NEED HELP! My new gun doesnt work!

[doc66]

***MODS- please move this if I posted in the wrong forum- Thanks!***


Ok, so here is my worst nightmare! Im a newbie and just know how to field strip and clean my handguns. However, anything else, I dont know where to start! I just picked up my:

Taurus PT 111 9mm handgun

I bought this used and trust the shop that was selling it. Well, from the store, off to the range to try her out. Here is what happened.

1. First 10 rounds went off flawless.

2. Loaded up 2-10 round factory mags w/ both Blazer Brass and Remington

3. Handgun- the slide was pulled back in locked position (because it had been emptied from the first 10 rounds)

4. Loaded mag #1 (w/Blazer) and when I inserted the mag it got to the seated position, but the normal "click" like on my other semi-autos felt different. It was a really short click. The mag was properly seated though.

5. I use the slide release lever and the slide slams forward. Everything is good to go; as ususal like my other semi's.

6. 1st round- BANG! Center mass 10 pts x 7 yrds.

7. ***HERE IS WHERE THE PROBLEM IS***

The empty case is ejected, slide goes back and next round is chambered and slide moves forward. However, pull the trigger and all I get is a "click". No round is fired. I then pull the slide manually to eject the round and let release to get a fresh round in and its the same thing. (take a look at the pic) The slide doesn't move fully forward. The rear of the slide is protruding from the back and the front of the gun has a gap. The slide isn't moving fully forward and I assume not pushing the round- fully into the chamber.

8. So I switch out the magazines with the Remington brand and the same occurrs. Again, when the slide is fully locked back and I load a magazine, release the slide release, the first round seats properly and Im able to discharge it. However every round after that, I cant because the slide doesn't go fully forward.


I am gonna end up calling Taurus tomorrow and will cross my fingers about the warranty (I did buy it used from a gun store) It was not a consignment piece. The store was selling it.

So please any help or advice you can give I would greatly appreciate it. Im gonna post this up at the Taurus forum too.

From the back:



From the front:

[ohsmily]

Has the gun ever been cleaned? Is it lubricated? Is there something in the gun preventing the slide from going into battery?

The fact that it fired the first magazine flawlessly and then started to fail to go into battery is strange. Sounds like an obstruction or a seriously dry or dirty gun.

[Fantasma]

Very odd. See a gunsmith or call Taurus i have no idea what that is. Maybe the bullets fault? Firing Pin?

Did you clean it before firing....

[doc66]

Has the gun ever been cleaned? Is it lubricated? Is there something in the gun preventing the slide from going into battery?

So I went home and cleaned the heck out of it. Did a full inspection- but again, I wouldnt know what to look for. After all said and done with the cleaning, still does the same thing.

[Sobriquet]

Sounds to me like someone got a lemon and then sold it to be rid of it. If it isn't too late, I'd ditch the gun and get something other than a Taurus.

[The SoCal Gunner]

Burr on the feedramp? Round getting hung up? Strange though since the 1st round would chamber fine.

Clean the mags? maybe worn out springs?

Just things I would think about.

[1lostinspace]

I should break down like this, stop acting help less try and fix it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5P48CkZdBM

try it and let us know whats up

[nick]

I had a similar issue with my Kahr. Ended up sending it to Kahr for warranty repair; they replaced the slide assembly. Taurus has a lifetime warranty, so you should be covered there. Check if the warranty only applies to the original buyer though, and if that's the case, if he ever registered it. Frankly, I don't know how they'll check it, anyway. I sent my girlfriend's Taurus for repair, and they didn't seem to mind that the name was different from hers (the original buyer's). I sent it through a gun store though, not myself.

[ohsmily]

I think Taurus will make it right.

[Riodog]

Doc, field strip the pistol, with the barrel removed from the weapon,place a loaded Remington Factory round in the chamber. It should seat completely.

If it doesn't, remove the round and look into the chamber. What you are looking for is any type of material that will keep the round from seating completely. If anything looks like it's not machined steel, carefully take a small screwdriver and see if it can be scratched or pried loose. Take a few pics of the individual parts including the inside of the barrel, the slide face, the extractor, etc., if you have a camera that's capable. Clean and lube properly and give it a try.

Rioi

[RedDawn]

It may be an issue with the internal lock mechanism. I've had a similar problem with my PT111. The lock mechanism simply rotates when the key is inserted. This rotation locks the firing pin in place so the striker fire function won't work. Sometimes the mechanism loosens after a few hundred rounds and it gets hung up on the firing pin. Call Taurus and see if they will honor their lifetime warranty even though you are not the original owner.

[PLINK]

I think Taurus will make it right.

+1

My buddy has two of these. One in 9mm and one in .45. The .45 workes flawless. The 9mm took two trips to Taurus to get his issue resolved. His problem with the 9mm was light primer strikes.

Good luck.

[slick_711]

Not definitely the problem, but worth checking...

Unloaded & clear, point the gun up. Pull the slide to the rear, and while maintaing control of the slide very slowly ease it forward [up]. The slide should make it's way all the way home and into battery. If due to your resistance/gravity the slide fails to go into battery you need a new recoil spring.

[JTROKS]

+1 on what riodog said. I don't have any experience with those type of Taurus pistols, but also try locking and unlocking the nuisance feature to see if that dislodges anything.

[dgey]

if you can't fix it, bring the gun back to the dealer and see what they can do. if they can't do anything, call taurus, they will fix the gun.