[DRAEGER]

Ran across a PT 908 (slim mag) at a pawn shop in excellent shape. Even though it clearly said PT908 on the gun, I was thinking of the PT909 (double stack 17rd mag) while I was looking it over. The PT 908 was dropped from production in 1997, basically before the internet was in wide use and seems to be a large lack of information or reviews on it. I've shot one years ago and enjoyed it, but haven't seen one in long time. Anyone here own one? Rough price of a excellent shape used model? Pawn shop/gun dealer was asking $325.00...

Thinking of adding it to my Taurus collection, along with the also discontinued PT 92c if I ever find one.

 

[HERSHEY]

i have one, i paid a little over $200 for mine, but the blueing is far from perfect, the tear down for cleaning is real sweet. i found it to be good and reliable, my wife did not take to it, an extracted shell got her and then she started limp wristing, then got allot of jambs, i prefer 45's so it is a night stand queen here, i don't put 45's in the night stand as it may be my wife having to use it. good gun overall.

 

[jwc007]

My PT908 has been accurate and very reliable. No FTF's, ever! It makes for a nice CCW and house gun, but for a house gun 9mm you might consider a higher capacity handgun. However, what you choose must fit both you and your wife's hands.

For $325 it should be in Excellent Condition! Did the Pawnshop owner Test Fire the Pistol before putting it up for sale?

The PT909 is also now discontinued and replaced by the new PT809. Good Luck finding either at this time.

 

[DRAEGER]

thanks for the reply's

I've known the owner for over 25 years, he always sells nice stuff but often his prices are a tad high (not out of line, just lean to the higher side), mostly due him being the only firearms dealer in about a 50+ mile radius, other then Farm King store (like a hick Walmart). I have no worries about buying anything Taurus, just curious about others opinions and price comparison. I hadn't even considered something like it to buy, it just looked so cute and lonely in the gun case, surround by Glocks, Kimbers, XD's and assorted others...

Mostly I was just thinking of adding it to my ever growing Taurus collection. As for a house gun for defense, I still prefer the old scatter gun in 12 gauge or one of my 45's. Few things intimidate like the size and sound of round being chambered in a tactical shotgun Wife has a couple of 9mm's and an 410 (Snake Charmer) for her bedroom protection. Although my wife weighs around 110 soaking wet and is barely 5' nothing, her red hair and fiery Irish heritage is enough to scare away the biggest of intruders (lol).

 

[jwc007]

thanks for the reply's
Mostly I was just thinking of adding it to my ever growing Taurus collection.

Then by all means, buy it! PT908's in good to excellent condition will not get any easier to find!

The PT908 represents an important milestone in Taurus Semi-Auto Pistol design, as it was Tauruses first design to use the Browning/Sig Style Tilt Barrel lockup as opposed to the PT92's Walther P-38/Berretta 92 style oscillating wedge lockup.

I wish Taurus would bring the PT908 back into production. It makes for a nice carry package and has proven itself. Mine is not for sale, anytime soon!

 

[DRAEGER]

I showed the pistol to my wife this morning, she said it was a cute little thing... but it didn't look like something I would enjoy shooting. So I took that as a "NO, you can't have it. Little did I know she went back to the shop and purchased the "cute little thing" for me and slipped it to me as desert after supper! Gotta love a woman that loves guns

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Draeger,

That looks very like the PT911 I'm currently contemplating.

I'd be pleased to hear whatever you can tell me about it.

Thanx.

 

[DRAEGER]

I can find very little info on the PT908, no onger listed on Taurus website. All I know for sure is that the 908 has a single stack mag 8rd factory, but you can get 10rd mags for it and this model is no longer made since 1997. The PT908 is nearly the same as the PT909 accept the 909 has a tac rail and either 10rd or 17rd mag depending on your local laws (908 and 909 mags do not interchange).

I heard a rumor that the PT909 is no longer made, but I can not confirm this. The PT809 (polymer frame) could be the replacement for it... The PT911 looks nearly like the the PT909, but without the tac rail and holding 2 less rounds.

I think I will be searching for a PT909 now, along with a PT917cs and a few other Taurus pistols...

PT908/PT957
http://www.kitsune.addr.com/Firearms/Auto-Pistols/Taurus_PT908.htm

PT909
http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=339&category=Pistol

PT911
http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?id=344&category=Pistol

911B

909B

908/957

Got this tid bit from: http://www.pmulcahy.com/pistols/brazilian_pistols.htm
Taurus PT-900 Series

Notes: This is a "Commander-sized" Taurus pistol. It has fixed sights, a decocking lever, a firing pin safety, and an indicator that lets the firer know whether the chamber has a round in it, even if the slide is closed and there is no magazine in the weapon. The finish may be blued or stainless steel and the grips are checkered rubber. Production of the PT-911 ceased in 2001, but the other members of the PT-900 series are still being built. The PT-940 and PT-945 are especially popular among this series; they are in fact still acquiring modifications according to customer demand. The PT-940 picked up 3-dot-type combat sights along the way; the PT-945 has a number of variants, including the PT-945C, with compensator ports near the muzzle to reduce muzzle flip, and PT-945S, which chambers the more powerful .45 Super cartridge. Most of the PT-900 series was originally exported to the US only with 10-round magazines, but with the sunset of the Assault Weapons Ban, larger magazines have been designed for most of this series. Most of this series have 4-inch barrels, but the three PT-945s use 4.25-inch barrels, and the PT-938 uses a 3.7-inch barrel.

Twilight 2000 Notes: The PT-945C, PT-945S, and PT-957 do not exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline. The PT-945 is rather rare, and with the exception of the PT-911, the rest of the members of this family are very rare.

 

[jwc007]

Draeger, you have certainly been blessed with a Wonderful Wife!
Great Photography on your PT908 Pic! It really shows off the lines on that excellent pistol!

While the PT909 may still be shown on the Taurus Website, I did call them about it and they confirmed that the PT909 is discontinued and replaced by the PT809. I had fancied purchasing a PT909 as it will take the same magazines as my PT92. Currently considering the PT24/7 in .45 ACP. I also own a PT945.

The PT945S model in .45 Super is certainly a rare bird as is the PT400 in .400 Corbon, which is a .45 ACP necked down to .40 and thicker cased.

Lightly customized PT945 with short PT908 Trigger and Hogue Handall Grip Sleeve

 

[DRAEGER]

I had wondered if the PT909 would take the PT92 mag. I noticed the frame/grip area had been changed to accept a larger and what appeared to be the pt92 style mag. Although I have several Taurus pistols on my short list, with the addition of the 908 to my handgun stable I will be looking for a PT909 at the local gunshow next month.


I did the model search on Taurus website and found my pistol to have built in 1994. Since it is an older model, I could not get any further info although I did email Taurus to request anything on file.

 

[oldhand10]

PT908 was my first and so far only Taurus Auto, and I've never regretted it. Mine has the polished aluminum frame, with either a stainless or plated receiver, shoots any thing I've ever tried in it, except Blazer Aluminum case. Great size for carry, other than possibly wanting higher capacity mags, can not think of any way to improve. I bought it about 8 or 9 years ago from a gun shop, for $175 including a box of MagTeck, and a holster. It was slightly used, and the owner said if 9MM did not have at least 13 or more magazine capacity, they just didn't sell, so cut me a pretty good deal.

 

[DRAEGER]

I am pushing 1000rds total thru mine, as of today. Not a single fart of any kind

 

[KI4LIV]

Any idea why Taurus went away from the tapered slide-front ? Was it because of it looking too much like the PT92/99 or Beretta? I see in your photo that the 908 has the tapered front.

I was looking at a PT945 for a while, but then they changed the front end to that blocky design... Took a lot away from the looks of the gun...

 

[DRAEGER]

I really don't know, I was surprised when I saw several photos of 908's without the front taper. I personally feel it makes a smoother draw and putting it back in the holster. At the gunshow next month (1st week of june) I will be looking and comparing as many Taurus pistols as I can find. Any luck I will be bring more then 1 home, I hope

One question I have and I think I already know the answer... Does the PT911 use the same mag as the PT909 and PT92/PT99?

 

[jwc007]

One question I have and I think I already know the answer... Does the PT911 use the same mag as the PT909 and PT92/PT99?

The easy answer to that is No. There are separate Taurus Part Numbers for PT92/99/909 magazines and PT911 magazines. Cheaper Than Dirt has them both as well as PT908 magazines. http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/taurus_bdff.htm

Also during the course of my investigation for you, I found that CDNN Investments has the 20 round PT92/99 magazines that I want! ;D http://www.cdnninvestments.com/taurus.html

 

[DRAEGER]

That was the answer I figured I would get about the PT911.

I want the 20rd mags they are making for the PT917 series. Aside from being factory Taurus mags the have a very nice end-cap that its much more snag resistant then most other after market mags. Even better then the Beretta 20rd mags for my CX4 9mm.

 

[DRAEGER]

Any idea why Taurus went away from the tapered slide-front ? Was it because of it looking too much like the PT92/99 or Beretta? I see in your photo that the 908 has the tapered front.

I was looking at a PT945 for a while, but then they changed the front end to that blocky design... Took a lot away from the looks of the gun...

I've been noticing that some PT 908 and 945 have the tapered front like mine does, even in SS. It appears that Taurus changed the pattern sometime around 1996-1997, but I can't fully confirm the date. The PT909 lost it because of the Tac-rail from what I can see. I was looking on Gunsamerica and Gunbroker and notice some PT945's with & without tapered front slide. I do really like the tapered look better and I am not sure about other similar models like PT940, 057, 938, etc.

 

[nismo92382]

I am bout to buy a PT908 from a pawn shop for $200. It is it also my first handgun, is it a good gun to a first timer? Is there anything inpaticular I need to know about this gun or info that could help me in using and taking care of it correctly. The only handguns that I've shot before is my parents taurus 38 special that's hammerless so theres no snagging while taking it out of a pocket, and my friends 9mm dunno what brand. Appreciate any help!

 

[jwc007]

It is it also my first handgun, is it a good gun to a first timer? Is there anything inpaticular I need to know about this gun or info that could help me in using and taking care of it correctly.

Congratulations! Nice Price! Assuming the PT908 in question is in good working order, it should serve you well! They are generally accurate and reliable. The PT908 is intended for use as a medium framed defensive handgun and possible CCW. As such it is no Target Pistol, but it should be accurate. Smaller Pistols, by their very nature, are more difficult to shoot well, but not impossible to do so with.

Mine certainly has worked very well, but I rarely shoot it these days, as I tend to spend my time with larger handguns that are easier to shoot. Particularly my newer 9mm 24/7 Pro. I do shoot my PT908 a few times a year to remain familiar with it and I do consider it to be a good handgun for defensive use or as a CCW.

For general Marksmanship training and Practice, a .22 Pistol or Air Pistol (Airsoft) might offer more inexpensive practice.

 

[Old_gun_guy]

Ran across a PT 908 (slim mag) at a pawn shop in excellent shape. Even though it clearly said PT908 on the gun, I was thinking of the PT909 (double stack 17rd mag) while I was looking it over. The PT 908 was dropped from production in 1997, basically before the internet was in wide use and seems to be a large lack of information or reviews on it. I've shot one years ago and enjoyed it, but haven't seen one in long time. Anyone here own one? Rough price of a excellent shape used model? Pawn shop/gun dealer was asking $325.00...

Thinking of adding it to my Taurus collection, along with the also discontinued PT 92c if I ever find one.

I bought one about a month ago for $200 with some minor surface rust on the slide stop. Only problems I have with mine are that i did experience hammer bite once and occasional reliability issues but I suspect it just needs to be cleaned at this point