Taurus patents new curved handgun design

Crankgrinder said:
Do they intend for the user to carry it in their back pocket?
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When carried, it would be holstered with the barrel pointing down -- which means the curve would kind of fit the curvature of the body (if you're right handed.) If it ever makes it to production, most left-handers probably won't be interested.

4V50 Gary said:
... Magazine design would be a major issue for pistols. It can be done but with limitations.
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Don't think it would be a major issue at all -- but the design would have to be limited to smaller capacity, single-stack guns, and with larger calibers, there would be a significant limit on capacity. As noted in an earlier message, the magazine tube itself is straight. This is illustrated in one of the links, which takes you to the patent application diagrams.
 
The other issue, in addition to the right/left hand issue is that the cant is more or less fixed. If you try to carry the gun in a holster with a significant cant, the curvature of the gun will be along the wrong axis.

Still a very interesting idea.
 
DaleA said:
I, like a lot of folk, make fun of Taurus but you got to admit they do 'stir the pot'

Raging Bull
Judge
see thru sideplates
etc.

They also make a copy of the Beretta 92 that I kind of like better than the 92.
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Their version of the 92 isn't their design. They simple took over an early Beretta design.

But I agree that Taurus makes some interesting guns. This curved design seems especially interesting, though I wonder if the downsides will make its extra concealability worth it.
 
It could be done with a curved mag - doesn't a drum mag do exactly that? The designer probably sidestepped that issue because the production cost of making it would be a lot higher, and he accomplished the same thing with a straight mag.

The call for a left hand version points out the biggest detraction - it's limited to the "hand" of the user. The Glock and others aren't, the 1911 can be fitted with ambi safeties, a lot of newer designs have reversible mag buttons. A lefty can likely operate the gun well enough, but carry won't be enhanced at all.

It will boil down to doubling up the cost of production, tooling, and dies, or ignoring the off hand completely.

How about a grip that rotates on the centerline of the barrel, capable of slanting to left or right? It's a matter of enabling feed at the opposite angles. The grip itself doesn't need to curve as much as slant to one side or the other about 20 degrees. It would still use a stick mag and striker mechanisms would likely accommodate the two angles better than a hammer. A fixed barrel with gas delay would work nicely to eliminate unlocking complications.

That is a lot of complexity to reduce the profile of the butt about 3/4" max. Would anyone be willing to pay another $200 for that? Likely only the few collectors who snatch them up before the model is cancelled for lack of sales in less than two years.

Looking forward to someone shooting that gangsta style with a broken tilt lock, and watching it flop down even more from the pull of gravity to finish off the horrible sight picture guns have when held sideways.
 
I like Taurus and have a positive opinion of their product - and I've even had a total lemon from Taurus.

It is interesting, and frankly a really clever design.

However, it assumes that everyone that carriers, does so identically. Guns which may presumably be carried on right or left side, would be limited to their designed side... (harder to wear a right curvature gun on the left side).

It also probably is awkward to hold and shoot, which is more important than the marginal gains in concealment. Guns would then become more limited to right or left handed shooters, based on the curvature.

And that's not even addressing the unanticipated problems with feeding, or a weaker frame, or any other problems that may crop up. Curves can be structurally stronger on the inside, but what about on the outside. And what about changes in recoil dynamic...?

I would agree that these innovations - the big brains and money behind them - would be better suited to higher quality control.
 
Strategic patent.

I don't see why a curved magazine would not be possible, I just don't think it is likely. Many patents include dependant claims that are put in only protect what might be possible and to stop others from patenting a feature. In fact many patents are strategic patents that are never made into commercial products.

I don't mean to be negative, but I would be very surprised if this ever reached a product launch phase.
 
I was just about to post what PatientWolf said;just because there's a patent,it doesn't mean it will be made. it might be just so no one else can or to make money from it.

also,if the mags are indeed a straight tube design,that will go some way into making the whole idea not so efficient. it would not be as slim as it could be for a single stack. it might even be as thick as a double stack,perhaps more. I bet a PPS or Kahr would conceal just as good or better.
 
If you look closely you will see that it's curved like a boomerang for throwing mode. When it fails, and history proves it probably will, they can lob it at the bad guy. Ingenious!
 
I could see this design creating some issues with the draw stroke in that if the gun follows the curvature of the body too closely it might make grasping the gun slower and more difficult. For an example of this, lay both a very flat semi-auto and a revolver down on a hard, flat surface such as a table or countertop. You will notice that the bulge of the revolver's cylinder elevates the grip slightly thus making the revolver faster and easier to pick up.
 
Besides being curved bass-ackwards to hold in my shooting hand, going from the drawings I'm trying to figure out how you'd gain anything with the usual canted waistband holster designs. If you holstered the gun straight up and down, the heel of the grip might print less... maybe.
 
Re: curved mags being hard to carry...

Not defending the designs, but if you look at the mag diagram ONLY the base of the mag is curved, as the mag tube is straight. In a mag holder the curved part could be carried with the curved part toward the body.

I doubt it will be made -- as there's nothing really all that unusual about the gun except the curved grip...
 
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