About the Handgun:
Fashioned after the Beretta Model 84 Cheetah, the PT-58 is a medium framed blowback operated semi-automatic with a double-stack magazine. The newer HC PLUS variant has a much higher capacity and shorter barrel.
About the Manufacturer:
This company was founded in 1939 to make Smith & Wesson-type revolvers and is now part of a group that makes products ranging from hand tools to sports equipment. In 1980, after Italian arms manufacturer Beretta had completed its contracts to produce firearms for Brazil's military, Taurus purchased Beretta's Sao Paulo manufacturing plant along with the tooling, technical drawings, and work force necessary to produce several different pistol designs. By the early 1990s the company was employing more than 3000 people in four factories in Brazil. In order to more effectively tap the U.S. market, the company created a subsidiary in 1984 stationed in Miami, Taurus International Manufacturing Incorporated, also known as Taurus USA.
About the Cartridge:
Designed by John Browning and introduced by Fabrique Nationale of Belgium, this cartridge has achieved world-wide acceptance and has even been adopted as the standard pistol cartridge by several governments. One reason for the round's success is that it is the largest practical cartridge that can be easily adapted to small automatic pocket pistols. Ballistics fall far short of even the 9mm Luger, but still prove adequate for most self-defense situations. The round has established quite a niche position in this role, often being chosen over more traditional small calibers such as the .25 and .32 Autos.
