Tara TM-9: What a Tangled Web of Intrigue for a Crappy Gun

Published on August 9, 2023
Duration: 26:00

This review of the Tara TM-9 pistol, presented by Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons, details its troubled history and significant reliability issues. Despite its low surplus price point, the TM-9 is deemed a poor performer, unsuitable for practical use and best considered a historical curiosity due to persistent failures to return to battery.

Quick Summary

The Tara TM-9 is a 9x19mm pistol from Montenegro known for severe reliability issues, frequently failing to return to battery. Manufactured by Tara Aerospace and later imported by Century International Arms, its poor quality control makes it a historical curiosity rather than a practical firearm, despite a low surplus price.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction and Initial Failure
  2. 00:28Origins and Heinrich Thomet
  3. 01:36The Importation Intrigue
  4. 03:50The Gander Outdoors Deal
  5. 06:42The 'Rubber Bullet' Excuse
  6. 09:44Technical Design and DAO Trigger
  7. 15:51Internal Mechanics and Disassembly
  8. 18:54Range Testing and Final Verdict

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Tara TM-9 pistol?

The Tara TM-9 is a 9x19mm semi-automatic pistol manufactured in Montenegro by Tara Aerospace. It features a polymer frame and a Double Action Only striker-fired mechanism. It is known for significant quality control issues and poor reliability.

Why is the Tara TM-9 considered unreliable?

The Tara TM-9 frequently fails to return to battery after firing, requiring manual intervention to chamber a new round. This persistent operational failure stems from major quality control issues during its manufacturing, making it unsuitable for practical use.

What is the 'DARE' system on the Tara TM-9?

The 'DARE' (Double Action Rapid Engagement) system on the Tara TM-9 refers to its Double Action Only (DAO) striker-fired trigger mechanism. This design prioritizes simplicity and safety but results in a heavy trigger pull without a distinct reset.

What is the history behind the Tara TM-9's availability in the US?

Tara TM-9s were imported into the US by Century International Arms after being sold to a European distributor. This occurred despite initial agreements to keep them out of the American market, highlighting a complex import history involving multiple companies.

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