There’s no shortage of reasons for the ascendancy of polymer-frame pistols. They’re relatively light in weight, darn-near indestructible, reliable and relatively inexpensive. For years, Taurus International has offered autoloaders in various sizes, calibers and configurations to cover just about any need.
The new PT 24/7 OSS version was originally designed and built as a .45 ACP to exceed all requirements originally set forth in 2005 by the U.S. Special Operations Command for an intended procurement of a new military .45 ACP service pistol. It was subsequently adapted for .40 S&W and 9mm as well, following an announcement of an expanded all-service Joint Combat Pistol system trial. When those trials were postponed in 2006, Taurus decided to sell this next-generation service design to the civilian and law enforcement markets.
Say what you will about Brazilian gunmaker Taurus, but don’t accuse them of laziness. Instead of flogging the same tired product line for decades or blindly copying other makers’ designs, Taurus has never been afraid to try something new. If it’s a hit like the Judge, they run with it. If it’s a miss, they design something to replace it and they move on. At the consumer end, we seem to read about a new Taurus handgun product about every other week . . .