Taurus 738 TCP Problems FYI

[Napier]

My TCP failed to lock back the slide on the second mag fired new out-of the box. After three mags worth of further firing, both mags failed to drop from the grip on mag release. My call to Taurus customer service was answered tolerably quickly and the service rep was courteous, helpful, efficient and knowledgeable. Fed-Ex picks it up tomorrow. I am hoping that my experience is better than most that I have read on various boards.

[cajunautoxer]

I've never owned a Taurus but I read alot about people with issues with theirs. That's probably why I've never owned one. Hopefully you'll have a quick turn around

[E150GT]

I have that problem with one of my mags. Not a big deal to me. I may send back one mag. How does yours shoot? I had to run about 250 rounds or so to break it in. I wanted to smash it with a hammer. I now carry it confidently that it will perform ok even though one mag wont hold the slide back. Can't wait for the extended mags to become available. I will get a couple of those, even though I prefer to carry a bigger gun

[Napier]

Thanks for the good wishes, Cajun. I also read many negative comments about the TCP, but bought it anyway because I love and carry the Taurus Slim 9mm, a really smooth shooter.

GT, the TCP shot well, by my low standards. I am half-blind, but managed to get all 70 or so rounds I fired into a silhouette target at 25 yards. There is just something about the dynamics of it. I like it better than the Ruger LCP or Kel-Tec P3-AT, both of which I own and fire often. The TCP seems to recoil less, even though it is about the same weight as the others. When I bought it, the first one I looked at wouldn't drop both mags, but the second would, so I bought it, thinking it was the pistol and not the mags. I'll keep you updated on how the repair goes.

[tiger1873]

My TCP failed to lock back the slide on the second mag fired new out-of the box. After three mags worth of further firing, both mags failed to drop from the grip on mag release. My call to Taurus customer service was answered tolerably quickly and the service rep was courteous, helpful, efficient and knowledgeable. Fed-Ex picks it up tomorrow. I am hoping that my experience is better than most that I have read on various boards.

I don't have any issues with mine I run about 100 though it. I kind of like it for a little 380. It's one of the better pocket 380's out right now. The trigger is much better then the Ruger LCP.

[E150GT]

Thanks for the good wishes, Cajun. I also read many negative comments about the TCP, but bought it anyway because I love and carry the Taurus Slim 9mm, a really smooth shooter.

GT, the TCP shot well, by my low standards. I am half-blind, but managed to get all 70 or so rounds I fired into a silhouette target at 25 yards. There is just something about the dynamics of it. I like it better than the Ruger LCP or Kel-Tec P3-AT, both of which I own and fire often. The TCP seems to recoil less, even though it is about the same weight as the others. When I bought it, the first one I looked at wouldn't drop both mags, but the second would, so I bought it, thinking it was the pistol and not the mags. I'll keep you updated on how the repair goes.

Ive spent a lot of time looking over mine inside and out and I think the magazine deal that butts up against the slide stop on the last shot is a little smaller on one of the magazines, hence it wont slide lock. The thing that aggravates me about this gun is ejecting a live round. The round gets stuck if I still have the magazine and rounds in their. If theres no mag it just falls through the grip. Another thing that urks me is that is almost seems that Taurus supplied a faulty magazine with each gun on purppose based on my readings of other peoples experience.

[Napier]

Tiger, thanks for the feedback, and agreed on the trigger. The Slim's trigger is even smoother. All part of the quest for the perfect cheap pistol you can wear with a Speedo.

GT, appreciate your observations. Will look at mine when I get it back. I left my mags dirty after shooting, so will know if I get the same, or someone else's back. What I want is the feed reliability of the LCP, the accuracy of the P3-AT, and the features of the TCP. Maybe eventually someone will make such a beast.

[wilder]

Tiger, thanks for the feedback, and agreed on the trigger. The Slim's trigger is even smoother. All part of the quest for the perfect cheap pistol you can wear with a Speedo.

GT, appreciate your observations. Will look at mine when I get it back. I left my mags dirty after shooting, so will know if I get the same, or someone else's back. What I want is the feed reliability of the LCP, the accuracy of the P3-AT, and the features of the TCP. Maybe eventually someone will make such a beast.

Someone already made that....it's the Kahr P380. It justs costs twice as much as the other options. I agonized over it but eventually laid down the cash for the following reasons:

Better sights than all three. I have trijicon night sights on mine.
Stainless slide (same as the TCP)
Last round hold open (as the TCP)
More shootable and accurate than the LCP/P3AT
Less recoil than the LCP/P3AT
Polygonal rifling for slightly more velocity out of the .380.
Excellent craftsmanship and fit/finish. It doesn't feel cheap in any way.

I haven't shot a TCP to compare the shootability aspects so I can't make any direct comparison, but having owned two LCPs and a P3AT I can say that the P380 is enough of an upgrade in all areas that I don't regret the decision to pay an arm and a leg for it. The quality will far outlast the sting of the high price.

[Napier]

So you are saying that for the combined prices of the LCP, P3-AT and TCP I cudda boughten a Kahr?

[wilder]

So you are saying that for the combined prices of the LCP, P3-AT and TCP I cudda boughten a Kahr?

Pretty much. You could at least pick two of the three for the price of the Kahr.

[Napier]

Hello again to anyone interested in Taurus customer service. Fed-Ex picked up my out-of-the-box failed TCP April 21st, and Taurus acknowledged receipt on the 26th via letter received today. The letter stated "Processing should take approximately 5-6 weeks." I hope they are simply setting the bar low for expectations. Otherwise at my age I may be deceased before the repair is done.

[stash]

Don't feel to bad Napier. It is taking 6-8 weeks just to get the slide of my Glock 27 re-finished by Glock.

Stan

[Napier]

Thanks for the feedback, Stan. I was expecting faster service based on what I have read about Kel-Tec's response times. First time in my loooooong life I have ever had to return a gun for ANY reason for warranty service.

[Napier]

Taurus returned my TCP eleven days after receipt, with a service note saying they replaced the "grips", which I presume is the entire polymer lower half. They even shipped it back overnight. Will shoot it in a day or so and see if it is really fixed. At least both mags drop out smartly when released and the slide locks back on an empty mag.

[Napier]

The Taurus fix stuck. Fired both mags full-up four or five times. The only curiousity was that Fiocchi JHP consistently failed to feed if it was the last round in the mag. I fired a mix of that plus Winchester white box FMJ, Remington UMC JHP and Aquila JHP. Don't laugh. Over the past year if you wanted 380 you bought what was out there! BTW, Bullet Trap in Plano has the new Winchester Home Defense in 380.