Taurus PT 24/7: Semi-automatic striker-fired pistol from Brasil

Eric Sof

Taurus PT 24/7 OSS DS

Taurus PT 24/7 is a semi-automatic striker-fired pistol chambered in 9×19 mm Parabellum, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP. Brasilian Forjas Taurus S/A company developed and manufactured this pistol for the needs of the law enforcement and civilian market. It was introduced in 2004 in a variety of models. As of April 2017, PT 24/7 is no longer being made. It has been superseded by the Taurus 24/7/G2.

Introduction

Taurus PT 24/7 was a popular pistol among the Brazilian military and law enforcement, and it is also a weapon of choice for some other operators in that region. Taurus PT 24/7 proved to be accurate, durable, and reliable. It is capable of firing thousands of failure-free rounds.

Design

As a semi-automatic striker-fired pistol, it uses a short recoil action. Taurus PT 24/7 fires with a locked breech and uses a modified Browning-type locking. A standard full-size version has a polymer frame and stainless steel slide with a 108 mm (4.25 in) barrel. It is available in various models with double-action-only (DAO) and double-action/single-action-type trigger actions. At the same time, earlier standard versions of this pistol have single-action-only trigger mechanisms.

However, later they switched to an advanced trigger mechanism, referred to as SA/DA. Taurus pioneered this trigger mechanism. This mechanism allows the pistol to operate in double-action, double-action, and single-action modes. It also has a Double Strike, or DS, capability. The trigger can be pulled twice on the same round should the round fail to fire.

Taurus PT 24/7 9 mm Para
Taurus PT 24/7 9 mm Para (Photo: XY)

All models of the Taurus PT 24/7 have manual frame-mounted safety. There is also a firing pin safety, which prevents firing unless the trigger is pulled. The pistol also has a drop safety and will not fire if it is accidentally dropped. All models of the Taurus PT 24/7 are fitted with an integrated firearm locking system. It is called the Taurus Security System by the manufacturer. Once locked, it completely disables all functions of the weapon.

There is an ambidextrous decocking lever. This pistol has a loaded chamber indicator. Also, the striker can be seen when it is cocked. Magazine capacity varies between 6 and 17 rounds, depending on the model and caliber. The 9 mm version of this pistol is fed from 17-round capacity magazines. The magazine release button is reversible.

The baseline pistol has iron sights that are dovetailed into the slide. Tritium night sights and adjustable sights are proposed as an option. Pro and OSS models are available with Heine “Straight-8” combat sights. So sights may vary from model to model. There is a standard Picatinny-type accessory rail under the barrel. So this pistol can mount laser pointers, tactical flashlights, or other accessories.

Variants

Taurus PT 24/7 Compact

This version has a shorter 83 mm (3.25 in) barrel and a shorter grip.

Taurus PT 24/7 OSS Tactical

The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) issued requirements in 2005 for a new.45 ACP service pistol and requested interested firearms manufacturers to submit models for field trial testing. Taurus offered an upgraded PT 24/7 design dubbed the OSS model.

When the USSOCOM request was initially delayed and eventually indefinitely shelved, Taurus decided to submit it to the civilian marketplace, where it garnered much attention and popularity, eventually winning the National Rifle Association (NRA) Handgun of the Year award in 2005.

Taurus Pt 24/7 OSS DS specifications
Taurus Pt 24/7 OSS DS specifications (Photo: XY)

The OSS models feature a 5.25-inch match grade forged barrel and a 3-position safety system – the bottom position enables the pistol to fire, the middle setting puts it in ‘safe’ condition, and the upper decocks the striker.

This arrangement results in several carry options for the user as the gun can be carried with a round in the chamber cocked and locked in Condition one (striker cocked with the safety on) or the arguably safer Condition Two (striker decocked and safety off, requiring a revolver-like DA pull to both cock and fire the pistol), or even with the striker decocked and the safety on. The OSS retains the loaded chamber indicator of the other 24/7 models and allows visual verification that the pistol is ready to fire, as the striker can be seen when the pistol is cocked.

Taurus PT 24/7 OSS DS with American Flag in background
Taurus PT 24/7 OSS DS with American Flag in background (Photo: XY)

Taurus PT 24/7 G2

G2 or Generation 2 is an improved version, which has some features of the Taurus 800 series and 24/7 OSS pistols. The G2 series was introduced in 2011. These pistols have new trigger safety, thumb rest,, and other improvements. Taurus PT 24/7 G2 series pistols are available in 9×19 mm Parabellum, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP cartridges. These handguns come with three interchangeable backstraps.

Technical specifications

Country of origin:Brazil
Manufacturer:Taurus USA
Caliber:9×19 mm Parabellum
Weight (unloaded):790 g
Length:181 mm
Barrel length:108 mm
Muzzle velocity:300 – 460 m/s
Magazine capacity:17 rounds
Sighting range:50 m
Range of effective fire:50 m

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