Taurus handguns: Are they junk or a good deal?

[MauserJoe]

I'm asking for informed opinions, not criticism from people who don't have experience with Taurus handguns.
I have been seeing some exceptionally good prices on new Taurus handguns, like the Millennium G2 9mm. I'm in the market for a small and easily concealable 9mm or .40 and these Tauruses don't look bad, but how do they REALLY perform in real life?
I've seen a lot of "Taurus pistols are junk" opinions on forums, but it seems that most of these people are just repeating what they've read elsewhere. I've owned a couple of Taurus handguns in the past - a Model 85 revolver and a PT92af semi-auto - and didn't have problems with them.
Who has had experience with the newer concealable Taurus models, and how did they work out for you?

 

[Neanderthal]

I've had several Taurus pistols over the years. I can say with a straight face that I trust their revolvers and their early model 92 clones. All of their latest semi-auto pistols...not so much...

 

[Grumulkin]

Probably 8 years ago now, I had a Taurus revolver in 22 LR. We parted company after it started failing to ignite 22 LR cartridges. I have no desire to acquire any more Taurus firearms.

 

[ssgrock3]

I've had several Taurus pistols over the years. I can say with a straight face that I trust their revolvers and their early model 92 clones. All of their latest semi-auto pistols...not so much...

I completely concur with the above. Their ultralight rev is a great pistol, model 85, and the series 92/99. New pocket pistols I would pass on.

 

[chuter]

I used to have a PT-45 (PT-145?) 45 cal striker fired; sent it back 3 times for light primer strikes. Each time it came back it worked for a few hundred rounds then had the same problem. Couldn't trust it, got rid of it.

 

[Blue Baby]

I owned a new 709 slim for 1 trip to the range. Shot a friends PT1911. They're not for me.

 

[surjimmy]

Taurus makes a good revolver, semi's are spotty.

 

[Shodown]

I used to have a PT1911 and it worked great for me. Only had one stovepipe in the 1000 ish rounds I put thru it. I traded it for a Sig 1911 Scorpion Carry only because I got a sweet deal on it and a received a premium for the Taurus otherwise I'd still have it. My brother has a Raging Judge that that has been reliable to him as well. I can't comment the smaller pocket pistols and conceal carry guns though.

 

[NINEROUND]

I had a pt-99af that was a good gun. The design was better than the Beretta parent copy, if you ask me. Cocked and locked, safety that was instinctive like a 1911. I traded it straight for a s&w 686 4", but I had no issues and would own one again. No experience with their revolvers or newer models.

 

[omega21]

I've owned and extensively used Taurus' M607 .357 and M689 also in .357 (6" barrel). I still hunt pigs with a Taurus M44 (8 3/8" barrel) with a scope. Never had an issue with any of them, enjoyed all of them, and kinda regret selling the .357s. Are they S&W quality? No, but the price reflects that.