TexasCHLforum.com

TLynnHughes wrote:

KFP wrote:It appears that there may be an issue with the PT111, PT140, and PT145 models being drop safe.

I haven't done any further research but according to the OP, these models are the unlucky ones.

T.

I can't really speak beyond the information that I posted, but based upon that info, I believe that it is an issue limited to those models only.

From what I've been able to verify, the account below is accurate. It appears that there may be an issue with the PT111, PT140, and PT145 models being drop safe. I know that there are a number of forum members that have these and want to make everyone aware of the potential issue. If this is in fact accurate, I would hope that Taurus would recall the pistols and correct the design flaw.

http://www.gadsdentimes.com/article/200 ... -5-million" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.totalprotectioninteractive.c ... hp?t=12029" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (requires registration)

FWIW,
A friend in the firearms industry had already told me these little guns failed the CA DOJ drop test a few years back. The firing pin block mechanism is apparently one that can fail. This summary of a trial verdict this week in NE AL was forwarded to me by a friend in the legal community this a.m.

Thanks to everyone for the congratulations. I've been asked to give a short summary of the facts.

Plaintiff is a 28 year old business owner in northwest Etowah County. He was leaving his home, headed to his store when he unintentionally dropped his handgun. The handgun is a Taurus PT111 9mm Millennium, which he bought in 2004. He had the handgun loaded, with a round in the chamber, with the manual safety in the "on" position. It was also secured in a nylon holster with a strap. When the handgun fell, it struck the concrete floor with the butt of the gun. It discharged, striking the plaintiff in the upper thigh. The projectile travelled in an upward direction, through his abdomen and into his left lung. He suffered serious internal injuries, which included losing his spleen. The first police officer on the scene found the handgun with the manual safety in the "on" position. Once the handgun was photographed and taken into evidence, a fired (spent) shell casing was found in the chamber of the weapon. This was crucial evidence, because the manual safety on this model handgun locks the slide and prevents the rearward movement of the slide if the handgun discharges. This helped prove to the jury that the manual safety was in fact on at the time of the unintended discharge. Also, the manual safety has absolutely nothing to do with preventing an unintended discharge from dropping (if you can believe that). The defect in the handgun is the internal striker block (internal firing pin block). This is supposed to prevent the movement of the striker (firing pin) if the gun is exposed to a sharp impact (such as a drop). We actually were able to record on video a PT111 firing a primed case when dropped in a similar manner to our facts. The jury found that a defect existed and returned a 500k compensatory verdict and a 750k punitive verdict. Plaintiff had roughly 71k in specials.

There are still over 100k of these guns on the market. It will happen again if Taurus chooses not to do a recall. Taurus PT140's and PT145's have the same internal striker block mechanism. It is my belief that they will also discharge if dropped.

Thanks for the inquiry.

M. Todd Wheeles, Esq.
Morris, Haynes & Hornsby
http://www.mhhlaw.net/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;