Seems 9mm Are Getting Smaller. Taurus PT709 Slim

[twyacht]

Got my Jan 2010, "The Blue Press" and pg 10 has a review of a pistol I haven't seen at gunshows or retail shops yet.  Peter Caroline wrote the article.

Only 7/8" of an inch wide,
19 ounces
3.2 inch barrel
Polymer frame
Striker fired
loaded chamber indicator
Integral "Glock-Like" Trigger Safety and Frame mounted safety.
7+1 capacity (nine round extension mags available soon.
Adjustable rear sight.
SA/DA action.
6 lb. SA trigger pull.

According to the author, the MSRP is $459, but "real world retail should be low 300s...
Stainless and Titanium slides available soon.

Anyone have one or experience with one? Seems like a decent option to my Kel-Tec .380? Ammo is easier to find, and cheaper.

Here's the Taurus web link:
http://www.taurususa.com/product-details.cfm?id=588&category=Pistol&toggle=tp&breadcrumbseries=709

[ericire12]

Dont rush out and buy one yet.... Its not really that great of an achievement for Taurus.

These are the specs on the Glock 26:

WEIGHT 19.75 oz.
LENGTH 6.29 in.
WIDTH 1.18 in.

.75 oz more then the SLIM
.29'' longer Then the SLIM
and I think the Taurus is right at about an inch thick so you are looking at only about .18'' thicker for the Glock

......Oh, and did I mention the Glock is 10+1 while the Taurus is only 7+1


Now if you are looking to get a true slim and light 9mm carry pistol, then it is the Kel-Tec PF9

Weight 12.7 oz.
Length 5.85"
Height 4.3"
Width .88"
Barrel Length 3.1"
Capacity 7

Its still not a true pocket pistol like the P380, but it is considerably lighter then the Glocks




*BTW, the Taurus SLIM is on the cover of this months G&A, and of course there is a nice glowing article about it and how it is a super light carry pistol..... oh, but then a little farther back in the magazine is a review of the Kel-Tec in which they point out how it is the lightest, slimmest, most compact 9mm on the market. Cuts the knees out from under the Taurus. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

**I have yet to personally see the Taurus SLIM for under $400

***Bud's has it for $375
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_50_495/products_id/55284

[twyacht]

Thanks eric, I was just kicking it around the block, but the "G's" are $450-500 NIB Sure maybe a deal to be had somewhere,,,,

The PF9 sure has been around longer, and that does count for "getting the kinks" out. Made in America is also mui importante than Brazil...

[jaybet]

Hey TW.... I'm just blowing off hot air here. After having purchased an SR9 when they first came out (the consequences of which are burned into the fabric of DRTV lore) and having experience with one model of the Taurus bottom feeders I have reservations.
Don't get me wrong. I am not a Taurus basher. i think they are innovative in their design copy activities and their own design work and they are a dynamic company, and I DO NOT subscribe to the notion that since it's a Taurus you "Dont' want it". I always wanted a little 45 and when I had the chance, I got a PT 745. It's a 3" barrel 6+1 45 acp. I put over a thousand rounds through the gun and ultimately got rid of it because I could not depend on it to feed properly, even with good ammo. I kept it clean, polished the feed ramp, etc., but ultimately I couldn't count on being able to pull it and make it go bang, so it is gone.
I know it's only 1 piece, and I know that mini 45 acp design is problematic, but the gun is useless for much of anything except self defense, and I couldn't rely on it for that.   I don't know if it has caused me to give up on them or if I might try them again, but I DO know that I will be looking elsewhere for a small 45 that can be relied upon.

The fact that it's a brand new gun too...that's another story.

[CJS3]

**I have yet to personally see the Taurus SLIM for under $400

***Bud's has it for $375
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_50_495/products_id/55284

Academy in Houston has them for $349 (blue) and $379 (stainless)

[Sponsor]

[garand4life]

I had a Millennium PRO PT140 in .40 s&w, a 24/7 PRO in .40 s&w and a PT1911 in...... .45 ACP (bet ya thought I was gonna say .40) Not one problem with any of them... Got rid of the 24/7 and the Millennium in a trade for the PT1911.... Great deal by the way. Just recently sold the PT1911 when I got layed off. Don't think I would have second thoughts about buying another of any of them. But I still want a SA 1911 or my dream gun KIMBER TLE/RL II. All good guns for me and those around me that have had Taurus. I am strongly considering a Taurus .357 small frame.

[jaybet]

See? I guess Garand4life proves that you can't form an opinion about a company from one example of one model. Maybe my 745 wasn't up to snuff. Some day if I ever have another spare dime I'll have to look into Taurus again.

[garand4life]

My PT1911 was the most accurate gun I ever shot... that and the trigger to this day makes me cry it was so beautiful. Oh well I still want my Kimber.

[GUNS-R-US]

It's still a Taurus!! good for plinking but I'll never trust my life to carrying one!!!

[2HOW]

You guys have got to get one of these, Ruger has out done them selves
http://www.realguns.com/archives/192.htm