Taurus firearma

[the dark]

An update on my own previous post about my TCP 738 - it went to Taurus in mid-November and they have just now finally told me they will replace it. It will get sold/traded in NIB toward a G42. A lifetime warranty is not much use when it is so inconvenient and inefficient to use.

 

[gunnerbob]

To add to this discussion: Since my previous post - a couple weeks after it - when firing the pistol, the barrel broke in the lug area. Called Taurus and they sent a new barrel when they received the broken one (well, it took quite a while - they claimed they were out of stock). Installed new barrel and the pistol would not cycle - the barrel would not fully drop out of the ejection port to allow the slide to continue backward - to fully cycle. Of course, I did not have the original barrel for comparison purposes because it had to be sent back. I called and they offered to send another barrel - same deal - but I preferred to send the pistol back again so I can hopefully get something back that works. It has been there for about a month with no resolution so far.

I have known two people (including me) who have had the TCP. My friend's was problematic from the start and they had to send him a new one once. Mine was reliable for about 3 years (he fired his much more than I did) but it has not been operational since July. It costs about 40$ to return it for warranty service each time. So, sending it twice and a barrel once cost me $90-100 - probably more than I could get for it. Thankfully I do not rely on having this pistol available - it is never my primary carry.

But once it returns or is replaced, it will be traded for whatever I can get for it - likely on the purchase of a G42.

Interesting, dark. I recently also had the barrel lug shear on my TCP, I posted about it in another thread a day or two ago.

EDIT: Post #9 - http://www.usacarry.com/forums/general-firearm-discussion/49304-fayetteville-gun-show.html

 

[the dark]

It has been a long strange trip with them that has now, in one way or another, been going on for the past year. New TCP should be on its way to the APHOF range if all is going according to plan.

The lug issues sounds like what happened to mine and I really didn't abuse mine at all. First problem was the ejector broke. It came back repaired and in short order the barrel lug sheared, just as you describe. New barrel did not "fit right", could not cycle the slide with it installed. Two months later, with much prodding from me, they finally respond that they will replace it. They did not inform me of the issue and at this point, I do not much care. Time to move on. I really just want to be rid of it now for whatever I can get. I will confess that this is my only experience with a firearms manufacturer's customer service; I visited Glock once and had night sights installed on site, but have never had to deal with them at a distance. But this experience has been most unsatisfactory.

 

[gunnerbob]

Dark,

I never had an extractor issue with my TCP. No surprise, different things break on different weapons. Did you by chance shoot any steel case ammo through yours?

 

[billt]

Taurus's are a lot like women. You take your chances with them. Sometimes you get a good one, but more often than not you'll suffer through several bad ones before one worth keeping comes along.

 

[gunnerbob]

Taurus's are a lot like women. You take your chances with them. Sometimes you get a good one, but more often than not you'll suffer through several bad ones before one worth keeping comes along.

Heh, I like that.

 

[the dark]

Dark,

I never had an extractor issue with my TCP. No surprise, different things break on different weapons. Did you by chance shoot any steel case ammo through yours?

Nope, no steel-cased ammo. It surprised me when it broke, as it had run flawlessly up to that point. As I recall, I did not even know it had broken until I was trying to clear the chamber and the round would not eject. Inspected it and the ejector was missing.

Other owners I knew had issues with cracks in the rails on the frame.

 

[gunnerbob]

Nope, no steel-cased ammo. It surprised me when it broke, as it had run flawlessly up to that point. As I recall, I did not even know it had broken until I was trying to clear the chamber and the round would not eject. Inspected it and the ejector was missing.

Other owners I knew had issues with cracks in the rails on the frame.

Perhaps Taurus should look into better metallurgy.

 

[the dark]

Perhaps Taurus should look into better metallurgy.

That would be my suggestion. It has certainly affected my thoughts on their products.

 

[Arc Angel]

:meeting: All I know is that, years ago, when I worked in a gun store 98% of the guns people came back to the store complaining about and seeking help with were .......

(Got to the point where, once I understood what the customer was leaning toward buying, I'd simply turn him over to our resident Taurus specialist, and find someone else to sell something to.) :wink:

 

[billt]

All I know is that, years ago, when I worked in a gun store 98% of the guns people came back to the store complaining about and seeking help with were .......

This is why I tell people who are insistent on buying a Taurus, to at least be sure to purchase it from Davidson's Gallery Of Guns. Any firearm you purchase from them comes automatically with a Lifetime Free Replacement Warranty for as long as you own it. If the damn thing breaks, or won't run properly, they'll replace it no questions asked. You'll have a new gun in your hand in just 1 or 2 days if it goes down. Instead of sending it back to the factory, and end up waiting weeks for a repaired gun.

.

I once called Davidson's, (who is one of the largest distributors in the nation), on another matter. I got to talking to one of the sales reps there, and I asked him which brand had the largest return rate due to failure. He immediately responded Taurus. He went on to say the only reason they carry them is because the profitability on them is very good. And because of that they're "worth the bother". His words, not mine.

.

And for what it's worth, he said the least returned gun they sell was Glock.

 

[cliffhangernlv]

Years ago I had a Taurus PT101 .40. Fancy piece with adjustable sights and gorgeous wood grips. Rear sight fell out after 20 rounds. The grips lasted to 22 rounds. I took it back to where I bought it. They checked it out carefully then offered me a full refund. I used the money towards a purchase of a Colt Combat Commander

 

[RobbK]

I own 5 taurus fire arms and one is my fcc. The pt 111 g2 is easily the equal to my xdsc in terms of quality and reliability. My two Judges are fun to shoot and no and then the protector poly pd gets to go. On the road with me. None have had to be shipped back to miami for any reason. The biggest issue I have with the brand is getting mags they just never seem to be in stock. Will I say that taurus are the best guns ever? Nope but to lump them down in bryco territory is just silly. The best part is gunsnobs keep the prices low.

 

[billt]

The best part is gunsnobs keep the prices low.

Their reputation does a better job accomplishing that.

 

[osbornk]

I traded for a Model 84 from the 70s that feel, works and shoots like new. I like it so much I bought a TCP-738 that performs flawlessly. The old 38 special doesn't have a warranty because it was imported before Taurus started importing them themselves but the new one has a lifetime warranty. The poor reputation came from the early semi-automatics and their problems.

 

[the dark]

Updating my dealings with Taurus: Still no replacement in hand. To be honest, this is probably the worst customer service experience I have ever had and given it I would not own a Taurus product again. MT TCP was flawless until it wasn't. Won't say the product was bad, although everyone I know who had a TCP had some issues with it eventually. But trying to get anything done with their lifetime warranty was near impossible as my over 3 months journey through it attests. I hope it is an anomaly for those who also own Taurus products, but for me - when the new TCP is in my hand I will take what I can get for it in trade for a G42.

 

[billt]

If I were in the market for a good, quality, low cost semi auto today, I would look at the Canik Stingray CZ-75 clone. They are very well made, and can be had for around $300.00 and change at a lot of dealers. They're available in black oxide as well as hard chrome finish, and are based on a proven design with all steel construction. Yes, I know Taurus clones a lot of guns as well. But let's face it, overall they do a crappy job of it. If they didn't there wouldn't be all the complaints. Replacement and extra magazines for the Stingray are available at low cost, and you're not going to have to deal with the spotty hit or miss quality you do with the Taurus line.

 

[the dark]

FYI - my UPDATE - still no new TCP from Taurus. Every time I call it is a new excuse. Don't let the idea of a lifetime warranty ever play a part in what you buy.

 

[smygee]

I've had a pt92 9mm for 14 years..thousands of rounds shot thru it and all I've changed is the grips...great gun!

Sent from my SM-G900V using USA Carry mobile app

 

[the dark]

BTW - finally got the new TCP, picked up last weekend from the FFL/store at the American Police Hall of Fame. I will hold it for a while until I can test fire a G43 and also see if the prices for G42s comes down.