TexasCHLforum.com

texas297 wrote:Any idea if one can get the Taurus PT1911 in stainless as opposed to Blue Steel?

Yeppers! You sure can:

http://www.taurususa.com/products/produ ... ory=Pistol

RPBrown wrote:I am looking for a sub-compact 1911 to add to my collection. Had a full size Kimber several years ago and had nothing but problems with it. Three trips back to the factory and it still had FTF and FTE's with all types of ammo.

Are they any better now?

My first Kimber was a Custom Target, Series 1, purchased about 1996 or 97. Some significant break-in--to the tune of over 500 rounds--was required before I became comfortable it had stopped its frequent FTFs and FTRTBs, never had any FTEs, though (this was before they went to the external extractor for a while). I also experimented with different magazines, and finally settled on Wilson's, and that also made a big difference. The pistol went back to Kimber once for a little feed-ramp polishing.

When I picked up my newest Kimber just before Christmas, something I'd heard about but hadn't seen firsthand was that this thing looked used. It looked like it had a hundred rounds down the pipe, and had been stuck back into its case with not so much as wipe-off. And that's just about the truth. Kimbers are being test fired much more at the factory now than they used to be, and they evidently want you to see that because in addition to your test target, you get a filthy gun.

The only real knocks ever against the Kimbers were MIM parts (which doesn't really bother me), and factory tolerances that sacrificed reliability. I'd hazard that most folks who've bought a Kimber in the past couple of years will say that the reliability is fine. My new one has had two range trips with just over 300 rounds through it, and not a single hiccup. I think Kimber wised up and realized they had done a great job quickly securing a big chunk of market share, but would lose it if their products gained a stigma of unreliability. And I think that's even more valid once they really started courting the concealed carry market and introducing more and more compact models.

I fully expected a few FTFs with my new gun. I wouldn't have been disappointed with it if I had one or two per hundred during break-in. That I've had zero has come as a surprise to me. Of course, I have yet to really stress it with a couple hundred rounds of different ammo types at a single session; that'll come later this month. So in that regard, Kimber has exceeded my expectations about reliability of the new 1911. Your mileage may vary, but I think you'll find more folks happy with newer Kimbers than not.

Longtooth! Another convert!

Congratulations, wrightcrew. I've never fired a Taurus, but just keep it clean and lubricated and I'm sure you'll like it even more after a couple hundred rounds to break it in.