Therefore at about every 500 rounds, just remember to oil, lube, and clean the gun. Oil and muscle memory and constant practice will help you master 1911. Just like any other gun, one has to break it in.

If you need some excellent gun cleaning products, please check out our reviews of the Best Gun Oil Grease currently available in 2021.

The 1911 single action can be a little heavier than other pistols, but it just takes getting used to it.

Check out the specs and see for yourself… 

 

PT 1911 Specifications

• Action Type: Single Action
• Barrel Length: 5″
• Capacity: 8+1-Round
• Cartridge: 45 Auto (ACP)
• Finish: Blue
• Front Sight: Fixed
• Length: 8.75″
• Magazine Included: 2 x 8-Round
• Magazine Type: Removable
• Muzzle: Plain
• Rear Sight: Adjustable
• Stock Material: Polymer
• Weight: 2.44 lbs

For a starter gun, it’s a good choice, and it’s affordable. And the excellent thing about this gun is that you can modify and upgrade it with time instead of paying for everything at once.

The PT 1911 comes in a hard plastic case, with two magazines, a bushing tool, and internal lock keys.

 

Disassembly

Take the magazine out, slide the barrel back, and make sure the chamber is clear. Slide it back and pop the recoil out. To take off the bushing, push the slide off until it’s at the notch, then push the slide stop lever off, take the guide rod out and push the barrel out the front.

 

More 1911 Options

If you’re not convinced that the Taurus PT is the one you’re looking for, it’s well worth checking out our reviews of the Best 1911 Pistols currently available in 2021.

Our reviews of the Best 1911 Triggers and our in-depth Rock Island 1911 review, may also be of interest.

 

Taurus PT 1911 Pros and Cons

Pros

• Very nice trigger.
• Quality sights.
• Excellent safety features.
• Nicely designed slide release.
• Accurate.

Cons

• Easy to catch your hand on the points at the front of the mag well.

 

Taurus PT 1911 Conclusion

The PT 1911 is an attractive compact, self-defence carries pistol that’s already proved to be an overwhelming success for the company.

Right off the bat, the familiar magazine release and safety-sensing grip make it a great balance between concealment and portability, making this pistol ideal for everyday carry.

Though it is an American weapon, 1911 was constructed in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Even though manufactured outside the US, don’t let that fool you, the weapon still works beautifully and will make an excellent addition to your collection.

 

Happy and safe shooting!