Semi-Auto on a very tight budget

[bluesman0007]

Just looking for some experienced feedback. My first semi other than a couple .22's is going to be a Taurus PT24/7 Pro in .40 s&w. No bells and whistles just blued with Heinie sights. I plan on reloading ammo for this gun, I have reloaded for 30 years and from .222 to 300 Weatherby Mag. I plan to carry this gun mainly deer hunting in Upper Michigan as a back-up for a possible bear or two. And honestly for recreational shooting and reloading. I have shot a glock and don't like the feel and I know there are dyed in the wool glock people out there that would have nothing else. My cousin who is a retired State Trooper recommended a Sig. and when I told him by budget situation recommended the Taurus. I may have opened up a whole can of worms but would like some opinions before I actually take possession of the gun. Thanks.

[metalguy]

From my past experience hearing about Taurus' products they are generally pretty good. However, I have heard of maybe 2 out of ten that are a little fussy. I have only ever shot their revolvers and like them.

[blackbird]

i dont know about there PT24/7 Pro but i would get there 1911 45cal i hear there very good budget 1911 and everyone that buys them like it unless you want to spend $1200 give or take for a high end 1911 witch i dont see the point of usless your a hardcore 1911 shooter just my .02

[Big Country]

I also was looking for a fair priced semi-auto a few months back. I took my CCDW class at Buds, and knew that I would not be backing my 4in .357 revolver(unless hunting). I looked at some Glocks as well because a friend had one, but didn't really have to money to put towards one. I found the Taurus pt145 Millenium Pro in .45 auto, and started doing some research on it. Went to a few websites and read some professional reviews and everything was positive. This gun has a lot of similar characteristics as the glock, can be fired dirty, and they showed the gun being run over by a truck and still firing. The pt145 is compact enough to conceal, yet comfortable in my large hands. I like the manual safety on the left side of the slide, very smooth and easy to move from fire to safe. I also like the fact that this gun will hold 11 rounds total of .45 acp. I haven't had time to shoot this gun as much as I would like, but after firing 150 rounds of "shoot em up" ammo, and some of my defense loads, I haven't had a single problem. Gun comes apart VERY easy, and is a breeze to clean. If you want to watch some good videos on this, Youtube has a few(warning they do have some dumb ones as well...figures) but they show exactly how easy it is to shoot and take down. I bought the gun, 50rds of PMC ammo, and a leather side holster all for around $420, from Buds of course! For a professional review, go to Gunblast.com and check out Jeff Quinns review of the Taurus pt145. Hope this helps!

Big Country

[bluesman0007]

Thanks Everyone.

[Terry]

I have a Taurus 24/7 PT SS Pro Compact 9ml. Easy to clean, very dependable. Have fired over 2000 rounds with no jams. The 9ml in that model has been discontinued (don't know why, but that does concern me as far as parts I may need in the future.) Taurus has recently put out a .45 in the same model (not available in ss) but I'm giving seriuos thought to buying one. Don't let the manufacturers suggested retail price scare you. I good dealer will give you a reasonable price. As for the Pro Compact, I use it for CC....you may want something more accurate at longer distances. It took me 2000 rounds to get to the level of accuracy I needed to feel comfortable/confident enough to carry it. But the problem was my skill level and getting use to shooting without the sight of my dominant eye, not the gun.

[bigdad5]

Dear bluesman0007

i read your post and if you carried through with your plans to buy a 40 S & W for back up for bear in the UP well let me ask ahead of time where would you like the flowers sent . I am not from the UP but i have seen a couple of bruins taken between 350 and 450 from there . If that's what you call prepaired well sir its been nice meeting you. I once saw a 235 sow take ( 5 ) 12 gage slugs befor stoping . And that 450 bear i saw well the story is he (A Big Bore ) took three 30.06 two in the pump station and one in the skull. to stop . You would do better to get a used .44 mag at a minimun to carry . I have seen some good ones in the 400.00 range . and they came in 4 inch. At least you could use it as a large frame CCWP firearm. Like you first posted, i opend a can of worms. I know that there are people that will say that naw a 40 is enough. BUT i have always subcribed to the therory that you really cant have to much firearm. I mean dead is dead and stoping power is nothing to sneeze at . And another advantage of the .44 is reloadability and scaleing down any personal protection loads you may wish .

mike ( AKA ) bigdad5

ps just my two cents, opps obama economy 0.5 cents

[Terry]

I know personally that a .44 mag will take down a wild boar easily enough. But I'm sure glad I didn't miss. Had 21 yr. old eyes and nerves then (maybe a few less brains) but I've never took down anything bigger, although I have no doubt that it can. It just won't be me that does it. I wanna try my best to make it at least to 60. The only thing I want to point at a bear is my remote control from the comfort of my recliner in front of a flat screen.

[benroskelley]

I have a 24/7 pro 9mm. When i purchased the gun I would regularly have ejection problems and the feedramp was literally chipping away. I sent it back to taurus and they replaced the BBL with a new one and now it shoots like a dream.

[bigdad5]

that is what a reparable company does . They fix or repair once and it's done for good .

mike wood ( aka ) bigdad5