Taurus 709 "Slim"

[W L Johnson]

1) As noted in about every other forum on the 709, the taurus will NOT shoot winchester white box ammo, which happens to be the most affordable AND only thing that walmart stocks. I shot about a 100 rounds flawlessly using the remington and speer gold dot ammo hollow point. As soon as I switched to Winchester, it would fire but then fail to extract about 1-2 times per magazine. You cannot tap, rack, and roll. You have to pull the slide back to the slide stop, drop the magazine and then rack until it falls out.

Zero issues with WWB here, in fact zero issues with everything I've put in it.

 

[SweetKnuckles]

As posted previously and elsewhere:

Likes:
Thin
Light
Measurably less snap than Kel Tec PF-9 or Kahr PM9
Field Strips like a Glock
'Striker' fired trigger like a Glock
7 + 1
Fully adjustable rear sight (windage and elevation) with surprising accuracy after it's properly zeroed
Good trigger


Dislikes:
I hate plastic sights - hate them on Glock, Kel Tec and this
Wish the sight channel would have been kept standardized w/other Taurus pistols so there'd be night sights already available


Indifferent:
Second strike capability - pull the trigger a second time if a dud primer is encountered and striker will recock and strike
Slide mounted thumb safety
Chamber loaded indicator


On paper, the Kel Tec PF-9 beats this in weight and thickness.
I owned both until recently when I sold the last of my two PF-9s. I tested them side by side for the last few weeks.
Accuracy with the 709 was really really impressive. Certainly outshoots me, and if I can find my targets I'll post performance pics subsequently.

When carried IWB in holster, thickness and weight felt the same to me.
If you can stand carrying the KT with the belt clip and not in a holster, it will be noticeably thinner due to the lack of holster material, but I could never get used to the naked weapon against my skin and I don't often wear undershirts.
Both are at the large end for pocket riding, but in cargo shorts it can be done. Weight difference is noticed here, but is slight, and disappears when you're not consciously focusing on it.
Either the KT or Taurus ride IWB or in pocket hugely better than a subcompact Glock IMO.

For the record, I like Kel Tecs. The PF-9 trigger although not heavy, was just too divergent from the Glock style trigger I'm more accustomed to, the 709 fits the bill.


At ~ $350, if Taurus gets this marketed the way it deserves to be and people actually carry and shoot these and not just fixate on paper stats, I predict this is going to take huge market share away from the Kel-Tec and Kahr polymer nines.

All walmart 115gr Federal Champion fmj
7 rounds @ 15 yd unsupported



'Nother 8 to finish off the box

 

[briang2ad]

I haven't seen the 708, but it is worth a look. I am considering a PF9, but the trigger feels like it will punish me - if your fingers are at all thick.

I did handle the little Taurus 380, and it REALLY looks nicely finished and had a decent trigger. This MAY be a good alternative to the PF9, but I'll have to see the fix on the light striking - may be a dirt issue.

 

[Hawthorne2k]

Has anyone shot the PT709 and a Kel-Tec PF9/P-11 ? How does the recoil compare between the Taurus and the Kel-Tecs? I want to replace my Sccy 9mm with a PT709 and it'd be great if the recoil on the Taurus is less than the Kel-Tecs.

 

[W L Johnson]

Has anyone shot the PT709 and a Kel-Tec PF9/P-11 ? How does the recoil compare between the Taurus and the Kel-Tecs? I want to replace my Sccy 9mm with a PT709 and it'd be great if the recoil on the Taurus is less than the Kel-Tecs

See post #40
It's not the recoil but the grip design that make the difference here.

 

[Hawthorne2k]

See post #40
It's not the recoil but the grip design that make the difference here.

Thanks.

I'm waffling between the PT709 and a CZ P-07 to replace my Sccy. One is would be a carry gun that I can occasionally shoot, and the other would be a shooting gun that I'd carry.

The upside of the P-07 is that I can shoot IDPA with it as well, (train like you fight, etc.), but it's bigger than anything else I've carried on a regular basis so I'm wondering if I'd get tired of carrying it and just bring along my P3AT or Sccy more often instead.

The upside of the PT709 is that it's the same size as what I've been used to carrying, just a whole lot more reliable, but with 9+1 capacity, it really isn't an IDPA gun, making me wonder how often I'd train with it.

 

[W L Johnson]

I'm waffling between the PT709 and a CZ P-07 to replace my Sccy

Closer to the 709 in the CZ line would be the 2075 Rami, which I have and love by the way, but the 709 is thinner and lighter but holds less (8+1 vs 10+1). The P-07 would be larger than ether one.

 

[Hawthorne2k]

Closer to the 709 in the CZ line would be the 2075 Rami, which I have and love by the way, but the 709 is thinner and lighter but holds less (8+1 vs 10+1). The P-07 would be larger than ether one.

I lurves me my CZ75, but for some reason, the Rami just doesn't sit right with me. The P-07 is about the same size as a CZ Compact and seems to be a good all-in-one 9mm. I'm just not sure right now if I'm willing to carry something significantly larger than my Sccy all day long. No way to tell unless I do it, I guess.

 

[stevemis]

I bought a 709 Slim a couple of months ago... price was very right, so I decided to take a chance.

I finally got out to the range today... shot 100 or so rounds.. no malfunctions. Shoots like a dream. It's as accurate as my RAMI (which is pretty impressive!), the only other "small" 9mm I have. Ejection is consistent. I shot CCI Brass, WWB, some Winchester JHP, Remington .... everything was perfect.

 

[stevemis]

I'm waffling between the PT709 and a CZ P-07 to replace my Sccy. One is would be a carry gun that I can occasionally shoot, and the other would be a shooting gun that I'd carry.

I had a P07. I've got pretty much one of every pistol CZ makes. The P07 didn't cut it. I had all sorts of problems with mine... quality issues like the hammer binding against the frame. CZ sent me another one which was equally messed up. After some back and forth, I ended up sending the replacement pistol back along with my receipt.. they sent me a refund.

I might look at the P07's again .. but it'll be a while. I think CZ has some more issues to sort out with it.

 

[deweylandrum]

I recently purchased one and had the issue of one magazine not locking the slide back. I took the magazine apart and cleaned it and it still did it. The next day, I was going to ship it to Taurus for a replacement, but couldn't reproduce the problem. It's worked find ever since.

It's a great shooting gun and I hope it lasts as long as my 1987 PT-99. I put over 16,000 rounds through that gun before I had a problem. I sent it back to Taurus and they put a new barrel and locking block in it. After another 1000 rounds, a friend of mine bought and it still shoots 1 inch groups. I even shot my CHL proficiency with it.

 

[buluser]

A shooting friend on mine got a Taurus slime line late last year, she's pretty good with it. But has had problems with it not ejecting sent casing & loading. Also it does not like hollow points. She has just got it back from the factory last week.

 

[deweylandrum]

Also, you can find magazines for it at http://www.gunclips.net/ta709gunma.html

 

[KewToo]

I purchased a PT709 last Fall at a local gun show in Houston. Actually, I got it when I "unloaded" a Taurus Mill Pro PT111 (mine was a POS - I think I have previous posts about this). At any rate, the 709 looked to be a completely re-thought and re-engineered design. So, why not? Since then, my son and I have run a total of 170 rounds through it. Between us, we used Win. white box (115Gr) fmj, Federal 115Gr fmj and a box of Win.PDX1 147Gr JHP (expensive - but one needs to know if it will be reliable). Altogether, neither of had any FTF or FTL issues. For each of us, the 709 ran flawlessly, and accurately at 15, 20 and 25 yards (personally, I achieved 4" clusters at 20 yards - that's not bad for a light weight pistol with a 3 inch barrel). Griping about the (low) single-stack capacity is not allowed if one's intent is to have conceal-ability.

Something to understand about Taurus is their seemingly dichotomous corporate culture. On one hand, they tend to produce multiple variations (simply renamed) of the same design and technology; while on the other, they suddenly produce a forward-thinking, brilliant variation on technology, if not entirely experimental.

Another thing about Taurus is that their hand guns are much like shoes: in a given size, they should all be alike; but don't take them home until you have tried them.
I have found that magazine lock and eject, trigger pull smoothness, general balance of function and slide action can vary significantly among the same model.

The PT709 is an interesting pistol; fun to shoot, and I think, reliable as a carry.

 

[swmp9jrm]

Also, you can find magazines for it at http://www.gunclips.net/ta709gunma.html

The 709 magazines are cheaper at Bud's:

PT-709 Magazines at Bud's Gun Shop

 

[UniversalFrost]

i posted a review over on defensive carry forum.

i love my 709 slim in stainless.

Here is my review

I know there are other reviews for the new Taurus 709 SLIM, but here is my take. I got my 709 in stainless the other day and no cracks (there is a 709 thread on AZshooting with a guys gun that has a crack after only 12rds at the rear where the pin goes thru the grip) and looks great (has 50rds thru it by previous owner). I have been experimenting with different IWB carrying angles and positions (so far without a holster) and this thing IWB carries great! Only complaint i have is that in SA it is a long trigger pull and then when I think I have pulled as far as it will go, there is still more to pull. hopefully taurus or someone will come out with a shorter trigger for this gun.

The width of this gun is wider than a keltec pf9, but about the same as a walther p22. With a full mag of 147gr Winchester HP's it seems well balanced. already looking in to how to remove the safety lock, but will live with it until I can find a modification that works.

have to hit the range with this gun and put in a few hundred rounds through it and a box or two of defensive carry stuff thru it before I will carry it as a main gun.

a note to taurus is that on the front of the slide they could have made the slide more rounded on the top to side transition, they already did some cuts to reduce weight, but with square edges it just seems blocky. weight seems well (bit heavy for a synthetic gun of this size).

note to aftermarket mag makers, start making mags for this gun!also finger grip extension bases would be nice. right now even with my dealer discount thru midway the mags they look well built, but not for that high of a price) cost more than my west german made sig mags for my p220, 229, etc....

continuted....


well, put 200 rds of FMJ thru the gun at the range and only problems were with the cheap blazer brass. had 4 times where the blazer spent rounds would only partially be removed from the chamber and slide would get stuck trying to go forward to chamber another round into the chamber with a spent round still partially there. I am blaming this issue on the ammo, because I had no problems with federal, remington and winchester ammo. this gun really likes the winchester 147gr HP's for defensive loads.

I had the opportunity to shoot the 709 and a keltec p9 at the same time (buddy carries a p9 all the time and was at the range with me). The 709 and p9 shoot the same, but 709 fits mine larger hand better and doesn't have a bit of bite/kick like the p9 does.

Right now i am carrying the gun IWB with a blackhawk generic fit holster (the thin foamy type holster. I am looking at getting a Highnoon split decision or bare asset holster (I like the 15 degree cant since I carry it at 4 or 5 o'clock .

 

[Ben86]

What shoots well in the 709, especially as far as jhps are concerned?

 

[UniversalFrost]

i have found the 147gr winchester jhp's, the 115 gold dots and the 124 gold dots, as well as the 115gr remington umc HP's work very well out of my 709.

 

[AJChenMPH]

Never had an issue with Speer Gold Dots in 124 in mine.

 

[Ben86]

Sweet, 115 grain gold dots and umcs are may prefered choice for sub 4" barrels.

 

[notofnow]

I really like mine, with the exception of a short grip it is the ideal conceal carry size. Got mag extenders for the keltec pf11 magazines and super glued it to the bottom of the slim mag and now it's perfect. I did have to dremmel the extenders a little to be flush.

Btw: federal classic hp works great

 

[Ben86]

The only thing I don't like about the gun is the crappy rear sight. That has to be the crappiest adjustible sight I've ever seen. Mine is even a little crooked. I hope they make a fixed three dot for it soon.

 

[UniversalFrost]

my sights are good to go. nice adjustable rear (never had to move it though, since was spot on at 15 meters). if you have a problem with yours talk to taurus and they will send out a replacement.

 

[Ben86]

It looks like the rear sight can be simply screwed on and off. Am I right? I hope so, that would save me a trip to the nearest gunsmith ( an hour away).