U.S. production of some handguns was begun in 1992, when Taurus established its PT 22 production line in Miami. The identically sized PT 25 in .25 ACP caliber followed this compact .22 LR handgun in 1994. Both of these small handguns make extensive use of the most modern production technology, including metal injection molding (MIM) and computer numerically controlled (CNC) machining.
Without going into lengthy explanations of the technologies involved, both CNC and MIM production methods ensure the highest possible quality and precision while lowering production costs.
Like virtually all Taurus pistols, the diminutive PT 22 and PT 25 are available in a variety of finishes and levels of embellishment, from plain vanilla to exotic special editions. Both of these smallest Taurus pistols are blowback operated and double-action only. Loading is via a tip-up barrel.
Carry Gun Market
Taurus entered the medium-frame pistol field in 1992 with its PT940 pistol that is virtually of ideal size for concealed carry or plainclothes law enforcement use with a 4" barrel and 10 round capacity magazine. Early pistols had higher capacity magazines, but fell victim to the ill-advised Brady Bill of 1994, which had no effect whatsoever on crime, but did deprive the law-abiding from owning magazines of more than 10 rounds capacity.
The PT940 continues to be one of Taurus' best selling pistols. Like other pistols in the 900 series-- those pistols beginning with a 9 in their designation-- the PT940 can safely be carried in Condition One, cocked-and-locked.
The firing pin in these pistols is physically blocked unless the trigger is pulled to the rear. As with other Taurus pistols, all 900 series handguns have a hammer forged alloy frame and come equipped with a visible and tactile loaded chamber indicator.
In 1994, Taurus moved into the .45 ACP medium-frame pistol market with its PT945. The Commander-sized PT945 features a loaded chamber indicator in addition to Taurus' proprietary security system, which was the first in the industry to be integrated into the design of the handgun itself. There are no bulky locks, cables, or other external objects necessary to secure the handgun-- child-safing the gun is accomplished via a simple key.
The PT945 is virtually 100 percent reliable right out of the box. It isn't necessary to take the pistol to a gunsmith to have the ramp polished or the chamber throated to make it feed all types of ammunition. The PT945 feeds everything from ball to semiwadcutters without malfunction. In preparation for this article, we fired literally hundreds of rounds through several PT945s without a single stoppage.
Because of its compact size, any version of the PT945 line makes for an ideal carry pistol. For the 1911 aficionado, the grip angle of the PT945 is virtually identical to that of the venerable 1911 and the manual of arms is the same when the pistol is carried cocked-and-locked, despite the PT945's DA/SA option. We prefer to carry the PT945 in this mode, just like a 1911.
In 1997 came the introduction of the PT9ll and PT938 in 9x19 and 9xl7mm (.380 ACP), respectively. Both pistols are similar in appearance, but are functionally quite different. The PT911 is a compact locked breech 9mm while the PT938 is blowback operated.
The PT938 is also marginally smaller than the PT911 in both length and height. While the PT911 is available in Taurus' many different levels of finish, the PT938 is available only in blue or polished stainless. In our experience, we have found the PT911 to be a very durable and accurate pistol. The little PT911 has gone over 3,000 rounds as of the time this is written without a single stoppage that can be attributed to the pistol. The most recent member of Taurus' PT900 family is the .357 SIG PT957, introduced in 1999.
Millennium Series
The latest Taurus family of pistols is the Millennium series, announced in 1998. The Millennium series is notable for its extremely compact size that almost literally fits in the palm of one's hand coupled with serious self-defense calibers, ranging up to .45 ACP.
The first in the Millennium series were the 9mm PT111 and .380 ACP PT138. These little pistols set the pattern for all the others in the family.
All Millennium Series pistols have an ingeniously designed polymer grip that is unlike any other. Instead of molding the steel rails into a polymer frame like others, Taurus incorporated a unitary steel "frame" that fits into, and is held in, the polymer grip by two hefty pins. This small "frame" is the serially numbered component of the pistol. Thus, the slide, barrel, or the entire grip can be replaced if necessary without going through a FFL dealer.
Millennium pistols are all DA-only and striker fired. The pistols incorporate a transfer bar and sear that retracts the striker and then drops the sear down out of the way at the end of its travel to release the striker. Each also is equipped with a loaded chamber indicator and the integral Taurus security system.
All Millennium pistols carry a full 10 rounds. The .40 S&W Millennium was added to the line in 1999. The most recent Millennium pistols are the PT132 and landmark PT145, which joined the family in 2001. The latter pistol is a signal achievement of firearm design and engineering, placing 10 manstopping rounds of .45 ACP into a pistol that is more compact than most 9mm handguns.
Taurus has come a very long way from its beginnings as essentially an imitator of other firm's designs. While some Taurus pistols still bear resemblance to the originals, most have been improved to the point where they are acknowledged to be superior to the pistols upon which the Taurus design was based. Moreover, Taurus long ago ceased imitating others.
By out-of-the-box thinking and quality engineering, Taurus now is a leading innovator of firearms technology. The firm's motto, "Affordable Quality" is not an advertising term, but a fact.
What does the future hold? The Millennium series is going to be improved upon in 2002 with a line of compact pistols that are even more advanced than the current line. There are other new developments in the works that promise to rock the firearms industry with pistols unlike any others.
The company is guarding this secret very closely, but some major and very pleasant surprises are enroute from Brazil. Taurus is definitely not resting on its laurels, but is moving forward with the same intensity that has made it one of the most innovative and competitive firearms companies in history.
Without going into lengthy explanations of the technologies involved, both CNC and MIM production methods ensure the highest possible quality and precision while lowering production costs.
Like virtually all Taurus pistols, the diminutive PT 22 and PT 25 are available in a variety of finishes and levels of embellishment, from plain vanilla to exotic special editions. Both of these smallest Taurus pistols are blowback operated and double-action only. Loading is via a tip-up barrel.
Carry Gun Market
Taurus entered the medium-frame pistol field in 1992 with its PT940 pistol that is virtually of ideal size for concealed carry or plainclothes law enforcement use with a 4" barrel and 10 round capacity magazine. Early pistols had higher capacity magazines, but fell victim to the ill-advised Brady Bill of 1994, which had no effect whatsoever on crime, but did deprive the law-abiding from owning magazines of more than 10 rounds capacity.
The PT940 continues to be one of Taurus' best selling pistols. Like other pistols in the 900 series-- those pistols beginning with a 9 in their designation-- the PT940 can safely be carried in Condition One, cocked-and-locked.
The firing pin in these pistols is physically blocked unless the trigger is pulled to the rear. As with other Taurus pistols, all 900 series handguns have a hammer forged alloy frame and come equipped with a visible and tactile loaded chamber indicator.
In 1994, Taurus moved into the .45 ACP medium-frame pistol market with its PT945. The Commander-sized PT945 features a loaded chamber indicator in addition to Taurus' proprietary security system, which was the first in the industry to be integrated into the design of the handgun itself. There are no bulky locks, cables, or other external objects necessary to secure the handgun-- child-safing the gun is accomplished via a simple key.
The PT945 is virtually 100 percent reliable right out of the box. It isn't necessary to take the pistol to a gunsmith to have the ramp polished or the chamber throated to make it feed all types of ammunition. The PT945 feeds everything from ball to semiwadcutters without malfunction. In preparation for this article, we fired literally hundreds of rounds through several PT945s without a single stoppage.
Because of its compact size, any version of the PT945 line makes for an ideal carry pistol. For the 1911 aficionado, the grip angle of the PT945 is virtually identical to that of the venerable 1911 and the manual of arms is the same when the pistol is carried cocked-and-locked, despite the PT945's DA/SA option. We prefer to carry the PT945 in this mode, just like a 1911.
In 1997 came the introduction of the PT9ll and PT938 in 9x19 and 9xl7mm (.380 ACP), respectively. Both pistols are similar in appearance, but are functionally quite different. The PT911 is a compact locked breech 9mm while the PT938 is blowback operated.
The PT938 is also marginally smaller than the PT911 in both length and height. While the PT911 is available in Taurus' many different levels of finish, the PT938 is available only in blue or polished stainless. In our experience, we have found the PT911 to be a very durable and accurate pistol. The little PT911 has gone over 3,000 rounds as of the time this is written without a single stoppage that can be attributed to the pistol. The most recent member of Taurus' PT900 family is the .357 SIG PT957, introduced in 1999.
Millennium Series
The latest Taurus family of pistols is the Millennium series, announced in 1998. The Millennium series is notable for its extremely compact size that almost literally fits in the palm of one's hand coupled with serious self-defense calibers, ranging up to .45 ACP.
The first in the Millennium series were the 9mm PT111 and .380 ACP PT138. These little pistols set the pattern for all the others in the family.
All Millennium Series pistols have an ingeniously designed polymer grip that is unlike any other. Instead of molding the steel rails into a polymer frame like others, Taurus incorporated a unitary steel "frame" that fits into, and is held in, the polymer grip by two hefty pins. This small "frame" is the serially numbered component of the pistol. Thus, the slide, barrel, or the entire grip can be replaced if necessary without going through a FFL dealer.
Millennium pistols are all DA-only and striker fired. The pistols incorporate a transfer bar and sear that retracts the striker and then drops the sear down out of the way at the end of its travel to release the striker. Each also is equipped with a loaded chamber indicator and the integral Taurus security system.
All Millennium pistols carry a full 10 rounds. The .40 S&W Millennium was added to the line in 1999. The most recent Millennium pistols are the PT132 and landmark PT145, which joined the family in 2001. The latter pistol is a signal achievement of firearm design and engineering, placing 10 manstopping rounds of .45 ACP into a pistol that is more compact than most 9mm handguns.
Taurus has come a very long way from its beginnings as essentially an imitator of other firm's designs. While some Taurus pistols still bear resemblance to the originals, most have been improved to the point where they are acknowledged to be superior to the pistols upon which the Taurus design was based. Moreover, Taurus long ago ceased imitating others.
By out-of-the-box thinking and quality engineering, Taurus now is a leading innovator of firearms technology. The firm's motto, "Affordable Quality" is not an advertising term, but a fact.
What does the future hold? The Millennium series is going to be improved upon in 2002 with a line of compact pistols that are even more advanced than the current line. There are other new developments in the works that promise to rock the firearms industry with pistols unlike any others.
The company is guarding this secret very closely, but some major and very pleasant surprises are enroute from Brazil. Taurus is definitely not resting on its laurels, but is moving forward with the same intensity that has made it one of the most innovative and competitive firearms companies in history.
