PSA…

Reminder, the Taurus settlement deadline is looming!

The class action agreement over defective handguns by gun maker Taurus issued a reminder that the deadline to file a claim is approaching.

If owners want to trade in the infamous Taurus pistol for cash or have their gun repaired, they must file a claim by Feb. 6, according to last week’s announcement.

In exchange for the defective handgun, participants will receive up to $200 in cash. The other option is for an “enhanced warranty benefit” in which Taurus will inspect and repair the pistol for no cost and then continue to provide a lifetime warranty.

The company will cover shipping and handling costs, but asks class members to review state and federal regulations before shipping the materials. Detailed instructions are found on the settlement website.

The settlement website also clarifies that the time has passed for those wanting to exclude themselves from participating in the settlement, which would have opened up the possibility to file suit over the claims alleged in the case.

The lead plaintiff in the case, a sheriff’s deputy from Iowa, was injured when his Taurus pistol discharged when the handgun hit the ground after it fell out of its holster as he pursued a fleeing suspect. He never touched the trigger.

In 2016, a federal court approved the settlement agreement, which could cost the company up to $239 million. A range of Taurus pistols contain an alleged defect that allows the gun to discharge if dropped.

Taurus pistols subject to the defects include the Millennium, Millennium Pro, Millennium Pro Compact, Millennium Pro Sub-Compact, 24/7, and others.

A federal court will hold an status conference on Jan. 17 for attorneys representing both the class and the company.

h/t Rick

Comments

PSA… — 11 Comments

  1. Thanks for the reminder. I bought a PT111 G2 9mm this past year and have been impressed – its a keeper I think.

  2. “I dropped the gun and it went off.”

    Erm. Yes. The Taurus autos are hardly unique there.

    I’d say the primary problem was the “fell out of its holster” part. He wasn’t wearing a holster with some sort of positive retention? Or didn’t bother to stick the gun all the way in? Either way, it’s hardly the gun manufacturer’s fault.

    • Sadly, our litigious society had determined that dumba$$es are a protected population. When some guy won a lawsuit worth millions, because he loaded an old model Ruger single action revolver with six rounds and dropped it with predictable results, it is no longer possible to defend a liability lawsuit by pointing out that the plaintiffs is an irresponsible idiot.

  3. i have one of those, haven’t decided if I want to do anything.

  4. I had a PT140 that had a different problem. It fell under the “drop safety” settlement, but also if you pulled the trigger slightly, then applied the safety the safety would appear to engage yet you could still pull the trigger.

    I contacted Taurus and they said to send it in – and instead of a fix or $200, they sent me a PT140 G2. They said it wasn’t repairable.

    OK by me, though. I like the G2 grip better anyway.

  5. Taurus QC has always been iffy. When I worked at a gun shop/indoor range, one of our customers bought a new PT something or other in 9mm, and immediately started having FTE issues. I examined the pistol, and upon sliding a 9mm case under the extractor and then comparing to another PT, realized that the breech face on the customer’s pistol was cut for 40 S&W.

    • I have a PT99AF that I picked up in 88. Top notch gun and had a better reputation for quality and accuracy than the beretta it was licensed from at the time. This was back when beretta was having issue with slides breaking once in a while, and for some reason tolerances were looser i guess on the accuracy issue. I got it while in the army because they had just issued the Berreta 92 and it was pretty much identical. I have abused the shit out of that pistol for 30 years and it has given good service. The only issue I have with it is that it is only blued and they didn’t have the nitride finish options back then. The quality in resistance to elements and sweat when carrying isn’t there compared to modern firearms. I moved on to composite pistols like the glock a long time ago but still have that old Taurus. Still goes bang every time.