Potential rpoblem with my new Pt145

I just bought and shot a Taurus PT145 Millennium Pro. Upon shooting I noticed that the primers on every shell casing had a strange firing pin mark. The mark was a dot in the center with a extension or "tail" extending from the middle of the dot and going out to the side about 1/32. Also I noticed the gun had shell residue, like gold colored powder, all inside. Has anyone seen a firing pin mark like that? What about the residue?

Its normal.

Common on semi auto pistols. and the gold powder is probably from the factory, clean it out and you should be fine.

Ok but can you tell me what causes the mark and is it something that should disqualify this gun for concealed carry?

Also, I cleaned the pistol before shooting it. The residue was a result of shooting.

Yes.

It is caused by the firing pin dragging on the primer as the gun recoils. The barrel tilts as it unlocks, and the firing pin in many guns stays forward until the hammer/striker is re-cocked.

It is certainly nothing that should cause you concern, and it would in no way disqualify the gun from being relied upon.

I have seen the gold powder in some guns as well, in my experience it is a result of the gun breaking in, and seems to diminish and go away after a few hundred rounds. I don't know if it is brass or just discolored steel, but again, as long as the pistol runs well I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Ok, thank you! I'm still concerned about the shell casing residue though.

Thanks alot!

Ummmmm......yes, as I mentioned before, I cleaned the gun before shooting it. The shell casing powder was a result of shooting. Maybe I wasn't clear enough but I fear something may be off in the gun causing the shells to be "shaved" while being cycled, hence the gold colored shell casing residue. I shot 50 rounds of PMC FMJ 230 and 10 rounds of Remington Golden Sabre JHP 185 grain ammo. Debating trying different ammo to see if I get the same residue. Good idea?

Don't quite know what you mean by "residue."

Sometimes a new gun will "produce" tiny flakes of metal from normal firing for awhile from machining residue and sharp edges being worn off. My Kahr did quite a lot of that, but my PT-145 was apparently produced better.

If you mean flakes or granules, that's probably powder residue from unburned powder. PMC ammo seems to produce quite a lot of that.

If you mean a yellowish deposit on the underside of your slide and on your feed ramp, that's probably brass being rubbed off the cartridge cases as the slide rides over the next-up, and injects it into the chamber. That won't go away, but won't get any worse after the pistol is well broken-in.

My PT-145 and PF-9 both have the "tails" on the firing pin indent, as do most Glocks. As has been pointed out, it's harmless and is normal for this type of weapon.

You might try shooting some Federal ammo with nickle-plated brass. Generally produces less residue, and will not leave the "yellow" streaks on the gun. BTW, my favorite "carry" load is the superb Federal HST or Tactical Bonded in 230-gr, or the Cor-Bon DPX 185-gr load, if you're recoil-shy.

Have fun, and don't worry as long as your Taurus goes "bang" every time you pull the trigger! :cool:

By residue I meant shell casing colored small flakes all inside the slide and some in the barrrel, I should have taken a pic before cleaning. Any case, I think a switch to the Federal is a great idea, thanks! BTW, where can you get Federal Hydrashock? Everywhere I look is sold out.

Sounds like unburned powder granules, then. Probably from the PMC rounds, which tend to burn a little dirty, but almost all ammo leaves some residue. Nothing to worry about. Cleans up easily.

I get my carry ammo from Streichers http://www.policehq.com/

They have Hydra-Shoks still listed, but IIWY, I'd get the 230-gr Federal Tactical Bonded for the same price ($30/50-rd box). The Tactical Bonded is more reliable at expanding after penetrating heavy clothing, and is formulated for use in short-barreled weapons, such as our PT-145s. :cool:

That, my friend, is some good advice. I'll take it, thanks!

Yeah your pistol is fine. Pretty much all of my new pistols have created the same kind of excess at first, but it stops happening pretty quickly. Won't affect anything at all.