Taurus TCP .380 - your honest opinion

[GunNewb]

I am trying to decide whether or not to buy a Taurus TCP 380. I can get one for a great price...I just want to make sure that I'm not making a mistake in purchasing one of these.

I know that some folks have had trouble with some of the earlier models...but that alone isn't enough to keep me from investing in the TCP 380.

I would like to know what YOU think about this handgun (from experience).

[surferdaddy]

I had bought one a while back as a pocket back up. Accurate for its size, I found the recoil light. The only hiccups it had was when my mother in law limp wristed it. It felt like a toy and I did not like it's size, I couldn't get a grip on it. I don't care for the power level it had. I now back up my m & p away compact with an lc9. I personally don't have a problem with it other than it is a 380, if you're cool with that it is a good enough choice. I gave it to my mother in law, and she could grip it fine.

[Teamless]

Back when I was looking for a pocket pistol or BUG, I looked at a number of the smaller guns.
I ended up buying the S&W Bodyguard .380

I actually went out thinking "the TCP was the one". I like the TCP over the LCP, as the TCP at least does lock open the slide after last round, where the LCP does not.

However, when I felt the TCP and LCP, it just didn't feel good in my hand.
Yes, I was looking for a gun that I could pocket, but I also want to be able to use at the range, to become proficient in it, and practice with it every time I go to the range (every 2-3 weeks). If I was going to use it, I needed to have it feel good in my hand.

So whatever you choose, don't just hold it, really feel it. Think about what you are going to do with it.
If it feels like it will fit that purpose, then it is the gun for you.
If not, well, keep looking.

Good Luck on your search!

[Scott in Houston]

I've had a TCP for about 2 years now. It's a decent little .380 (for a .380). I chose it over the S&W and the Ruger because of its trigger and the lock back on the last round.
Of all the .380 options, it's still the one I'd recommend to people just based on my personal experience.

All that being said, I almost never carry it. And when I do, I feel almost naked.
After Aurora, it feels like I'm WAY under-gunned... even though nothing has happened (yet). Also, the video of the internet cafe in Florida, that was a .380... a TCP actually. It was definitely better than nothing, but dang, if I'm ever needing my gun and that's all I have on me... I'll kick myself forever for not just going ahead and carrying the G26 or a bigger gun.

One thing about all of these "mouse" guns... it's very common to need break-in, and it's very common to need some sort of 'repair' to make them reliable. They're so small with such tight tolerances, that there's little room for error. Also, people tend to not practice with them because .380 is expensive, and the little .380's are not fun to shoot for long periods of time.

[wgoforth]

I've had a TCP for about 2 years now. It's a decent little .380 (for a .380). I chose it over the S&W and the Ruger because of its trigger and the lock back on the last round.
Of all the .380 options, it's still the one I'd recommend to people just based on my personal experience.

All that being said, I almost never carry it. And when I do, I feel almost naked.
After Aurora, it feels like I'm WAY under-gunned... even though nothing has happened (yet). Also, the video of the internet cafe in Florida, that was a .380... a TCP actually. It was definitely better than nothing, but dang, if I'm ever needing my gun and that's all I have on me... I'll kick myself forever for not just going ahead and carrying the G26 or a bigger gun.

One thing about all of these "mouse" guns... it's very common to need break-in, and it's very common to need some sort of 'repair' to make them reliable. They're so small with such tight tolerances, that there's little room for error. Also, people tend to not practice with them because .380 is expensive, and the little .380's are not fun to shoot for long periods of time.

.380 was expensive when it was an unpopular round and made in limited supply. It was expensive during the ammo-grab a few years ago. The past year or so it has run close to same as 9mm as the market is so flooded with pocket .380's the manufacturers have caught up. I bought S&B .380 delivered at $11.45 a box 5 months ago.

[Napier]

The problem is that it is a Taurus. I love their designs, but EVERY Taurus pistol I have ever bought had to go back to Miami to get fixed. After fixing, they are still picky about ammo, even FMJ. That said, I have their 32 ACP in 380 frame and two 380 Millenium Pros. The 32 has very light recoil and the 380s carry comfortably and inconspicuously. Just be prepared to send back for repair anything you buy. Good thing their warranty is the lifetime of the gun.

[Commander Cody]

I have a few .380’s including a Taurus TCP .380, but by far my fav is a Sig P238. 100% since day one.

[Jumping Frog]

The problem is that it is a Taurus. I love their designs, but EVERY Taurus pistol I have ever bought had to go back to Miami to get fixed... . .Just be prepared to send back for repair anything you buy. Good thing their warranty is the lifetime of the gun.

At $60-$70 per trip.

I've heard hot and cold reports from gun forums over Taurus customer service. Sometimes Taurus will pay for the return shipping. Sometimes they do not. If they don't, shipping a handgun is expensive.

Don't get me wrong, every firearm manufacturer can and will have customer service issues with a percentage of their firearms. However, I choose to stick with top-tier manufacturers like Smith & Wesson and Ruger because they have built a reputation for standing behind their products and providing superior customer service that spans decades.

In contrast, Taurus has a spotty record and reputation for customer service. Their new President has announced to the firearms industry that improving customer service is one of his primary corporate objectives, and they have made progress in the last year. However, "progress for a year" versus "reputation spanning decades" -- I am sticking with the latter.

That's my honest opinion, worth what you paid for it.

[philbo]

I've owned 2 TCP's in 380. Both performed flawlessly out of the box with less felt recoil to me than either the Keltec or LCP. Both are currently carried by family members and are still going strong. Of all the little 380's it is my favorite. I've owned more than 2 dozen Taurus pistols In all the years I've been shooting and I I have yet to send one in for repair. Great gun for the money.

[wgoforth]

The problem is that it is a Taurus. I love their designs, but EVERY Taurus pistol I have ever bought had to go back to Miami to get fixed... . .Just be prepared to send back for repair anything you buy. Good thing their warranty is the lifetime of the gun.

At $60-$70 per trip.

I've heard hot and cold reports from gun forums over Taurus customer service. Sometimes Taurus will pay for the return shipping. Sometimes they do not. If they don't, shipping a handgun is expensive.

Don't get me wrong, every firearm manufacturer can and will have customer service issues with a percentage of their firearms. However, I choose to stick with top-tier manufacturers like Smith & Wesson and Ruger because they have built a reputation for standing behind their products and providing superior customer service that spans decades.

In contrast, Taurus has a spotty record and reputation for customer service. Their new President has announced to the firearms industry that improving customer service is one of his primary corporate objectives, and they have made progress in the last year. However, "progress for a year" versus "reputation spanning decades" -- I am sticking with the latter.

That's my honest opinion, worth what you paid for it.

I have almost always found this to be the answer on the shipping with Taurus: IF it is purchased new, and in the first year they will ship. If they do not offer, ~ask~. I have owned a dozen Tauri, shipped back 3 guns 5 different times. All pre- paid by them. Not did not just e-mail a label, they had Fed Ex at my door with a box. One forum member thought I was calling him a liar when he said Taurus would not ship, then he realized his friends gun was indeed used. So be careful in reading the forum complaints in this respect as many don't realize when Taurus will and won't.

As to customer service.... I think the guys on the phone are the typical minimum wage front line phone answerers, and have seldom been happy with their understanding my need or issue.... but thankfully they are not the ones who work on the guns. I have had my guns back in a week, sometimes a month. Not predictable there.... but then my $800 Para-Ordnance was gone 3 months and sent back un-repaired.

Is Taurus a ~great~ gun? No. Is it a good bargain for the money gun? Depends on model. IMO the 24/7 has been one of their best. Shot 1,000 rounds in one day in a combat school crawling through blowing sand. Functioned 100%. Have now shot over 10,000 rounds through it and still functions 100%. PT 92 is the Beretta 92 made on their same machinery in their own factory purchased by Taurus. In fact, a better feeling trigger. That's a good purchase for the money. The 709, I didn't like but others do. I had the TCP and never had any issues but traded up to the S&W Bodyguard and then to the Sig P238 that is far and above any other .380 mousegun out there.

[GunNewb]

Thanks for all of the great input.

The gun i'm carrying now is a Ruger lc9. It's small enough to carry comfortably. However, I really want something smaller to throw in my pocket if i'm running to the gas station or out to get a quick snack.

I think i'm going to give the TCP a chance. It's well worth the risk at under $220.00

[mrvmax]

Buy from a Gallery of Guns dealer, if you have any warranty issues it will cost you zero to get it replaced. I sell the basic model, nothing but pistol and one mag for $210 out the door. I do not think you will find a better price than that on a small 380. I guess that basic model is popular since they are never in stock at Gallery of Guns.

[GunNewb]

@mrvmax

I decided to pick one up today. I bought my TCP .380 at Academy for $216.00 after taxes. I didn't have a chance to take it to the range...but hopefully I can do that soon. I hope this gun turns out to be as good as the price I paid for it.

[wgoforth]

@mrvmax

I decided to pick one up today. I bought my TCP .380 at Academy for $216.00 after taxes. I didn't have a chance to take it to the range...but hopefully I can do that soon. I hope this gun turns out to be as good as the price I paid for it.

Be SURE to clean thoroughly....doesn't matter if it looks clean, Tauri's are packed in cosmoline, and gets down in hard to spot areas. Field strip first before range trip and you'll be happier with your experience.

[GunNewb]

@wgoforth

Oh trust me friend... I just spent over an hour cleaning this firearm. I'm still not finished yet... This thing had oil caked on it...

When I got it home..I racked the slide and noticed that it felt sorta gritty (only word that I could think of at 12AM). I found out why when I ran a clean cloth through it.