Taurus 738 TCP .380, what have YOU heard?

[Frontline]

Im looking at stocking these little compact .380 pistols. They are comparable to the LCP in size, nearly identical. The Taurus is an actual stainless slide, verses the "Chrome" slide of the fancy LCP, Taurus has a last round slide lock, loaded chamber indicator, and comes with TWO mags as opposed to the ONE Ruger gives you, for a wholeale pricce at about $40 less.

The problem Im hearing is the following thiings, slide lock on next to last round, due to a combination of "sloppy" mag well tolerance, crappy mags on occasion, LACK OF available replacement mags and a sometimes out of "tune" slide stop lever that engages the follower to soon, or a .380 projo on occasion causing premature slide lock.

Mags falling out (see crappy mags above)

Feed ramps need polishing

Difficult takedown/re-assembly

I CANNOT justfy saving a guy money if he's dead because his gun failed him.

Lotsa guys have sent them back since February, some have gotten no satisfaction.

Have things gotten better since Feb?? What are you guys hearing?

Im thinking I'll just order More LCP's.
http://www.gunblast.com/images/Taurus-PT738/DSC09595.JPG

[Satan_3pc]

:+1: On more LCPs. I am sorry, but I would not trust my life with a Taurus. Many stories of the revolvers developing timing issues. My friends .45 semi auto has jammed many times. I just would not own it. No input on that gun in particular though, sorry.

[Frontline]

I just found this via Google, read this Blog, LOTS of issues I described are brought up there, as well as some disturbing new complaints.

Im thinking, "Yeah, more LCP"

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/01/18/taurus-738-tcp-pistol/

Here is an embarrasisng one in particular...
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JasonVon 17 Mar 2010 at 11:25 pm link comment
Purchased a new TCP on Monday evening as my deparment had range qual on tuesday morning. Fired 18 rds immediately after purchasing the gun and had 12 failure to feed malfunctions. Called the dealer where the gun was purchased and explained that I needed a working gun for qualifications at 0830 the next morning. He opened his shop at 0730 Tuesday morning (awesome guy) and I swaped the TCP for a brand new LCP.

Ran the 30rd backup/off duty course with the LCP and had zero malfunctions. I was also the only officer to shoot a perfect 150 (not too hard as the max distance on that course is 12 yards). I was super impressed with the Ruger but it does have a bit more recoil than the TCP.

My dealer said that he has sold quite a few TCP’s and has not had one come back with a problem. He also said he called some of the customers that bought them to see if anyone was experiencing the same problem as me but everyone was happy with their gun.

Not saying all TCP’s are bad but mine certainly was.

Loving the LCP.
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WOW!

[Satan_3pc]

Yeah, that's usually the case. "Not all" but some. I'd personally rather buy or sell guns that you know work 99.9% of the time.

[JaxChris]

I've read a few people nag about the Diamondback 380 as well saying it definitely is a mini Glock in the way it handles and operates, but that the company is young and the weapon is not without malfunctions. People have suggested waiting until they've been around a couple years before buying those. If you're hearing similar impressions of TCP users, then I would think sticking with the LCP is the best bet.

But I don't know anyone personally with these opinions, this is just from around the internet. I have never researched the TCP, only the LCP/P3AT/DB380.

[Cris]

I have only heard good things from the few TCP's we sold at the shop. This is a first hearing anything bad about them. I was actually impressed that it seemed to be better quality than past Taurus products. I own an LCP with absolutely no hiccups. The DB380 has a great following already. Many customers have bought them just due to the similarities to a Glock. The internals are a bit different but still looks a hell lot like one. So far great reviews on that weapon, I did however run into a few people on the internet talking about trigger bar problems. With a new company like this it will have their problems, but they have been standing by their product. We haven't had any probs with the models we have sold.

[chrismia]

cris, was that just a positive post about a taurus auto?!

[RCSRT8]

I think he was drunk

[Cris]

Heh, it was step in that direction, just saying its better than some of the other stuff I have seen from them.

[Edwynne]

I own a DB 380 and have about 700 rounds through the gun. It had a small break in period but now it will cycle any ammo and have had no problems with the gun at all. I love my mini glock. The company is great and have excellent customer service record.

[Bicho]

Cris do you have the 709 "SLIM" 9MM IN BLUE STEEL???? and have you heard anything about it? also how about the Diamondback DB9/ DB380CTC and as far as 9mm or 380 what do you's think??

[Cris]

We have the 709 in stock blued. They seem to be fine from what we have seen so far. The TCP .380's we have had a few probs with them so far. The last two we sold we had to ship back for warranty. I haven't seen the DB9 yet though.

[Bicho]

thanks