Taurus 1911 Pistol

[Big Horn Posse]

My son Charles is graduating college this May with a Associates degree in Criminal Justice. He mentioned he wanted a new pistol for his graduation present. He just got his concealed weapon permit and mentioned he was looking at the Taurus 1911 pistol. I have always owned Taurus pistols myself. In fact he took his first lion at the age of 13 with my Taurus .45 revolver. I was curious what your opinions are on the 1911 model? I am not an expert on the 45 acp. Are there any other makes and models you would reccommend to him? I know he wants the .45 acp and not a 9mm.

Thanks for any help with this

[Kenneth]

I have the 1911 Taurus in .45 ACP, and I love it. Mine functions smoothly and seems to shoot any ammunition I load in it. I haven't had any malfunctions with mine at all. It is well constructed and comes standard with tons of features that cost extra on many other brands. I have heard that a lot of folks consider Taurus firearms to be inferior to other brands, but I don't think you would be sorry if you bought one. If you'd like any specifics about the gun, just let me know.

Kenneth

928-279-1074

[M Evertsen]

I have not been impressed with all of the new 1911's coming out. I think there are just too many companies getting on that band wagon. I personally would stick with Springfield, Kimber, or if you can find one, a Colt. The quality of the work is going to be so much better. I have compared Taurus revolvers to the Smith and Wesson's that the Taurus's were copied off of. NO COMPARISON! Will the Taurus work? Absolutely, but I think you will find better tooling, finishes, etc, by buying otherwise.

I would also check to see where he is planning on working. Unfortunately a lot of agencies will not allow single action carry. There are a lot of good companies out there. Springfield has the XD in 45 ACP, then there is the Sig 220, H&K, and a couple others. Glock is another that has 45 ACP, and the guns are fine functionally. I just don't like them, the way they fit my hand, and the sight angle, just a personal preference, but don't overlook them.

I work for an agency that allows single action carry. I carry a Colt 1991-A1 that I purchase before I became a cop. I may eventually get another 45 ACP, but there is nothing like a 1911!

I am not saying that the others are any less quality, but its like the AR-15. You used to only have Colt, then Bushmaster started in on it also. Now there are a ton of different AR-15 manufacturers out there. They are are built to mil-spec, but there is a noticable difference in quality and fit and finish.

Later,

Marcial

[Big Horn Posse]

Marcial,

He is wanting this as a personal firearm. He is still debating if he is going to transfer to Chadron to get a Bachelor's degree or just stay working with the Sheridan County Sheriff's Department and become a deputy. He mentioned that he will get a duty weapon later, but likes the look of the 1911 and wanted to get it as a graduation gift. I told him buying a firearm is like buying a car. You need to do your research and there is a lot of personal preference involved. I told him if he can find someone that has one he can shoot before he commits to buying one then that would be best..... Just like buying a new car, once you put a few miles on it the value decreases. Same with each round that is fired out of it the value decreases. I told him that I posted this topic here so I could get views from guys that know and will give an honest opinion.

[Mike Leonard]

Taurus is actually making a very good weapon these days and on average the linkage on it allows for less free recoil than many other 1911 models. I have been an avid pistolero for many years and I have tested numerous models and calibers routinely. I will give the new model Taurus a thumbs up for improved function, fit and reliability. I do however seldom recommend a 45 ACP or a single action semi auto model although time proven for the first time pistol owner. Although the ominous hole in the end of the barrel of a 45 ACP looks very scary and can be a deternet data shows the with the most reliable ammunition in these models being hard ball it is not nearly as leathal as one would think. The old saying just hit them in the arm with a 45 and they go down is hollywood hype and bs, it just doesn't work this way. One of my Detective buddies says when he gets a shooting call and they say they used a 45 he generally call s the hospital, but if they say they got them with a 22 LR he says things usually don't work out well for the victim. No the 22 has little knockdown value but it is a very nasty and leathal round for it seems to like to wander around once it gets in the body.

As much as I dislike the asthetics of Glock pistols they are they most reliable and by far the lowest recoiling semi autos on the market. Numerous test show ameteur shooters do many times better with a Glock fresh out of the box than they do with most other pistols including the highly valued Sig which recoils 2 1/2 times more per caliber than a Glock. A Glock 9MM with High Pressure 115 HP bullets is much more leathal that a 45 and a 40 Glock even more so and if you are a real stud and can handle the 357 Sig, or the mighty 10 MM, somehting has to give.

You 45 ACP 1911 people don't jump up and holler I have a whole cabinet of Kimbers and Gold Cup 45's and love them but facts are facts and they are not the best defense and certainly not the best hunting pistol for the general public.

[Brady Davis]

I have tried many different carry pistols and the one I love is the Kimber Ultra Carry II...Mine is pictured below.

I love the 1911 and have spoken to many guys about Taurus with mixed reviews. When I spoke to the friends I have who carry 24/7 on and off duty (military, SWAT and LEO) They ALL CARRY THE SAME GUN...THE KIMBER ULTRA CARRY II....That was enough to convince me to buy it and I gotta say, I've carried it for 2 years now and I love every minute of it! The same people who depend on guns everyday will tell you to use a 45 ACP...Shooting anything else just doesnt make sense

[M Evertsen]

Mike's posts brings up some other thoughts.

I can shoot my 1911 better than most any pistol out there. I am not sure if it's because it fits my hand so well, or I am just used to the gun. For some reason, when I shoot 9mm's, it FEELS like more recoil to me, and is just more uncomfortable. The bottom line is make sure he gets out and shoots several different models and cartridges before he decides on one for good.

I won't go into ballistics, or what makes a good first gun, as I like the 45, and it was my first pistol, although I had shot other pistols prior to getting this one.

Later,

Marcial

[Brady Davis]

[Big Mike]

Im not a fan of the 1911 systems. They have advantages but I would only recommend one for an advanced shooter(advanced in semi-auto pistols).

I think a Glock or S&W M&P are a better choice for the average shooter.

[liontracker]

There is some awsome +P 45 acp ammo out now that changes things dramaically in the energy/penetration issue. People should check it out.

[Brady Davis]

There is some awsome +P 45 acp ammo out now that changes things dramaically in the energy/penetration issue. People should check it out.

AMEN

[Kenneth]

Your son might also want to take into consideration the size of the weapon if he's planning on carrying the firearm concealed. Although one can carry 1911 style pistols concealed, some other styles are more easily concealed. My best advice is to try several kinds before purchasing one if you can.

Kenneth

[Mike Leonard]

Big Mike the S&W M&P is a fine gun a little more recoil than the Glock but tolerable.

What surprizes me is the Elite Texas Rangers who had a long term love affair with the 1911- 45-ACP. When they Adopted the Sig 357...Fine gun no doubt but recoil is much higher and every second counts in a gun fight where accurate controlled return fire may save your life. But the Rangers are not excactly your average officiers either.


The higher percived recoil of the 9MM can be a fact with +p ammo. Due to the much higher velocity with some of this Ammo you are looking at a difference of 300 plus feet per second over the 45 ACP. However the bullet weight still has all to do with actual recoil and here the 45 still bucks. In some cases while developing handgun hunting loads for Semi Autos we have experimented with heavier springs with some success. On an African handgun safari a few years back excellent results were obtained using Tuned Browning High Powers with heavy reloads and heavy springs. On light plains game and vermin results with these 9MM loads equaled those of the similar bullets weights in the 357 Magnum revolver. The 357 wheel gun still outclassed it for heavier species when you load longer 180 Gr. Jacketed or heat treated hard cast bullets that offer superior penetration. The 45 ACP was the favorite of the leader of this adventure and he owned some 200 different models. This guy can shoot but after an enraged male babboon took several solid hits from his 45 and attacked at close range and had to be put down with a shotgun load of buckshot, this man said too hell with that where's my Casull? LOL!

[sourdough]

Mike, LMAO I could visualize a big male baboon in pay back mode being shot with the .454 casull. You had better be a good shot with a hand gun because the recovery time is murder.

sourdough

[Big Horn Posse]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I will pass it on to my son. I should also state that he has been shooting since he wasa kid and a very good shot. Even after his accident last summer when he dislocated every bone in his wrist and had to have surgery to fix it he only has 60% use of his wrist now but still got a 95% in his firearms class. Recoil of the Glock 9mm they were shooting in the class didn't bother his wrist so maybe that is not even an issue for him. Thanks again I will pass this on to him.