Taurus 709 Slim Range Report

[kalipsocs]

Got a new 709 Slim for Christmas. Fit and finish is excellent. It feels great in the hand, points naturally for me, and the trigger breaks very crisp with a short reset. The sights are leaving a lot to be desired though, especially since when I adjusted elevation the right dot went higher than the left dot! I sure hope I can get some night sights sooner than later if it turns out to qualify for EDC. Initial impressions were, overall, great. Took it out to the range today to see what she would do. Was shooting Monarch Brass/Steel mix, 150 rounds total (100 brass, 50 steel). All were FMJ 115 gr. Now even though I had generally regarded junky ammo, my malfunctions were such that I think problems were squarely on the firearm. First round out of the gate was a FTE, with a double feed situation as. Poking around the net and other forums, this seems to be consistent with a bad extractor. Out of those 150 rounds, I estimate a good 15-20 FTE. Also had 2 light strikes occur. The first problem round went off on the second pull, while the latter round went through 5 successive trigger pulls and no luck. After giving the round a batch of seconds to see if it would do anything, I ejected the round and handed to my friend and neighbor to see if it would go off in his Glock 26. Bang it went. I know the Russians on occasion like some really hard primers, but all primers need to go bang in a new gun with new ammo IMO. Soooooo I will be calling Taurus in the AM and hopefully get it back before school starts back up, but I won't hold my breath. I will report on accuracy later as I was mainly testing function today which was problematic.

My friend had a Taurus that I saw light strike out of the box, heard 10 stories for every 1 Taurus owner on being burned by their guns or just general dislike. But I am really not that upset about my problem as seeing just about everyone in the 709 problem department gets returned a fully functional firearm. I was very VERY apprehensive about this pistol from the get go and knew I was taking a gamble, and thats why I think I am really not THAT upset about it. I also know that a gun should work out of the box and not need tweaking, but I will live just fine until it is repaired. If it comes back acting up again, then I will be a disgruntled Taurus owner or possible former owner. My theory is they run a sloppy show down in Brazil and the guys in Miami have to follow behind picking up the pieces and doing it right.

Here is the first pic I took when it just looked purdy


Here is one of the jams after I had cleared the live round from the breach.


This is the extractor, which looks knarly to say the very least. Once I saw this, I figured this was my FTE root cause before reading other forum posts.

[surprise_i'm_armed]

Is your weapon actually rated for the +P ammo
shown in your photo?

I'm sorry that you are having issues with your Taurus.

I guess I just got a good one since I've got about 1200 rounds
through mine without a hiccup.

What are you using as your EDC right now? Your Walther?

SIA

[kalipsocs]

Is your weapon actually rated for the +P ammo
shown in your photo?

I'm sorry that you are having issues with your Taurus.

I guess I just got a good one since I've got about 1200 rounds
through mine without a hiccup.

What are you using as your EDC right now? Your Walther?

SIA

Unless their latest catalog lies, yes it is rated for +P http://www.taurususa.com/2009catalog/?catalog_page=2. But I was shooting standard pressure, 115 gr. target loads today. My EDC usually ends up being the Ruger LCP as it is easily concealed and has proven reliable. When its a little colder and I wear a sweater, I pack the CZ but its a bit big for EDC.

[Tireshred]

I have a Slim and haven't had one single FTF or FTE with about 200 rounds thru it, from junk range ammo to high $$ SD rounds. My gripes with it is that I had to move the sights all the way to the right and it still shoots a bit left (1"-2") and the accuracy is not that great. My EDC is a Taurus PT145 90% of the time, it has never had a hiccup either (except a light strike that went off on the 2nd pull) with around 1,000 rounds run thru it. I trust the Slim enough to let my wife carry it when she needs to go small and light, her EDC is a GLock 19. I have 5 Taurus pistols, none have had to go back, I know I'm lucky after reading some of the forums around.

[kalipsocs]

Called Taurus this morning. Customer service was underwhelming as expected The CSR was monotone and reluctant to send a prepaid shipping label which, considering this gun is brand new and defective, was a bit aggravating to me. Even went on to state that it was a courtesy and NOT part of my warranty. So allegedly a FedEx truck will pick up tomorrow and hopefully it will get some TLC treatment in FL.

[Embalmo]

I really want to like Taurus products because they have such a rich selection of wonderful looking firearms in my price range, but I'm just not hearing enough positive comments; that 709 slim is a perfect example of a gun that I came thiiiiiis close to buying, and if it had a little better round capacity, I probably would've.

I've got a Taurus 94 2" Ultralight Blue that I've put about 300 perfect rounds through, but the first specimen literally fell apart in my hands while dry firing, before it ever even had a live round loaded in it, and Cabela's gracefully replaced it. I've got 2 bricks 'O Federal that me and the Missus' are gonna' put through it at Eagle Peak on Thursday to see what it's really made of. With that said, the revolver reviews seem a smidgen more positive than the auto reviews.

I'm hoping they fix it up and make it just right. There's no better relief than having a crappy gun transformed into a cream puff after a replacement, or repair.

Embalmo

[wgoforth]

I am a fan of Taurus myself. I have several and no probs with any, EXCEPT the 709. The 709 has a great feel and easy to conceal, but they had a prob with a bad load of extractors. Scanning to Taurus forum shows that was an issue on quite a few, but after 3 weeks in Miami, they are good to go. Their customer service isn't like Rugers to be sure, but are lifetime warranted. When I called them, they volunteered that they would send FedEx out with a prepaid label, that is normal for them. Their 24/7 9mm is also fantastic. I went through a combat class with one and shot 1,000 rounds in a day and never skipped a beat. Hang in there, they will work it out and you will love it.
Wayne

[kalipsocs]

Luckily for that little Taurus, I believe in second chances! I really didn't feel that sore about it, in fact, was more sore with the infamous customer service. It would be unfair for me to blame Taurus for straight shody workmanship. This is a first run production gun, there is always bugs (see: Ruger, Kel-Tec). Luckily now I have a 1911 to play with until it does come back. They received the gun Dec. 16, so I will keep you guys updated as to how she does in the long run. Thanks for the positive words guys.

[Pete92FS]

Seems like with aTaurus you either love them or hate them. I had a PT145 PRO and thought it was a piece of junk. I'm surprised with the bad customer service; one of the magazines that came with mine was too tight at the top and would not feed properly and Taurus had me a replacement at no charge within 10 days but I guess replacing a $20 mag is nothing compared to repairing or replacing a complete pistol.

Even with the mag issue corrected I had all kinds of problems - FTF's(sometimes the cartridge would stick up out of the ejection port at a 90 deg. angle pointing straight up), the slide would lock back when there were rounds still in the mag and the mag release is positioned so that I would release the mag while I was firing.

After less than 150 rounds through it I traded it in on my Kimber and have definately not regreted it. Carter's Country gave me $200.00 on a $329.00 pistol which I considerd a pretty good trade. Like my Momma always said, "You get what you pay for". Personally - Taurus has been put on my "Stay away from" list - no offense to you Taurus owners out there that are happy with theirs and i can tell from reading this forum there are plenty of you out there.

[Tireshred]

I have friends who've had trouble with Taurus, but for some reason I haven't. Not to say I've never had to send a gun back, my Colt New Agent had to go back when the recoil spring cap broke, then they recalled them and it was free, and that's the most expensive carry I own. I have trouble trusting it now even though it's been great since being repaired. I trust my life to my PT145, PT1911, M44, 851, and my wife's life to her PT709, all have been to the range many times, and if one fails, it will get repaired, but will probably get taken out of rotation.

[wgoforth]

I have friends who've had trouble with Taurus, but for some reason I haven't. Not to say I've never had to send a gun back, my Colt New Agent had to go back when the recoil spring cap broke, then they recalled them and it was free, and that's the most expensive carry I own. I have trouble trusting it now even though it's been great since being repaired. I trust my life to my PT145, PT1911, M44, 851, and my wife's life to her PT709, all have been to the range many times, and if one fails, it will get repaired, but will probably get taken out of rotation.

Same here... I had a Ruger SR9 and of course was recalled. After the "fix" I hated the trigger pulled and stiffness of slide. OTOH, my "cheap" little 24/7 has been a dream. My wife can easily rack it, has had probably 5,000 rounds with the only FTF/FTE was when breaking in the first 200 rounds. It is our primary home defense weapon and the 709 and LCP is personal self defense. The $1,000 guns can have issues and problems just like the $300 gun. I suspect some Kimber owner is out there bashing a "cheap little $500 glock" saying "you get what you pay for" as well! (not knocking Glock or Kimber, BOTh are excellent...just showing the irony). For me, I love the feel of the 24/7. I doubt that any other polymer pistol is actually made any better than Taurus, but likely has to do with name recognition. Apparently years ago, Taurus was less than stellar, but their factory now is a state of the art facility and the 24/7 was the gun of the year by NRA a couple of years back. Not bashing Glock, but Taurus offers some features they don't.... a manual safety and double strike capability.
FWIW

[vickark]

I bought my wife a 709 last month. She has put about 300-400 rounds thru it. So far she's had 4 or 5 failure to fire. All the primers were dented.
The ammo has been Winchester target (white box). I know the 4 or 5 misfires are only 1% failures. Since this is going to be her carry, i'm not sure if i can go 1% or not.
The next step is to go to several other types of ammo. No reloads or foreign made.
I will just have to see what happens.
Keep shootin'

[buffalo_speedway_tx]

My wife also picked up a 709 at the gun show at the George R Brown in Houston. The first time she took it to the range she had multiple misfeeds. However I have to admit that we did not give it a good cleaning before taking it to the range. The second trip to the range this past week-end was a different experience. I gave the gun a good cleaning before we went. She only had 1 misfeed. She was using reloads bought at the range and Winchester factory. I believe she put about 150 - 175 rounds through it this past week-end. I guess we will have to watch it. She is looking to take the CHL class sometime in the first part of the year.

[Tireshred]

My luck ran out, I bought the Judge Public Defender at Academy on sale Saturday (I've always wanted one), the range report is not good. With Winchester 2.5" #9 birdshot or Federal 2.5" 000 buckshot it would bind after every shot, it took around 5 minutes to work the cylinder loose after each shot, it appears to be a headspace problem. I already have the work order and will ship to Taurus tomorrow. I've read others who've had problems with the Public Defender, but they seemed to be sporadic, count me as one of the problems. Thank goodness it's not my only carry weapon.

[kalipsocs]

My luck ran out, I bought the Judge Public Defender at Academy on sale Saturday (I've always wanted one), the range report is not good. With Winchester 2.5" #9 birdshot or Federal 2.5" 000 buckshot it would bind after every shot, it took around 5 minutes to work the cylinder loose after each shot, it appears to be a headspace problem. I already have the work order and will ship to Taurus tomorrow. I've read others who've had problems with the Public Defender, but they seemed to be sporadic, count me as one of the problems. Thank goodness it's not my only carry weapon.

Sorry to hear that. Let us know how it comes back to you, whenever that may be. I haven't heard a thing from Taurus, so I guess I will see it when it shows up on my doorstep.