Thank you for the excellent range report.
TH9c first impressions
TH9c first impressions - UPDATE 27 Dec 2018
I just bought a TH9c this past weekend ($285). These are my initial impressions of my gun. I'm not posting any photos since you can just google for pics. FYI - Over the years I've had 3 other Taurus pistols PT1911, PT99 and Model 58. These are all metal guns and were/are just great guns with no problems at all and solid as a rock. The TH9c is the first Taurus polymer gun I've owned.
It comes in nice foam lined plastic case with 13 and 17 round magazines, mag loader and a cable lock. One very slight issue is the grip extension "collar" for the 17 round mag is not permanently attached to the mag so it slides off by just inverting the mag. This was easily fixed with just a single wrap of scotch tape around the lower part of the mag and then pressing the collar into place over the tape.
The stippling on the grip is fairly aggressive which I like.
The slide racks easily and is nowhere near the force required for my Shield.
Only the mag release is ambi so lefties beware. Speaking of the mag release... The only real problem, on my gun, is the mag release. It is VERY hard to push in for right-handers like me. As it is now I have to rotate my grip on the gun and then press the mag release hard with the tip of my thumb. Using the mag release on the other side is similar. Hopefully this will loosen up over time but for right now this might be a deal breaker for CCW although it does have 13+1 or 17+1 rounds so mag swaps may not be that big of a deal. On the plus side when the mag does release it pops out quickly and completely.
I really really like the yellow follower in these mags. It's a simple thing but it makes safety checking the gun more positive and quick. As with most new mags getting those last couple of rounds in is difficult. I got the 13 round mag fully loaded but gave up on the 17th round of the other magazine. I tried interchanging the 17 round mags between my PT99 and the TH9c but neither worked in the other gun. It would have been nice for the PT99 mag to work in the TH9c since those mags are easy to come by.
The slide stop/release and safety/decocker levers are grooved and easy to operate. When depressed and released the decocker returns to the Fire position (which allows for DA operation) unlike my Ruger SR22 which when decocked the lever remains in the decock position and has to be manually returned to the Fire position. I like the TH9c operation much better.
The trigger is DA/SA. I don't have a trigger pull gauge but I do have a hand held scale used to weigh luggage. I'm sure this scale is not very accurate in the lower weight ranges but it's a data point. SA pull was between 5-6 lbs and had a crisp break. The reset is short and distinct. DA pull was around 12 lbs and had a long not very smooth pull but broke cleanly. The heavy pull is a plus for me. I'd carry it decocked with a round chambered and rely on the heavy DA pull as a safety but I still like having the option of a separate manual safety.
The 3 dot sights are dovetailed so some adjustment and/or replacement is possible but they seem fine to me as-is.
Field striping is Glock-like and easy. Reassembly for the first time wasn't so easy. Putting it back together I could not get the slide to go back on all the way. After much frustration I finally noticed one hinged part (I don't know what it's called) in the frame was sticking up so I pushed it down and then the slide went on with no problems. I did this 3 times and it worked every time.
Internally it looked pretty smooth. No obvious machining marks or rough areas.The gun was mostly dry as it came from the factory. I cleaned and lightly oiled it.
I put about 200 rounds (all brass casings) through it at the local indoor range. I used a mixture of 115gr WWB, 124gr reloads and 147gr Remington UMC with no problems except one of the reloads did not fire. The primer was obviously struck but it didn't go bang. I cleared the round and finished the mag with no other problems. I wish I would have tried a double-strike on the bad round to see if it would have fired but only thought of that after I had left the range. Doh. I have no complaints about how it shoots and it's as accurate as I am. Recoil is what you would expect from a gun this size and weight. The backstrap is not changeable but didn't hurt my hand after a box of ammo like my snappy single stack Shield does.
These are my initial Pros and Cons for my gun. YMMV
PROS
Compact size for its capacity and fits my medium sized hands well.
Hammer fired.
DA/SA with decocker.
Thumb safety (let's not rehash why an external manual safety is bad/good in this thread). I wanted one and that was my choice.
No mag disconnect safety.
Heavy'ish double action trigger pull.
Factory mirror polished feed ramp.
Fairly slim.
CONS
Mag release is waaaay too hard to activate.
DA trigger pull could be smoother.
Magazines and accessories may be hard to come by.
MY VERDICT: It's a keeper but need to get that mag release loosened up.
=============================================================
UPDATE
I've now had this gun to range multiple times and have probably put 600+ rounds through it. Here's a few things worth noting.
- I bought a 809c mag and it works just fine so if you can find them you have an alternative to the TH9c mag.
- It does not seem to like CCI Blazer Brass 115gr ammo. All other brands I've tried have worked flawlessly. This last time at the range I tried Blazer Brass and had a failure to extract on every mag. I used all the different mags (TH9c 13 and 17 round and the 13 round 809c) and they all had the same issue. The gun would fire but the spent brass would stick in the barrel. I have not cleaned the gun since I first got it so that may have had something to do with these failures.Unfortunately I only had Blazer Brass with me or I would have tried other brands just to see if it was the ammo or the dirty gun itself. I'll clean it and try again with BB and other brands.
- I'm not the greatest shot in the world but while I can shoot my Shield fairly accurately I have a harder time getting consistent groups with the TH9c. Maybe just more time with this gun will help with that but I shot the Shield fairly well the first time right out of the box.
TheFireArmGuy on YouTube has a couple videos on his experiences with the TH9c and my experience closely match his. He mentions the stiff mag release, the firing pin safety reassembly gotcha, his accuracy problems and a few stovepipes.
I still like the gun and am keeping it but probably not as an EDC.
I just bought a TH9c this past weekend ($285). These are my initial impressions of my gun. I'm not posting any photos since you can just google for pics. FYI - Over the years I've had 3 other Taurus pistols PT1911, PT99 and Model 58. These are all metal guns and were/are just great guns with no problems at all and solid as a rock. The TH9c is the first Taurus polymer gun I've owned.
It comes in nice foam lined plastic case with 13 and 17 round magazines, mag loader and a cable lock. One very slight issue is the grip extension "collar" for the 17 round mag is not permanently attached to the mag so it slides off by just inverting the mag. This was easily fixed with just a single wrap of scotch tape around the lower part of the mag and then pressing the collar into place over the tape.
The stippling on the grip is fairly aggressive which I like.
The slide racks easily and is nowhere near the force required for my Shield.
Only the mag release is ambi so lefties beware. Speaking of the mag release... The only real problem, on my gun, is the mag release. It is VERY hard to push in for right-handers like me. As it is now I have to rotate my grip on the gun and then press the mag release hard with the tip of my thumb. Using the mag release on the other side is similar. Hopefully this will loosen up over time but for right now this might be a deal breaker for CCW although it does have 13+1 or 17+1 rounds so mag swaps may not be that big of a deal. On the plus side when the mag does release it pops out quickly and completely.
I really really like the yellow follower in these mags. It's a simple thing but it makes safety checking the gun more positive and quick. As with most new mags getting those last couple of rounds in is difficult. I got the 13 round mag fully loaded but gave up on the 17th round of the other magazine. I tried interchanging the 17 round mags between my PT99 and the TH9c but neither worked in the other gun. It would have been nice for the PT99 mag to work in the TH9c since those mags are easy to come by.
The slide stop/release and safety/decocker levers are grooved and easy to operate. When depressed and released the decocker returns to the Fire position (which allows for DA operation) unlike my Ruger SR22 which when decocked the lever remains in the decock position and has to be manually returned to the Fire position. I like the TH9c operation much better.
The trigger is DA/SA. I don't have a trigger pull gauge but I do have a hand held scale used to weigh luggage. I'm sure this scale is not very accurate in the lower weight ranges but it's a data point. SA pull was between 5-6 lbs and had a crisp break. The reset is short and distinct. DA pull was around 12 lbs and had a long not very smooth pull but broke cleanly. The heavy pull is a plus for me. I'd carry it decocked with a round chambered and rely on the heavy DA pull as a safety but I still like having the option of a separate manual safety.
The 3 dot sights are dovetailed so some adjustment and/or replacement is possible but they seem fine to me as-is.
Field striping is Glock-like and easy. Reassembly for the first time wasn't so easy. Putting it back together I could not get the slide to go back on all the way. After much frustration I finally noticed one hinged part (I don't know what it's called) in the frame was sticking up so I pushed it down and then the slide went on with no problems. I did this 3 times and it worked every time.
Internally it looked pretty smooth. No obvious machining marks or rough areas.The gun was mostly dry as it came from the factory. I cleaned and lightly oiled it.
I put about 200 rounds (all brass casings) through it at the local indoor range. I used a mixture of 115gr WWB, 124gr reloads and 147gr Remington UMC with no problems except one of the reloads did not fire. The primer was obviously struck but it didn't go bang. I cleared the round and finished the mag with no other problems. I wish I would have tried a double-strike on the bad round to see if it would have fired but only thought of that after I had left the range. Doh. I have no complaints about how it shoots and it's as accurate as I am. Recoil is what you would expect from a gun this size and weight. The backstrap is not changeable but didn't hurt my hand after a box of ammo like my snappy single stack Shield does.
These are my initial Pros and Cons for my gun. YMMV
PROS
Compact size for its capacity and fits my medium sized hands well.
Hammer fired.
DA/SA with decocker.
Thumb safety (let's not rehash why an external manual safety is bad/good in this thread). I wanted one and that was my choice.
No mag disconnect safety.
Heavy'ish double action trigger pull.
Factory mirror polished feed ramp.
Fairly slim.
CONS
Mag release is waaaay too hard to activate.
DA trigger pull could be smoother.
Magazines and accessories may be hard to come by.
MY VERDICT: It's a keeper but need to get that mag release loosened up.
=============================================================
UPDATE
I've now had this gun to range multiple times and have probably put 600+ rounds through it. Here's a few things worth noting.
- I bought a 809c mag and it works just fine so if you can find them you have an alternative to the TH9c mag.
- It does not seem to like CCI Blazer Brass 115gr ammo. All other brands I've tried have worked flawlessly. This last time at the range I tried Blazer Brass and had a failure to extract on every mag. I used all the different mags (TH9c 13 and 17 round and the 13 round 809c) and they all had the same issue. The gun would fire but the spent brass would stick in the barrel. I have not cleaned the gun since I first got it so that may have had something to do with these failures.Unfortunately I only had Blazer Brass with me or I would have tried other brands just to see if it was the ammo or the dirty gun itself. I'll clean it and try again with BB and other brands.
- I'm not the greatest shot in the world but while I can shoot my Shield fairly accurately I have a harder time getting consistent groups with the TH9c. Maybe just more time with this gun will help with that but I shot the Shield fairly well the first time right out of the box.
TheFireArmGuy on YouTube has a couple videos on his experiences with the TH9c and my experience closely match his. He mentions the stiff mag release, the firing pin safety reassembly gotcha, his accuracy problems and a few stovepipes.
I still like the gun and am keeping it but probably not as an EDC.
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Good review! I hope the first 2 cons you list will get better with use and the 3rd con will get better with time. Just for the heck of it you might want to use the chat feature with Taurus and question them about the stiff mag release.
Great review, thanks. Very interesting to read and let us know about the mag release.
Great review. I'm going to assume the "hinged" part you pushed down to reassemble the slide was the ejector. It is that way with some other pistols as well.
AFAIK, the TH9 series is an update of the previous 809 series, so magazines should be interchangeable. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
AFAIK, the TH9 series is an update of the previous 809 series, so magazines should be interchangeable. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
If those "cons" get better, would that make them "ex-cons"?Good review! I hope the first 2 cons you list will get better with use and the 3rd con will get better with time. Just for the heck of it you might want to use the chat feature with Taurus and question them about the stiff mag release.
But will the TH380 come to 'merica?
But will the TH380 come to 'merica?
HMMM?
TCP--Curve---Spectrum already in 380?
another 380 ?
Sounds like a pistol I'd very much like. 
Thanks for the report. I've not really considered this pistol, but it's on my radar, now.
Thanks for the report. I've not really considered this pistol, but it's on my radar, now.
BTW, a stiff mag release will prevent an accidental mag drop. Could be a good thing.
Good review I just went to Buds and they have them for $274.00 it's hard to believe they can sell them at that price and come out ahead on them I still have my PT 840 so I'm not in the market but if I was I would be looking real hard at this one it's a good looking pistol
Yes, something other than a six-shooter. The TH380 is an 18+1 and due to the size, likely a lot less kick than a TCP/Curve/Spectrum. While they're at it, a TH in .32 would be great as well!HMMM?
TCP--Curve---Spectrum already in 380?
another 380 ?
Nice range report...thanks for sharing!
The 380 craze (as well as 9MM ) however is for the mini guns, especially if they have a fancy color on them.Yes, something other than a six-shooter. The TH380 is an 18+1 and due to the size, likely a lot less kick than a TCP/Curve/Spectrum. While they're at it, a TH in .32 would be great as well!
the best duty size 380 that I have handled in quite a while is the sheld EZ, course its a single stack.
Got in a little more range time (100 rounds, 115gr Fiocchi) today and had zero problems. Mag release has loosened up a little bit or I'm just more used to it. I definitely will not accidentally drop a mag with this gun. One thing I did notice that I didn't emphasize in my original post is this thing racks easier than any other semi-auto I own. It is a breeze to rack. Maybe it's just my specific gun but is probably something worth mentioning since many people seem to have grip strength issues.
I need to get a hold of some 809c mags and see if they work in the TH9c. 809c IWB holsters as well if there are any.
I need to get a hold of some 809c mags and see if they work in the TH9c. 809c IWB holsters as well if there are any.
As of today Academy has the TH9C for 299 with a free Rossi RS22 rifle.
Seen a few full size TH9's at gun shows but the compact has been elusive.
The advertisement I saw was just for pretty colors. If you've been there, can you common on whether they selling black and black/SS guns or is it all rainbow stuff?As of today Academy has the TH9C for 299 with a free Rossi RS22 rifle.
On the Academy website the plastic was either cyan/teal or OD green for both guns. Since the Cyan was rather bright for my taste I went for the OD. Here is the link if you want to see the colors. BTW, on the academy site the FDE and OD look about the same to me.
https://academysportsreserve.com/products?utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=Apps%2B47,%2BInc&utm_content=12478019&utm_source=CJ&utm_term=&cjevent=9f7cc49ddbe711e8807f00430a1c0e0d
https://academysportsreserve.com/products?utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=Apps%2B47,%2BInc&utm_content=12478019&utm_source=CJ&utm_term=&cjevent=9f7cc49ddbe711e8807f00430a1c0e0d
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