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Taurus Millennium series
Semi-automatic pistol From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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 in Porto Alegre, Brazil.[1]
 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (December 2014) |
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Design features
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 pistols are manufactured with injection molded polymer frames, and blued carbon steel, stainless steel, or titanium slides.[3]
Taurus Millennium pistols are offered in .32 ACP, .380 ACP, 9mm Parabellum, .40 Smith & Wesson, and .45 ACP calibers,
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.[4]
This safety feature was found to fail under some circumstances, leading to a recall.
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Series
Summarize
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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.[5]
Pro line
The Millennium Pro pistols[6] 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][7]
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 firearm.
The G2 retains the same loaded chamber indicator as the earlier Pro models, but replaces the Heinie ‘Straight-8’ sighting system with adjustable 3-dot sights.[8]
The Millennium G2 comes in two models,[9] the PT111 chambered in 9mm, and the PT140 chambered in .40 caliber, capable of rating for +P loads.
Millennium G3
In mid-2019, Taurus introduced a new G3 model to the Millennium pistol series.[10]
Since then, Taurus has introduced their G3C model, the same size as the G2, and their new G3 full size model.
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Models
Standard
Pro
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Recall
In 2015 the Millennium series of pistols 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.[38][39]
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External links
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