The New PT845
The most recent addition to Taurus International's rapidly growing line of semiautomatic pistols is the PT845, a polymer-frame .45 ACP with 12-round magazine capacity and a conventional hammer-fired, double-action/single-action operating mechanism. It is the third member of the new Taurus PT800-series full-size autoloader family, which now includes the PT809 9mm with 17-round magazine capacity, the PT840 .40 S&W with 15-round magazine capacity, and the PT845. All three chamberings are available either with carbon-steel black-finish slide or with stainless-steel natural-finish slide.

The PT800-series autos were derived from the 24/7-OSS pistol line, but the firing mechanisms are completely different. It seems that many folks wanted a pistol similar to the 24/7-OSS design in all other respects but having a conventional double-action hammer-fired mechanism instead of the 24/7-OSS' unique "short-action" DAO-type striker-fired trigger. The PT800 series is the result.

The Same But Different
In the hand, the PT845 feels nearly identical to the existing Taurus 24/7-OSS line, as they share a similar overall external configuration. The grip is very comfortable and feels much smaller than a typical double-stack pistol because of its finger grooves. Three backstrap inserts of varying sizes come with each PT845, allowing a "custom fit" easily as removing and replacing the lanyard pin in the base of the grip.

Taurus PT845:
Model:	PT845
Purpose:	Self-defense
Manufacturer:	Forjas Taurus, S.A. Sao Paulo, Brazil
Distributor:	Taurus International Mfg. 16175 NW 49th Ave. Miami, FL 33014 800-327-3776
Action type:	Recoil-operated semiautomatic
Magazine type/capacity:	Double-stack/12 rounds
Frame material:	Molded polymer frame/steel insert
Slide material:	Chrome-moly steel; stainless steel
Caliber:	.45 ACP
Trigger type:	Double-action/single-action
Pull Weight:	9 lbs., 13 oz. (DA); 3 lbs., 13 oz. (SA)
Barrel length::	4.0 inches
Rifling:	Six grooves, 1:16 LH twist
Sights:	Drift-adjustable dovetail rear; dovetailed front; three-dot
Metal finish:	Black Tennifer; natural stainless
Safeties:	Ambidextrous thumb safety; firing-pin block; TSS key lock
Grip material and finish:	Integral polymer/matte black
Overall length:	8.25 inches
Height:	6 inches
Width:	1.4 inches
Weigh,empty:	28.2 oz.
MSRP:	$632

The arched contour of the medium backstrap makes the gun very controllable, and the deep indent at the thumb web puts your hand high on the grip, lessening subjective recoil and reducing recovery time by aligning your grasp more closely with the axis of the bore.

The difference between the PT845 and the 24/7-OSS in this regard is perceptibly less than you would expect in view of the fact that striker-fired pistols typically sit notably lower than hammer-fired guns due to the internal height of a hammer mechanism. Incidentally, the grip of the PT845 is hard-surface with treaded grooves on the frontstrap and backstrap, while the PT809 9mm and PT840 .40 S&W versions have soft-rubber "Ribber" overmolds.

A small but very elegant feature is the "memory dish" in the frame--both sides--just above the front of the trigger guard. It is an index point alongside the gun for either your trigger finger or for the thumb of your support hand. The frame's full-length extended dust cover shields the pistol's innards from grit and dirt, and it also provides a molded-in two-slot Picatinny-spec equipment rail. The grip angle is the same as the 24/7-OSS family, which parallels the classic Model 1911 design and makes the PT845 equally pointable.

Standard sights on the PT845 are a low-profile Novak three-dot system, dovetailed in the front and rear; the latter drift-adjustable for windage with locking setscrews. Like the 24/7-OSS pistols, there is a visible and tactile loaded-chamber indicator located in conjunction with the external extractor. Unlike the 24/7, front grasping grooves in the slide aid in manual cycling.

But of course, the primary difference between the PT845 and the 24/7-OSS line is the hammer-fired trigger mechanism, which can be operated in the conventional DA/SA autoloader mode, with a first shot from rest requiring a long trigger pull and about 10 pounds of pressure to operate the hammer. Subsequent cocked-hammer single-action pulls are approximately 4 pounds.

Taurus emphasizes what it terms the "strike two" capability of this system. In other words, it has the same ability to deliver a second strike in the event of a light-indent misfire as does the 24/7 design.