Taurus 1911

About the Taurus 1911

The Taurus 1911 is a full-size, all-steel, single-action semi-automatic pistol chambered in .45 ACP, built on the classic John Browning 1911 platform. Introduced around 2007, Taurus's entry into the 1911 market was originally designated the PT1911 and offered a budget-friendly alternative to premium 1911 manufacturers while maintaining many desirable features. The full-size model features a 5-inch barrel with a 1:16 twist rate and 6-groove rifling, Novak-style low-profile drift-adjustable sights, an extended beavertail grip safety, lowered and flared ejection port, skeletonized hammer, and an integral Picatinny accessory rail on the dust cover. The steel frame and slide give the pistol a solid 40-ounce (1134g) unloaded weight that helps tame the recoil of .45 ACP. The single-column 8-round steel magazine feeds reliably, and the single-action trigger is noted for its clean, crisp break. Overall length is approximately 8.5 inches (216mm) with a height of 5.45 inches (138mm) and a width of 1.5 inches (38mm). The firing pin block safety, combined with the traditional grip safety and manual thumb safety, provides a comprehensive passive and active safety system.

When Taurus introduced the PT1911 in 2007, it disrupted the 1911 market by offering a feature-rich, full-size .45 ACP 1911 at roughly half the price of comparable offerings from established 1911 manufacturers. The inclusion of Novak-style sights, a beavertail grip safety, lowered ejection port, and accessory rail as standard features at the sub-$700 price point forced competitors to reconsider their own entry-level offerings.

Taurus 1911 specifications

The Taurus 1911 competes with budget and mid-range 1911 offerings from manufacturers like Rock Island Armory, Springfield Armory Mil-Spec, and Tisas. The original PT1911 designation was later simplified to just 'Taurus 1911.' Available in multiple configurations including Commander (4.25-inch barrel), Officer (3.5-inch barrel), and a 9mm variant with a 9-round magazine. The stainless steel variant weighs approximately 42 ounces due to the heavier stainless construction. MSRP for the standard blued model is approximately $699, while the stainless variant lists at approximately $949. Street prices are typically $400-$600. The 1911 uses a standard Government-profile barrel bushing, full-length guide rod, and traditional swinging-link lockup. Taurus includes their Security System key lock in the mainspring housing. The pistol ships with one 8-round magazine and a Taurus Lifetime Repair Policy.