Range Report: Taurus Millenium PT 745 Pro

[Frandy]

I wanted a non-1911 compact .45 but wasn't willing to spend more than $400. Had an HK USP Compact 45 for quite a while and have nothing but good things to say about it...except for the grip being a bit too big for comfort. Sold it.

Thought I would get the new XD compact in .45. But, I didn't like the triggers on the ones I tried, and the overall feel of the grip just wasn't working for me. Had an XD subcompact in 9mm for a while. Yeah, I like them, but again, the overall grip is important to me.

Enter the Millenium Pro. Could have had the higher capacity 145 for just a bit more, but this 745 was Goldilocks-perfect in my hand. The higher capacity was not an issue for me.

Bought it Thursday afternoon. Cleaned it and some dry-firing Friday night. It was a pain in the butt to take down and put back together, so I did it 5 times. No longer an issue. Not every handgun can be field-stripped like my favorites, the Sig P Series.

This morning I went to my local indoor range - PDHSC in Raleigh.
I was told this gun was accurate and that the recoil was amazingly low considering its size. Right on both counts. I shot it better than the twice-the-price (more!) the HK. I loved it!
Oh, and the trigger is fantastic.

Shot the following:

• 100 rounds of Lancer 230 grain FMJ
• 25 rounds of Speer Gold Dot 230 grain JHP
• 25 rounds of Remington Golden Saber 185 grain JHP

Not one burp. 150 perfect feeds, BANGS!, extractions, and ejections.

Now, I'm not a good shot. I'm not consistent enough, though I keep getting better, and I am good enough to feel that I can defend myself.

Admittedly, these four of the 12 targets I shot are the best of them. In seven of the other eight, I had a minimum of 3 in the circle. The 12th target was out at 25 yards, and I still had five of the six within an 8" diameter. I think the 6th shot went into the next county.

I'm pleased. Very pleased. So far, so good. If this keeps up for another 500 rounds, this just might become my carry gun.

 

[Clipper]

Get ready to be Tsk-Tsk'd to death by the "Taurus is junk" crowd (who likely never owned or shot one). I have a MP PT145 and would put it up against any DAO .45 on the planet. Just remember to laugh heartily when someone tells you what a great deal their $500.00 pistol was...

 

[Doug Add]

Very nice! I wish I could have joined you at the range, but I have been working what seems like nonstop for the past three weeks, so I lazily chose to chill at home this morning.

I like the looks of both the Taurus and the targets. Forgive my ignorance, but what is the capacity of the 745?

The guy shooting next to me when we were qualifying for our CHL was using his 145. He loved it!

 

[Frandy]

Hey Doug...

The 145 is 10+1. The 745 is 6+1.

I know, I know, "Why didn't you get the 10+1?"

I actually went back and looked at the 145 today. Almost bought it!

Frandy

 

[MillCreek]

I have said it before and I will say it again: the day Taurus comes out with a Millennium Pro in single-stack 9 mm with a titanium slide, put me down for a couple.

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

Congrats on the new Mil Pro! It's nice to see yet another person go out and actually try one, and of course find out what a great series of pistols they are. I've got the 140 myself, and it works perfectly.

 

[johndoe1027]

Good shooting! I will not be tsk-tsk-ing. I love my Taurus.
Doug and Frandy, what part of NC are you guys in?

 

[Frandy]

johndoe,

We are in the Raleigh area.

 

[rcellis]

I have said it before and I will say it again: the day Taurus comes out with a Millennium Pro in single-stack 9 mm with a titanium slide, put me down for a couple.

You know that Taurus is coming out with a titanium revolver this year? I wouldn't be surprised if you get what you're looking for.

 

[9x19]

Nice!

I went with the PT145 Mil Pro in stainless, and have been very pleased with the pistol!

 

[johndoe1027]

cool

I was just wondering, I'm near Asheville.

 

[MPanova]

Welcome to the Taurus family! Great choice in the pt745 I have no doubts you will enjoy it for years to come.

I currenty have the Taurus pt145 pt24/7 .45 pt1911 pt111 pt25 and pt22 I will soon have the Taurus 24/7 in 9mm and the pt1911 in stainless when it comes out later this year

 

[RKirby]

I am considering the PT- 745 for concealed carry during the hot weather months here in Texas. My XD's are too hard to conceal without some kind of cover garment.

I borrowed a friends new (less than 100 rounds) Millennium Pro 745 last week for a few days and it does conceal well, even in a slightly too large IWB leather holster made for an XD service.

Two things I didn't care for were the l-o-n-g trigger take up and the heaviness of the controls. I might be able to get used to the trigger over time...it wasn't at all heavy, just very long and somewhat gritty. But the safety, slide lock release lever and the take down lever were all incredibly stiff...to the point of needing two fingers to operate in the case of the slide lock lever.

Is this normal for these guns? The control issue is a major problem for me and would keep me from considering this gun.

One other minor issue is that the mags are not drop-free, but I can live with that.

Since I can buy a new PT-745 or even a PT-111 for about the same price as another gun I am considering, the Bersa Thunder .380 with an extra factory magazine, I might be tempted to go with one of the the Taurus pistols if the issue with stiff controls improves over time or was only a problem with this particular gun.

Comments?

 

[Redneck with a 40]

After 500 rounds the trigger on my PT-140 Pro smoothed out quite a bit, after 1000 rounds, it was smooth as butter. I'll get better, the more you shoot it, trust me. I concurr, awesome pistols.

 

[Frandy]

I'm new to the 745, but here is my initial experience:

the l-o-n-g trigger take up

Yup, but I don't happen to think it's all that long. It is DAO.

and the heaviness of the controls

Yup, take down lever is ridiculously stiff and the slide lock release is tighter than any other auto I own - but seems to getting better.

the trigger...somewhat gritty.

Not mine...not at all.

the mags are not drop-free

Mine are and do.

 

[MillCreek]

You know that Taurus is coming out with a titanium revolver this year? I wouldn't be surprised if you get what you're looking for.

Yes, Taurus has been making titanium revolvers for quite a while now. I have a 651 in titanium that I use for my bicycling carry. I also have a 9 mm Millennium Pro that I am happy with.

 

[PCRit]

RKirby: I am considering the PT- 745 for concealed carry during the hot weather months here in Texas. My XD's are too hard to conceal without some kind of cover garment.

I've carry the PT-745 for that reason during the summer (otherwise an XD45C).

Mine has the DAO trigger, but I suspect the new models with the SA/DA trigger have much less trigger travel.