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Taurus PT-111 JHP choice

Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2010 12:34 am
by karl
So a while back I bought a Taurus PT-111 Millenium Pro from Academy as a car gun, since I travel to and from UH. Long story short, had some feeding/jamming issues early on (Range Report), broke the gun in and now it's fine with FMJ. Bought some JHP (9mm Gold Dot Speers) the other day and performed a preliminary function check and had some jamming issues again.

I feel that since the gun is now broken in this is a brand-compatibility issue with no quick solution except a different type of JHP. In an effort to save me some time and money, both of which are lacking as I'm a student, what type of JHP should I try next? Keep in mind I haven't fired the Gold Dots yet, but if my hand-cycling is any indication, it won't be a pleasant trip.

Also an option is to send it back to Taurus. Another option, more tempting to me is to sell it and buy something that actually has a reputation behind it; local dealer is selling full size Glocks for cheap acquired from the local PD.

Thoughts?

Re: Taurus PT-111 JHP choice

Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2010 3:07 am
by Mike1951
Pick a JHP whose contour comes closest to the FMJ.

Speer 9mm (124gr, anyway) has a sharp angle. At least in .45, HydroShok 230gr has a rounded profile similar to FMJ.

Re: Taurus PT-111 JHP choice

Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2010 6:57 am
by MoJo
Hand cycling is NOT an indication of ammunition reliability. There are recoil dynamics that enter into feeding cycle. I have made reloads that would cycle flawlessly by hand and turned a reliable gun into a "jam-o-matic" when they were fired. I realize you have limited funds but go shoot the Gold Dots and see if they run reliably. If they don't try some Remington Golden Saber 124 gr JHP they have a smooth rounded profile and will feed when others won't.

Re: Taurus PT-111 JHP choice

Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2010 8:23 am
by Weg
I have a Pt 140, in the early days....200-500 rounds it would not feed hp's reliably but was flawless with JHP's, I ended up going with those federal's that the hollow point is filled in and look like jhp's, the name slips me , anyhow they fed just like jhp's. Once I got up into the 1,000 plus round range I went back to jhp's. I am now 500 rds. in with that white box winchester h.p stuff with no jams. I carry with hornady xtp's now with no issues, they even have a more rounded look to them than the winchesters.

Re: Taurus PT-111 JHP choice

Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2010 5:16 pm
by Weg
I meant that it fed ball fine, not jhp's, just noticed my mistake.

Re: Taurus PT-111 JHP choice

Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2010 7:37 pm
by JJVP
karl wrote:So a while back I bought a Taurus PT-111 Millenium Pro from Academy as a car gun, since I travel to and from UH. Long story short, had some feeding/jamming issues early on (Range Report), broke the gun in and now it's fine with FMJ. Bought some JHP (9mm Gold Dot Speers) the other day and performed a preliminary function check and had some jamming issues again.

I feel that since the gun is now broken in this is a brand-compatibility issue with no quick solution except a different type of JHP. In an effort to save me some time and money, both of which are lacking as I'm a student, what type of JHP should I try next? Keep in mind I haven't fired the Gold Dots yet, but if my hand-cycling is any indication, it won't be a pleasant trip.

Also an option is to send it back to Taurus. Another option, more tempting to me is to sell it and buy something that actually has a reputation behind it; local dealer is selling full size Glocks for cheap acquired from the local PD.

Thoughts?
I use Federal Hydrashock on my PT-111. Never had an issue with those. On the other hand, I've never has any issues with my PT-111. Around 600 rounds, both FMJ and JHP without any problems. :cheers2:

Re: Taurus PT-111 JHP choice

Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2010 4:42 pm
by karl
MoJo wrote:Hand cycling is NOT an indication of ammunition reliability. There are recoil dynamics that enter into feeding cycle. I have made reloads that would cycle flawlessly by hand and turned a reliable gun into a "jam-o-matic" when they were fired. I realize you have limited funds but go shoot the Gold Dots and see if they run reliably. If they don't try some Remington Golden Saber 124 gr JHP they have a smooth rounded profile and will feed when others won't.
How correct you are. Magazine of Gold Dots down range with no failures whatsoever. I must say, the 124 gr JHPs felt a lot hotter than the standard 115 FMJ.

Re: Taurus PT-111 JHP choice

Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2010 8:26 pm
by A-R
karl wrote:
MoJo wrote:Hand cycling is NOT an indication of ammunition reliability. There are recoil dynamics that enter into feeding cycle. I have made reloads that would cycle flawlessly by hand and turned a reliable gun into a "jam-o-matic" when they were fired. I realize you have limited funds but go shoot the Gold Dots and see if they run reliably. If they don't try some Remington Golden Saber 124 gr JHP they have a smooth rounded profile and will feed when others won't.
How correct you are. Magazine of Gold Dots down range with no failures whatsoever. I must say, the 124 gr JHPs felt a lot hotter than the standard 115 FMJ.
Glad they worked out for you. Gold Dots are some of my favorite loads in 9mm and .40 ..... I just shot with member surprise_I'm_armed last weekend and I think he carries Gold Dots in his PT111 without issue.

But if you do ever find yourself in need of a "similar-to-FMJ" defensive round, try the Hornady Critical Defense. I've never had a misfeed with that ammo in .380 or 9mm (or .38 special either :biggrinjester: )

Re: Taurus PT-111 JHP choice

Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2010 9:03 pm
by casingpoint
local dealer is selling full size Glocks for cheap acquired from the local PD.
Thoughts?
Yes. Who is this dealer?

Re: Taurus PT-111 JHP choice

Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2010 9:42 pm
by karl
Operator's Edge. Not sure if they're still there, 2 when I last checked a few days ago.

Re: Taurus PT-111 JHP choice

Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2010 10:26 pm
by surprise_i'm_armed
karl/OP:

Yes, austinrealtor is correct that I have shot Speer Gold Dots
through my 1st generation PT111, without any feeding issues.

I have also shot some Winchester JHP's. They fed fine also.

My gun has 2,110 rounds through it, mostly FMJ's, and have never
had any problems with it, with any kind of ammo. It takes every
brand w/o a whimper.

It seems that you may have resolved your brand decision, with the
help of other forum members and your own range experience.

SIA