The firearms from Taurus USA seem to be
getting better and better all the time. Taurus has always
offered good reliable revolvers at an affordable price, with
their Judge series being
some of the hottest-selling revolvers on the market right now.
Their semi-automatic pistols have been improving with each new
model introduced. The latest to hit the market is their new
PT709 Slim shown here, and it should fit nicely into the most
popular segment of the handgun market right now, that being
concealed carry pistols. I first saw the 709 Slim prototype at
the 2009 SHOT Show back in
January. The pistols are now shipping to dealers, and I received
mine a couple of weeks ago. Three models are offered, differing
in the material of which the slide is made. The 709 can be had
with a blued steel, titanium, or stainless steel slide. The gun
reviewed here is the latter model. The stainless slide contrasts
nicely with the black polymer frame and sights. The frame has
internal steel inserts where needed for strength. The 709 is a
striker-fired action, and the trigger system is like a true
double action/single action design. Normally, that means that
the first shot is fired in the double action mode, with
subsequent shots fired single action, as the slide cocks the
striker when operated, but in the 709, it is fired single action
every time, and the double action is there as a backup, in the
event that a cartridge fails to fire on the first pull of the
trigger. In other words, the trigger system has double-strike
capability. The slide does not have to cock the action before
the trigger can be pulled again, allowing the shooter to try
again if a dud cartridge does not fire on the first pull. There
is a manual safety also on the 709 which allows the pistol to be
carried cocked and locked, if preferred. In fact, when a round
is chambered, the striker is cocked, so applying the safety is
the best way to carry the pistol, especially for a right-handed
shooter. There is also a trigger safety, so carrying with the
thumb safety in the “off safe” position will work as well.
In addition, there is an internal firing pin block, that blocks
the striker from reaching the primer of the chambered cartridge
unless the trigger is in its rearward position. You can think of
this sort of like the action on a S&W
Sigma or Glock or any other
similar striker-fired system, with the addition of a manual
safety on the 709, for those who desire to use it. This weapon
will not fire unless the trigger is pulled. The manual thumb
safety blocks the trigger and locks the slide. The 709 also has
the Taurus Security System internal key lock, which renders the
pistol inoperable, if the owner desires to do so for storage of
the pistol. The key for the lock also has a screwdriver for
adjusting the rear sight, which is adjustable for both elevation
and windage correction. The sights are of the three-dot pattern,
and hopefully, night sights
will be offered by either Taurus or the aftermarket soon.
The 709 Slim is the most compact Taurus 9mm
to date, and is a very handy size for a concealed carry pistol.
The closest thing on the market to the size of the 709 is the Kel-Tec
PF9, shown in one of the pictures for comparison. Both are
very slim, compact pistols. The Taurus is a little beefier,
weighing in at about four ounces more, and is just slightly
thicker, but the extra heft attenuates a bit more recoil, and
should prove to help with long term durability as well. The grip
of the 709 is well-textured for a positive hold, and shaped for
a comfortable feel. I really like the low-profile magazine
release. It is large enough for a quick reload, but is not so
elevated above the surface of the frame that it might be
unintentionally activated, dropping the magazine from the grip.
The magazine release is within easy reach of a right-handed
shooter’s thumb or a lefty’s trigger finger. The slide locks
open on an empty magazine, and the slide release is on the left
side in the usual location. Speaking of magazines, two are
included with the 709 Slim. They are made of steel, and hold
seven rounds each, for a loaded capacity of eight. Disassembly
is easy by pushing down on the two opposing latches on the
frame, after pulling back slightly on the slide, and then
allowing the slide to move forward under spring pressure.
Below are the weights and measurements taken
on the sample 709 Slim. The trigger pulls were measured on a
Lyman digital trigger pull scale, and are the average of ten
measurements. The magazine capacity is listed for the magazine
only. Total loaded capacity will add one. The trigger reach was
measured from the area where the web between the thumb and
finger contact the frame, to the center of the trigger in its
forward-most position. The overall height was measured from the
top of the rear sight to the base of the magazine. The weight
includes an empty magazine.
| Weight |
18.5 ounces |
| Barrel length |
3.28 inches |
| Overall Height |
4.53 inches |
| Overall Length |
6.25 inches |
| Slide Thickness |
0.95 inch |
| Frame Thickness |
0.961 inch |
| Trigger Reach |
2.53 inches |
| Magazine Capacity |
7 |
| Double Action Pull |
5.75 pounds |
| Single Action Pull |
5 pounds |
The Taurus 709 Slim functioned perfectly
right out of the box. No failures of any kind were experienced.
The pistol fed, fired, and ejected everything offered it,
flawlessly. The little gun handles recoil much better than
anticipated, considering its light weight. It was easy to
control, even with Plus P ammunition, as demonstrated in the
video. The pistol is very comfortable to hold, and easy to fire
quickly on target. Accuracy was outstanding. Most who write
reviews of a pistol of this type limit testing to 21 feet or so,
but this little pistol demonstrated very good accuracy
potential, so I tested at 25 yards, like I do with hunting and
target pistols. As shown in the photo, which was a typical group
fired, the 709 grouped a magazine full of ammo into two inches
at twenty five yards, and this was using Plus P Cor-Bon 147
grain FMJ, not a wimpy target load. I was pleased and surprised
by the accuracy displayed by this little pistol. That is very
good accuracy from a small 9mm defensive pistol, especially with
me doing the shooting. Practical accuracy was helped, I am
certain, by the excellent trigger pull of the 709 Slim. A good
trigger makes target work much easier, and the pistol’s
trigger is just about perfect for a weapon of this type. Anyway,
this group shown was typical of the accuracy testing session,
with most every brand of ammo tried performing as well as the
group shown.
The Taurus 709 Slim is the type of pistol for
which many who carry concealed are looking. It is small enough
to hide easily in a good holster, such as the Cross
Breed Supertuck, and the 709 would also work well for pocket
carry. It hides easily in my front jeans pocket, but being
left-handed, I would not carry it without a holster. There are
several good pocket holsters on the market that cover the
trigger, and I recommend the use of one for pocket carry. Simply
Rugged makes one that is durable, functional, and affordable.
The 709 Slim is just about the right size for most of us. It is
no bigger than a Bersa .380,
but uses the more powerful 9mm Luger ammo. Eight rounds of Plus
P 9mm should get the job done easily for most of us, and the
Taurus PT709 Slim is an excellent pistol to deliver those rounds
accurately upon the target. I was impressed by the 709 Slim. I
think that it is the best 9mm pistol that Taurus has produced to
date. It is certainly one of the most useful, being small enough
and light enough to always be at hand when needed. It is also
accurate, affordable, and reliable. With a good set of tritium
night sights or a reliable laser, it would be perfect.
Check out the entire line of Taurus firearms
online at www.taurususa.com.
To find a Taurus dealer near you, click on
the DEALER FINDER at www.lipseys.com.
To order the PT709 Slim online, go to www.galleryofguns.com.
To order the two holsters mentioned here, go
to www.crossbreedholsters.com
and www.simplyrugged.com.
Jeff
Quinn
| For a list of dealers where you can
buy this gun, go to: |
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To buy this gun online, go to: |
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Taurus' PT709 (right) compared to Kel-Tec's PF9
(left).
PT709 (left) compared to full-sized Smith
& Wesson M&P 9mm (right).
25-yard group, fired from handheld rested
position, measures two inches.
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