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pt111 accuracy issues

6.9K views 29 replies 19 participants last post by  sanford1212  
#1 ·
Hi All,

New to the forum here, had my pt111 for a few months and a couple hundred rounds. As the title suggests, the accuracy on it has been pretty poor, its tough to even keep all rounds on the paper at 20ft, much less get any sort of group. Additionally, it shoots VERY low. I don't shoot that poorly with other pistols, and was wondering if this would be worth sending it back to taurus for warranty repair?
 
#5 ·
As others have suggested, bench rest it to eliminate most human errors. Perhaps have someone else shoot it, see how they do.
Although these are not "target" pistols, you should be able to hold 3-4" groupings without much problem at 20 feet. Should be easy from a rest.

I don't know for sure, but my guess is sending it back will only get it function tested and returned. I would reserve this as a last resort.

Very short barreled/sight radius guns can be difficult to master, the trigger on the pt111 also takes some getting used to. Finger placement and a slow steady straight back pull will help.

Welcome to the forum.
 
#6 ·
I doubt that gun has a defect unless it has an out of tolerance tension recoil spring. When I first shot the G2C I found my hits low and left. Then I noticed that I was placing the tip of my trigger finger on the trigger. That made it pull left. I experimented by putting the the trigger close to the first digit joint. I then pulled to the right. With the trigger up against the middle of the finger pad it stayed on center. The low hits were do to a failure to align the gun perfectly in line with my forearm. It takes time to get used to new gun. Is am used to,it now, and I can consistently make 4 inch groups at 25 feet.
 
#7 ·
The G2 is not a target pistol, but it is very accurate.

I had the "low and left" problem when I first started shooting mine. My mistake was shooting it like a "target" pistol. The trigger is not the best for target shooting...

I bought it to be my EDC. Personal protection, close quarters self defense.

Started working on self defense scenarios. Pull from holster and just pull the trigger. Don't think about the long take up - just rip it.

I no longer have to use the sights. Pull it, point it, rip the trigger and I can fill and 6" target.

Don't worry about hitting the bulls-eye. You can buy a target pistol if that's your goal.

Low is usually from anticipation. Grip it tight with the lower 3 fingers, practice trigger finger discipline and just rip it back! Dry fire practice will help!
 
#24 ·
#9 ·
I don't mean to change this thread but rogue66 brought up a good point about the G2 not being a target pistol . He's right even thought I like many others DO target shoot with them and that's great as I have 2 -- 1 for carry and 1 for target

I also have a 709 for day's that call for a better carry
rogue66 also brought up about not using sights -- I have removed the sights on my 709 and focus on the target only , if I have to bare down on over 30ft and have time on a drill I use the loaded chamber indicator as center of barrel . I do this as I read that when we are in a panic , fight or flight or adrenaline rush that we focus on far away instead of up close , so can that be a reason for spray and pray shootings by cops and civilians . I don't know but I'm trying it and am surprised of what I can hit
rogue66 you have already started --- try it without any sights
 
#10 ·
As others have suggested. Zero your pistol and align the sights with the PT-111 resting on something. Even then, with the wide gap in the rear sight, you'll basically only get it close.
 
#11 · (Edited)
Agreeing with those above that the G2 series are self defense guns, they will never be good target pistols. But that does not matter because in the pressure of a gunfight you never get much time to take proper aim. When my MOS (combat photographer) came through after lnktkgroners were issued them. After going through all the normal target training we had some CQC pistol training. We were trained to quickly place the front sight on center mass and quickly raise the rear sight to near alignment and shoot. It became possible to make center mass hits in as little a second. I never had to do it until the battle of Hue City when every mud Marine was assigned to clearing streets and houses. What I was taught works. I can assure you of that.
 
#12 ·
As others said bench rest it also have someone else try it. Mine is very accurate for a small pistol. It will make three shots touch at 30ft when I do my part which isn’t all the time. Now for some bad news I have seen a g2 with a bad crown that shot poorly. It was recrowned by a local gun smith because they didn’t want to wait for Taurus and it shot more than adequate after that. But if they ever send it in and Taurus ever catches the recrown it probably voids their warranty. But I probably would have done the same thing. Definitely try bench shooting first and or having someone else try it.
 
#14 ·
You say you don't the trigger -- well you just fit in with a lot of others on this forum , check out many other threads about triggers on the pt111

You can also change the pt111 to a SAO pistol , and change to a FULL DAO like a revolver ( my favorite ) , in a lot of ways this a very unique pistol

You will really help your trigger by taking you pistol apart and sanding to smooth up any and all places that rub metal to metal , start with 300grit and up to 2000grit , you will get rid of the grit feel when pulling

Check out KeepTinkering on YouTube
 
#15 ·
The PT-111 does have an unusual trigger, and takes a little getting use to. It has a L-O-N-G pull before it breaks. This is due to the "second-strike" ability of the PT-111.
Usually the gun works in a "Single-action" mode like most semi-auto pistols, except that it has this long pull.
However, if you shoot and the round does not fire, you can pull the trigger again and strike on the same round. If you do this, you'll notice that the trigger engages (takes tension) earlier in the pull. This is because the trigger is now pulling the striker back before it breaks; something it didn't have to do before.
I use reloads at the range, and I occasionally have a "fail to fire" (FTF). I have found that the round will fire on the second strike about 75 percent of the time.
Some people complain about a "click" they feel in the trigger as they pull. Let us know if you have that. We have suggestions for that too.
 
#16 · (Edited)
Lot's of folks aren't crazy about the Trigger. I think it's fine for what it is. I bought my first polymer, striker fired pistol back in the 90's. Dry-firing them has always reminded me of a Nerf Gun, and all of them feel a little different. I would rate the pt111 as average, with reset being above average. It's a little long before the break, which can lead to some low/left shooting at first.
 
#17 · (Edited)
You will get used to it. I have 4 Glocks, and they're no prize either! Only difference is there are lot's of solutions aftermarket. I've only changed one with a drop in trigger, the other 3 I've done a trigger polish. You'd be surprised at how much that can do for the feel. I polished up my 111 and my g2c some. Like pt111rat says, there are some youtube solutions out there. It is basically breaking the parts in by smoothing things out without expending a lot of rounds.
 
#18 · (Edited)
Ah, the trigger. Once bringing the trigger to the break becomes muscle memory and automatic, your accuracy will improve.
 
#20 ·
There are many threads on here, the combination of short barrel and trigger design does it. Most people screw things up worse by messing with the sights and think it's the gun.
Don't mess with or polish anything as that isn't the issue.
The grip size and your finger placement are the real culprits. You need to get consistent with using the pad of your finger and pulling straight back. Due to the pistols size many people pull with the joint of the finger and that leads to twitching the end of the barrel causing accuracy issues.
 
#21 · (Edited)
+1CaptainMorgan...and here's my 2 cents: Assuming you are a R handed shooter, pay attention to your Left thumb. If you utilize a normal grip, that Left thumb sets in the indent in the upper part of the frame. As you are in position and ready to fire, keep a little pressure on the Left thumb, almost like you are wanting to push the upper frame to the right. This will stabilize the muzzle and the tendency to "shoot left" will go away.
 
#22 ·
+1CaptainMorgan...and here's 2 cents: Assuming you are a R handed shooter, pay attention to your Left thumb. If you utilize a normal grip, that Left thumb sets in the indent in the upper part of the frame. As you are in position and ready to fire, keep a little pressure on the Left thumb, almost like you are wanting to push the upper frame to the right. This will stabilize the muzzle and the tendency to "shoot left" will go away.
Very true, those of us who are right handed tend to shoot these low and left. A really tight grip on these pistols is preferred.
 
#23 ·
Welcome to the forum from Northern Oklahoma.
 
#27 ·
I haven't posted much but my first few times at the range were low and left. Then mostly just a little low. Then I went months without shooting this gun (bought a S&W Victory 22). Went back to it and I'm now consistently in the black at 20 feet, even going back and forth between the two very different guns. I'm not positive what I've changed but assuming it shoots from a bench it will get better.

Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk
 
#28 ·
I shot my G2 and (pre-G2) Millennium better than I do most pistols. I did have to windage adjust the G2. It could be that with my small hands, the ergonomics were about perfect for me. There's some excellent advice in this thread. If all else fails, just remember some people take to certain pistols better than others.
 
#29 ·
So, the promised update, I rested the barrel when shooting it and found it was shooting true, so I tried what some members here suggested and rotated my grip on the pistol, with my thumb moved forward from where I had held it before. My accuracy has improved significantly, with groups of 5-6 inches at about 10 yards. I guess the late break on the trigger kept my usual grip on a pistol from being effective. Thanks to everyone for all the advice!