Taurus PT-99 Inaccurate FLOPPY (Loose) Barrel HORROR Story

[ttttt]

This story, it appears, is similar to others, who have inaccurate "floppy"
or loose barrels on their Taurus PT 92 or 99 pistols.
In the past I tended to discount the veracity of these stories, since I had
a very accurate black 1990 PT-99. I now understand the frustration of others
with this inaccuracy problem and their disgust in dealing with Taurus.

A new beautiful Chromed PT-99AFS was given as a present in late 2012 as a
home self-defense weapon. The gun was fired for familiarity at a 7 yard
range then holstered and put away for protection. It functioned reliably.

Upon cleaning in 2016, it was realized that the gun barrel was sloppy. The front
of the barrel could be pushed up and it would stay up or pushed down and it
would stay down, a movement of .025" at the front of the barrel.

Upon calling Taurus about repair under their LIFETIME warranty, I was told the
gun must be shot to determine if it was inaccurate before sending in.

The gun was benchtested at 25 yards. The barrel was first pushed down, shot, and
surprisingly the bullet landed high on the target. Next the barrel was pushed up,
shot, and surprisingly vice-versa, the shot went lower, a c-c distance of 7.5" from
the first shot.
This simulates what could happen if the front of the barrel is either bumped up
or down as it clears the holster.
This alternate pushing and shooting produced an upper and lower pattern.

After calling Taurus to tell them of the inaccuracy, they required an upfront
payment of $50 for shipping pickup.
I told them that they needed to pay for the shipment since the gun is obviously
factory faulty. They refused.
Talking with different customer service personnel and finally the supervisor, they
suggested that if it was determined to be a factory defect they would refund
the $50.

The $50 was paid and the gun sent out on 11-17-2016. The gun was returned about
7 weeks later in January of 2017, with the note NO PROBLEM FOUND. Included
was a test target shot at 15 yards which had a single 1 3/4" c-c group.
After, initiating a number of calls and waiting days for them to return each call
and asking how they tested this gun, the supervisor said to send her a copy of their
target packed with the gun, since they keep no information.
They would talk with the tester.
The Original complaint writeup and a copy of their tested target were sent to the
supervisor on 1-16-2017. With no response for a week, I initiated another call.
The supervisor finally called back and said the tester tested accuracy the normal
way by shooting a group and NOTHING IS WRONG with the gun. The tester told the
supervisor that these gun barrels are supposed to be free floating and loose.
They IGNORED my writeup complaint sent with the gun.
I told her my black 1990 Taurus (which shoots 1 1/2" c-c groups) and an inspected
Beretta 92 both have tight barrels (later, another PT99 was checked tight).
I told her the tester did not test per the elaborate writeup sent with the gun or
they would have had two different patterns 7.5" apart which is unacceptable
in a self-defense gun.
The supervisor finally offered to pay to have the gun sent back to test again.

After 7 weeks and the incompetence of NO PROBLEM FOUND, gun barrels are supposed to
be loose and free floating, their accuracy tests which ignored the original complaint,
and the various customer service reps inability to find out what size group at what
distance was considered to be outside of the factory spec (later stated as 2"?? to
3" @ 25 yards, but they tested at 15), I had no interest or confidence in sending it
back to Taurus for another 7 weeks.
I told them to save their postal cost and labor, refund my $50 shipping fee
and I will get it fixed locally with somebody I trust.
They refused.

The gun was compared part for part with my accurate 1990 black PT99. Barrels and
slides, as well as locking blocks were exchanged and parts mic'd. The black barrel
was tight on the chrome frame and the chrome barrel loose on the black frame.
The problem was the barrel bottom tabs (ears which ride in the frame grooves) were
MIS-machined at least .003" too thin compared to the tight black barrel.

1-27-17 Taurus was told that the factory faulty barrel tabs were now fixed, now tight,
and the chrome PT99 AFS shoots excellently - REFUND my $50!
They refused.

[Mr. Hill]

Did you bench test it without first manipulating the barrel and, if so, how were the groups?

[ttttt]

Before pushing the chrome barrel, two groups of 4 shots were fired from
the benchrest, each group was close to 4.0" c-c. at 25 yards.

As a reference, the Black PT gave 4 shot groups at 1 1/4".
Pushing on the Black barrel tip resulted in firm return
to the original position upon release, tight.

S&B 115 grn FMJ was used.

[Seven High]

I suggest that you write a letter of complaint to Taurus. Address it to the chief executive officer.