What has a grip like my Taurus?

[Grayrock]

My bro is taking a CHL class with me and in preparation I had to loan him a pistol. He (and I) liked the way the grip of my Taurus PT-145 Millenium PRO felt. Is there another gun with a grip that feels a good as this gun? I know that is a subjective question, but Taurus has great ergonomics as far as I am concerned (ie, the memory pads). So I guess I am looking for people who have the PT-145 or have good familiarity with it to speak up about other pistols that feel as good in their hands. And I do not need any Taurus bashing- I am aware of their reputation. Thanks in advance for any constructive posts.

 

[Cards81fan]

The only thing I can think of similar is to get a Pachmayr grip for whatever pistol he finds. But that's still different than the Taurus grip, which I know and like pretty well.

 

[Ledgehammer]

I didn't think the memory pads were adjustable?

 

[LiveLife]

I have Gen3 Mil Pro PT145 and it just about has the smallest double-stack 45 grip I know. Very ergonomic. It fits my hands well and I can reach the controls without shifting the grip.

Only other grip I can compare to would be M&P45 with small/medium grip inserts. It also provides that "Oooooh, nice grip!" feel with easy reach to all the controls.

I am anxiously waiting for their new G2 models to be released as the grips look very ergonomic with full ambi-controls.

 

[Grayrock]

I shot an M&P 9mm yesterday and I did like the way it felt- but not as much as the PT-145. I tried a large and a small M&P. The large felt better, so I still have to give the nod to the Taurus in "feel".

 

[SSN Vet]

When you look at the width of the grip portion of the frame, I think Taurus makes the narrowest double stack out there.

I've been carrying a PT-111 for years and though my wide hands with fat knuckles make it so my pinky only half catches the mag extension, the pistol is very easy to carry (thin, concealable & light), has proven to be reliable and I shoot it pretty well.

 

[gearhead]

You might check into the pre-G2 24-7 compact models also. They use the same magazines as the Millenium Pro line. They even had the ribber grips for a while.

 

[Miked7762]

FWIW I have heard that Taurus has stopped selling that grip because of the memory pads. Apparently it hurts the resale value of the gun because the grips are set to fit the original owner and can be totally wrong for the next user and it takes a long while to get the grips to re-set for another user. I have no idea how much truth there is to that rumor. If it's true I'd be very disappointed because Taurus grips are the best I've ever felt and I've been shooting a whole lot of y̶e̶a̶r̶s̶ decades .

Huh? The memory pads are simply indentations molded into the grip at the time of manufacture. They don't 'set' or move. Where did you hear this information?

 

[Grayrock]

memory pads are indentations in a rigid polymer frame that allow your hand to feel the proper position and then muscle memory takes over and you grip it consistently time after time. Do you actually have a gun with pliable parts? If so, I'm sure we would all like to see pictures. What do you do, plunge it in boiling water to soften them up, then grab the gun firmly to mold to your hand? (Like my daughter's moldable karate mouthpiece?)

 

[Cards81fan]

Here's a picture of a pistol with pliable parts. In fact, it's a Taurus:

The grip will in fact "squish" and mold when you grab it. This is why I recommended a similar solution with a Pachmayr grip; it even has finger grooves like the Taurus. Hogue has a similar product.

If you are simply wanting a pistol with finger indentations, then a Glock would work similarly, but with an all-rigid grip (no rubber).

 

[Miked7762]

That's Taurus's memory pads and how they work.

No, thats the Ribber grip that Taurus uses on some models. The effect you are describing isn't intentional, it's because the rubber dries and loses elasticity. You are right about it being discontinued on semi-auto pistols, however.

 

[Grayrock]

^

What he said. The Ribber grips are just squishy rubber. My PT-145 has "memory pads" as described by the manufacturer, but no part of the grip is pliable or flexible. It is all the same polymer the frame is composed of.

It's the very same principle as those power cords you didn't bother to look at because you knew I was right without having to look.

Now THAT made me laugh!!

 

[Grayrock]

This is what I am referring to:

And Taurus' own description: We can think of a million reasons to add this highly regarded pistol to your belt, but for time's sake we'll just highlight our favorites. Like remarkable versatility. Non-stop performance. The Millennium PRO also features ... an ergonomic grip design, enhanced finger indexing Taurus Memory Pads and posi-traction slide serrations. Light, powerful and technically advanced, the Millennium PRO is the choice for concealment and back-up carry.

 

[Miked7762]

When you explain to me why they refer to it as "memory" pads then we'll have something to talk about.

The Taurus description follows:
"Ambidextrous Indexed Taurus Memory Pads™ Along the Frame Provide an Automatic Finger Locator for Safe Firearm Handling, and Aid Quick and Accurate Aim When Using a Traditional Two-Handed Grip"

Here's an illustration:http://www.taurususa.com/2011catalog/?catalog_page=6
And another:http://www.taurususa.com/hot_items_24_7_pro.cfm

There is no hard plastic on my Taurus where your fingers fit.

The entire grip on your model is hard plastic! Do you actually own one of these?

You can check out what my Taurus looks like on this web page. Notice it doesn't have the things you are describing but they advertise it as having memory pads. Why is that?

It very clearly does have what we have been describing.

 

[Grayrock]

Thanks, Miked- can't get any clearer than that.

 

[heeler]

Timely thread.
My brother who foolishly bought a zinc Jimenez 380 was asking me about Taurus pistols the other day as they go on sell pretty frequently around here.
After reading so many times what junk they are and "friends dont let friends buy Taurus pistols" it's somewhat of a relief to find some out there do like them and are not waxing and waning about them being a pos.

 

[SSN Vet]

Gray rock and Miked nailed it....

it's just marketing schpeel for a dimple in the side of the frame where you can index your finger when it's not supposed to be on the trigger.