My tax returns were deposited this week so after putting a few grand towards some lingering debt, my wife and I decided to share the remaining $400 for purchases. I choose to get a Ruger LCP with my half, but when I showed up at my FFL he didn’t have any LCP’s. Instead had a nice stainless slide Taurus TCP for $5 less! I’d looked at this gun when I was trying to pick out a pocket gun and liked everything but the brand. Come to find out, Taurus is now making some of their guns completely in the USA, so I gave them a try. I walked out with the little .380, 2 mags, a nifty belt case, and 2 boxes of Prvi Partizan ammo (the guy at the shop said it was decent stuff made by Winchester in Europe).
I went to the range today to shoot the TCP for the first time. The tempature was around 25 degrees Farenheit with low wind. I shot 50 rounds at the 7 yard range. 1 magazine from a rest, and the rest free hand.
My expectations were of many misfires and misses as many have reported from these new .380 minis when they are new. To my dismay, the first shot resulted in a failure to feed! I was very bummed and as I began to rack the slide, I noticed a large amount of blood running down my thumb . Turns out when I tried to take my first shot from a rest, I placed my left thumb over my right thumb and it was severely cut by the slide. I obviously normally don’t hold a pistol this way, but because it was so small I accidentally placed my thumb in a completely wrong spot. After correcting my grip, it was smooth sailing (except for a failure to feed when I limp wristed, but the shot surprised me and I blame myself).
I am used to shooting SA/DA pistols, so the trigger pull was very long for me, but it was quite smooth and perfectly light (I’d guess 5 lbs.) for my taste. I greatly prefer this trigger to the Ruger LCP or any DA revolver I have shot. With the practice ammo I was using (Prvi Partizan 94 grain FMJ) I was able to hold 3-4″ groups which may not sound like much to most of you, but is quite impressive for me using a new super-compact pistol. I thought the gun was shooting 6″ low for the first few mags, but 6 shots from a rest showed a nice 2″ (with one flyer) group right on center at 7 yards. I know that long trigger is causing me to drop the muzzle, something practice will correct.
The TCP comes with a Bulldog case, kinda nice but this thing fits so easily into the pocket that I don’t think I will be using it.
Final observations:
I really like this gun and think it personifies what I was looking for in a pocket pistol. I like love the size, and it is not at all painful to shoot. Accuracy (and my ability to shoot the tiny gun) was much better than I had hoped. It did not show any of the trigger slap/pinching that the P3at has. Everything that should be polished inside is, fit and finish are great. One design flaw I found is the slide has a lot of sharp corners on it and does not carry well without a pocket sheath (of which you should have anyway). The Ruger has a much more “melted” slide with no sharp corners anywhere. The sights were actually quite usable and machined accurately to allow center shooting when aiming right on at 7 yards. The grip allows for two fingers, but I felt very secure shooting the gun and wouldn’t want it any longer. This gun is meant to be carried a lot and hopefully never used, so size is its number one trait. Reliability was excellent for the first trip to the range, and as long as you keep your fingers clear and your wrist clear, it seems to be an excellent shooter. A plus on the TCP over the LCP is on the last shot the slide locks back. The slide lock is small, and is pretty sticky right now but was a very welcome addition at the range. The slide serrations are very grippy and do their job well. The mag release button is made of steel (not polymer like I believe the prototypes were) and is out of the way while shooting, yet easy to active when you want to. The mags are under spring tension, and fall out with nice speed. The follower in the mags are plastic, but they have a steel insert which activates the slide hold-open. I think this gun is worth every penny of the $295 I paid for it, and it will be replacing my P239 as my carry gun when I find a good SD load and get a few more boxes through it.
Written and authorized by “michaelmcgo” over at thr
#1 by Blake on May 9, 2010 - 7:59 am
I love mine but where are all the spare mags for it damn. Can’t find em anywhere.
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#2 by Nick on May 15, 2010 - 12:35 pm
I totally agree! I just got back from my local shooting range and had a blast. I love my taurus tcp! However, I personaly don’t care for the case it came with. Its good for transporting to and from the range but you cant really put the 2nd mag in with it. Oh well! Thanks for the great review!
Be safe
Nick
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#3 by Bruce on May 19, 2010 - 4:24 am
I love mine but where are all the spare mags for it damn. Can’t find em anywhere.
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#4 by Jeff Coleman on May 19, 2010 - 8:17 am
My first time out was shooting Remington Express ammo. Not a sing misfire. Everything is fine.
A guy on the range asked if he could have my brass, sure no prob. He looks at the brass closer than me, and sees a bulge toward the rear of the hull, about 2/3 the way around. He suspects a gun problem.
I called Taurus, the lady I talked to sounded hurried and uninformed (reading a script of standard replies). She blames the ammo and suggests I try other brands. I bought Winchester (USA) and Magtech (Brazil). Have not shot yet (city dweller).
I like the gun a lot. Hope this not a problem, but would like to hear from others with the little TCP.
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#5 by Lenn on May 28, 2010 - 9:15 pm
I thought I was the only one that got my thumb
in the way of the slide my thumb looked just like yours. My TCP had a problem ejecting and the slide would not stay open, Taurus adjusted the slide and replaced the extractor. I took it to the range and put 10 clips through it and ran great.
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#6 by Scott on June 2, 2010 - 1:35 am
Does anyone else find the bulk at the bottom of the clips an irritation? Why not make the clips flat like everyone else? I don’t care for the extra width when I carry a spare mag.
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#7 by Linda P on June 8, 2010 - 2:50 pm
Purchased one for my wife today and test fired it at their range. It was a pleasant surprise and the recoil was very manageable for such a small weapon. My wife was very pleased and did well at 10 yards. This TCP is very very accurate for a super compact. Wish there was a butt extenstion. We had two fte, but it was my wife’s fault. She limp wristed both time. Overall ..this is a sweet conceal weapon. She loves how small it is. Looks so much better then the ruger and keltec.
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#8 by Barratt on June 10, 2010 - 9:09 pm
Just bought one for my wife (pink). Cant wait to try it out. have read more good then bad on this gun and for the price it is a great deal.
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#9 by Mike on June 14, 2010 - 9:59 pm
Ordered the TCP from Gunbroker. It took an act of congress to find .380 auto ammo, so I finally found some and off to the range. Slipped the magazine in, pulled the slide back, aimed, pulled the trigger and nothing. It is loading, but no contact from the hammer. Checked out the safety measures and that is not it and wound up having to call Taurus. Sent it back to Taurus waiting to get it back. Extremely disappointed that a new gun out of the box didn’t behave and ruined my day at the range…thinking I shoud have purchased another Glock.
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#10 by Mike on August 9, 2010 - 8:43 pm
Mike, I bought a Taurus PT-22 and had a problem on the first shot also. Had to send it back to Taurus and took 6 weeks to get it back. I will never buy another Taurus because of that. I thought the manufactures fired guns before they ship and if they do, why did mine and yours have a problem on the first shot. I have been reading too many comments about new Taurus pistols having problems and right from the factory. No more for me.
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#11 by Big D. on August 13, 2010 - 8:06 pm
I just bought one Aug 4th 2010. I love it handles really well and very accurate. I like the weight and internals. I did a full review of it with pictures too check out my blog
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#12 by Jennie on August 14, 2010 - 11:36 am
Taurus 738 TCP
I bought this same gun…My first carry piece. American Rifleman magazine had a nice little write up on it. #2 behind the Walther 380.
I was told it was a great little gun and to not expect any problems with it. First time at the range with it, I was very happy I had my S&W 357 with me. It took over an hour to shoot 40 rounds with the Taurus because I spent more time unjamming the dang thing! Took it back to the gun shop where I had purchased it new. Told them about my troubles. I was able to get a brand new Taurus 85. I know, Im going from a semi auto to a revolver thats not as easy to conceal and only carries 5 rounds, BUT when I pull the trigger I can be damn sure that the 5 rounds will come out as quick as I can pull!
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#13 by Dave on August 20, 2010 - 3:34 pm
I can’t get mine to fire reliably my friend and I bought our pistol the same day. We both have problems with cartridge ejection. At least every other mag. shows a jamb on both guns!! I had the range officer fire mine he stated you must hold these pistols very tight, he had the same problem!
Mine is back at Taurus for the second time, same problem. If you send your pistol back even for the second time you go to the back of the line. So far Taurus has had mine for a month total.
Beware folks if you by one, I’ve fired at least two hundred rounds through it.
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#14 by Robert on August 21, 2010 - 2:14 pm
I picked mine up in Jan. 2010. It has been back to Taurus more than it’s been with me. All problims that others have described. Jams Slide won’t lock back. I think Taurus rushed production and we are paying for it. Extreamly un satisfied with mine. I even tryed to get Taurus to buy it back to no avail. NEVER BUY ONE YOU WILL HATE IT AND THE CO. SERVICE DEPARTMENT!!
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#15 by Carl B. on August 21, 2010 - 8:06 pm
Just back from the range with a NIB Taurus 738 and I’m very disappointed. Fired over 100 rounds of american eagle .380 through it and had a failure to feed about every 4th round. The slide was up against the base of the cartridge but wouldn’t strip the round out of the mag. I had to fully retract the slide which would then chamber the round. I also had a few stovepipe jams where I had to strip out the mag to clear the jam. What bothers me most is that I had many, many instances where the gun chambered a round and wouldn’t fire when I pulled the trigger. It was almost as if something was blocking the trigger from fulling releasing the hammer. I tapped the slide to make sure it was in full battery, checked the mag to make sure it was fully seated and finally had to eject the live round to seat another one before the gun would fire. I wonder about the magazine seating itself fully. I was walking back to the firing line with an empty mag in my hand casually depressing the follower when I noticed that the follower had stuck about 1/4″ below its normal position. I think that I have bad mags or a bad magazine disconnect? Anyway, it’s going back to Taurus as soon as I can get it there. I wouldn’t buy another one again.
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#16 by Ted on August 23, 2010 - 7:23 am
Purchased new at a gun show on 8-15-10. I like the size, feel,slide stop and loaded chamber indicator. But my first range trip sucked. Fired 50 rds FSM fmj 1 fte. My fault I know I limp wristed. Next 50 were S&B fmj. Had many jams. 10 light firing pin strikes. Many NO firing pin strikes. Gave all this failed ammo to my friend with me and he fired all without a problem from his Diamond Back 380. All this is very disappointing, totalty unacceptal, and dangerous for a ccw. This pistol must fire and cycle ANY factory load 380′s its fed.. I have no use for an ammo picky firearm.. Called Taurus cust. service they said they would repair and test fire it throughly. Now waiting for Fedx for pick up. Also this gun is advertised as having a ambidextrious mag release. Being left handed this would be a big plus but mine dosen’t have it nor is there any info on their web site or owners manual on how to switch it over or make it so. Cust. service told me to expect a 4 wk. turn around. I’ll give a report on how it works good or bad when it comes back..
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#17 by Ed. O. on August 24, 2010 - 6:38 pm
I got mine by May this year. Problems ejecting and feeding cartridges. Sent it to Taurus, 5 weeks later I got it, and it WORKS PERFECTLY !!! I actually retired my almost new Ruger LCP and I have this baby on my pocket ALL the time. Many full boxes of 380 ammo in the range, different brands, not a single failure.
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#18 by Paul on September 5, 2010 - 12:41 pm
I love my little 738. Only had one round hang up but that is because for a small gun it gets dirty very easy. Shot 50 rds before first mistake. Carry it with me all the time in my cut offs pocket. This winter I will carry my Springfield XDm 3.8 9mm. But for the summer out comes the pocket 380
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