Whats the Difference Between a TCP (Taurus 738) and a Ruger LCP?

Had a TCP and sold it. Took the money and got an LCP. The TCP is slightly thicker and in my opinion a bit more comfortable to shoot. Mine would sometimes fail to go into battery. I polished the feed ramp and still had problems. Ejection was all over the place. Some went right, some straight back over my head, some went left and occasionally it threw them into my face. I don't have the time of day for a gun that won't run right so it went. Have had the LCP for 2 years and shot probably 600 rounds with zero issues. A buddy of mine also has TCP and his runs fine. I actually liked the trigger on it and the way it felt and shot. Would have put up with the 180 degree ejection pattern if not for the failures to go into battery. Can't have that on a self defense gun. If yours is completely reliable I would say there is no reason to get an LCP. If you have an occasional malfunction then ditch it
As far as differences, there aren't many. Pretty much the same size & weight. TCP has last round hold open, LCP doesn't. Trigger pull was a bit better on the TCP. The Ruger warranty is better. Taurus makes YOU pay shipping to them, and they pay return. Have heard their warranty service is very slow. Ruger pays shipping both ways and warranty service is quick

The main difference between the LCP and TCP that I focus on is the Taurus has a slide lock that will hold open on an empty magazine. I am not a fan of the LCP for having that very basic of a feature. Because of spotty quality issues with Taurus, I don't own either. I had a TCP and got rid of it for picky feeding problems.

Rocketmedic said:

Title says it all. Is there a reason to get an LCP if I already have a TCP?

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If your TCP works, no.

I love Ruger & Taurus,not one bad word about either from me.

The TCP's sear is copied from the old Kel-Tec, while the LCP is copied from the new Kel-Tec. The TCP can leave you with a dead trigger if you short-stroke the reset. Dunno why Taurus didn't pull a Ruger and just copy the improved version.

I was gonna get a LCP earlier this year during a sale, but they were sold out. Not long after that, I found a nearly-new (2016-manufacture) TCP in a gun shop for $50 less than the Ruger would have been. I picked it up and am quite pleased with it. It fits my hand better than the Rugers I've handled did, but it is indeed a tick thicker. I like the slide-lock feature. When I was first in the market, back in 2011, for a pocket-centerfire, I went with the .32 caliber because of its greater ease in shooting and because of that feature (when choosing between Kel-Tec's two pocket offerings.)

I'm pretty sure, though, that, had I gotten the Ruger, I'd be quite satisfied as well. For me, though, I'm glad it went the way it did. Incidentally, the P32 is still my go-to for pocket-carry, especially with its ten-round magazine in place (when pants permit it.) Sometimes, it's the TCP on the belt, and the KT in the pocket.

The LCP is dependable. Why, oh why, would anyone spend their money on a TCP? My experience was . . . before I ever had to worry about short stroking the TCP, getting it to feed reliably never happened. Ejection was then problematic. Traded it for a LCP for a BIG loss. Wisest move I ever made in firearms. The LCP works every time.

The TCP trigger pull is worse than the LCP (though both are kinda bad). TCP has double-strike capability.

Other than that they're very similar. While I've handled a TCP I don't own one - I do have it's slightly bigger brothers the 709 Slim and PT-111 G2. I also have a Gen1 LCP. I can't speak to the reliability of the TCP specifically but my other Taurus guns have never had an issue - nor has my LCP.

If your TCP is functioning properly I'd not bother with either buying or trading for an LCP.

mgmorden said:

The TCP trigger pull is worse than the LCP (though both are kinda bad). TCP has double-strike capability.

Other than that they're very similar. While I've handled a TCP I don't own one - I do have it's slightly bigger brothers the 709 Slim and PT-111 G2. I also have a Gen1 LCP. I can't speak to the reliability of the TCP specifically but my other Taurus guns have never had an issue - nor has my LCP.

If your TCP is functioning properly I'd not bother with either buying or trading for an LCP.

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My TCP has the best trigger out of any of the poly pocket pistols I've handled, and it most definitely does not have restrike capability.

ABTOMAT said:

The TCP's sear is copied from the old Kel-Tec, while the LCP is copied from the new Kel-Tec. The TCP can leave you with a dead trigger if you short-stroke the reset. Dunno why Taurus didn't pull a Ruger and just copy the improved version.

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True and agree.

ABTOMAT said:

. . . TCP . . . most definitely does not have restrike capability.

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Also true.

TCP has double-strike capability.

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As I mentioned, I really like my 2016-production TCP. However, like my two Kel-Tecs (PF9 and P32), it does not have re-strike capability. The hammer can be re-set by a partial (about 1/4 inch) retraction of the slide, or by a complete re-rack.

Take a look at the lcp II. It has the best features of both firearms mentioned.

Better trigger, last round hold open, way better sights, little more comfortable back strap and ruger warranty and dependability.

IMHO if you got a 380 mouse gun that feeds reliably, be happy and be done with it. You won't find one that's an enjoyable range gun. I wish my p3at was reliable. I *think* its good for 3-4 mags after cleaning and greasing it, but it's a pain to verify if that's true or not.

I've got a a few thousand rounds combined through am original LCP, Pico, BG, and LCP II.

0The LCP was reliable and a fine carry pistol with a heavy trigger, the Pico was probably the best made, the BG was the "safest" with the external safety, and LCP II is the easiest to shoot.

None of them gave me a bit of trouble.

There are reliable. 380s out there. I would say the Pico is the softest shooting with such a short tilt to the barrel, the LCP II has the hands down best trigger. I don't have much use for such a heavy trigger and went with the LCP II.