[jlewis39]

So, I was blessed to receive a lovely new Spectrum as a late Valentine's Day gift. I have been waiting anxiously for the Spectrums to arrive on market, so having one soon after they became available was fantastic.

Unfortunately, upon examination of my new acquisition, I noted that the back of the slide does not align to the back of the frame. Is this typical for the Spectrums? I have followed the manual's instructions to cycle the slide several times to "ensure that the barrel/slide/frame relationship is correct." There has been no improvement in the alignment.

Additionally, when the takedown pin is turned to release the slide, it seems to be a 50/50 chance that the slide actually releases [to then be removed]. Is this characteristic of this handgun?

I have not had the opportunity to take this gun to the range yet, so I cannot speak to its firing capabilities and such. However, with these concerns in mind, I'd very much like to hear from y'all as to whether or not these are normal for the Spectrums...or shall I have to send it in without ever firing a single shot. (Argh.)

Thank you in advance for your time and thoughts. I'm quite new to handguns and appreciate any feedback you may be able to provide.

 

[bobbojama]

A pic would be great... But without one, Strip it, thoroughly clean including the firing pin channel, it lube with a light oil and reassemble.. If the problem still exists, try to post a pic so we can see the misalignment... Good Luck!

 

[jlewis39]

It has already been stripped, thoroughly cleaned, lightly lubed, and reassembled. No luck with a better alignment. It's the same misalignment as prior to disassembly.

I'll attempt to post up a picture when I get a chance.

 

[jonrjen]

I say that it's time to make the call to Taurus Customer Service and let the new Spectrum enjoy a little Spring Break in the Florida sunshine. I would do it soon while it's under the all expenses paid trip plan.

 

[jlewis39]

I've been browsing through some threads here concerning the Spectrum. It's interesting to see that some of the pictures that others have posted may have a similar misalignment between back of the slide and frame. Perhaps this is simply a characteristic of the gun?? Apparently, the gap between the frame and slide (which partially exposes the recoil spring is the norm, as that is shown on the manual cover. As I mentioned before, I'm fairly new to handguns, but the realization that I can read newsprint through my handgun is more than a bit odd to me.


This particular Spectrum doesn't seem to have anywhere near the quality of build or workmanship as my PT111G2. Hmmm...

 

[nevadabob]

Check out this youtube closeup at the 5 min mark:

I think you'll be OK.

 

[BigAl512]

It is Normal, does not affect operation , But if it is really Bothering you ? you could remove the slide and clean it up with some 120 grit and then use 400 to smooth out the finish , I had thought about it , I don't know if I'm that anal or OCD about it , Happy shooting

 

[jlewis39]

I was just taken back by the apparent lack of attention to detail, I guess. As I mentioned above, it seems as if others may have similar fitment issues between slide and frame. It is kind of curious, though, that the official Taurus images (and videos) that I've come across do not display such a misalignment (such as 1:41 in the first video and 0:24 in the second video here: https://www.taurusspectrum.com/).

If it doesn't appear to affect actual performance, then it's just an aesthetic eyesore [to me]. As I stated above, I haven't been to the range with it yet. It's too cold and snowy right now in northeastern PA...and no indoor gun ranges to be had locally. As I anticipate being in the southeastern US (and at a range) within the next week, I should have a first-hand idea what I think about the gun at that point, I suppose.

Thank you to those who have taken the time to reply. The posts have certainly given me food for thought.

 

[BigAl512]

You will like the way it shoots it really is a nice shooter for its size , I know one of the new Glocks has some fitment issues it looks unfinished from the pictures I have seen , so Taurus isn't the only One , But I think you will be surprised, the link you posted is dead , did not come up for me , if you are incline to The Rail assembly comes out of the frame pretty simply , look on the opposite side after the Slide is removed and you will see a silver spring tang slightly lift up that tang and push the Take down Key ( for lack of a Better word ) will push thru, Then the whole assembly will come out , lift up and pull trigger assembly and rail out as One , Kinda makes you wonder if you can get different grips, Say to color coordinate your wardrobe !!!, <G> its really quite easy, if you have a Jewelers set make it helpful, Not many parts, Happy Shooting

 

[grimreefer]

Our slide sits about the same. Never had a problem with the take-down pin being hit or miss as long as it's turned the whole 90 degrees.

 

[pegasus]

This kind of stuff is why I don't like to order guns sight unseen any more. I prefer to be able to inspect a gun prior to purchase.

 

[olfarhors]

This kind of stuff is why I don't like to order guns sight unseen any more. I prefer to be able to inspect a gun prior to purchase.

yea, something like that would drive me nuts!
just knowing it was like that would make me look at it and shake my head every time I put a hand on it.
scratches, and such don't bother me if done by use or accident but workmanship or lack of don't do much for me.
didn't notice this on any of the 8-10 or so I handled at the NRA show, course wasn't looking for it and likely those guns were gone over with a fine tooth comb before they went to the NRA show.

 

[Fishinkeylargo]

Well in the picture it just does not look right. Almost looks like it is not in battery.

 

[jlewis39]

yea, something like that would drive me nuts!
just knowing it was like that would make me look at it and shake my head every time I put a hand on it.
scratches, and such don't bother me if done by use or accident but workmanship or lack of don't do much for me.
didn't notice this on any of the 8-10 or so I handled at the NRA show, course wasn't looking for it and likely those guns were gone over with a fine tooth comb before they went to the NRA show.

Agreed. The misalignment was definitely not like any of the Spectrums that I held at the Taurus booth at GAOS2018. We actually ordered this Spectrum after handling them at the show, we were that impressed with the gun. To say that the level of workmanship is underwhelming would be an understatement.

However, I will have the opportunity to evaluate my new acquisition a bit more in the coming week. I'm still prepared to enjoy the gun and such, but I do find the misalignment to be jarring to the eye.

 

[darbo]

Something I would look into before completely dismissing the pistol. I know it's a long shot but it's an easy thing to do if you haven't done so already. I would field strip the gun and do a very close examination of all the contact surfaces for any tiny piece of debris or flashing that might prevent full movement of the slide. Check the rail slots from end to end, check the metal rail guides for any flashing, anywhere I could think of or look at to make certain there are no obstructions. After I was satisfied with that inspection I would run a box of ammo through the gun. If the problem is still there then it's time to contact Taurus.

Good luck and keep us posted on how things go.

 

[handgunster]

Here is a Spectrum photo from the Taurus web site. It could be the camera angle but it looks like the back of the slide does not line up exactly with the frame.

 

[jlewis39]

Well, I have had the opportunity to get to the range with my new Spectrum. As this was not my sole gun there, I only ran between 100-200 rounds through it. My thoughts are such: it performed admirably. No light strikes or failures to feed. Actually, no malfunctions of any kind thus far.

As my companion at the range noted, I was reasonably accurate with the Spectrum at around 15-17 yards, even shooting single-handed with either hand. I am right hand dominant and did not struggle with my left hand - it truly is a point and shoot handgun. On a personal note, though I have very small hands, I was much more comfortable using the extended magazine with finger groove; the standard magazine was just not quite comfortable to me.

Regarding the initial purpose of this thread: the misalignment of the slide to frame does not appear to impact the gun going into battery. Additionally, the misalignment is still present post-shooting and after another thorough cleaning. On a similar note, I had the opportunity to handle two brand-new Spectrums in a local gun shop yesterday. Two different color combinations but both guns exhibited the same misalignment of slide to frame. So, apparently this is Taurus' new standard...at least for this particular model?

As always, my two cents.

 

[Martensite]

I'm in the same boat as the OP. My Spectrum's slide sits forward on the frame. Also have the light primer strike issue. Pistol shoots like a laser though.

 

[RogueTS1]

It is not uncommon to be able to see through the slide on a polymer gun. These days most polymers have a bit of space between the frame and slide. As long as the rails fit well the pistol will cycle.

 

[jlewis39]

It is not uncommon to be able to see through the slide on a polymer gun. These days most polymers have a bit of space between the frame and slide. As long as the rails fit well the pistol will cycle.

I was aware of the gap between slide and frame, which exposes a bit of the recoil spring. That gap is even evident in the picture on the owner's manual.

When I started this thread, I was curious if anyone else had a slide that doesn't quite align to the frame as noted in my earlier posted pictures. I suppose I should also mention that I was gifted my Spectrum after handling several as the GAOS2018 show in Harrisburg PA this year. Those Spectrums being exhibited by Taurus were not misaligned, so when mine arrived as such, it was a bit of a surprise and concern. I have since inspected 4-5 more Spectrums in local gun shops which all show the same slide to frame misalignment. I guess Taurus just had the pick of the litter at GAOS whilst the remainder don't quite have the same attention to detail.

I should note that I have not had the opportunity to get back to my range since early March. However, despite the slide/frame misalignment, I did not have any malfunctions at that time.