New PT-1911 - Help Needed

[coldsolderjoint]

Hi,

I've just brought home my new Taurus PT-1911 in stainless steel today! It was $600 plus tax. It seems like a really nice gun and can't wait to shoot it tomorrow. My dad liked it, but did note differences between the Colt Government Model he had 30 years ago. His main concern was the need to use the wrench to break the pistol down. He said on his, you just moved the bushing with your fingers. Just so we know where I'm at, Most of my shooting has been with rifles and shotguns, so I'm pretty new to pistols. This is my third pistol, the other two are an XD9 and a Large Frame Revolver.

Two things are bothering me about the 1911:

1. Ambi-Safety seems very "wide" to me. Its rubbing on my finger and after i few minutes of dry fire practice, my thumb is actually getting red. This is uncomfortable.

2. The slide release lever doesn't seem to be long enough. Its very uncomfortable to release it with my right thumb. I end up putting the safety on "halfway" when trying to do this. I pretty much have to go to two handed to get it to release.

Someone told me that your supposed to fire with your thumb on the safety, but then I think my thumb will be rubbing on the slide, which cant be good. And the problem of releasing the slide still persists.

I looked on the Wilson combat site, and it looks like I can get an extended slide release and a "tactical" safety, but I think I must be doing something wrong, because I've never heard of these "problems" with the Taurus before.

Any body have experiance with this?

[Ishpeck]

Obviously, you're not getting any help until you post pictures.

[coldsolderjoint]

hehe.. i just realized that.. i just finished cleaning her for the first time:










Theres some machining marks it looks like under the "PT 1911" on the right side. I didn't notice until I started cleaning it. Oh Well, I guess they aren't known for their finish.

[Delija]

The slide release lever is too short? I virtually never use it except to lock the slide back if I'm doing a quick cleaning with a bore snake. To release the slide I always just "slingshot"....no reason to ever release the slide with the slide stop. (It is called a 'slide stop", not a "slide release").

Shooting with the thumb on the safety is just one of many techniques. You shouldn't have a problem with the slide rubbing your thumb. But shoot how it's comfortable.

I have no idea what you mean by the ambi-safety rubbing. But as you said, you can swap to a different safety. Just have a gunsmith do the job, it is not something you would want to mess with on a 1911. I don't hesitate to work on any of my other handguns or rifles, but my 1911 I do not mess with.....the tolerances are too important and the safety in particular has to be fitted exactly right.

As for needing a wrench...that's because you have a full length guide rod. The gun will work fine with a GI plug like your dad had. They are cheap and will work fine with your gun if you decide to get rid of the guide rod the gun came with. I happen to like the full length ....it adds a bit of weight to the muzzle end of the gun, and it prevents the recoil spring from binding.....you can even put the gun together, not install the guide rod at all....rack the slide a few times and you'll see it won't feel as smooth. But it should function fine without the guide rod...you'll just have a hole in the front where the GI type plug would go (but a smaller hole....).

There's nothing wrong with your gun...that's why you haven't heard about these "problems"...they are non-issues.

Enjoy the gun...it's a beauty! And don't even think about changing anything until you've gotten familiar with the gun.

Peace,
D.

[headhunter]

Yep, full length guide rod. I'm a fan; have one in one of mine. I wouldn't sweat changing it out unless you are taking your weapon on a deployment.

[chupacabrachus]

Your complaints seem to be with the design of the 1911.

[coldsolderjoint]

Thanks Guys for the replies! I guess I'm just not used to the 1911. I've tried to take some more pics to explain better what I'm talking about.

Heres how the XD fits into my hand (relaxed). Theres plenty of leverage from my thumb on the slide stop.



Heres how the 1911 fits into my hand relaxed:



Now here is what I'm talking about.. In order to move my thumb to the slide catch, I have to have the side of my thumb move the safety "halfway up".. and then, theres very little leverage on the stop as only a small portion of my thumb is on it.



Heres a pic of my right hand thumb on top of the safety (I guess it will be ok, just have to practice keeping it away from the slide)



And lastly.. a picture of the girls playing together



Approximatley 10 hours till they all play with their friends F, M, and J !

[Delija]

Still not sure why you would ever need to engage the slide stop from a firing grip. Why would this be important?

You seem to now accept that it is a "slide stop" and not a "slide release", so why not let it do it's job? Stop the rearward motion of the slide, and also serve as a joining point for the slide and frame. You really only need to touch it if you have a jam (which hopefully never happens) and when you disassemble the pistol for maintainance (cleaning and lube)

Really, just enjoy the gun as it is. It's a great design. It is different than your XD, so accept that. You could have gotten another XD but you chose to get a 1911...so enjoy the experience ...you'll see why the gun remains so popular even after a century.

Peace,
D.

[Johnnybgood]

Man That Stainless PT 1911 looks real pretty. I just might have to look into getting one of those babies. Nice firearm now go have fun with it and give us a range report with pics.

[charlie.45]

I used to use the slide stop as well and on the RIA 1911 I had the thumb safety was thinner than the pt1911 it didnt stick out as far basically but they are right theres no real need to use the slide stop to chamber a round let the stop catch on the empty mag drop the empty mag insert loaded mag pull the slide back walah chambered. Also as explained to me by My ccw instructer in an incounter where you have to use your pistol you do not want to try to fumble with the slide stop when reloading because your motor skills will be sluggish pulling back the slide is much easier than trying to get your thumb on the slide stop