New Taurii? 709 SLIM (9x19mm), and 738 TCP (.380/9x17mm)

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Each of these two pistols, if you didn't know, as I didn't before today, has 3 submodels: The blued steel, the stainless steel, and the titanium frame.

The 709 SLIM, 9x19mm model is 19 ounces for the two steel models, and 17 ounces for the titanium model.

The 738 TCP, .380 acp model is 10.2 ounces for the two steel models, and "9 oz" for the titanium model. I cannot see personally paying an extra $164 (MSRP difference between blued steel & titanium) to save 1.2 oz, and decreasing durability and potentially lessening reliability, but I'm sure some people will. I mean, surely they could have shaved off another 1.2 oz off the steel one, but why didn't they? Because it needs "X" amount of slide mass to function properly. So the Ti one is just asking for trouble - so why bother? The Ti ones look gimmicky to me (both 709 and the 738).

Is the 739 TCP still vaporware or what? Should give Ruger and Keltec a run for their money. I'd sure buy a Taurus before a Recalluger or KelTec myself. Plus they just look better:

http://www.taurususa.com/gun-selector-results.cfm?series=709&toggle=tp

http://www.taurususa.com/gun-selector-results.cfm?series=738&toggle=tp


Anyone have personal experience with these? Think I may have found my new jogging gun: the 10.2 oz blued steel .380, provided that it does not suffer the same difficulties as my departed KelTec.

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

That's very cool. It would be cool to see a side by side comparison of the Kel Tec P3AT and the Taurus offering to see how they compare in size.

 

[freakshow10mm]

I wish gun makers would come up with something more original.

 

[swmp9jrm]

The 709 has been available for six months or so, and I'm pretty sure the 738 is available now as well. I do not think the titanium versions of either gun are available. If you sweat when you jog, don't get the blued version, get the ss version. The bluing seems to have a durability issue. Some of the 709s have extractor problems. Two advantages for the 709 over the Kel-Tec PF-9: manual safety and 'second strike' action - if the round doesn't go bang on the first strike just pull the trigger a second time. Also, it has a Glock-like trigger.

I have about 900 rounds of many brands of FMJ and JHP through my 709, and I'm very pleased with it. No extractor problems with mine. The gun needs to be kept very clean. Felt recoil is decent, and the gun is very accurate. Mine is my daily carry.

 

[dom1104]

just my opinion, but I dont like it.

It looks like a "space blaster".

The angles and lines are all messed up.

And that divot forward of the takedown latches ... odd.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Thanks swmp9!! The 709 slim looks pretty good, but won't be getting that as I have no role for it. But the little 10 oz .380 will probably be a go for me, if it appears to be high quality - pocket & jogging gun. My Kahr MK9 is a bit heavy for jogging. Thanks for the warning about the blueing longevitiy issue - I'll have to take a look at the stainless steel one.

It looks like a "space blaster".

Hmmm, you say that like it's a BAD thing....

 

[m2steven]

Don't know about the 380, but the 709 is a great pistol. Highly accurate with regular, +p and +p+ ammunition. Easy to shoot and controll. Might be the best polymer pistol taurus has yet made.

 

[Quoheleth]

I wish gun makers would come up with something more original.

How many different ways can you package a .380 gun?

Seems Taurus at least went the "space blaster" direction.

The divot is a "memory" or "index point," I think it is called. The idea is you have a definite point of contact for the trigger finger to contact when presenting the gun; or maybe for the off-side thumb to rest if using a full, two-handed grip, a la Todd Jerrett.

Q

 

[Bobo]

WhoKnowsWho said:

That's very cool. It would be cool to see a side by side comparison of the Kel Tec P3AT and the Taurus offering to see how they compare in size.

Check this out...
http://www.thehighroad.org./showthread.php?t=171820

Bobo

 

[M2]

I got to handle the PT738 today, and compare it to a PT709 (I have one, but didn't bring it to the show).

First, the PT738 is considerably smaller than the PT709 Slim. One of my minor disappointments with the Slim was that it wasn't much smaller than my PT111. It is pretty much the same size, just slimmer (go figure!). Still, I like it a lot; and mine has been flawless.

I got my PT111 in trade for a Kel-Tec P3AT I couldn't stand. I was much happier with the Taurus, which led me to buy the PT709. Now I am considering a PT738, as it has several features over the Kel-Tec in my book. First is the slide lock which engages after the last round is fired. Secondly, it is of a much higher quality than the P3AT. It just feels better in my hand! Lastly, it slipped easily in and out of my pocket, and the small pouch that it comes with is great for concealment.

I was quoted $350 + tax for the ones I saw at the show (the vendor had four of them, all with the stainless steel slides). I was tempted until I saw a Mosin M38 for $200, I figured there would be better prices on the TCP down the road once it becomes more available. Plus, I am also in the market for a big .44 Magnum revolver (6"+ barrel), so in the mean time the PT709 will remain the smallest pistol I own...

Cheers! M2

 

[kingmt]

I cannot see personally paying an extra $164 (MSRP difference between blued steel & titanium) to save 1.2 oz, and decreasing durability and potentially lessening reliability, but I'm sure some people will. I mean, surely they could have shaved off another 1.2 oz off the steel one, but why didn't they? Because it needs "X" amount of slide mass to function properly. So the Ti one is just asking for trouble - so why bother? The Ti ones look gimmicky to me (both 709 and the 738).

You might want to check into the Titanium finish a little closer. I have a Taurus that has a stainless/titanium finish that I have been carrying in my pocket for over 7 years (mostly without holster). the stainless looks like crap but the titanium still looks new. It is far more durable & has nothing to do with reliable. The gimmick of tougher finish & durable works for me because I just ordered my new 24/7 in titanium. It did cost an extra ~$100 which would deter most people but I know what my carry pistols have to go through. I carry open, concealed, in rain, sweat, holster, pocket, humid car, & in the woods. If I take the notion to shoot then I do so & then holster it again. It is lucky to be clean once a year. The $100 bucks is a bargain in these conditions. Stainless does hold pretty good & blued doesn't stand a chance. I am looking for a TCP also & I will probably go with stainless since it will probably spen most of its time in a holster in my back/front pocket.

 

[jakobe]

I bought one all "blued"
I had a hard time choosing this over the Kahr pm9 or the Kel-Tec pf9


but here is why I choose this one over the pf9 and the Kahr

- this has a loaded chamber tab/indicator on the top
- it has double strike capabilities (SO and a DO trigger)
- price point (mine was only $350.00)
- it has an actual safety lever


Sometimes my wife may carry this and she will carry it with one in the chamber ..the trigger is kinda medium-light..alot lighter than her Kel tec 380

so I wanted a safety and also to know in an instant if the gun is chambered.

personally I dont like the looks of it, I like the PF9 better (the Kahr is just a block)

but this gun shoots decent
I have run about 200 rounds through it so far..shoots pretty good at 15m
nice groupings.
only one FTF.. using cheap range ammo

it has a little kick, but its not that bad.

unfortunately no accessories at this time and chances for a tiny tac light or tac laser mount are very slim.


Any accessory for this gun with be a custom specific and cost big bucks..similar to why the crimson trace lasers are so overly expensive.

no reason they need to be 185.00 ..the materials are not but a few bucks form china.
and its old technology..old red lasers...not even awesome new green ones.

Old sckool lasers that are no different that the laser pen you can buy for 2.99 at the radio shack..the CT model just has a fancy plastic housing and better mounting screws and longer lasting batteries.

(I could go on all day about crimson trace AND Surefire and their price gouging)
neither product is worth the amount money you pay for it.


so any light or rail system has to be created specifically for this gun..no "universal" parts will work.

unlike the PF9 which has a rail,
So as accessories get smaller the PF9 can take advantage of them, at an affordable rate.

the Taurus cant

 

[jakobe]

I have both I'll take a couple pics tonight.

big differance

 

[jakobe]

That's very cool. It would be cool to see a side by side comparison of the Kel Tec P3AT and the Taurus offering to see how they compare in size.

I have both I'll take a couple pics tonight.

big differance

 

[CZ223]

Tad

I love my two PT 1911's and I believe Taurus to be a good value and a quality product most of the time but.... why take the chance on a VERY new pistol when both the KT and the Ruger LCP can be had for the same or less money and both have very good reputations. I own two LCP's and they are great guns. A lot of my friends own the KTs and they love them.