Taurus Generations??

[Encoreman]

Okay I will show my ignorance. I keep reading about 1st,2nd,3rd generations in Taurus Pt guns. How do you know which is which. I am interested in a PT140, and I don't know how to tell, and is there any appreciable differences? Thanks for the help, Mac

 

[rcellis]

Generally, as far as I remember (open to correction):

First generation Millenniums lack the PRO designation and are DAO
Second generation Millenniums have the PRO designation and (I *think*) are DAO
Third generation are DA/SA w/ a restrike capability

Best way to find out: Call Taurus.

 

[torpid]

To expand further on rcellis' post (with major "tell apart" features bolded):

1st gen = DAO "Millennium" on left side of slide, "PT-___" on ejection port side.
Smooth grip sides. (pics on gunblast.com)

2nd gen = DAO "Millennium PRO" written left side with "pro" in a different handwriting-style font than Millennium, on other side "PT-___". (pics on gunblast.com)

3rd gen = SA/DA "Millennium" on left side, "PT-___PRO" on ejection port side, heinie 2-dot "straight 8" sights.

Many 2nd generations (and possibly all 3rd generation?) you'll find will have the accessory rail, however, Taurus never shows this on their (constantly outdated) website , adding further to the confusion. In fact, Taurus' latest website revamp still has only pics of second generation Mil pros on it.

Hope this helps!

 

[ARTiger]

Torpid's description of the generational differences in the Millennium series above is spot on. Further complicating things is that mags, etc. are not compatible as well between generations in many cases.

I had a first gen PT111 Millennium (not pro). It had issues which when fixed it became a fair shooter and mostly reliable. I did just trade it on a new 3rd. generation PT140PRO and they are totally different guns.

The new PT140PRO is well made, totally reliable (so far in 500 rnds) and has great features like light carry weight (18.7 oz.); fantastic single action trigger and very good in DA mode as well. Other nice features are 2nd. strike capability, Heine "Straight 8" sights, loaded chamber flag on the extractor. Also the grip is very ergonimical - the stippling and front/back strap ridges and ideally located as is the index finger dimple on the frame.

Looks like Taurus has worked out all the bugs on this line and the latest ones are very good guns in my experience at least with this one. The first gen. PT111 I had was a totally different gun . . . horrible trigger, uncomfortable grip, etc.

 

[torpid]

To add to ARTiger's comments, my 2nd and 3rd gen PT-145s share mags just fine, so perhaps it's just the non-pro millennium mags that may not be interchangeable with the pros.

 

[kirkcdl]

And I think also a 24/7 mag will fit the Pro guns,but it will stick out a bit...