I just purchased a 3rd gen PT145 on June 1. Cleaned it, then took it to the range. 8 shots into the salvo the slide failed to go full forward. Found the large front recoil spring had slipped through the front of the slide. I had an awful time trying to get the spring back into place so I could disassemble the gun to check it out. Checked the blogs, and saw "check for backwards spring". It was not, I repeat, it was not. Put it together, 3 shots in, happened again. Spring really protruded through this time, 2 hrs to disassemble and very sore fingers. I believe I got a large spring with a small OD. The spring OD is the only thing I can see that keeps it from slipping out the front of the slide. I don't want to send this in and wait 8 weeks for return. I just think I need a new front spring assembly with the proper OD. Anyone had this happen before ? If so, did you have to the whole gun back in or did Taurus just send you a new 2 stage spring assembly ? Anyone know what the spring OD should be so I can convince Taurus service to just send a replacement ?
PT145 spring dislodge through front of slide
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Had same problem with PT111. Taurus customer service said to send recoil assembly in and they would replace it. Apparently they had some bad springs. Be prepared to wait. Sent mine in four weeks ago and still nothing. Called Taurus and they said the assemblies were backordered.
I had this happen with my PT111 first time out. I called Taurus and they sent me a new recoil spring assy, Naturally it was the wrong part but they did eventually replace it with the right one. To fix the problem look at the end of the spring where it contacts the slide, make sure it isn't rounded but flat where it mates with the slide. I used a couple of jewelers screw drivers and opened up the springs outer diameter by carefully prying them outward. When done the outer end of the recoil spring was a press click fit into the slide and the problem was fixed. So spread the end of the recoil spring until it is a tight fit in the slide and your problem should be solved. Several thousand rounds later and its still workingt fine haven't even used the replacement spring Taurus sent me.
I have heard of this on rare occasion. I would have sworn that there was a washer in front of the spring, but got out the camera with the macro setting and voil... you are right... it is simply the width of the spring retaining the recoil spring arrangement.
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I noticed that the spring has been flattened on the outer edge to simulate a washer.
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To give you a sense of which part is off kilter...
the recoil guide opening on my slide is .460
the recoil spring width at the front is .520
Be sure to check that the opening in the slide is not overly wide... no spring replacement will fix that.
I noticed that the spring has been flattened on the outer edge to simulate a washer.
To give you a sense of which part is off kilter...
the recoil guide opening on my slide is .460
the recoil spring width at the front is .520
Be sure to check that the opening in the slide is not overly wide... no spring replacement will fix that.
Here's the update on my dilemma.......I finally got through to Taurus service (after 4 unsuccessful extended waiting periods). The service rep acknowledged they have had a problem with PT145 springs dislodging as I described. So I asked if they could send me a new one instead of sending the gun into them. She said I need to call back in 3 weeks, WHEN they are expected to know the NEW part number of the assembly. This tells me Taurus realized they have a design flaw after multiple reports. This is a very heavy gage spring, and is probably very difficult to manufacture to tight tolerances. It really does need a washer on the end to accomodate spring variation. I measured the slide opening ID and it is .460" (same as one of the replies to this issue). But the end of the spring measured an average of .510" OD (measured at different degrees of angle). So I took the advice of another replier and tried bending the end of the spring outward with jewelers screw drivers, to increase the spring OD. Not easy on this heavy gage spring. I ended up around .515". I could see a difference, so I shot another 100 rds through it, and it held together. So, I guess I will sit back and wait for 3 weeks to call Taurus again and pray they have a spring assembly upgrade available. Thanks for all of the replies guys....I'm amazed at the extent guys like you go to, to help solve a problem. By the way, this jam is NOT easy to clear. Another reader said he could not get the spring out. It is virtually impossible to pull the spring assembly out of the slide when the spring has slipped through the front. My fingers are still sore.
I only know of this happening on 3rd generation PT145's. I would be interested to know what was changed (if anything) between 2nd and 3rd Gens in the affected area. This is a shame that something like this got out of the factory. I was ready to trade it back into the gun dealer when the day it happened, but I love the way this gun feels, points, and looks. It shoots really straight for a 3.25" barrel, and the design looks really robust otherwise. But this kind of problem is scary when your life depends on it. I'm still carrying it, but the first shot is the only one I'm counting on, until I receive and install the upgraded spring assembly, and test it with another 100 rds. I have faith (at this writing) Taurus is going to take care of me. I seriously doubt any more 3rd Gen PT145's will be shipped out from Miami until this new part number wonder spring assembly arrives from Brazil.
My second and a half generation (da only with light rails) puked its mainspring at around fifteen hundred rounds, at the time I was using some double tap plus p loads. The plastic button on the end of the guide rod broke off and went flying. The gun continued to run fine and I kept on using it while waiting for Miami to send me a new spring. After about six weeks the post office delivered not one but two new mainspring assemblies. Never had a problem since. The only problem with using the gun with the broken guide rod was the spring was no longer captive and disassembly and reassembly became much more interesting.
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Just picked up a New Pt145 from Buds Gun Shop. It's a beautiful "black & Tan". SN# begins w/ NAN. Have not fired it yet. Now I'm kind of worried about it. Hope this isnt a recall item. Please, someone give me some hope!
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Well, I'm glad that I came across this forum. on rounds number 89, my third gen PT145's spring also jammed through the front of the slide. This was back in March. My PT145 is still in Miami awaiting the part. Even though I only had the gun for a week, I have been going through withdrawal since then. I really like that gun. It is a tiny .45 that felt great to shoot and carry.
This thread makes me feel a little bit better about my wait. I have been pretty mad with customer service. If they would have just told me that there was a design flaw and that they needed to keep it until they fixed the problem, I'd have been fine. They have never told me that. They just keep saying 1.5 more weeks or 2 more weeks. They really need to let the phone jockeys know the situation. Most gun owners would respect the fact that Taurus realized that there is a problem and is working to fix it; even if it means that their gun will be gone for 6 months.
Oh yeah,my first 3 are "NZJ"
This thread makes me feel a little bit better about my wait. I have been pretty mad with customer service. If they would have just told me that there was a design flaw and that they needed to keep it until they fixed the problem, I'd have been fine. They have never told me that. They just keep saying 1.5 more weeks or 2 more weeks. They really need to let the phone jockeys know the situation. Most gun owners would respect the fact that Taurus realized that there is a problem and is working to fix it; even if it means that their gun will be gone for 6 months.
Oh yeah,my first 3 are "NZJ"
I'm not sure "design flaw" is the appropriate term. What appears to have happened is that some thinner springs were used with allowed the recoil assembly to protrude. Most of these episodes seem to have occured relatively soon... so it appears that a quality control issue came up. Obviously the springs were sufficient for assembly, just not for operation under recoil. I'm also glad to hear that some are being offered replacement springs (when they arrive) rather than having to ship guns back.
In truth most PT145 owners ought to order an extra recoil assembly and a an extra striker spring assembly... they are cheap if you can get them and they seem to be the most vulnerable!
In truth most PT145 owners ought to order an extra recoil assembly and a an extra striker spring assembly... they are cheap if you can get them and they seem to be the most vulnerable!
When I had the problem with the spring dislodging it was with a PT111 first time out shooting after about 70 rnds. I also have a PT140 which has not exhibited this problem. When the problem first surfaced I compared the fit of the recoil spring in the slide. On the PT140 it was a snug press to get the recoil spring into the cavity on the forward edge of the slide. On the malfunctioning PT111 the fit was loose and sloppy. The fix was to spread the spring coils outward until it was also a snug press / interference fit of the recoil spring into the slide. Moral of this is if you are concerned about the recoil spring dislodging check the fit of the spring in the slide and if its a loose fit spread the spring outward until its a snug fit. It was relatively easy to spread the springs on the PT111 with some jewelers screw drivers. It may be more difficult on a different model PT due to differnt springs.
Reply to Cimarron: At 1st, I thought this was a quality control issue to. But when Taurus Service told me they are awaiting a part number change, and didn't even offer a replacement of current, that is a sure sign that engineering is updating a design print. It may only be tighter spec tolerances, but there is an engineering change of some type taking place.
Question for all: My PT145 spring has a blue paint, (same as in the photos earlier). Is this a manfucturing identification aid to differentiate PT145 springs from lets say a PT140 ?
Question for all: My PT145 spring has a blue paint, (same as in the photos earlier). Is this a manfucturing identification aid to differentiate PT145 springs from lets say a PT140 ?
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I hope that the new recoil assembly is made with a stronger spring as mine is somewhat sluggish to return to full battery.
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