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Taurus PT145 Review

by Mike Horton
(Kansas City, MO)

Although my bed stand gun is either a Taurus 1911 or a Springfield XD 45, I find myself reaching for the Taurus PT145 to carry. I originally purchased this gun for my wife to carry, but after shooting it, I realized that it was not the right gun for her. After she shot one of the three Taurus 1911s that I own, it came to pass that I now own only two, and I'm OK with that.

I have had several law enforcement friends refer to carry pistols as "throw away" guns. At first I didn't realize what they meant, but after reading many articles related to personal defense, in most cases, the gun used was never returned after the dust settled. Personally, I don't care if I don't get it back as long as I'm still around to purchase another one. But, it does add one more point to consider. The price of the Taurus PT145 is right for just under $400.

The PT145 is not, and I repeat "not" a fun gun to shoot. It is not particularly accurate past 20 yards and the recoil is horrible. Keep in mind that the gun is a compact .45. It does not have the mass that a Commander style 1911 has so your body is absorbing the energy. A weak wristed person will more than likely experience a stovepipe, as my wife did the first couple of times she shot it. With practice she was able to manage the recoil but it wore her out.

Now, the good points: This is purely a defensive pistol. It does come in smaller calibers, but I'm of the opinion that the .45 ACP is the best combat/defensive round there is. The gun is very light and compact. Its effective range when drawing and firing is 20 yards. Beyond that, drop compensation is not consistent. What I love about it is that I can carry it inside the waist band with only a t-shirt draped over the belt-line. Great for summer. A simple and reliable design with a 10 + 1 capacity.

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Comments for
Taurus PT145 Review

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Jan 27, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		PT140 and PT1911 cont.
by: D wright

sorry to run too long.
I like how easy it is to conceal a high capacity .40 cal auto pistol like the PT140. I saw a person at the range shooting a PT145 who was hitting inside a silver dollar sized spot at 7 yrds. Must take alot of practice!
The Llama has given me an appreciation of 1911 style pistols. and finally, I was able to purchase a PT1911 in Dual Tone just recently. I love shooting it. My experience with the PT140 is partially what convinced me to take a chance on the PT1911. At the gun shop, I handled a kimber, les baer, and a springfield and the look and feel of the Taurus seemed just as good. experience at the range with about 150 rounds was good too with no malfunctions. surprisingly, the Llama is still my most accurate gun. guess I need more practice with the PT1911!
Jan 27, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Taurus PT140 and PT1911DT
by: D Wright

Really enjoy this website!
I have had various pistols over the years. Never had the budget to have anything really nice. Most were .380 or .22 cal and were "saturday night specials". However, about two years ago, I got serious about CHL (concealed Handgun License in Texas).
Started with a Glock 22 (.40 retired from San Antonio PD) which was my qualification weapon. I liked it but was concerned about carrying with one in the pipe knowing just a trigger pull makes it go boom! I made a bonehead trade but got lucky. I traded the GL 22 at a gun show for a Llama 1911 style pistol. Thot I was getting a .45 but it was really a 9mm. After, I was afraid because I read so many bad reviews about Llamas. But I have put hundreds of rounds through it with no problems or malfunctions. This gun was very heavy so I didn't carry it much.
Then I picked up a Taurus PT140 at a gun show for $300. Turned out to be a great little gun though not as accurate as I would like. It's a bit "snappy" as far as recoil goes. a slip-on Hogue helped my shooting alot. I have had no malfunctions except with aluminum casing ammo. the Double action did allow me to pull the trigger twice until the round eventually fired.
(to be cont)
Jan 27, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		PT 145-Excellent CCW!!
by: Carlos

I have a standard 1911, plus a Taurus PT945 and my PT145. My favorite is the latter. I've had my PT145 for about 3 years now and have run about 1500 rounds through it. I absolutely love this little gun! It fits my hand (I'm average build) very well, and for me, it points right on! This is very important for a CCW; I just do the rapid point and shoot.
Here's my observations:
PROS: 10+1 rounds, external safety,subcompact, easily concealed, recoil snappy but easily handled, easy cleaning, inexpensive.
CONS: Suseptible to "limp-wrist", and must be well lubricated.That's it!
This gun may not be for everyone, but perfect for me. I'm looking at getting another one.
Jan 18, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Very Good CCW
by: KC

I purchased the Taurus pt145 Millennium just before Christmas (Dec 21, 2009). It was a Christmas present from our daughter and her fiance. After taking this pistol to the range it has proven to be one hell of a compact hand gun. The only advice that I can give is if you are recoil sensitive stay away from the JHP and +P ammo(the 230gr ball is fine,and reliable). I feed all available ammo through the weapon and it took all without one FTF, stovepipe or malfunction. I fired 250 rounds and was pleasantly surprised at the results. Accuracy was more than I expected from a short barrel compact. At 7 and 10 yards target range all hit s were in the 10,9,and 8 rings. Actually I was holding my breath and saying a prayer after all the negative reviews. When it comes to mechanical things it is always a hit and miss. I really do not understand why Taurus let it's reputation take a hit with this one. Maybe the firm should look at their quality control branch and do a bit of job liquidations. Overall the weapon is a concrete winner for a CCW.
Jan 16, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstar 		Feels great in the hand, fires a highly effective caliber
by: Anonymous

I bought this about 9 years ago, to replace a PPK .380 which fed terribly, though I wish I still had it, too. It is amazing that this package holds 11 45 rounds, but there it is; some say a pistol is what you use to fight to the closest shotgun; this'll do it. Occasionally, I think that it just really isn't sufficiently accurate for dependability, but when I shoot it, I remember why I like it. It does require focused practice because the striker fired trigger is a bit mushy, and the 3 or so inch barrel won't replace a .308 rifle, but it fits in my hand, car, jacket, etc. with excellent accomodation, and I know the caliber will do the job if I ever need it, so I continue to have great justified and justifiable affection for it. If you need something to pull quickly in close quarters to defend your family, and the shotgun isn't close or is unwieldly in such tight spaces, you could do much worse.
Jan 16, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstar 		PT145
by: Chris

I'm with ArmyCop. I didn't find the recoil bad at all, actually expecting it to be a lot worse given it's small size. Definately acceptable in the accuracy department given that it's a $375 pistol. My only beef so far against the Taurus is that one of the two mags that came with it wasn't made properly, and had to be sent back to the company. It's been 3 weeks, and I haven't seen the replacement yet.
Jan 09, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstar 		Taurus PT145
by: ArmyCop

Liked your review. Maybe because I'm a big guy but I recently aquired a Taurus PT145 and find it fun to shoot and no problems with the recoil.

I also have (had for several years) a S&W CS45, about the same size as the PT145 but only holds 6 + 1 where the Taurus holds 10 + 1.

I'm finding where my primary CC was the CS45 - now it's a week or so with the PT145 then back to the CS45 - haven't fully decided which one to carry all the time yet.

The CS45 is a great shooter, Stainless Steel and Alum aloy - not one of your lighter pistols but not too heavy either.

Again, Thanks for your review on the PT145.

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