Fish, when I bought my 709 I did a lot of searching on this Forum, it was a BIG help. There were some comments (if I recall correctly) about WWB and the 709 not being a good match, at least in the breaking in period. So I did a very thourough cleaning, used Federal, or Remington FMJ and had no issues, except for a jam at 130 rds - probably due to limp wristing. I am at 300 rds with no more hiccups.

 

Can't attest to the 709, but my 809C doesn't care for the WWB or Remington UMC. Granted still in the break-in period, have got about 400 rounds thru it now.. I'd have to get up and look for sure on that number, but it's close. Mine loves Federal, and the cheaper Estate ammo. Will eat that up all day (115 gr)

 

I just fired nearly 150 rounds of federal and Winchester fmj through my brand new 709 with no issues. Also fired hollow points didn't have the Box so not sure what the hollow point were. No malfunctions at all.

 

My PT-709 has never been picky about what I feed it. I've tried at least a dozen brands of FMJ and a half dozen brands of HP and haven't found any that don't work. Even White Box runs through mine. I did give the feed ramp a quick polish when it was new, so maybe that helped some. It has probably close to 2,000 rounds through it and has been pretty much trouble free. It's in my pocket right now!

 

well if its working with the heavier/likely more potent hollow points then theres something going on with the lighter FMJ rounds.
of course the recomended loading is a 124 grain projectile!
Myself I would give the weapon a very through cleaning (oK you did, if you are satisfied) then I would find some Aqulia, S & B, RWS or Geico 124 grain FMJ ammo and try it out.
they are loaded pretty stout for a standard loading and are in the correct weight and see how it does on the reccomended round before trying anything else.
The one thing for sure about the 709 that i owned was the thing ran like a sewing machine on anything that had a 9MM headstamp on it, and right from the start new as well.
another sore spot in feeding/not feeding is many times found in the magazines!
did you disassemble them and clean them throughly?
check the springs to make sure they are in correctly and not weak.

 

Maybe your 709 doesn't can't cycle the lighter 115 grain loads very well. A few more batches of 124 or 147 grain ammo could break the gun in well enough to cycle the lighter ones. Factory JHPs, more so the premium ones, are generally hotter than target/plinking FMJ ammo and will definitely cycle the pistol better.

 

Thanks fellas.
I think i'll send it in anyway, just to be on the safe side. And then stick with the heavier stuff.

 

My 709, even when new, has always handled WWB and Rem UMC just fine along with various makers of HP rounds, all 115 gr. Actually, don't think I've ever put a 124 gr round thru it. I've got about 300 rounds thru it so far.

 

My 709 does eat anything. If you suspect the gun might not be new, then you really don't know what it has been through before you got it. I would suggest doing a field strip and cleaning and take a close look at the extractor. Some think you can stick a round in the chamber and slam the slide shut on it giving the gun a 7 + 1 capacity, but you need to load the magazine, rack the slide to load a round, drop the mag and insert another round in the magazine to get full capacity. Sticking one in the chamber and dropping the slide will damage the extractor. Look at your's closely - with a magnifying glass, and see if you can see any damage to it. You should also take the magazines apart and clean them too. If nothing helps, send it back to Taurus.

 

My 709 & 740 have eaten most every brand thrown at them, JHP or FMJ, mostly 115 gr WWB/UMC, some 124 NATO & 147 gr. in 709 & 165 & 180 gr. in the 740, with the lone exception of Federal Champions FMJ in both 9 (115gr) & 40 (180gr), not just with the Slims, but couple of my other pistols, too.

 

Went to Taurus today. I'll keep uoy posted when it comes back.

 

I just got back from central Tx where I finally had a chance to fire my 709 it ran like a well oiled clock with MagTech, S&B, Focchi 115 grain FMJ's and with 124 grain Winchester NATO FMJ and Focchi JHP. You might check the extractor it may be worn.

 

I didn't know West Texans were allowed to carry anything smaller than .44 Magnum :guns:

My 740 eats pretty much everything now, it had a few hiccups during break in but that seems to have resolved itself. The only ammo I won't use it Critical Defense. Most rave about it, but I have had serious issues with it twice, multiple FTFs. Even my M&P had issues with it, and that thing seems like I could hand make my own ammo in my kitchen and it would feed them. I have a suspicion that the polymer insert in the nose is the cause, the texture of plastic is "stickier" for lack of a better term than metal is and hangs on the feed ramp. Federal Guard Dog EFMJ is another option, very smooth nose w/the nickel plating. Be warned though, I have seen ballistic testing that was less than inspiring.

 

That's why i carry Federal HST law enforcement ammo in my 740!

 

+1 to that, HST is a great performing round in .40, it has thinned the herd of border fence rock throwers more than a couple of times recently.