Taurus Agrees To $39 Million Settlement In Defective Pistol Case
Brazil-based handgun maker Taurus has agreed to a $39 million settlement in a class action lawsuit alleging some of the company's most popular semi-automatic handguns can discharge when dropped and have a defective safety that allows the gun to fire even when it's engaged.

Settlement could include as many as 100,000 Taurus semi-autos

Brazil-based handgun maker Forjas Taurus SA has agreed to a $39 million settlement in a class action lawsuit alleging some of the company’s most popular semi-automatic handguns can discharge when dropped and have a defective safety that allows the gun to fire even when it’s engaged.

According to court documents filed May 15 in a U.S. District Court in Florida, the company has agreed to pay up to $30 million to owners of nine separate handgun models who opt to send their pistols back, with owners receiving anywhere from $150 to $200 for their pistols depending on how many choose that option.

The agreement also will extend the warranty for the nine handgun models, allowing gun owners to send the pistols back to have the handguns inspected by Taurus technicians and address the “safety defects” alleged in the suit. Documents show the settlement could include as many as 100,000 handguns.

The settlement also calls for a maximum $9 million in attorney’s fees.

A Taurus official confirmed the settlement agreement, arguing the company does not admit any wrongdoing.

“The Taurus Companies do not admit liability in connection with the settlement,” the official told Grand View Outdoors. “If anyone has one of these pistols, we are happy to inspect it under the warranty and suggest that they send it to us so that we can do so.”

The settlement stems from a class action lawsuit brought by Chris Carter, a Scott County, Iowa, sheriff’s deputy who alleges his Taurus PT-140PRO discharged when it dropped out of his holster during a pursuit. Court documents say the pistol had the safety engaged and a round was fired from the gun with the case remaining in the chamber.

Carter also alleged in his September 2014 class action lawsuit that Taurus knew about the defect and did nothing to inform the public or fix the problem.

“Despite actual knowledge of the Safety Defects, Taurus has never remedied either Defect, has never issued an effective and complete warning to the public or recall of the Class Pistols and Taurus continues to falsely represent to the public that the Class Pistols are safe and reliable,” the lawsuit says. “In fact, Taurus is aware that individuals have been seriously injured as a result of the Safety Defects, and it is only a matter of time before more individuals are seriously injured or killed.”

Taurus declined further comment on the case or the settlement pending a judge’s approval of the agreement.

Court documents say Taurus was forced to pay a $1.2 million judgement when an Alabama man shot himself after his PT-111 dropped to the floor and discharged in 2009. The documents also say the Sao Paulo, Brazil, police recalled its Taurus .40 caliber handguns after discovering the pistols could discharge with the safety engaged.

“Simply stated, the Class Pistols are defective and inherently dangerous, and Taurus has known about the Defects for years, but has allowed the Class Pistols to remain in the hands of unsuspecting gun owners to the imminent risk of harm to the owners of the Class Pistols and the public,” the court documents allege.

The settlement agreement covers nine Taurus models, including the PT-111 Millennium; PT-132 Millennium; PT-138 Millennium; PT-140 Millennium; PT-145 Millennium; PT-745 Millennium; PT-609; PT-640 and PT-24/7, Taurus says.

“Neither the settlement nor the allegations in the case include any of the popular Taurus G2 model pistols,” the company added.

Quoted:
I just contacted Taurus and customer service told me they had never heard of a recall but would be glad to inspect the gun for free.....WHAT THE HECK?

I have a pt111 gen 1.......

thoughts?

Quoted:
Taurus has agreed to let me ship it. They deny there is a recall but told me they would pay for me to send it to them.....absolutely no cost to me....

....so.....if it is defective....I guess I get $150-200 for this.....paid $300


I will keep you posted....

Quoted:
So back in April my 24/7 45acp Gen-1- take down pin broke off, not really a big deal, I call Taurus they say sounds like warranty send it back ok I say and send it in. Gun was there about 3-weeks I get a letter in the mail, Dear Mr. Toytruckman your 24/7 is under warranty and we will fix it. I say and go about my business....... Time goes by...........About a month later I get a phone call, ur 24/7 is non-repairable we will replace it for free with a like in kind NIB 24/7 gen-2. Ummmm ok I say send it along, I guess. ........More time goes by like like till now and still no replacement............Am I getting hosed? Will I ever get a new gun? Or money? What are my options?

Quoted:
Mine went in July 24th, where did you hear they are replacing it with a gen 2? I was told no eta and just last week I spoke to a Manager that was nice but said the courts haven't even made a finial on how they want taurus to proceed.  I would love them to send me a gen 2,  just wondering how you got your info, assuming you pushed on them?

Quoted:
I'm fairly certain mine is included with the problem.  I haven't kept up with this but is there actually a "Recall" or just send it back if you want to?    I kinda like my PT-145 Pro and not sure I want it replaced with a similar G2 model if they would even offer that.

Quoted:


Just got ahold of Taurus. My gun has been in there pushing 2 months the 6th of October. They tell me they still have it and being processed. Really, how long does this take?

Quoted:
Tell us more!  When did you send it in and what was the problem/replacement?  Just fixed yours/new gen 2/ just pulling our leg.  Do tell us how they are taking care of you.........

If the Court approves the settlement and there are no appeals, the claims period will run from approximately February 24, 2016 until June 23, 2016.

Quoted:
My 24/7 has been there since April. I have called may be 20 times, still being processed? I sent a letter Attn. customer service manager, last Friday expressing my displeasure. No response yet? I think I am fracked.

Quoted:
No you should send it in for repairs and they will send you a new g2 gun, I just got. Mine back from July new g2 for free

Quoted:
Question for those who sent their guns back to Taurus to get a G2 replacement:

Did you also have to send the magazines?

As of right now, Taurus is not doing jack shit on any affected class pistols until the settlement is reached. I figure if they only want the pistol to be returned, I can go ahead and sell the magazines (PT145 magazines sell for a pretty penny).

Quoted:
I sent in my PT145 PRO around this time LAST year for defective parts service. I was told it was beyond repair 6 mths later and to pick a comparable pistol from the catalogue. After almost a year I received a new PT92 - stainless steel. There is hope but you have to keep chatting/ calling to push the issue.

Quoted:


Just had a call from  Taurus



Swap out my pistols  for closest models  ( if no model available gave me a choice on models close )



Asked about all my magazines  and accessories for them and was told   thats not me .. but someone will call you by friday to discuss  



end result they will ship to a FFL and prepay fees for FFL ( FFL of my choice )