OT: Pistol reviews - Taurus 1911 and S&W M&P 45

[dbphotos]

I know we're a photo site, but I know there are quite a few pistol shooters here too, so I thought I'd share this review of 3 pistols I did for another site today.


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I shot Remington UMC 230 grain full jacketed .45 out of this pistol as well as the S&W M&P below. I shot approximately 100 rounds out of each pistol

#1 Taurus 1911 ALR .45 cost $618 (shipping included) and then I received a $75 rebate for a net cost of $543


The first thing I noticed is the feel, weight and balance of the gun was as nice as any Kimber or Colt I've shot. I used the 8-round magazines that came with it (2), 2 Kimber magazines and 2 Pro Mag magazines. Since most real world pistol shooting is close range I tested at 7, 15 and 25 feet. The sight right out of the box was dead on. From 7 and 15 feet I grouped the rounds in a 2.5 inch diameter and at 25 feet they spread to about 3 inches with 2 at about 4 inches (I'm sure this was the shooter more than the gun). I had absolutely no jams, slow feeding or ejects. The Taurus magazines and the Kimber magazines dropped out with no hesitation at all. The Pro Mag magazines didn't release on their own when I hit the release button. I'm thinking this is a fit issue as the Pro Mags were brand new and I've never had an issue with them in my Kimbers.

I would rate this pistol as excellent. After a good break in period of approximately 1000 rounds, and if I experienced no issues with it, I'd would consider carrying this pistol as a duty weapon. I'm pleasantly surprised because I didn't buy this as a duty weapon, but I my rotate in at some point. For the money, I'd be hard pressed to find a better 1911 with all the extra's this one provides.

#2 Smith and Wesson M&P 45 with night sights cost $490 less $50 rebate = $440.


I have never been a big fan of guns with no external safety (I've had 1 Glock and sold it), but I have always liked S&W so I thought I'd give it a try. The gun fits really well in my hand and seems balanced and well designed. Double action only. Shot low and to the left right out of the box. Once I adapted to that I was able to shoot about 4" diameter groupings at 7, 15 and 25 feet, although I pulled a few at 25 feet. I tend to shoot without using the sights much, but I will have to adjust the sights and see if that helps.

I shot with the 3 included S&W magazines and there were no problems feeding the rounds and no problems with rounds ejecting. Very smooth operation with no issues.

I'm still not thrilled that there is no external safety, but if I add one I think this could be a pretty good weapon. After fine tuning and shooting lots of rounds through it, I'd consider it for a duty weapon, but it's not high on my list. A good buy for the money.

#3 Taurus Model 619 .357 7 shot revolver cost: $310.


It's been a while since I've shot a revolver and currently only own 1 S&W 4 inch, but I bought this as a b/u and sometimes boot carry. Definitely the first 7-shot revolver I've ever owned.

I shot 50 .357 magnum rounds and 50 .38 +P rounds. This has a 2 inch barrel so I knew it would give me some kick and not be quite as accurate, but I expected it to perform like the S&W's I'm used to shooting and it did. Nice smooth trigger pull, not the best sights, but they do the job and it was accurate at 7 and 15 feet with a grouping of about 3.5 inches and at 25 feet it spread to about 5 inches, but again this could be the shooter since I haven't shot a revolver in quite a while.

Overall I think this gun is a definite buy for the money. It will make a good back up "wheel" gun and I'd expect no malfunctions. Nice Pachmyr grips that fit really nice in my medium sized hands.

Well, that is my brief experience with these 3 weapons, I hope it helps.

[Steelsun]

Nice review, thanks.

Starting to look for a second pistol for a change from my Taurus PT92 (which I bought used, and I've had for at least a dozen years).

[MRCPix]

David nice review I am currently looking at getting a XDM 9mm.
I had a M&P 9mm and it also shoot low left and I thought it was me, but no other pistol I shoot did that so maybe it was the gun.

thanks for the review.

[knowimagination]

wow great reviews. I am actually looking to get my first handgun so things like this are very helpful to get a feel for different things available.

[Truckman]

Originally Posted by FalconN

I am actually looking to get my first handgun so things like this are very helpful to get a feel for different things available.

Without turning this into a political rant, I wouldn't waste any time if I were you......Ben

[Ahh!]

Originally Posted by Truckman

Without turning this into a political rant, I wouldn't waste any time if I were you......Ben

Not quite sure what this meant.

Originally Posted by FalconN

...things like this are very helpful to get a feel for different things available.

When I made the decision to be GTT, I lived close to The Bullet Trap in Plano. I had my nights free (family couldn't join me yet) so I spent some (many) nights over there renting a great many of their pistols and revolvers and trying them out. It gave me great opportunities to understand the safety and discipline of ownership while helping me learn what matched my tastes. Like cameras and other tools which require precision and discipline to use well, individual choice plays a significant role in the best product for each person. If it is legal for them to do so, any gun shop will be happy to sell you their products, but since I believe in buying right the first time, find a shop with a wide rental inventory, talk to their knowledgable people, and try them out for you. And don't just throw lead downrange. Hone your skill and attempt to use each tool in pursuit of marksmanship. (Talk to a CHL instructor so you know what it takes to qualify, too). You will eventually find what works best for you and make a very good first purchase.

Back to the OP, kinda fun to see a little diversion from the usual. Photos are nice. Curious on your setup. I might have tried a little harder to clean up the wheel gun near the cylinder release. Also recheck your grammar for the commentary. Personally, I am not a fan of DAO, but have no issue with a DAO without the external. Again, personal preference.

[dbphotos]

Originally Posted by Ahh!

Not quite sure what this meant.
When I made the decision to be GTT, I lived close to The Bullet Trap in Plano. I had my nights free (family couldn't join me yet) so I spent some (many) nights over there renting a great many of their pistols and revolvers and trying them out. It gave me great opportunities to understand the safety and discipline of ownership while helping me learn what matched my tastes. Like cameras and other tools which require precision and discipline to use well, individual choice plays a significant role in the best product for each person. If it is legal for them to do so, any gun shop will be happy to sell you their products, but since I believe in buying right the first time, find a shop with a wide rental inventory, talk to their knowledgable people, and try them out for you. And don't just throw lead downrange. Hone your skill and attempt to use each tool in pursuit of marksmanship. (Talk to a CHL instructor so you know what it takes to qualify, too). You will eventually find what works best for you and make a very good first purchase.

Back to the OP, kinda fun to see a little diversion from the usual. Photos are nice. Curious on your setup. I might have tried a little harder to clean up the wheel gun near the cylinder release. Also recheck your grammar for the commentary. Personally, I am not a fan of DAO, but have no issue with a DAO without the external. Again, personal preference.

Setup was easy. I used my Canon G9 on auto. The revolver is a little greasy because these were right out of the box photos, no clean up. Not meant to be ad photos, simply a quick representation of the pistols to go with a quick write up regarding my experience.

[CaptainTom]

Ben alludes to the thought that the ownership of handguns may be legislated away in the future.

GTT ? gun toting Texan ?
DAO ?

[Coelus]

DAO ?

Double action only

I loved my Sig P229, unfortunately it was stolen last year. I'm in the market for a new full frame .45 (because they don't make a .46) so your review came at the right time. Thanks.

[nastytrucker]

In the words of Mr.Heston, " From my COLD DEAD HANDS!!!"

Does that revolver come in a hammerless version? I have a .38 recessed hammer Taurus that I use for CC. I like the lack of a hammer because it can be shot from a coat pocket without the worry of the hammer snagging on the liner. Ive thought about getting a .357 revolver for a little more punch.

[Kalrog]

dbphotos - why are you nervous (maybe a bad choice of words) about a semi auto without a manual safety but you are just fine with a revolver that doesn't have one? For the 1911 when you are going to carry C&L (condition 1, single action, whatever your term preference) I do see the need for a manual safety. But when you are talking Glock etc, I don't see how the trigger finger being the safety is any different than any other DA gun including revolvers.

Oh, and thanks for the Taurus review. I have a Para Ord LDA 1911 and was thinking about picking up its big brother. I don't think I want to switch to the true SA 1911, but the value of Taurus is certainly there (if you get a good copy - they do seem to have QC issues sometimes).

[Jeffery]

Where did you get the M&P with night sights for $490? I really like the feel of the M&P but I don't like DAO or the fact that it uses 10 round mags (I'd like higher capacity). But for that price I may make an exception.

[Truckman]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

Ben alludes to the thought that the ownership of handguns may be legislated away in the future.

I don't think it'll happen in my lifetime, Tom, but the speculation on it is already driving up the costs and contributing to the scarcity of a lot of the more desirable guns...When I went into the gun business in '91, the political climate was similar to that of today and I'm recalling what happened then and its effects on the firearms business...Take a look at what has happened to gun and ammo prices and dwindling inventory and you will see what I mean...Ben

[Ahh!]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

Ben alludes to the thought that the ownership of handguns may be legislated away in the future...

I see.

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

...GTT ?

Gone To Texas, alluding to the fact that I am not a native Texan, but a decided one.

[scayf]

I've always been fond of the Model 1911A1...carried one for a spell while in Nacogdoches (my issue piece was a Mod. 28 S&W boat anchor). Then switched to a Czech CZ-75 when I moved to El Campo. Never had a yearning for plastic, or even alloy, framed sidearms. Here's my current piece; all I've done to it was polish the feed ramp. It sings a sweet song for a single-stack (I got little hands).