Taurus PT 24/7 Pistol: Polymer-Framed, Striker-Fired, Ergonomic Carry Pistol

by David Crane
david@defensereview.com

The brand new, hot-off-the-presses Taurus PT 24/7 pistol is getting, well…a lot of press these days. The author can’t seem to pick up a firearms print publication lately without reading about the "24/7". For example, "Guns" Magazine (Nov. 2004) and "American Handgunner" Magazine (Nov./Dec. 2004), are both featuring articles on the 24/7 pistol, this month.

Basically, the Taurus PT 24/7 pistol is Taurus’ answer to the Glock and Springfield XD pistols. The Taurus 24/7 is a polymer-framed, double-action only (DAO), striker-fired pistol with utilitarian lines. Unlike the Glock and Springfield XD pistols, however, the 24/7 features a frame-mounted, sweep-down manual safety (1911-style) on the left side of the frame. This is the only type of manual safety DefenseReview likes, except for Heckler & Koch’s (HK) squeeze-cock frontstrap featured on their P7 series pistols (which the author has owned and carried in the past, before switching to the Glock 19 for CCW).

While DefenseReview hasn’t handled the new pistol yet, the first thing we noticed about it from the pictures, other than it’s somewhat Glock-like lines, is the grip frame. The Taurus 24/7’s grip looks, and apparently is (according to those who have handled it), really comfortable, due to it’s ergonomic profile and soft overmolded/rubberized surface with rubber ribbing on the frontstrap (called the "Ribber" configuration). In the "Guns" article, Dave Douglas says that…

the 24/7 has the most comfortable grip of any polymer gun he’s ever shot. Charles E. Petty seemed similarly impressed with the Taurus PT 24/7’s grip feel/ergonomics in his "American Handgunner" piece. Charles had this to say about it, "Perhaps the most remarkable feature of the 24/7 is the grip. Now, 9mm pistols are not exactly hard kickers, but the overmolded rubber section really cushions recoil, and even with the hottest ammo, recoil simply wasn’t a concern. And, that includes some of the dreaded +P+ stuff that seems to find its way outside law enforcement circles anyhow. In fact, the grip is one of the best things about the pistol."

High praise, indeed. However, much more important is how reliable it is with tactical/defensive factory ammo. The truth is, DefRev doesn’t know, yet. We have no idea. In his "American Handgunner" piece, Mr. Petty wrote that he had nary a bobble out of the 24/7 while running a wide variety of 9mm rounds, both ball and hollowpoints (115gr to 147gr), through it. Unfortunately, he didn’t elaborate as to how many rounds he actually put through it, or the conditions involved (heat, cold, snow, ice, dirt, mud, sand, water, etc.). Mr. Douglas, in his "Guns" piece, didn’t say anything at all about the 24/7’s reliability. That said, the 24/7’s external extractor is large and looks quite robust.

According to the articles, the Taurus PT 24/7 pistol’s (9mm version) accuracy runs from 2" to 3.5" at 25 yards, depending on the ammo chosen. That’s plenty adequate for defensive/carry use. According to Mr. Douglas, the 24/7’s trigger pull is "very smooth and consistent throughout the entire stroke, with just tenough stacking right at the end to let you know you’re about to fire. DefRev doesn’t yet know the 24/7’s double-action only (DAO) trigger pull weight.

The Taurus PT 24/7 comes with a tactical light rail (1913 Picatinny), and both articles showed the 24/7 with a Surefire X200 tactical weapons light attached, in some of the pictures.

We should also mention that the 24/7 also comes with the Taurus Safety System integral key-lock system, which, when added to the frame-mounted sweep-down manual safety, (reported) internal striker block safety, and double-action only (DAO) operation, should more than satisfy the company’s lawyers (and any product liability plaintiffs attorneys out there). Frankly, we don’t know what else/more Taurus could do to child-proof and idiot-proof the gun. DefenseReview is not a fan of key-lock systems on firearms, for the simple reason that when you most need the weapon (when your life is on the line, for instance), there’s always the possibility that you will have forgotten to unlock the gun. Good luck finding the key in your drawer or pocket and unlocking it before your attacker maims or kills you. Then again, no one says you have to utilize the key-lock system. If you want, you can, of course, just leave it off. Understand, DefenseReview is not advocating or recommending that our readers either utilize the Taurus Safety System key lock system, or not utilize it. Liability-wise, we can’t. It’s a litigious world out there. So, you’ll have to make your own decision/determination on whether or not you want to use it. In other words, it’s your call, and you must make it alone.

A quick note on the pics in both print articles: As usual, Ichiro Nagata’s photographic work is flawless. The pics are just superb. The man knows how to photograph guns. ‘Nuff said.

The Taurus PT 24/7 pistol is available with a blued steel or non-blackened stainless steel slide. Barrel length is 4". Overall empty weight is 27.5 ounces. Sights are fixed, non-adjustable 3-dot style. Capacity is 10+1 rounds. The 24/7 is currently available in 9mm and .40 S&W, and will soon be available in .45 ACP as well.

DefRev could go into more detail on the Taurus PT 24/7 pistol, but until we get some intel on the reliability and durability of the new gun, none of it really matters all that much. We’ll say this, the Taurus PT 24/7 pistol is a pretty bold move for Taurus, and, DefRev believes, the right direction for Taurus International to go. If the gun proves to be both reliable and durable under adverse conditions, while remaining combat-accurate, it could turn out to be a real winner, especially if Taurus can come up with a good corrosion-proof/self-lubricitious black finish for the slide and internal components.

We hope this turns out to be the case. Suggested retail price for the Taurus PT 24/7 pistol is $578 for the blued version, and $594 for the stainless version.

If you’re interested in learning more about or actually acquiring a Taurus PT24/7 pistol, you can contact Taurus International by phone at 305-624-1115. Taurus International is headquartered in Miami, FL.