Bluegrassstate said:
I believe the new model PT58 comes with 2 each, 19 round magazines..
That´s correct. The new model is called the PT58HC Plus. The PT58 has gone through the following models:
PT58S - 12 round magazines, no decocker
PT58SD - 12 round magazines, with decocker
PT58HC - high capacity 15 round magazines, with a decocker. The grip is longer than the previous models, almost the same lenght as a PT92.
PT58HC Plus - Current model. It is the same PT58HC, but it comes with two extended 19 round magazines. The PT58HC Plus also takes the 15 round mags.
There is also the new PT59, which is a PT58HC with a full size barrel. It is essentially a PT92 chambered in .380acp.
When Taurus launched the PT58, it was supposed to be a compact, locked breech companion to the PT92. It was later found that the PT58 was being widely used by policemen in Brazil as a primary duty sidearm, in conventional duty holsters. A plethora of taxes and legal restrictions made it much easier for a Brazilian policeman to buy a .380acp, instead of a 9mm. Brazilian law enforcement, with its 500,000 men, was buying PT58s like crazy. Taurus responded to that big market by trying to improve on the pistol´s capacity over the years, keeping an eye on the caliber restriction. They were also making the PT58 bigger and bigger.
It came to the point where we are today, with the PT59, the largest .380acp ever produced by any gun company. Its only reason of existance is Brazilian gun laws. Sadly, I think the same could be said of this new PT58HC Plus. I think the large grip, coupled with that big, displaced magazine extension, has made the PT58 lose much of its charm and utility.
I much prefer the old 12+1 rounders.
) We would all like to Know...
