Repairs on PT99 look suspect to me. Opinions?

[Falcon66]

Just got my new PT99 back from Taurus.  Original problem was that it wouldn't always cock fully after firing, documented here:  http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php?topic=36942.msg428460#msg428460

It may be a few days before I can test fire this gun.  In the meantime, I see a couple of things that concern me greatly.  Foremost, the hammer is still poorly aligned, as you can see:


I'm no gunsmith, but the misalignment (in 2 axes, no less!) leaves a lot to be desired IMO.  Perhaps the gun will fire great with a crooked hammer, but I'm not very encouraged by the looks of this.

These verbatim remarks on Taurus' Service Department Invoice strike me as alarming, too:
Problem Found:  FRAME DAMAGED
Resolution:  ADJUSTED
Frame damaged?  On a new gun?  That tells me that (most likely) Taurus manufactured this with a bad frame.  Okay, fine.  But how in the world do you resolve a problem with a damaged frame by simply adjusting it?  Don't you repair or replace something that's physically damaged?  I pray that this is simply the work of someone with poor English language skills, there are loads of them in Miami.

Finally, it appears that they didn't touch the crooked rear sight.  Taken together, these 3 items make me suspect that this is not the end of the problem.  I guess I'll know with more certainty later in the week, once I get to the range.

Your thoughts?

[Smokewagon]

Confusing indeed.  But I think I would reserve judgement until I gave it a test run.  I've seen firearms with misaligned hammers before, that were only cosmetic problems.

[joe sixpack]

well let us know how it goes i can feel your frustration why did'nt they fix the hammer?

uh anyway let us know how it goes good luck.

[JR]

I have a Colt Series 80 Government Model that looks nearly the same. It has operated flawlessly for well over 10k of rounds.

Try the gun out. "Damaged" means many things to many people. Your definition is quite probably different than the person writing up the ticket. A minor mis-alignment, such as is found when looking at the barrel and slide alignment at the front of many M9 pistols, is cosmetic, amnd within "factory specs" according to Beretta.

[Majorlk]

Neither my 1985 PT99 nor my 2000 Ruger P95DC have perfectly aligned hammers and yet both of them are flawless in the performance category. The P95 is the "sloppier" of the two and looks just like the photos posted. I have never considered either of them "damaged" or "defective".

I am of the opinion that many folks have little knowledge of manufacturing tolerances, especially on non-match firearms.

[Falcon66]

Celebration at the pistol range today!  My PT99 fired 100 rounds without a malfunction, using basic Federal & Remington ammo.  You can't argue with results, what a relief to see that Taurus appears to have fixed my new baby, woo hoo!

I'd LOVE to know exactly what the repair tech actually did to repair it.  It appears that they test fired my gun quite a few times, the barrel was very dirty upon return.  If that's the case, it speaks well of Taurus if they made that effort to ensure that my problem was indeed fixed.  (Now, if they could only put more descriptive info on the repair invoice...)

I was very surprised to learn that my hammer misalignment doesn't seem related to my problem!  Had absolutely no clue that tolerances could be that high, thanks for your input guys.  At age 54, life constantly reminds me that you're never too old to learn.

Am still concerned about the crooked rear sight.  It's not too pretty, even when perfectly aligned.  Can it be upgraded without spending a ton of money?

Appreciate your helpful opinions gentlemen, cocktails are on me tonight!  Cheers!

[joe sixpack]

glad it's working, sucks that you still have problems.. even if seemingly cosmetic.

[chicharrones]

It's hard to say what the repair descriptions really mean. Perhaps they are common Taurus terms used to cover many things.

In my line work repairing bindery machines, we use terms like reshape, form, or adjust to describe bending, filing, or tweaking. It looks better on service tickets. 

[olfarhors]

Sent my Beretta back to factory for repair!
it threw out the extractor, the plunger and spring and thats what it was returned for!
 when i recieved it back (fully repaired) the repair ticket stated "Replaced upgraded firing pin assembly!"
 yep , they replaced the firing pin, apparently the sear and spring (and who know what else) as well as the Extractor, plunger and spring!
aparently the repair techs are only given one ink pin each month and they can't afford to write a lot on the repair tickets!-LOL

[Falcon66]

I wasn't expecting the Gettysburg Address on the repair ticket, but geez, three whole words describing problem AND solution on my brand new broken gun!

Interesting how different industries have different standards of acceptable customer service.  If we have our cars or computers repaired, we expect at least some detail regarding what work was done.  Not so much with guns, it appears.

Can't wait for the weather to cool off here in GA, so I can COMFORTABLY fire a few hundred more rounds and get 100% confidence in my repairs!  My gun is a joy to shoot, very manageable kick and the trigger travel is perfect for me.

If I was a gun salesman, I'd tell my customers that shooting the PT99 is so much fun, "It almost makes you WISH for a home invasion!"

[aimhigh]

Just be glad you got it back fixed the first try...that doesn't always happen. The hammer not being centered is really more common than you may think, I have seen many that look like yours. If it really bothers you it can be centered using a thin shim on the tight side. It is not hard to put it in place. Most likely , there was damage to the sear, or spring originally and they just replaced it.

[JR]

Not to seem nosy, but did you BUY this gun with these problems noticeable?

[Falcon66]

Just be glad you got it back fixed the first try...that doesn't always happen. The hammer not being centered is really more common than you may think, I have seen many that look like yours. If it really bothers you it can be centered using a thin shim on the tight side. It is not hard to put it in place. Most likely , there was damage to the sear, or spring originally and they just replaced it.

As long as the gun continues to perform well, I suppose I can learn to live with the hammer askew.  Thanks for the shim idea, hadn't thought of that!  Not sure if I'm qualified to perform the work though; I'll get a quote next time I'm by the gun shop.

Not to seem nosy, but did you BUY this gun with these problems noticeable?

Ah, the joys of Internet gun buying!  There's still a lot to be said for traditional brick & mortar stores.

[olfarhors]

Ah, the joys of Internet gun buying!  There's still a lot to be said for traditional brick & mortar stores.
[/quote]

yes indeed!!
 I don't think I have ever bought the first gun that i looked at in a show case!
Now i might decide on that one after some research of the inventory!
 i might fittle with it, look it over as to attributes, but always ask to see any others they have in the backroom if i am going to buy.
the clerks may not like it and a few have refused (which is when i leave) but its my money and i want the best one that my money will buy.
 i check the finish, the action, the trigger, everything i can see , feel or smell.
not expecting the perfect weapon, just the best that they have!
hard to do that over the computer.
I will always pay an extra 20-30 bucks to get the "Pick of the LITTER"

[JR]

Most Internet Sellers allow a three-day inspection period. My advice is to see to it that anyone whom you buy from is doing that.