Taurus PT738 TCP- who has one and how is it?

stchman said:

You should have actually shot the gun. Hand cycling is NOT a way to test reliability.

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Still didn't give me a good feeling about the gun when I would load it and fail to feed into the chamber. Maybe it fired fine and maybe it was a jam o matic. Either way it is someone else problem or reliable carry weapon.

I love it when members post comments on guns they never shot, especially when it took several hundred rounds average for guns I have bought to "break in" and trigger to smooth out.

My new M&P Shield 9's trigger was a bit rough and front sight jumped when the striker was released. After several hundred dry fires and several hundred rounds fired, trigger smoothed out and front sight is steady when striker is released. Now I can get 1" groups at 7 yards off hands and do fast double taps on 1/2 sheets of copy paper and keep 15 yard groups inside 1/4 sheets of copy paper. If I posted my opinion of Shield on initial impression, I would have been way off.

stchman said:

You should have actually shot the gun. Hand cycling is NOT a way to test reliability.

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You are correct. In fact there are some Pockets guns that have a strong racking of the receiver. But it must be noted that they also have Plus P rating. The recoil springs are stronger. But Pocket pistols are not designed to load mags quickly and frequently.

Dadgummit I wish I had some extra cash - I like that little Taurus when it came out. That is a STEAL of a price!

Michael Tinker Pearce said:

Yes- steel things stick to the barrel.

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Carbon steel can become magnetized by fiction/stress. If you know anybody in your area that works at a metal machining factory or shop. Ask them if they have a magnetizer/demagnetizer there. Or an auto shop that does customized machining. It only takes a few seconds to make right.

Isn't the slide steel also? Maybe not... but if it is, I'm wondering how the barrel became magnetized but the slide didn't...

C0untZer0 said:

Isn't the slide steel also? Maybe not... but if it is, I'm wondering how the barrel became magnetized but the slide didn't...

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Different metal alloys. Some steels, depending on the alloys added, magnetize much easier than others.

C0untZer0 said:

Isn't the slide steel also? Maybe not... but if it is, I'm wondering how the barrel became magnetized but the slide didn't...

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I see noting about the frame being steel. From the specs it appears the slide is stainless steel, vs say the LCP which is Carbon Steel. Stainless is about 30% stronger than Carbon. What is important is, what is the frame and other materials made from. A top quality Pocket pistol will be all stainless steel vs aluminum, which is what the 738 is made from. I read the other poster's comments that the 738 had 10,000 rounds fired through one at a LGS with their rental guns. Sorry, I will not buy that at all. (ref. truth about guns). Sounded like another internet bit of hogwash. The review said the 738 had 10,000 with a second in durability going to the Sig. and the third to the LCP. Again Hogwash. I owned 4 lcp's. Have been shooting them since they first came out. I shoot pocket pistols weekly. The LCP is not a gun that will score very well at all IMO in durability. Frame, cracks, rails splits, broken take down pins etc.
I also own a Kahr. All stainless steel to include Steel Inserts in the Frame "Grip". These are placed in high stress areas of the gun to prevent premature failures and add to longevity. The 738 has never been known to be anything but a stout recoil. Hopefully nothing like the LCP which is a harsh High Five Slap.
The 738 seems like a bargain for the low close out Price. But unless I was just in a hurry, I would wait for the Spectrum to come out. Supposedly it will be a modular gun, which means you can easily change out any busted grips. A wider trigger, and improvement in the high the recoil.
I place the 738/Spectrum in the same class as the LCP's, Keltec's etc. IMO the Kahr is a far superior product in build quality. Yes it has tight tolerences, but that comes with the territory of quality. The best quality of all the pocket guns I have shot over the past decade will be the Beretta Pico Gen 2. Built like a tank throughout the gun. MILD Shooting, and runs like a Champ and has "Double Strike" capability. Thousands of rounds through the two I own and NOT ONE hiccup.

However, once again. Looking for a general Pocket gun at a low cost now the 738 sounds like a great deal for the money. The LCP Gen 2, which in my opinion is a far better gun than the LCPll can be bought for around $179.00. I suspect that price may go even lower.

"A top quality Pocket pistol will be all stainless steel vs aluminum". Does that include the Sig P238 or some other guns like Some of CZ's aluminum framed guns?

I also have a Browning 1911-380 and it has a composit frame. I have been shooting the heck out of it and I have to agree with Jeff Quinn when he calls the composit framed Browning pistol probably the best 380 pistol ever made.

I also haven't owned the TCP, but my range partner during my CCW class had one. I saw her put about 150 rounds through it, and she was, unfortunately, having problems with the gun going into full battery with maybe 30 to 40% of the rounds fired. I honestly don't know if it was the ammo she was using or the gun or her.

I should say I don't remember the gun ever jamming, per se. She just had to push the slide forward many times to get the round to chamber. My personal take is that, since her gun was brand new, it probably just needed a fluff and buff...or an allowance for a 300 round break in period. It's possible she was limp wristing (micro .380's can be snappy for ladies) but as I recall she was law enforcement and had some training.

Despite her issues, I didn't see enough wrong to write off the Taurus TCP. I'm a Taurus fan (among other things) and my impression is that some (but not all) Taurus semi-autos need a break in. I have a PT 145 that needed about 30 rounds of break in, but has had no cycling issues for 2000 rounds afterwards. They also have a reputation for needing a thorough cleaning be before the initial firing.

I've been tempted with the TCP because Buds currently has them for about $160, free shipping. I probably won't get one, but only because I already have too many guns.

bds said:

Cabela's is still selling them - http://www.cabelas.com/product/Taurus-TCP-Semi-Automatic-Centerfire-Pistol/1335712.uts

So is Bud's Gunshop - https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog...urus+Pistols/FS+TAURUS+Semi-Automatic+380+ACP

And Cheaper Than Dirt - https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/pro...ck-polymer-frame-blued-finish-725327610670.do

Along with Bass Pro Shop - http://www.basspro.com/shop/en/taurus-tcp-738-semi-auto-pistol

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Some of my distributors have them. Price has dropped $20 for the wholesale guns.

I bought two, a "B" and a "D" models....looked new. Neither was reliable after cleaning, swapping mags, dirty looks, etc.

I returned the "D" and bought a P3AT. Tuned and sweetened the "B" model and shoots fine now.....would never trust it though.

Jeb Stuart said:

Looking for a general Pocket gun at a low cost now the 738 sounds like a great deal for the money.

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Jim NE said:

I've been tempted with the TCP because Buds currently has them for about $160, free shipping.

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Kentucky Gun Co.com is selling TCP 738 for $139.67 + free shipping - https://kygunco.com/Product/View?ItemNo=107352

6 Round CPD (OEM maker of magazine in USA) PT-738 TCP Magazine $15.99 + free shipping, lifetime warranty, guaranteed to work - http://www.shop.northriverllc.com/6-Round-CPD-380-ACP-Taurus-PT-738-TCP-Magazine-C06380SBO1.htm

2 pack $29.95 + free shipping - http://www.shop.northriverllc.com/2...ACP-Taurus-PT-738-TCP-Magazine-C06380SBO2.htm

I don't know anything about the magnetic barrel, but I have had one since 2010 with only a couple of problems - very possibly operator error - early on. The day I bought it, I put 250+ rounds through it, including some Golden Saber 102 grain HP's. No problems and no pain at all. The next time I took it out, we had two malfunctions, one FTF - possibly due to my wife not holding it properly - and one FTE - possibly due to grit that may have been left in the chamber from polishing the feed ramp. No problems since. I can shoot the thing all day. It has been a good gun for me.

Jim NE said:

I also haven't owned the TCP, but my range partner during my CCW class had one. I saw her put about 150 rounds through it, and she was, unfortunately, having problems with the gun going into full battery with maybe 30 to 40% of the rounds fired. I honestly don't know if it was the ammo she was using or the gun or her.

I should say I don't remember the gun ever jamming, per se. She just had to push the slide forward many times to get the round to chamber. My personal take is that, since her gun was brand new, it probably just needed a fluff and buff...or an allowance for a 300 round break in period. It's possible she was limp wristing (micro .380's can be snappy for ladies) but as I recall she was law enforcement and had some training.

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I would guess that it was pilot error. Many women limp wrist a handgun. If the gun isn't held solidly it can't cycle properly. It could have been the gun, but I doubt it.

I carried a blued 738 for years.... 2 years ago my wife bought me a stainless one and the slightly pitted old blue went into the safe. Both have been very reliable and shoot to the sights.

380 Auto ammo round up video with TCP 738.

bds said:

2 pack $29.95 + free shipping - http://www.shop.northriverllc.com/2...ACP-Taurus-PT-738-TCP-Magazine-C06380SBO2.htm

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Magazines arrived and actually look better than factory mag. Factory mag had weld seam in the front with some irregular lumps and new CPD mags have clean weld seam in the back. Rounds loaded smoothly without any sign of binding and look forward to testing them.

I have had good reliability from mine with the SS slide. It goes with me a lot lately here in KY because it has been so hot and humid I've been wearing tee shirts and shorts a lot, so in the pocket it goes. I train myself with it as a get away from me gun and haven't had any jams with rapid fire. I have found that round nose brass case or Hornady Critical Defense has been 100 percent reliable. The Winchester white box with the flat nose, not so much, and steel case is a no go.

TCP with wings $159 + free shipping - https://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com/products2.cfm/ID/197141

bds

TCP with wings

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I see that and can't help thinking: "This has to be called the Bullwinkle Model".

Jim NE said:

I should say I don't remember the gun ever jamming, per se. She just had to push the slide forward many times to get the round to chamber. My personal take is that, since her gun was brand new, it probably just needed a fluff and buff...or an allowance for a 300 round break in period. It's possible she was limp wristing (micro .380's can be snappy for ladies) but as I recall she was law enforcement and had some training.

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My p3at was having problems with the slide not going fully into battery. I did a fluff and buff and used moly grease and that seemed to fix it.
My p3at beats up the bottom of my trigger finger when I fire it, the trigger guard gets me. Would this taurus be any better about that?

^^ Probably a little better. There is a little more room forward of the trigger. The grip is also a tick thicker and a tick longer, improving hand purchase on the gun.