Taurus Millennium series

The Taurus Millennium series is a product line of double-action only (DAO) and single-action/double-action hammerless, striker-fired, short recoil operated, semi-automatic pistols manufactured by Forjas Taurus S/A (Taurus Forge) in Porto Alegre Brazil.[1] The Millennium line was designed to contend in the civilian concealed carry firearms market, and to be sold as backup weapons for law enforcement officers.[2]

Taurus Millennium Series
Taurus PT145 .45 ACP pistol
TypeSemi-automatic pistol
Place of originBrazil
Service history
In service1997 – present
Production history
ManufacturerForjas Taurus S/A
VariantsSee article
Specifications
Caliber
ActionShort recoil, locked breech
Feed system6-, 10-, 12- and 15-round magazine
Sights
  • Iron open fixed 3 dot
  • Optional adjustable rear
  • Optional night sights
  • Heine 'Straight-8' (Pro series)

Recall

In 2015 the PT-111 Millennium, PT-132 Millennium,PT-138-Millennium, PT-140 Millennium, PT-145 Millennium, and PT-745 Millennium were included in the settlement of a lawsuit which alleged that they, and certain other Taurus handguns, could fire accidentally if dropped and that Taurus covered up the safety defects. Without admitting guilt, the company paid $39 million, extended the warranties, and recalled the pistols for repair.[3][4]

Design features
A Taurus PT145 that has been field stripped into the major components

Taurus Millennium series pistols are manufactured with injection molded polymer frames, and blued carbon steel, stainless steel, or titanium slides.[5] Available cartridge chamberings include .32 ACP, .380 ACP, 9mm Parabellum, .40 Smith & Wesson, and .45 ACP. Magazine capacities vary between 6, 10, and 12 rounds depending on model and caliber. The Millennium line includes several innovative safety features including a positive firing pin block as well as the "Taurus Safety Latch", a transfer bar safety which prevents firing of the pistol unless the trigger is pulled. Together these safeties are intended to assure that the pistol will not fire if it is accidentally dropped. All Millennium models also include a frame-mounted safety lever.[6] This safety feature was found to fail under some circumstances, leading to a recall.

Series

Three distinct series or generations of Millennium pistols have been produced. The 1st series featured double-action only triggers and a 10-round magazine capacity. The 2nd series resulted from a complete redesign of the 1st, but retaining the double-action only trigger system. The 2nd series also introduced the 'Taurus Security System' (TSS), the Taurus version of an Integrated firearm locking safety system, as well as the enhancements Taurus categorizes as the Millennium ‘Pro’ package. The 3rd series added single/double-action triggers on several models in lieu of the double-action only of the first two series. Additionally, the grips of 3rd generation pistols are available in various different colors and the grip stippling is altered; tactical or Picatinny rail accessory mounts are also an option.[7]

Millennium Pro line

The Millennium Pro pistols offer many improvements over the standard models, but were introduced as enhancements to the originals, not to supplement them. Pro counterparts have now been released for nearly all of the original models. Some features of the Pro line include optional increased magazine capacities, larger and easier to operate controls, a single-action/double-action trigger mechanism on some models with reduced trigger travel and an improved smoother and lighter trigger pull, an enhanced frame, and an improved more ergonometric grip design. Key to the grip upgrade are recesses which Taurus call 'Memory pads', intended to promote a consistent shooting grip from shot to shot. Other Pro improvements include the contrast enhanced Heinie ‘Straight-8’ sighting system, as well as optional night sights, a loaded chamber indicator which can be felt as well as seen, and a feature labeled 'posi-traction' which consists of an alteration to the number and layout of the slide serrations resulting in an improved gripping surface.[2][8]

Millennium G2

In early 2013, Taurus introduced a new G2 model to the Millennium pistol series. The G2 features stippled texturing on the grips, replaces the slide retainer pin with Glock-style pulldown tabs to disassemble the weapon. The Millennium G2 retains the same loaded chamber indicator as the prior Pro models, but replaces the Heinie ‘Straight-8’ sighting system with adjustable 3-dot sights.[9] The Millennium G2 comes in two models, the PT111 chambered in 9mm, and the PT140 chambered in .40 caliber. The G2 models are rated for +P loads.[10]

Model designations

Taurus Millennium line model designations consist of 3 digits followed by 1 to 3 characters, which in turn may be followed by an optional third sequence of a dash and 2 digits. The leading three numerals indicate the model's cartridge chambering, for example, number 132 represents .32 ACP chambering, 138 corresponds to .380 ACP, 111 signifies 9 mm Parabellum models, 140 denotes the .40 S & W offering, and 145 indicates .45 ACP chambering. An optional 'P' character trailing the chambering digits indicates whether the pistol is a ‘Pro’ model, and the next 1 or 2 characters denote the slide composition. A ‘B’ indicates blued steel, the characters ’SS’ indicate stainless, and a 'Ti' signifies titanium. The optional final hyphenated number at the end of the model designation (either a -10 or -12) indicates an extended magazine capacity. Thus the model number 111BP-12 would indicate a 9 mm Millennium Pro pistol in blued steel with a 12-round magazine capacity, while model 138SSP-12 designates a .380 stainless steel Millennium Pro with a 12-round capacity.[11]

Models

PT111

9 mm Parabellum caliber The PT111 Millennium G2 is a 9mm with a capacity of 12+1.

Standard

Models 111B (blued slide), 111SS (stainless slide), 111SSG (stainless gray slide). Double-action only trigger. Weight 18.7 ounces, length: 6.00 inches, width: 1.268 inches, height:4.250 inches with flat base magazine,5.062 with pinky extension 6-groove 3.25-inch barrel with 1:9.84-per-inch rate of twist, 10-round magazine.[12][13][14]

Pro

Models 111BP (blued slide, 10-round magazine), 111BP-12 (blued slide, 12-round magazine), 111SSP (stainless slide, 10-round magazine), 111SSP-12 (stainless slide, 12-round magazine), 111PTi (Titanium slide, 10-round magazine), 111PTi-12 (titanium slide, 12-round magazine), 111PG-12 (stainless slide & pink frame, 12-round magazine). single-action/double-action trigger, Heinie sights with ‘Straight-8’ rear. Weight: 18.7 ounces (111PTi and 111PIi-12: 16 ounces), length: 6⅛ inches, width: 1.125 inches, height: 5.125 inches, 6-groove 3.25-inch barrel with 1:9.84-per-inch rate of twist.[8][15][16][17][18][19]

PT132

.32 ACP (Automatic Colt pistol) caliber.

Standard

Models 132B (blued slide), 132SS (stainless slide). Double-action only trigger. Weight 19.9 ounces, length: 6.125 inches, width: 1.280 inches, height: 4.500 inches, 6-groove 3.25-inch barrel with 1:9.84-per-inch rate of twist, 10-round magazine.[20][21]

Pro

Models 132BP (blued slide), 132SSP (stainless slide). Double-action only trigger, Heinie sights with ‘Straight-8’ rear. Weight: 19.9 ounces, length: 6.125 inches, width: 1.280 inches, height: 4.500 inches, 6-groove 3.25-inch barrel with 1:9.84-inch rate of twist, 10-round magazine.[22][23]

PT138

.380 ACP (Automatic Colt pistol) caliber.

Standard

Models 138B (blued slide), 138SS (stainless slide). Double-action only trigger. Weight 18.7 ounces, length: 6.125 inches, width: 1.232 inches, height: 4.917 inches, 6-groove 3.25-inch barrel with 1:9.84-per-inch rate of twist, 10-round magazine.[24][25]

Pro

Models 138BP (blued slide, 10-round magazine), 138BP-12 (blued slide, 12-round magazine), 138SSP (stainless slide, 10-round magazine), 138SSP-12 (stainless slide, 12-round magazine). single-action/double-action trigger, Heinie sights with ‘Straight-8’ rear. Weight: 18.7 ounces, length: 6.125 inches, width: 1.232 inches, height: 4.917 inches, 6-groove 3.25-inch barrel with 1:9.84-inch rate of twist.[26][27][28][29]

PT140

.40 S&W caliber.

Standard

Models 140B (blued slide), 140SS (stainless slide). Double-action only trigger. Weight 18.7 ounces, length: 6.25 inches, width: 1.291 inches, height: 5.098 inches, 6-groove 3.25-inch barrel with 1:16-inch rate of twist, 10-round magazine.[30][31]

Pro

Models 140BP (blued slide), 140SSP (stainless slide). single-action/double-action trigger, Heinie sights with 'Straight-8' rear. Weight: 18.7 ounces, length: 6.125 inches, width: 1.25 inches, height: 5.125 inches, 6-groove 3.25-inch barrel with 1:16-inch rate of twist.[32][33][34]

PT145

.45 ACP caliber. As of 2013, the PT145 has been discontinued.

Pro

Models 145BP (blued slide), 145SSP (stainless slide). single-action/double-action trigger, compact frame, Heinie sights with 'Straight-8' rear. Weight: 22.2 ounces, length: 6.125 inches, width: 1.25 inches, height: 5.125 inches, 6-groove 3.25-inch barrel with 1:16-inch rate of twist, 10-round magazine.[35][36]

PT745

.45 ACP caliber.

Pro

Models 745BP (blued slide), 745SSP (stainless slide). Double-action only (DAO) and a DA/SA version, compact frame, Heinie sights with 'Straight-8' rear. Weight: 20.8 ounces, length: 6.00 inches, width: 1.125 inches, height: 5.2 inches, 6-groove 3.25-inch barrel with 1:16-inch rate of twist, 6-round magazine.[37][38]

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References
  1. “Millennium Pro is Here", Taurus USA Web site – news reviews section. Accessed June 12, 2008.
  2. Cutshaw, Charlie. "New Taurus 9mm Millennium Pro”, Taurus USA Web site – news reviews section. Accessed June 12, 2008.
  3. "Taurus Agrees To $39 Million Settlement In Defective Pistol Case". 27 July 2015.
  4. "Taurus pistol recall: Firearms company voluntary recalls nearly 1 million pistols".
  5. Quinn, Jeff. "Taurus Titanium 9mm Millennium", Gunblast Web site. Accessed June 11, 2008.
  6. "Millennium 138 .380 ACP Pistol", Taurus USA Web site – products section. Accessed June 11, 2008.
  7. "Identifying the Differences Between the Taurus Millennium and Millennium Pro", Boiled Frog Blog. Accessed June 11, 2008. Archived link
  8. "Millennium Pro 111 9mm Pistol in Blue Steel", Taurus USA Web site – product details section. Accessed June 12, 2008.
  9. "Taurus PT111/140 Millennium G2 Instruction Manual" (PDF). Taurususa.com.
  10. "Millennium G2 9mm Polymer Grip Sub Compact", Taurus USA Web site – product details section. Accessed June 16, 2013.
  11. "Millennium Pro Pistols", Taurus USA Web site – products section. Accessed June 11, 2008.
  12. "Millennium 111 9mm Pistol in Blue Steel", Taurus USA Web site – product details section. Accessed June 12, 2008.
  13. "Millennium 111 9mm Pistol in Stainless Steel", Taurus USA Web site – product details section. Accessed June 12, 2008.
  14. "Millennium 111 9mm Pistol in Gray/Stainless Steel", Taurus USA Web site – product details section. Accessed June 12, 2008.
  15. "Millennium Pro 111 9mm Pistol in Blue Steel", Taurus USA Web site – product details section. Accessed June 12, 2008.
  16. "Millennium Pro 111 9mm Pistol In Matte Stainless Steel", Taurus USA Web site – product details section. Accessed June 12, 2008.
  17. "Millennium Pro 111 9mm Pistol In Matte Stainless Steel", Taurus USA Web site – product details section. Accessed June 12, 2008.
  18. "Millennium Pro Titanium 111 9mm Pistol In Titanium", Taurus USA Web site – product details section. Accessed June 12, 2008.
  19. "Millennium Pro Titanium 111 9mm Pistol In Titanium", Taurus USA Web site – product details section. Accessed June 12, 2008.
  20. "Millennium 132 .32 ACP Pistol", Taurus USA Web site – product details section. Accessed June 12, 2008.
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  22. "Millennium Pro 132 .32 ACP Pistol in Blue Steel", Taurus USA Web site – product details section. Accessed June 12, 2008.
  23. "Millennium Pro 132 .32 ACP Pistol in Stainless Steel", Taurus USA Web site – product details section. Accessed June 12, 2008.
  24. "Millennium 138 .380 ACP Pistol in Blue Steel", Taurus USA Web site – product details section. Accessed June 12, 2008.
  25. "Millennium 138 .380 ACP Pistol in Stainless Steel", Taurus USA Web site – product details section. Accessed June 12, 2008.
  26. "Millennium Pro 138 .380 ACP Pistol in Blue Steel", Taurus USA Web site – product details section. Accessed June 12, 2008.
  27. "Millennium Pro 138 .380 ACP Pistol in Blue Steel", Taurus USA Web site – product details section. Accessed June 12, 2008.
  28. "Millennium Pro 138 .380 ACP Pistol in Stainless Steel", Taurus USA Web site – product details section. Accessed June 12, 2008.
  29. "Millennium Pro 138 .380 ACP Pistol in Matte Stainless Steel", Taurus USA Web site – product details section. Accessed June 12, 2008.
  30. "Millennium 140 .40 S&W Pistol", Taurus USA Web site – product details section. Accessed June 30, 2008.
  31. "Millennium 140 .40 S&W Polymer Pistol With Burl wood Grips", Taurus USA Web site – product details section. Accessed June 30, 2008.
  32. "Millennium Pro 140 .40 S&W Pistol in Blue Steel", Taurus USA Web site – product details section. Accessed June 30, 2008.
  33. "Millennium Pro 140 .40 S&W Pistol in Matte Stainless Steel", Taurus USA Web site – product details section. Accessed June 30, 2008.
  34. "Millennium Pro 140 .40 S&W Pistol in Matte Stainless Steel", Taurus USA Web site – archived product details section. Accessed March 9, 2014.
  35. "Millennium Pro 145 .45 ACP Polymer Pistol in Blue Steel", Taurus USA Web site – product details section. Accessed June 30, 2008.
  36. "Millennium Pro 10 shot, Stainless CA approved", Taurus USA Web site – gunselector section. Accessed June 30, 2008.
  37. "Millennium Pro 745 .45 ACP Compact Pistol in Blue Steel", Taurus USA Web site – product details section. Accessed June 30, 2008.
  38. "Millennium Pro 745 .45 ACP Compact Pistol in Stainless Steel", Taurus USA Web site – product details section. Accessed June 30, 2008.
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