By R.K. Campbell | Contributing Editor
Sometimes when going off the beaten path we find a real gem of a handgun, one that hasn’t gotten a lot of attention, but it is an attempt by Taurus to fulfill the wishes of a large segment of the shooting world. This is the case with the Taurus TH9C (for “Compact”), a double action first shot handgun with a decocker-type safety that is viable defensive handgun.
While a striker fired handgun is simpler and a single action handgun may run a combat course better the handling of the double action first shot pistol remains popular for day-to-day use. In personal defense the range mentality does not always pan out.
The Taurus TH9C is a modern hammer fired double action first shot pistol with a manual safety that also serves as a decocker. While true safety is between the ears many shooters feel more comfortable with this type of action and safety system. I have no experience with the full size version, the C or compact model is my first experience with this particular Taurus pistol.
The pistol is a bit smaller than the Glock 19, not much larger than the Glock 26. The Taurus 9mm is just over five inches tall, 6.85 inches in overall length, 1.3 inches wide, and features a 3.54-inch barrel. The TH9C 9mm weighs 25 ounces. This is a good size and weight for the 9mm. There is enough grip area and weight to allow controlling the 9mm Luger cartridge while the piece is compact enough for concealed carry.
Taurus supplies this pistol with one 13- and one 17-round magazine. This works out well for all around use. The smaller magazine is compact and allows discreet carry. The 17-rounder may be carried as spare, or in certain conditions and carry modes as the primary magazine. The long magazine is viable for home defense, giving the user a superior grip. Featuring a polymer frame that is nicely pebbled and striated for both adhesion and abrasion. The TH9C has a good fit and finish. The sights are Novak Lo Mount types. These sights offer an excellent sight picture for both fast shooting and precision shooting at practical defense range.
Some feel the double action first shot handgun is complicated. Others like the options. The manual of arms is as follows- the slide is locked to the rear and a loaded magazine inserted. The slide release is actuated and the slide runs forward, loading the chamber. The hammer remains cocked. The safety is pressed downward to lower the hammer. It is spring loaded and returns to the off safe position.
As the safety lever is stroked downward to the decock position the hammer moves to the safe position. The safety may be placed in the “on” position or the handgun may be carried hammer down and safety off. The trigger is pressed and the hammer moves to the rear, breaks against the sear, and fires. The slide recoils and the hammer is cocked. Subsequent shots are fired single action with a short press of the trigger.
Another option is to cock the hammer and place the safety on. I think few shooters will adopt this carry mode. The safety is most useful after you have fired a string of shots and you wish to engage in tactical movement safely without decocking the handgun. You need only move the safety to the on position to make the handgun safe.
During the firing evaluation I used several types of ammunition. The primary load was the Black Hills Ammunition 115-grain FMJ, an affordable and clean burning loading. I also used the SIG Sauer 124-grain V Crown hollowpoint and Browning 147-grain hollowpoint. This provided a good range of bullet weights to test function. The pistol was loaded and the hammer decocked. My first shots were fired double action at man sized targets at 7 yards. I would fire and then decock to get the measure of the long trigger press.
The trigger pull is around 12 pounds but fairly smooth. It wasn’t difficult to get center hits by concentrating on the front sight and pressing the trigger straight to the rear. After the first shot and the transition to single action fire the pistol was much easier to use well. Center hits at 7, 10 and even 15 yards were not difficult. The pistol wasn’t difficult to control.
A 25-ounce 9mm is a good choice for control and practical handling, and the Taurus 9mm gave good results. After 60 rounds of the Black Hills FMJ and 40 each of the Sig Sauer V Crown JHP and the Browning hollowpoints, there have been no failures to feed, chamber, fire or eject. Back at home I field stripped and cleaned the handgun. I found no eccentric wear and a minimum of internal tool marks.
At the next range outing I elected to test the handgun for absolute accuracy at 15 yards. I would fire from a solid benchrest firing position. I used loads that have proven accurate in other 9mm handguns. These are the Winchester 115-grain Silvertip, SIG Sauer Elite 147-grain V Crown and the Black Hills Ammunition 115-grain EXP. The Silvertip is a proven defense load with decades of service, the V Crown is a promising new design, and the EXP loading offers ‘Extra Power’ with good velocity without moving into +P pressure. The results were good. Any of the three loads are accurate enough for defense use, with an average of 2.5 inches at 15 yards, with the 147 grain V Crown posting a singular 2.0-inch group. The pistol is clearly accurate enough for most chores. There have been no failures to feed, chamber, fire or eject.
Taurus has another winner with the TH9C, and it is accurate and has good features. At present the pistol is available for $277.83 at Cheaperthandirt.com. For those on a budget the Taurus offers affordable but high quality protection. It is the right size for concealed carry and chambers a hard hitting cartridge. We cannot ask for more.