I know that we have several firearm enthusiast on the board, and thought that I would share my recent experience with a Taurus firearm and see if anyone else had a similar (or different) experience. Anyway, on with the story...
Last August (2015), I was in a local gun store and saw they had a Taurus 24/7 stainless steel model in .45 with 3 magazines for sale for $200. I had wanted a 24/7 because during the course of playing airsoft, I had picked up a Taurus 24/7 pistol as a sidearm. Of course, it used CO2 to shoot 6mm plastic BBs, but it is a 1:1 replica and weighted as such, so I knew I liked how it fit my hand. I also knew that Taurus had a lifetime warranty, so I figured even if it wasn't completely perfect, I could ship it Taurus and they would make it right. So $200 bucks lighter, I'm out the door with pistol and magazine.
I was disappointed when I got home, because it would not load the first round from the magazine properly. The firing pin was extending into the chamber when the action was cycled and would catch the rear of the cartridge. It shot pretty well after I got a round chambered, but obviously this was a problem. So, I decided to send it in for repair.
I contacted Taurus customer service (about a 45 minute wait time) and was told to just download a work order form, fill it out, and send in the pistol along with all of the magazines. I was told I didn't need to set up a work order number in advance. So I got everything boxed up and sent it them via Fedex on August 18th.
I tried checking the progress of my repair online, and it had not showed up on September 3rd (although my Fedex tracking showed that it was delivered on August 20th). So I called customer service, and they replied that they had indeed received it and it was put in line for repair on August 27th, but replied they had no more information than that. They also said that their online repair status was not functioning correctly, and the best thing to do was to call. I was on hold for about 30 minutes waiting for a CSR this time.
On September 28, I called, about 25 minutes hold time, and spoke with a CSR. This conversation was very enlightening, because she told me that this pistol was part of a class action lawsuit and would not be returned to me, and I could either choose a monetary payment (I think it could end up being as little as $50, depending on how many people turn in their pistols) or wait for a replacement, which was running about 6 months lead time. I said that I would just wait for the replacement. The other thing that came up on this call was that even though I had filled out the proper work order with all of my personal information, they had all of the information (address, phone number etc.) for the company that I had used to ship the pistol to them (which was just a local copy/print/mail/fax store). We finally got all of that straightened out, and I had to provide them with an FFL to send the pistol back to, since I wouldn't be receiving the same pistol, and it would have to go through a dealer. I would also be responsible for paying the transfer fee (if applicable), although they would send me a form for which I could apply for reimbursement of this fee, which would process in 30-60 days after receipt. So I called the LGS that I bought the pistol from and they sent their FFL to Taurus.
I called on October 26, on hold for 27 minutes, and checked the progress. At least this time, I was able to confirm that all of information was correct, they had the proper FFL on file, and I should receive my replacement anywhere between the end of December and February.
I called on December 29th, on hold for only about 10 minutes, and received the news that I would likely be the end of January or February to receive my replacment.
I called on February 8th, on hold for 12 minutes. For the first time in this whole ordeal, the CSR asked if I would consider another model as my replacement vs. receiving the equivalent G2 version of my pistol. I asked what was the lead time for the model that I had sent in, and she said she didn't know, but it would likely be March or April now. I then asked what other models were available, so she said she would check with their stock agent and let me know. I held for a few minutes and when she came back on the line, she told me the stock agent was out and she would call me the next day with options.
They did not call me the next day..or ever.
I called on February 15th, on hold for 8 minutes, and spoke the most helpful CSR that I had dealt with through this whole thing. He was able to give me a list of available replacement options, that they had in stock, that they could offer for the model that I sent in. After going through the list, I settled on a Taurus 24/7 G2 blued in 9mm. I have been wanting to get a new 9mm pistol, so this suited me. I don't reload ammo, and 9mm is quite a bit cheaper than .45, so that was part of my motivation. I also have another .45 (an XDM), but I didn't have a hi-cap 9mm (all I have is a Hi Point in 9mm), so I was actually very happy with this option. He stated that the replacement was in stock and would ship out early the next week (week of Feb 22nd). I said great (although I wasn't going to hold my breath).
I was in the LGS early this week and told them that Taurus had said a replacement would be on the way, and they said that they would call me when it came in.
Lo and behold, yesterday afternoon, I got a call from gun store saying they had my pistol. So I went by and picked it up after work. They ended up transferring it to me for free, since it was a replacement of a pistol that I bought there and because I am a regular customer, so at least I don't have to deal with getting reimbursed. I went ahead and bought some extra ammo since I was there too.
I got the pistol home and took it to my dirt pile to give it a shot (pun intended). I ended up going through 50 rounds pretty quickly, with no feeding or firing problems. We had taken it apart at the store and reassembled it, but I didn't clean it prior to trying it - I wanted to see how it was from the factory. I honestly couldn't have been more impressed. I was able to hit my little spinning gopher target and hanging ball as well or better than normal, and it was pretty cold yesterday, so I wasn't taking too much time to sight in each shot. Once I got back in the house, I broke it down and cleaned it and now it is awaiting more practice, hopefully this weekend.
So, there we have the story so far - about 6 months to get a replacement, which I ended up liking better than the original. I would have to admit that I am not pleased with the time that it took - I think 2-3 months should be the max, but then again, it is a lifetime warranty. It isn't like I was needing it badly, but had it been my only pistol, I would not want to be without it for half a year (and if I really wanted a .45 acp in stainless like what I bought, who knows how much longer it would have taken).
Also, this figures into what will likely be my next purchase. I want to get a small 9mm for everyday carry, and I'm debating between the Taurus 709 and the Ruger LC9. I'm pretty sure the LC9 is a better gun, but I really like how the 709 feels. Price difference is about $100. I won't be purchasing this for at least 4 or 5 months, so I've got some time to decide.
Does anybody else have any experience with Taurus firearms warranty? I've got 4 other Taurus guns, and have had no other issues, but wanted to know what everybody else had experienced.
Thanks for any input.
Good luck and take care.
Last August (2015), I was in a local gun store and saw they had a Taurus 24/7 stainless steel model in .45 with 3 magazines for sale for $200. I had wanted a 24/7 because during the course of playing airsoft, I had picked up a Taurus 24/7 pistol as a sidearm. Of course, it used CO2 to shoot 6mm plastic BBs, but it is a 1:1 replica and weighted as such, so I knew I liked how it fit my hand. I also knew that Taurus had a lifetime warranty, so I figured even if it wasn't completely perfect, I could ship it Taurus and they would make it right. So $200 bucks lighter, I'm out the door with pistol and magazine.
I was disappointed when I got home, because it would not load the first round from the magazine properly. The firing pin was extending into the chamber when the action was cycled and would catch the rear of the cartridge. It shot pretty well after I got a round chambered, but obviously this was a problem. So, I decided to send it in for repair.
I contacted Taurus customer service (about a 45 minute wait time) and was told to just download a work order form, fill it out, and send in the pistol along with all of the magazines. I was told I didn't need to set up a work order number in advance. So I got everything boxed up and sent it them via Fedex on August 18th.
I tried checking the progress of my repair online, and it had not showed up on September 3rd (although my Fedex tracking showed that it was delivered on August 20th). So I called customer service, and they replied that they had indeed received it and it was put in line for repair on August 27th, but replied they had no more information than that. They also said that their online repair status was not functioning correctly, and the best thing to do was to call. I was on hold for about 30 minutes waiting for a CSR this time.
On September 28, I called, about 25 minutes hold time, and spoke with a CSR. This conversation was very enlightening, because she told me that this pistol was part of a class action lawsuit and would not be returned to me, and I could either choose a monetary payment (I think it could end up being as little as $50, depending on how many people turn in their pistols) or wait for a replacement, which was running about 6 months lead time. I said that I would just wait for the replacement. The other thing that came up on this call was that even though I had filled out the proper work order with all of my personal information, they had all of the information (address, phone number etc.) for the company that I had used to ship the pistol to them (which was just a local copy/print/mail/fax store). We finally got all of that straightened out, and I had to provide them with an FFL to send the pistol back to, since I wouldn't be receiving the same pistol, and it would have to go through a dealer. I would also be responsible for paying the transfer fee (if applicable), although they would send me a form for which I could apply for reimbursement of this fee, which would process in 30-60 days after receipt. So I called the LGS that I bought the pistol from and they sent their FFL to Taurus.
I called on October 26, on hold for 27 minutes, and checked the progress. At least this time, I was able to confirm that all of information was correct, they had the proper FFL on file, and I should receive my replacement anywhere between the end of December and February.
I called on December 29th, on hold for only about 10 minutes, and received the news that I would likely be the end of January or February to receive my replacment.
I called on February 8th, on hold for 12 minutes. For the first time in this whole ordeal, the CSR asked if I would consider another model as my replacement vs. receiving the equivalent G2 version of my pistol. I asked what was the lead time for the model that I had sent in, and she said she didn't know, but it would likely be March or April now. I then asked what other models were available, so she said she would check with their stock agent and let me know. I held for a few minutes and when she came back on the line, she told me the stock agent was out and she would call me the next day with options.
They did not call me the next day..or ever.
I called on February 15th, on hold for 8 minutes, and spoke the most helpful CSR that I had dealt with through this whole thing. He was able to give me a list of available replacement options, that they had in stock, that they could offer for the model that I sent in. After going through the list, I settled on a Taurus 24/7 G2 blued in 9mm. I have been wanting to get a new 9mm pistol, so this suited me. I don't reload ammo, and 9mm is quite a bit cheaper than .45, so that was part of my motivation. I also have another .45 (an XDM), but I didn't have a hi-cap 9mm (all I have is a Hi Point in 9mm), so I was actually very happy with this option. He stated that the replacement was in stock and would ship out early the next week (week of Feb 22nd). I said great (although I wasn't going to hold my breath).
I was in the LGS early this week and told them that Taurus had said a replacement would be on the way, and they said that they would call me when it came in.
Lo and behold, yesterday afternoon, I got a call from gun store saying they had my pistol. So I went by and picked it up after work. They ended up transferring it to me for free, since it was a replacement of a pistol that I bought there and because I am a regular customer, so at least I don't have to deal with getting reimbursed. I went ahead and bought some extra ammo since I was there too.
I got the pistol home and took it to my dirt pile to give it a shot (pun intended). I ended up going through 50 rounds pretty quickly, with no feeding or firing problems. We had taken it apart at the store and reassembled it, but I didn't clean it prior to trying it - I wanted to see how it was from the factory. I honestly couldn't have been more impressed. I was able to hit my little spinning gopher target and hanging ball as well or better than normal, and it was pretty cold yesterday, so I wasn't taking too much time to sight in each shot. Once I got back in the house, I broke it down and cleaned it and now it is awaiting more practice, hopefully this weekend.
So, there we have the story so far - about 6 months to get a replacement, which I ended up liking better than the original. I would have to admit that I am not pleased with the time that it took - I think 2-3 months should be the max, but then again, it is a lifetime warranty. It isn't like I was needing it badly, but had it been my only pistol, I would not want to be without it for half a year (and if I really wanted a .45 acp in stainless like what I bought, who knows how much longer it would have taken).
Also, this figures into what will likely be my next purchase. I want to get a small 9mm for everyday carry, and I'm debating between the Taurus 709 and the Ruger LC9. I'm pretty sure the LC9 is a better gun, but I really like how the 709 feels. Price difference is about $100. I won't be purchasing this for at least 4 or 5 months, so I've got some time to decide.
Does anybody else have any experience with Taurus firearms warranty? I've got 4 other Taurus guns, and have had no other issues, but wanted to know what everybody else had experienced.
Thanks for any input.
Good luck and take care.
