Accessible Protection

Taurus’ polymer-framed .22 LR and .25 ACP pocket pistols.

One thing never ceasing to amaze me about Taurus is the tremendous number of new models they introduce each year. From the trend-setting Judge .410 shotshell revolver to their well-received M1911 and the 24/7, they are very much a company engaged in pushing forward, ever creating, ever refining. Among the newly-updated pistols in their line are the PLY22 and PLY25.

A pair of polymer-framed, double-action, small-caliber pistols built on the tip-up Beretta pattern, the PLY’s are oriented towards those who want a relatively lightweight pistol that doesn’t require exceptional hand strength to either operate or shoot. For those unfamiliar with the tip-up barrel feature, guns using it have an open-top slide, a spring-loaded barrel pivoting on the frame near the muzzle, and a lug at the rear held in place with a latch. When the latch (located just forward of the left-side grip panel on the Taurus) is rotated forward, the barrel springs upwards, stopping about 45 degrees from horizontal.

This serves two purposes: it can clear a cartridge from the chamber quickly and effectively, launching the round clear of the gun in entertaining style. Its real purpose, though, is enabling the gun to be loaded and unloaded without the need to cycle the slide, which is important for those who lack the hand strength to grip a small slide and pull it back against the power of the recoil spring. This is a much more common problem than most people realize. I’ve known several people who could easily manage the recoil of a compact auto, but didn’t have the finger strength to cycle the slide. And if you can’t load and clear a pistol, that effectively rules it out as a carry gun.
By Jeremy D. Clough

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