Some of the most popular pistols in the
United States today are the new generation, lightweight and very
small .380 ACP pocket pistols. Built roughly the same size as
was once found only in .25 ACP pistols, these newest pistols are
not much bigger than a pack of cigarettes, weigh less than
three-quarters of a pound, and slide easily into a pants pocket.
They are small enough, and light enough, that they can ALWAYS be
with you, and that is the key to their popularity. The most
popular of the breed are the ones that use a polymer frame and a
double action style trigger pull. They are the
“point-and-shoot” style pistols. With no safety to
manipulate, you pull the trigger like on a double action
revolver. Pistols of this type are built for personal defense.
When they are needed, they are needed right now. Trouble is not
on the way, it is here. They are built for up close and personal
social conflicts, and therefore, the weapon must be within reach
to be useful. Kel-Tec and Ruger
are cranking out such pistols as fast as they can, and still,
demand seems to exceed supply. This type of pistol is just so
handy yet powerful enough to get the job done, it seems that
everyone wants one. I own a few myself, and usually have one in
my pocket at all times.
For several months now, I have been awaiting,
as have others, the arrival of the newest of this breed of
pocket pistol from Taurus USA. Introduced early this year, they
are now in full production, and built in the new Taurus facility
in the USA. Dubbed the PT 738 TCP, the .380 ACP lightweight
pistol is for all practical purposes the same size and weight as
the Kel-Tec and the Ruger. It is also priced about the same as
the other two. The critical dimensions are listed in the chart
below. I did notice that on the Taurus website, the weight is
listed at 10.2 ounces, but it was not quite that heavy on my
scale. Also, Taurus lists the barrel length at 3.25 inches. That
is not correct. The correct barrel length is listed below.
| |
Kel-Tec P3AT |
Ruger LCP |
Taurus 738 |
| Weight |
8.3 Oz |
9.42 Oz |
9.9 Oz |
| Frame Width |
0.798" |
0.790" |
0.775” |
| Barrel Length |
2.745" |
2.796" |
2.830” |
| Slide Width |
0.748" |
0.741" |
0.778" |
| Overall Length |
5.14" |
5.172" |
5.195” |
| Overall Height |
3.576" |
3.612" |
3.625” |
| Cartridge Capacity |
6+1 |
6+1 |
6+1 |
Like the other two, the TCP is a
hammer-fired, locked-breech action with a double action type
trigger pull. The TCP differs in that, unlike the Kel-Tec and
Ruger, the slide locks open on an empty magazine, and has a
slide release like on most full-size auto pistols. The trigger
pull on the TCP is perfect for such a pistol. The pull weight
measured slightly under four pounds on my pistol, and is
butter-smooth. I can find no fault at all with the trigger pull
on this pistol. The trigger blade is comfortable to use, and
does not pinch at all. Perfect.
The slide on my test gun is made of stainless
steel. Models are also offered with blued steel or titanium
slides. All have polymer frames, triggers, magazine releases,
and magazine floorplates. The six shot magazine is made of blued
steel, and my pistol came with two magazines. Also included is a
cordura-type case which attaches to the wearer’s belt with a
spring steel clip. It looks much like a PDA or Blackberry case,
and hides the pistol effectively, for those who do not want to
carry the TCP in the pocket. The 738 TCP has the Taurus Security
System internal key lock, and comes with two keys. The internal
lock is unobtrusive, and can be utilized or ignored. It is there
if you want to use it, but is not in the way at all if you do
not. Just above the extractor is a loaded-chamber indicator.
There is, thankfully, no magazine safety, and the pistol will
fire with or without the magazine in place. The sights are
necessarily small, but are useful in good lighting conditions. For
work after dark or in dimly-lit places, Crimson Trace
already has a Lasergrip in production for the TCP, and I highly
recommend it.
Shooting the 738 TCP was a pleasure. Even
when using Plus P high performance ammunition, the pistol is
very controllable and hits on a human silhouette target at
twenty-five yards were easy during rapid fire. Head shots at
seven and fifteen yards were also relatively easy, shooting
offhand from a standing position. No attempt was made to
benchrest the TCP, as it is built purely for defensive purposes,
and displayed plenty of accuracy for such. I fired several
brands and types of ammunition through the Taurus for function
and to check the velocities from the short barrel. Functioning
was perfect, except for one bad cartridge that failed to fire,
which was no fault of the pistol. All other cartridges fed,
fired, and ejected perfectly. I do want to note that
occasionally an empty cartridge was ejected onto the top of my
head, but did not hinder my shooting at all. It might be
bothersome to some shooters, but it did not bother me.
Chronograph results are listed in the chart below. Shooting for
velocities was done on a clear day, with temperatures hovering
around the fifty degree Fahrenheit mark. Velocities are listed
in feet-per-second (fps). Bullet weights are listed in grains.
JHP is jacketed hollowpoint ammo. FMJ is a full metal jacket
bullet. Glaser is a pre-fragmented bullet. DPX is a homogenous
copper hollow point bullet. JFN is a jacketed flatnose bullet.
HC is a hard-cast lead bullet. Velocities were taken at a
distance of ten feet from the muzzle, at an elevation of
approximately 541 feet above sea level.
| Ammunition |
Bullet Weight |
Velocity |
| Glaser Safety Slug |
70 |
1186.7 |
| Cor-Bon PowRBall |
70 |
1220 |
| Cor-Bon DPX |
80 |
1033.3 |
| Cor-Bon JHP |
90 |
952.6 |
| Remington JHP |
88 |
870.8 |
| Remington FMJ |
90 |
836.2 |
| Federal FMJ |
90 |
850.1 |
| Handload JHP |
88 |
899.9 |
| Buffalo Bore HC |
100 |
1121.4 |
| Buffalo Bore JFN |
95 |
1020.4 |
| Buffalo Bore JHP |
90 |
1092.9 |
These are pretty respectable velocities from
such a short barrel, and particularly the high performance ammo
should prove very useful for defensive purposes. Recoil was not
painful at all, but naturally, the heavier, faster loads had
sharper recoil. All loads were controllable for fast repeat
shots.
The Taurus PT 738 TCP is a dandy little
weapon. Reliable, lightweight, and accurate for its intended
purpose. It is a very useful pistol, one that can ride unnoticed
in a pocket, or in the supplied belt case. It is a welcome
addition to the Taurus line of auto pistols, and should prove to
be one of their most popular. It is built of quality materials,
displays excellent workmanship, is priced right, and built in
the USA.
Check out the extensive line of Taurus
products at www.taurususa.com.
To order the TCP online, go to www.galleryofguns.com.
For the location of a Taurus dealer near you,
click on the DEALER FINDER at www.lipseys.com.
For more information on the ammunition used
here, go to www.buffalobore.com,
www.corbon.com, www.federalcartridge.com,
and www.remington.com.
Jeff
Quinn
| For a list of dealers where you can
buy this gun, go to: |
|
To buy this gun online, go to: |
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|
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Disassembly is simple: unload the pistol, lock slide
back (top), pull out pin (center), and hold slide while
releasing to go forward.
Taurus Security System.
|
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