US Engineered & Built Customizable Taurus Spectrum – SHOT Show 2017

in Authors, Clay Martin, SHOT Show 2017

To learn more, visit https://www.taurusspectrum.com/.

Overview

Taurus went down a new path this year with the introduction of the .380 ACP Spectrum. I have seen custom shop options, but never anything like this from the factory. The first step in a Spectrum choice (at SHOT Show at least, and probably coming to a gun shop near you), is to step up to a tablet. Arrayed like you are building a set of sneakers or a car, you start by selecting colors. This isn’t some tactical-only type nonsense, either. There are hundreds of color combinations available, based off of three core frame colors. I selected a red and white gun, but there is a choice here to please the most discerning of fashionistas.

US Engineered & Built Customizable Taurus Spectrum - SHOT Show 2017

The new Spectrum pistol from Taurus is customizable for color and features soft-touch inserts for enhanced handling. Image courtesy of manufacturer.

Specs

  • Chambering: 380 ACP
  • Barrel: 2.8 inch
  • OA Length: 5.4 inch
  • Grips: soft touch
  • Sights: Integrated low profile
  • Action: Semi Auto
  • Finish: Various
  • MSRP: $289 standard colors, $305 house colors

Impression

The gun has had some thought put into it, besides mix and match color options. The new soft-touch grip panels were designed based on cordless drill technology, and those tools get hand held a lot. I always like to see weapons designers looking to outside sources for innovation; we all win that way. I am positive Dewalt Tool sales dwarf all firearms sales in total in the US in any given year. The trigger is a long double action only affair, pretty standard for a CCW gun. This is a pretty neat twist on the CCW market.

US Engineered & Built Customizable Taurus Spectrum - SHOT Show 2017Price & Availability

Keep an eye out in the coming weeks and months for more information on the new Spectrum pistol from Taurus. It will be priced at an MSRP of $289 for standard color options, and $305 for custom “house” colors.

To learn more, visit https://www.taurusspectrum.com/.

About the author: Clay Martin is a former Marine and Green Beret, retiring out of 3rd Special Forces Group. He is a multi-decade and -service sniper, as well as 3-Gun competitor and Master ranked shooter in USPSA Production. In addition to writing about guns, he is the author of “Last Son of The War God,” a novel about shooting people that deserve it. You can also follow him on twitter, @offthe_res or his website, Off-The-Reservation.com

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Dillon February 17, 2017, 9:02 am

    I see everyone complaining about guns being “fashion statements” but they dont really understand that company’s are making guns in different colors because the consumers are asking for it. If a company can put out a black firearm and a flat dark earth firearm that costs $50 more, and the FDE firearm sells like wild. Why wouldnt you try pleasing more consumers by offering color combinations theyre asking for that other manufacturers dont offer? Its still a business and businesses need to make profit.

  • Lawrence E Henson February 12, 2017, 10:55 am

    NEVER would I buy another Taurus!!!! Last year I bought the DA 22 semi auto they make = 2nd shot it FELL apart!!! Yes their “lifetime” guarantee (sic) therefore means NOTHING!!!! Build CORRECT, or do NOT stay in business!!! Besides 380? is nearly as bad as the 9MM, for STOPPING the assailant. 40 Caliber is better than the 45 (ballistic wise) ANYTIME [with STOCK loads**]. 44 Magnum and 41 AE with STOCK loads is great – ONLY in revolvers. [email protected] for questions.
    PS: a 22LR statistically kills 50% of the time, with ONE shot to the chest, low STOPPING power though… 380 6 shots, 50%… 357/38/9MM 3 shots 50%… 40 Caliber 2 SHOTS 50% and great Stopping power… 45 and 44 Special 3 shots 50% great stopping power… 51AE 41 Magnum, 44 Magnum, 454 Casgill 1 Shot, 50% Best/Great Stopping power…
    So given more rounds of 40 Caliber rounds – what would YOU depend YOU Families LIVES on???
    PS: NEVER use Anything other than STOCK Remington green/yellow box 22LR rounds an ANY semi-auto weapon – or else your eyes and/or other lives – may be compromised. FACT – from experience! HINT: been there done that! 22 LR high performance rounds should ONLY be used in REVOLVERS and SINGLE round weapons!! Semi auto, Pump type, bolt actions, (NEVER) recommended. DO NOT learn the hard way!!!!! READ the warning labels – I made them be added, on the high performance rounds.
    ** 45, 30-06 and other rounds that “fit” older weapons are “down loaded” to protect the ammo manufacturers from liability.
    TAURUS: I was the one who brought the DA to the Berretta 950 and Minx 22 – way back.. Also made S&W resolve their manufacturing of WEAK SS to make the metallurgy equal to and exceeding standard hammer forged regular steel. So if you want assistance contact me through lehenson at msn dot com. Currently your product line can NOT be trusted,

    • Dillon February 17, 2017, 8:53 am

      Boy if anyone reads this wild insane roller coaster of a comment and takes it serious I feel bad for them. You seem like you got a screw loose man.

    • patrick February 18, 2017, 9:37 pm

      There is so much stupid in your post it hurts my brain to read it all the way through. I love when people start talking about “stopping power” or “knock down power.” As soon as I see it I stop reading because it shows you know nothing other than what you saw on Youtube. I own all of the calibers you claim don’t have sufficient “stopping power.” Care to meet me at the range and hold my targets over your head? Dumb.

  • Carey Hendrix February 9, 2017, 10:25 pm

    Is there a waiting list?

    • Paul Shaar October 6, 2017, 11:22 pm

      Yes, I ordered two, one for my wife and I last Monday and the place I ordered it from really couldn’t tell me when it may arrive.
      They just said if it ISN’T delivered in 3 months, they will return my money to my credit card.

  • Greg February 9, 2017, 9:36 am

    Would never buy a Taurus again been waiting for 2 years to get my PT111 millennium replaced or repair. was curious just to see if I can get it to misfire. I laid a piece of plywood on the floor I dropped it 7 times on the 8th time the gun discharged. So why would anyone buy another Taurus when you can’t get the first one you purchase replaced or repaired. Not a reliable gun manufacturer. So the gun just sits in my safe and can’t be used.

    • Will November 13, 2017, 1:01 pm

      ” I laid a piece of plywood on the floor I dropped it 7 times on the 8th time the gun discharged. ” – because we all typically drop our guns 7 times? Maybe you should have rested on the 7th? Even God did that. Seriously, as stated here by Paul, try shooting it and not screwing it up. I’ve shot 1000s of rounds through my Shield 9 and 40, as well as my Glock 19 and had a few misfires, feeds, etc… over the years. I personally think designer stuff is cool as it helps get some more people involved in guns. But I also agree, any gun shouldn’t fall apart either. So hopefully the Spectrum will prove well.

  • Andrew N February 9, 2017, 2:48 am

    I bet this comes with their “Lifetime Warranty”. A great concept, even better if they actually stood behind it. After my experience trying to replace a bad magazine for the PT-22, I said I would never own another Taurus. Their “Customer Service” is anything but, basically accusing me of trying to cheat them out of a $17 dollar magazine. Luckily I had it signed for so I could PROVE they received it. I’ve never been treated so rudely or seen anything like it, and I was a U.S. Postal Worker! Also, the PT-22 was a real POS. You hit the target more often by throwing it than shooting it. Incredibly poor quality.

    • Richard Hilton February 9, 2017, 5:54 pm

      I know just what you mean they told me my warranty was voided when I tried to get my Taurus 709 repaired and after sending my wife’s TCP back they never could get it to feed right pure junk they should be ashamed to claim made in the USA there embarrassing.

  • loupgarous February 8, 2017, 8:32 pm

    When Smith & Wesson came out with their designer pink-colored “Ladysmith” series, I offered my wife one. Sad to say, I can’t reproduce her reply in this family Web site. But I can sympathize with her sentiments.

    CCW stands for “Carrying a Concealed Weapon”. The idea of a piece intended to be carried concealed on the person being made in bright colors is lunacy. Concealed Weapons ought to be dark in color and unobtrusive in appearance. Everything this weapon is not. The only thing right about the Taurus Spectrum is the price.

    • Dillon February 17, 2017, 8:58 am

      There are plenty of guns out there like that already that fill that role. There are also plenty of people out there willing to pay extra money for the same gun in different color options. Hell the cz I want is $100 more for a grey frame. Black is an option on this taurus spectrum if you wanted it. But you probably wont even buy one. So what does it matter if a woman wants red grips on her stainless carry gun? If YOU believe it should be a black, business looking, and unobtrusive choose one of those hundreds of other guns out there.

  • Share February 8, 2017, 3:51 pm

    Get over it.lol… Some of us actually like guns that has got “fashion” or details to it. Not everyone is a plain Jane, or wants to hear the whining about girly guns. Just saying. Lol.. 😅😆

  • Richard Hilton February 8, 2017, 3:40 pm

    Looks nice to bad it’s a Taurus most likely won’t work any more reliably than any other Taurus. Never had a Taurus that feed more the two rounds in a row without jamming up. There man killers only problem they kill the guy trying to use them to protect himself. Spend your money on something that really works.

    • Paul Shaar October 6, 2017, 11:32 pm

      I own 3 Taurus revolvers and 4 semi-auto’s, the PT-111 Gen-2 is a pretty good 9mm if you don’t throw it all around and try to screw it up. I would not do this to my other pistols or wheel guns either, sooner or later you will end up with something that just doesn’t work anymore and what have you proved, really?
      The only issue I have had with the little .22 was when I tried to shoot hollow points, maybe if I broke the pistol in more that would help buy right now I do have a feed issue with HP’s. Lead Round Nose go bang, bang, bang though.

  • Bear February 8, 2017, 3:32 pm

    Enough of it guns appearing to be fashion items. A gun is a weapon and should look like one not toy like!

  • Bear February 8, 2017, 3:30 pm

    Hey why is it that guns have look fashionable or look toy like to appeal to potential gun owners? I think we need a wake up call in that guns are meant to be means of a defense weapon not a fashion item!

  • Larry February 8, 2017, 12:17 pm

    Looks like a very simple starter firearm for ladies. Seems to be simplicity. I supposed we can say what we want, but the design and color options looks like very smart marketing. I personally would not depend upon a 380, but I know it has a niche and there are a lot of them sold. Looks like a easy conceal, good price point, and yes, attractive firearm. I still think it is smart marketing for Taurus.

    • Beachhawk February 8, 2017, 5:03 pm

      I agree and even though I’m not at all impressed by 380 ballistics, I like this little Taurus and I like the price. If it runs good and gets decent reviews, I’ll probably buy one. I love 1911s and ow4n several, but I usually carry a Springfield XDS45 or M&P45 Shield because they are small, light and easy to conceal. This Taurus has no sharp corners or edges and with the right color combination won’t be “girly.” I like a little color; I have enough black and silver guns.

  • Michael Keim February 8, 2017, 11:54 am

    My question is will it fire when you pull the trigger. I’ve owned their n 380. Had to return it to the factory because of light strikes on primers with failure to fire. Bought a SLIM. Same thing. Bought one of their 1911s. Same thing. Their quality control is B garbage. I’ll never buy anot her Taurus product. I don’t want to hear click when my life depends on it.

  • Michael Mische February 8, 2017, 11:35 am

    Enough of the ANNOYING pop ups in every video already !!!!!!

  • Erik Smith February 8, 2017, 10:47 am

    Gotta be a great easy carry. Like the rounded edges. Only criticism from me, it might be a little “girly” for the serious male!

  • Jeffrey L. Frischkorn February 8, 2017, 9:11 am

    Color That’s it? That’s innovation? Ugh… The only useful piece of information about this handgun is the soft-touch grips.. That I like… The colors? Oh, please, this is what you get when you let your sales department come up with a product and not your engineers…

  • roger February 8, 2017, 8:44 am

    Looks slick . My only concern what happens over the decades to the soft-touch inserts. Will they harden. I gues one could buy a bunch for extras now. I do appreciate Taurus and their innovations.

    Roger

Send this to a friend