Alright guys just wanna share my experience with a new to me handgun - Taurus Pt111 G2.
A little background; it has been 4 weeks after i submitted my chl application. I know withing 2 weeks (hopefully) my chl permit would be in the mail. In the meantime, i'm exploring my choice of weapon for carry. I already have a Polish P64 and love that gun to death, however it only holds 6+1 and the all steel construction made it really heavy for its size. Also i managed to buy little by little the 9mm luger ammo available and i have a decent amount that i can practice with without feeling guilty lol. So i went ahead and get the G2 while it was on sale at academy last week at $309.99
So a couple of considerations or like nutnfancy would say; philosophy of use - I know different ppl have different parameters but for discussion sake, let's use mine.
1. Reliability - this thing is a glock copy. A DA/SA glock copy. You may disagree but it is what it is. So that gives me a piece of mind that it would be extremely reliable. I saw a youtube vid where a guy dug a hole in the ground, dumped more dirt in it, then squish around the G2 in that muddy water. It still fired all rounds in the mag. the slide to frame fit is a tad loose, you can wiggle/ rattle it a bit.
2. Ergonomics - the double stack grip frame really gives it enough "meat" to hold the gun properly.Because of the really slim single stack frame, i could not shoot keltec PF9 AND ruger LC9 accurately. It takes great deal of trigger control to shoot accurately. In a high stress situation, that is not a good idea in my opinion. I want something that i can instinctively shoot without too much brain power in a fight or flight situation. I can sacrifice size for shootability ( i have a medium sized hand but i have no problem running my bedside gun - a PT92)
** The stippling gives the gun a more aggressive grip. It kinda digs in a bit into the skin but it actually works and i don't mind it at all.
3. Design features:
** loaded chamber indicator, not just visual but tactile as well.
** 12+1 - In a high stress situation or more than 1 bad guy present, i have a considerable amount of firepower, plus one more extra mag if needed. The mag has a pinky lip, not too aggressive but just enough to give that extra grip.
** Now this is the biggie - DA/SA striker fired.
------ I like the hammer-less design, nothing to get tangled with but at the same time it offers second strike capability. Now some of you might say with modern ammuntion or weapon design, we don't need second strike. Well, i'd rather pull the trigger again if i have a light strike/ hard primer than having to do the tap rack bang.
** Adjustable sights - dead on from the factory but gives you the ability to adjust.
** accessory rail - for lights/ lasers. It's my ccw so I doubt I'll be putting anything. it's just gonna add more weight and size.
** Manual safety - other than trigger safety, it came equipped with a manual safety as well. So you can carry it cocked and locked - like a 1911 w/o the hammer. kinda makes sense since if you already have one in the chamber, the trigger is set to the (very) light SA. That extra safety is a nice and important feature IMO.
Performance- Well, i had some time to spare before heading out to work so after a trip to academy, i went to memorial shooting range. The nice folks over there let me test the G2 running a box of 20 rds steel case JHP even though the range have no steel case policy. Keep in mind, i am away from home, no time to drive back and clean the gun. So i ran it straight out of the box.
I ran about 70 rds of blazer brass and 20 rds of federal HST 124 gr JHP. This thing ate them all up and it is accurate to boot.
The muzzle flip is great due to the short barrel but it is controllable and I was able to do real good with it. The trigger is not as good as my P64 but I can shoot it just fine.
Also i rested the gun (kneeling, bottom of mag resting on the bench) and shot 2 mags filled with 10 rds each at 7 yds. The result was excellent.
also i just got back from ASC today, testing my other guns at the steel range. There are 3 sections for the steel range. they are from 12-15 yds and the blue plates went all the way to the 25 yd line. I shot the G2 at the shortest one (12 yds i think) and i can still hit the plates. What i'm trying to say is even with the gun's short sight radius and short barrel, it delivered excellent combat/ HD or whatever the flavor of the month is - accuracy.
Last note:
It is not as slim as some of today's modern sub compact offerings. The G2 traded that with better ergonomics, shootability and firepower. My pastor has an XDS 45 and the G2 is about the same size albeit a bit thicker. As of now i'm using an uncle mike IWB nylon holster size 12.
A little background; it has been 4 weeks after i submitted my chl application. I know withing 2 weeks (hopefully) my chl permit would be in the mail. In the meantime, i'm exploring my choice of weapon for carry. I already have a Polish P64 and love that gun to death, however it only holds 6+1 and the all steel construction made it really heavy for its size. Also i managed to buy little by little the 9mm luger ammo available and i have a decent amount that i can practice with without feeling guilty lol. So i went ahead and get the G2 while it was on sale at academy last week at $309.99
So a couple of considerations or like nutnfancy would say; philosophy of use - I know different ppl have different parameters but for discussion sake, let's use mine.
1. Reliability - this thing is a glock copy. A DA/SA glock copy. You may disagree but it is what it is. So that gives me a piece of mind that it would be extremely reliable. I saw a youtube vid where a guy dug a hole in the ground, dumped more dirt in it, then squish around the G2 in that muddy water. It still fired all rounds in the mag. the slide to frame fit is a tad loose, you can wiggle/ rattle it a bit.
2. Ergonomics - the double stack grip frame really gives it enough "meat" to hold the gun properly.Because of the really slim single stack frame, i could not shoot keltec PF9 AND ruger LC9 accurately. It takes great deal of trigger control to shoot accurately. In a high stress situation, that is not a good idea in my opinion. I want something that i can instinctively shoot without too much brain power in a fight or flight situation. I can sacrifice size for shootability ( i have a medium sized hand but i have no problem running my bedside gun - a PT92)
** The stippling gives the gun a more aggressive grip. It kinda digs in a bit into the skin but it actually works and i don't mind it at all.
3. Design features:
** loaded chamber indicator, not just visual but tactile as well.
** 12+1 - In a high stress situation or more than 1 bad guy present, i have a considerable amount of firepower, plus one more extra mag if needed. The mag has a pinky lip, not too aggressive but just enough to give that extra grip.
** Now this is the biggie - DA/SA striker fired.
------ I like the hammer-less design, nothing to get tangled with but at the same time it offers second strike capability. Now some of you might say with modern ammuntion or weapon design, we don't need second strike. Well, i'd rather pull the trigger again if i have a light strike/ hard primer than having to do the tap rack bang.
** Adjustable sights - dead on from the factory but gives you the ability to adjust.
** accessory rail - for lights/ lasers. It's my ccw so I doubt I'll be putting anything. it's just gonna add more weight and size.
** Manual safety - other than trigger safety, it came equipped with a manual safety as well. So you can carry it cocked and locked - like a 1911 w/o the hammer. kinda makes sense since if you already have one in the chamber, the trigger is set to the (very) light SA. That extra safety is a nice and important feature IMO.
Performance- Well, i had some time to spare before heading out to work so after a trip to academy, i went to memorial shooting range. The nice folks over there let me test the G2 running a box of 20 rds steel case JHP even though the range have no steel case policy. Keep in mind, i am away from home, no time to drive back and clean the gun. So i ran it straight out of the box.
I ran about 70 rds of blazer brass and 20 rds of federal HST 124 gr JHP. This thing ate them all up and it is accurate to boot.
The muzzle flip is great due to the short barrel but it is controllable and I was able to do real good with it. The trigger is not as good as my P64 but I can shoot it just fine.
Also i rested the gun (kneeling, bottom of mag resting on the bench) and shot 2 mags filled with 10 rds each at 7 yds. The result was excellent.
also i just got back from ASC today, testing my other guns at the steel range. There are 3 sections for the steel range. they are from 12-15 yds and the blue plates went all the way to the 25 yd line. I shot the G2 at the shortest one (12 yds i think) and i can still hit the plates. What i'm trying to say is even with the gun's short sight radius and short barrel, it delivered excellent combat/ HD or whatever the flavor of the month is - accuracy.
Last note:
It is not as slim as some of today's modern sub compact offerings. The G2 traded that with better ergonomics, shootability and firepower. My pastor has an XDS 45 and the G2 is about the same size albeit a bit thicker. As of now i'm using an uncle mike IWB nylon holster size 12.