Posted on 07/30/2009 7:28:00 PM PDT by greatdefender
A Northwest Miami-Dade firearms company is gunning for $369,000 in incentives to keep a planned expansion in the county, even as other locales take aim at the importer and manufacturer's promised 258 jobs.
A nearly three-decade veteran of the county, Taurus USA employs 135 workers and says it will add 123 jobs in an expansion that has drawn incentive offers from beyond Florida's borders, according to CEO and President Bob Morrison, who cited Georgia's courtship in particular.
``The [Georgia] governor sent his plane down for us and then took us on a helicopter tour for three days,'' Morrison said. ``From free land to new buildings to tax abatements for 25 years, there were lots of opportunities to do better in that state than we could here.''
But Morrison added that if he can win incentives to expand in Miami-Dade, he would prefer to remain, as he doubts his primarily Cuban workforce would leave the area. ``Virtually none of them would move with us. About 92 percent of our workforce is of Cuban heritage, and to leave Miami and their families would be very difficult,'' he said. ``It would be gut-wrenching for those folks.''
To try to keep Taurus USA local, the Beacon Council, Miami-Dade's economic development agency, shepherded a $369,000 incentives package through the Miami-Dade County Commission last week under a tax refund program geared toward higher-wage job creation. The state has the final say on whether to approve the package, a decision Council President Frank Nero said will likely come in about a month.
The Qualified Target Industry program being used generally requires a minimum average new job salary of $41,516 -- or 115 percent of the state's average wage -- but that requirement was waived because of the economic climate and the would-be expansion's location near a designated Enterprise Zone. New Taurus USA employees will be paid an average of $32,000 a year.
Morrison said the county's attitude toward the gun industry has also been a factor in his willingness to consider relocating, pointing to a 1999 lawsuit against gun companies brought by then-Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penelas.
``We had to defend ourselves against the county we live in,'' Morrison said. ``We've prevailed in that lawsuit. And there hasn't been open hostility since, but there have been no love affairs going on. I can tell you that.''
The expansion plans come amid a heyday for firearms manufacturers, who have seen background checks for new weapons -- an indicator of actual sales -- shoot up 24.5 percent in the first half of 2009, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Morrison declined to give figures but said his company's sales have risen rapidly over the past five years -- jumping as much as 25 to 35 percent annually.
Andy Molchan, director of the Fort Lauderdale-based Professional Gun Retailers Association, said the trend echoes a pattern of rising gun sales whenever anxiety increases, as it tends to during recessions. But he added that since Barack Obama's election, concerns about the potential for new gun control measures have also spurred sales.
Taurus USA imports 90 percent of its pistols, revolvers and rifles from its parent company in Brazil and manufactures the rest in Miami. Morrison said the expansion will bring the proportion of firearms manufactured in-house to about a quarter of the company's stock.
Taurus guns are generally regarded as mid-market and are not widely used by police or the military, according to Molchan. ``They're kind of a Chevy, not a Cadillac,'' he said. ``But that's where they always wanted to be.''
Morrison said some commissioners expressed reservations about giving incentives to a gun company, but nearly all supported the package. Only one of the 12 commissioners voting cast a no ballot -- an outcome that Nero of the Beacon Council said was reached with full awareness of the county's high unemployment rate.
``People understand that we're talking about over 300 jobs at risk here with 11.5 percent unemployment,'' he said. ``Quite frankly, I think everyone understood the importance of getting this passed.''
The Dems have got to be grinding their teeth over this.
I have a Taurus and a SW 38 special...I like them about the same.
I love my Taurus Tracker .44 magnum.
I put a custom grip on it though, because the standard grip isn’t so good.
But this weapon is a BLAST to shoot! I have to wear padded cycling gloves just to be able to tolerate the recoil. But without fail, anytime I bring this gun out at the range, people always want to know what the heck is making that noise :D
``They’re kind of a Chevy, not a Cadillac,’’ he said. ``But that’s where they always wanted to be.’’
Yeah .. they are what they are. But my stainless, Taurus 1911 out of the box is more accurate than the two accurized matched set Colt 1911’s I spent over 3000 bucks on. The Taurus price over the counter at a local dealer ..695 bucks. One of the best purchases I have ever made. Not counting the judge. That is just sooooo fun to shoot. It’s even more fun than .... hmmm .. let me see...... fruit salad?
The quality of machining in each part is evident .. I wish Taurus well in their expansion. I’m sure Fla enjoys the tax base they generate as well.
I have a Taurus .22 mag revolver that I wouldn’t trade for any other brand. Compared it to the S&W when I bought it and I could see no compelling reason whatever to pay the premium-I could have bought two Taurus for the price of the S&W.
How do you like your Judge? Give me ALL the details-spare nothing, please!
(thinking about buying one; biggest concern is the recoil)
I’ve often wondered about their 1911, very interesting. Also the .22 mag revolver. Just looking at their products, they look quality to me, ought to consider the 1911 then...like I really need another gun!
It's a lightweight, inexpensive, reliable, and powerful concealed carry pistol that I would recommend to others without hesitation.
And that’s no bull.
I own a Taurus .357 Magnum revolver....absolutely a fine gun. Quality throughout.
Just love their Ti copy of the Smiths Chief - 5 shot, 38.
Lightweight and a light trigger pull.
From what I hear, that is.
Thought the comment on Tarus = Chevy was on point tho.
Dad has the Judge, lives in NV, I'm in CA and can't own one.
The Judge is either loved or poo-poo'd. Some say it isn't lethal enough for self defense. I found #6 shot to give the best pattern, but also found it's effective range for a good pattern to be 18 - 20 feet. This thing is a great snake/trail gun, but don't forget that it war marketed as a anti-carjacking devise or fairly close quarters such has inside your home.
I think that it would be just about as painful as waliking into a buzz saw. I can't imagine any advancing after one shot of that.
#6 at about 10 feet 4-5 inches and spreads out to about 9-11 inches at 20 feet. You can load shotshells and 45 Colts in any order you want.
Which model, I was just perusing their selection, I’m gonna get in trouble!
I have one too, 7 shot revolver.
Yes, I’d agree with that comparison. I have heard at least a couple of people say that they like their Taurus .44 better than the S&W .44. I can’t really comment on that tho, because I have never fired a S&W gun in my life.
I also would not hesitate to recommend a Taurus to anyone. Great gun, great price, and the company will stand behind their weapon as far as repairs go for life.
I have seen a video that indicated that shot from the judge does not penetrate deep enough to be lethal unless fired at very close range. I have not had any personal experience with one, however.
I bought the judge clearly for one purpose ... a bedside weapon and a car seat friend. We live in a circa 1850’s 18 room house and there are more corners, coves and short hallways than carter has pills. Even a 28” inch barel pump shotgun would be hard to maneuver. I am a heavy sleeper as well ... lets just say it would take me at least 5 minutes to even look down the barrel of my 1911. (it is always nearby as well) Want to carjack me? Do you value your face? Close in, nothing is better.
I have the original judge, 2 1/2 inch chamber. But I have only seen one like mine .. there are no flutes on the cylinder ... it is a solid machined stainless stock. It may be a couple ozs. heavier than the original judege before it.
It is perfectly balanced in my view. Taurus did magic with the molded almost soft rubber grip. It absorbs a lot of the shock. No, this is not going to be anything long range wise ... but even out 10 yards with #3 shot the first load is going to knock the avg. person down to his knees and draw to his attention that he screwed up. Hey 2 loads of pellets, followed by 3 more rounds of 45 colt .. yeah I feel pretty secure. Pattern is tight at that range, not more than 12”
What really surprise me was the accuracy when loaded up with 45’s. Again .. it is what it is but at 10 yards I can keep 5 rounds in 3” (Not rapid fire) Try to rapid fire this gun and at least for me, I will be not all over the target but all over down range.
A great trail gun .. did I say I hate snakes ... but it does get heavy. Certainly not a CCW piece. Trigger pull is heavy to me, but you get used to it.
What you don’t get used to is how often you look down at the box of ammo and realize it is empty ... ammo goes fast. It’s just fun to shoot and shoot a lot with. I do shoot primarily shotgun mode for fun. When loaded by the bed though,I have two #3’s, the first #3 under hammer and then 3 45’s to finsish with. If that isn’t enough .. my time is meant to over anyway
The only real complaint I have is since I switched to Federal 3 shot rounds, they are tight in the cylinder and it takes a bit of force to eject spent casings. Didn’t have that with federal #5. Supposedly Federal designed the #3 for the tauraus.
Magnum? I think that might be more than what I would want to control and I am a big boy .. 6’5” and 340 pounds of .. choice black angus diet.
Awe come on ... one can not have enough 1911’s or any other size that goes bang. And even with my Kimber in the mix, and the two accurized colts and a Sig custom, I still find myself favoring the Stainless Taurus. It is a joy at the range. Even the trigger was nice out of the box.
Dependable? I’ve probably shot at least 1200 rounds through it ... the most at one event is 150 rounds. It has never jammed, locked or misfired ... Part of that is I am fussy with ammo and I am an anal retentive type when it comes to cleaning. Even if I only fire 5 shots, I’ll still break it down. Most people don’t realize how corrosive residue is. Lubricant? Yeah .. touch any wear point on any of my guns and you will leave a definitive and visible finger print.
The 22 mag revolver .. is a very nice piece. Don’t own one but should now that you bring it back to my attention. It would save on ammo costs. And I bet it would be fun to shoot as well. Maybe we should both visit a dealer in the next few days. Now if I could find a truckload of ammo .... it’s the only downside to this hobby.
Oh ... the only downside to taurus is that it will be delivered to you in a cardboard box ... not one of those hinged sturdy platic cases like Sig, kimber and s&w includes in the price. But then again ... at Taurus prices on every gun they sell .. you can go out and buy a prety nice case for it. Or wear it like I do.
If you don't mind me asking, what grips did you get? I've got a Taurus M44 (same gun, basically, as yours) and the factory grip feels wrong somehow. I tried a cheap Houge monogrip, but it felt even worse and did not fit tightly, to boot. So I've got the original grips back on. They are bad enough I don't care to shoot the gun much.
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