RUGER LCP vs. TAURUS COPY

exavid · Jun 14, 2011

I've got 'em both, a TCP and an LCP. For me both guns have been completely reliable. I tend to prefer the TCP for trigger pull, lock back on last shot and the fact that it came with two magazines. I like the LCP for it's great looks, slightly better ergonomics and the magazine finger extension that came with it. I carry either one depending on which one is handier to stick in my pocket at the time. I also have a couple of larger caliber Taurii, a .40S&W slim compact, and a 24/7 PRO .45 both of which are accurate and reliable. My 9mm is a Ruger SR9 which is also a fine performing pistol. Of all my handguns the 9mm and the .45 are the most pleasant to shoot. Very low felt recoil with both of them and a longer sighting plane for more accuracy, but a bit big for concealed carry except in cold weather.

Bush Pilot · Jun 14, 2011

Average Joe said:
Think resale, it would be easier to sell a Ruger than a Taurus.

Unless the buyer was looking for a paperweight.

MCgunner · Jun 14, 2011

Patent rights haven't had time to expire on the P3AT. But, I'm sure Ruger found a way around the patents.

Think resale, it would be easier to sell a Ruger than a Taurus.

Why? This argument is lame as hell, especially on a cheap gun, 300 bucks.

I don't resell guns anymore. I've let too many good ones slip away. I only have a few I don't miss. I figure poor resale value is why I got two fantastic used Taurus 66s at such great prices.

I love my Rugers, but between these two guns, i'd get the stainless Taurus PT738. My SIL has one. I've shot both. The TCP shoots better and looks better to my eyes. I really have no need for a .380 of this type, though, as my Kel Tec P11 9x19 is my preferred pocket carry. It was, also, the first of the pocket 9s. I also have an old Grendel P12, shoots reliably, but don't really like it. It's the same size as a LCP except it's almost an inch wide and it's 12 ounces. Length and height, though, are the same or very nearly so. It holds 12 rounds for the extra width. It was the ground breaker in small .380s, though it's a blow back, not a locked breach gun. It is a modification of the P10 which did not have a removable magazine and which did have some problems. The problems were ironed out in the P12, but I still don't like the gun very much and never carry the thing, prefer my P11. That in no way affects the TCP vs the LCP just that the Mr. George Kelgren (founder of Kel Tec) was the enovator and all others are copies. The P3AT was his refinement of the old Grendel idea, but with some new twists that made it work a lot better. If all you want is to get the gun that isn't a copy, get the P3AT.

Shipwreck · Jun 14, 2011

MCgunner · Jun 14, 2011

If I like the gun, I buy it. I've found few I didn't like that I bought. The Grendel is one of those and I kept it anyway. It works, just don't like the trigger/ergos on the thing and it's not that accurate, accurate enough for self defense, just I own more accurate guns of the type. I own three Taurus revolvers that work very well and are every bit the equal of any K or J frame Smith and Wesson of any era. Smith and Wesson has had some issues of late, too, and they're often twice the price depending on the similar model being compared. There are some Smiths I like, though, but the pricing puts me off.

A blanket statement that all Taurus handguns (or most other major brands) are crap just shows an internet level of maturity, IMHO. I admit, there are some makes I don't like, for instance I don't like Hi Point. I can't say it's because they don't shoot well or are crap cause I never owned one. I just think they're fugly, personal bias.

BADUNAME37 · Jun 14, 2011

The Taurus looks great in the store's display cabinet from ten feet away. Ask to look at one and hold it and look closely at the way it is made and you immediately can see that the fit and finish of the gun is horrendous.

The price tag looks great, however buy some item made in China at a cheap price and find out the hard way that most of the imported Chinese stuff is pure junk.

MCgunner · Jun 14, 2011

Taurus is Brasilian, not Chinese.

I find the quality of my Taurus revolvers, fit and finish and especially accuracy and trigger function, to be on par with the much more expensive Smith and Wesson. I don't have to ask to look at 'em cause I own 'em.

I often compare my 4" 66 to my 60s era Smith M10 and it fairs quite well in that comparison. It shoots better than my old M19, too, a gun that I sold that I wish I hadn't.

I don't miss it that much, though, cause the Taurus is a better shooter.

Oh, and I have a couple of Chinese SKSs I have no complaints about, either.

JustinJ · Jun 14, 2011

Like i've said before, everyone i know with a taurus tells me how great their customer service is which is exactly why i'll never buy one.

I own an LCP and it has always run flawlessly although it's not the most comfortable gun to shoot.

Shipwreck · Jun 14, 2011

A blanket statement that all Taurus handguns (or most other major brands) are crap just shows an internet level of maturity, IMHO.

At what point is enough, enough. I'm on almost every gun forum there is. I've seen enough about Taurus. But, some will make your statement and deny it. Whatever. At some point, enough's enough, when ya read the horror stories.

Taurus isn't the only one. I've read things about other companies that will keep me from buying other brands. But nothing in the sheer quantity that I see about Taurus.

Alicia · Jun 14, 2011

I am actually trying to decide myself between the LCP, the TCP and the Bodyguard - decisions, decisions! I'm a newbie to all this, purchasing my first gun just a couple months ago, a Taurus PT22 which I love and was good for learning on but I want something with a bigger caliber since my whole point is personal protection. I'm planning on heading into the store tomorrow to hold all 3 and see if that helps my decision - see how they feel and all. I'm hoping they'll even have ones to try out there, I know they rent for the range but I don't know how broad a selection they have to rent. I think they're all about the same size but I also need to figure out conceal-ability since most women's pants pockets are MUCH smaller than guys I'll have to use a holster somewhere.

Just to throw it out there, the Taurus TCP is actually made in the USA. The magazines are made in Brazil but the gun itself is manufactured here.

JustinJ · Jun 14, 2011

Another post has me considering selling my LCP and getting a Bodyguard.

crracer_712 · Jun 14, 2011

I find the quality of my Taurus revolvers, fit and finish and especially accuracy and trigger function, to be on par with the much more expensive Smith and Wesson.

LOL

crracer_712 · Jun 14, 2011

Another post has me considering selling my LCP and getting a Bodyguard.

I think the LCP is a fine gun, copy and all. At least for a copy, its a better copy, IMO. As for the Body Guard, that's the one I want. Better sights(heck, it HAS sights), and last shot hold open.

crracer_712 · Jun 14, 2011

I am actually trying to decide myself between the LCP, the TCP and the Bodyguard - decisions, decisions! I'm a newbie to all this, purchasing my first gun just a couple months ago, a Taurus PT22 which I love and was good for learning on but I want something with a bigger caliber since my whole point is personal protection. I'm planning on heading into the store tomorrow to hold all 3 and see if that helps my decision - see how they feel and all. I'm hoping they'll even have ones to try out there, I know they rent for the range but I don't know how broad a selection they have to rent. I think they're all about the same size but I also need to figure out conceal-ability since most women's pants pockets are MUCH smaller than guys I'll have to use a holster somewhere.

The most recent BG380's seem to have the Bugs worked out, no pun intended. You have a pocket concern and I think the LCP would be a better fit. It's a very reliable pistol.

Alicia · Jun 14, 2011

I'll give the LCP a good look, thanks. I was torn between the Bodyguard and the TCP, it wasn't until I began researching online I stumbled on the LCP so I didn't notice it in person at the store the other day. I was leaning towards the Taurus since I have one already and I know not to buy a gun for the color, lol, but the TCP looks really cute in pink

kokapelli · Jun 14, 2011

Alicia said:
I'll give the LCP a good look, thanks. I was torn between the Bodyguard and the TCP, it wasn't until I began researching online I stumbled on the LCP so I didn't notice it in person at the store the other day. I was leaning towards the Taurus since I have one already and I know not to buy a gun for the color, lol, but the TCP looks really cute in pink

In order to make an intelligent decision it would be nice if you could shoot both.

Alicia · Jun 14, 2011

kokapelli said:
In order to make an intelligent decision it would be nice if you could shoot both.

That's my hope - I'm heading down there tomorrow and am going to see what they have available to shoot. I don't know if they make everything available or just certain popular models but we'll see. I'd love to be able to shoot all 3.

SwampWolf · Jun 14, 2011

Patent rights haven't had time to expire on the P3AT. But, I'm sure Ruger found a way around the patents.

I'm curious: what on the P3AT did Kel-Tec patent? The basic design (that is, the way it "works") of the pistol has been around forever. You can't patent size and weight so I'm really wondering exactly what patents were awarded to Kel-Tec. Anybody know?

MCgunner · Jun 14, 2011

I'd think, if anything was patented, it'd be the hammer design which is fresh to my knowledge, a preloaded hammer vs striker. I really don't know, though. They aren't in a court battle with Ruger, so I figure Ruger has a decent legal department. Smith and Wesson seems to be copying ideas if not pattents all the time. The M&P (Glock), the "Governor" (Taurus Judge), etc.

surferdaddy · Jun 15, 2011

I know this is just one example, but.... I have a TCP in stainless which I was leery of 'til I shot it, a lot, it has been flawless and accurate (admittedly to my surprise). I have an LC9 which has been slumber partying in Arizona for a couple of weeks, not what I was expecting either.

harmon rabb · Jun 15, 2011

I know this is just one example, but.... I have a TCP in stainless which I was leery of 'til I shot it, a lot, it has been flawless and accurate (admittedly to my surprise). I have an LC9 which has been slumber partying in Arizona for a couple of weeks, not what I was expecting either.

I have a Taurus PT-709 that's been flawless since day 1. Their products are MUCH improved these days.

tinygnat219 · Jun 15, 2011

At Academy Sports I was examining the Ruger LCP and noticed a Taurus .380 that seemed nearly identical for less $$.

Yeah, the Taurus should be a little cheaper.

The clerk said it was a "copy" of the LCP. I unfortunatly don't recall the Taurus model number but it was clearly almost an exact copy except for some external features that had nothing to do with function.

Nope. The Taurus has some different things going for it like last round hold open along with a manual safety as well as a much shorter DAO pull. It's Ruger that copied the Kel-Tec P3AT.

harmon rabb · Jun 15, 2011

the TCP does not have a manual safety. the PT709 does, and is completely different than the PF-9 and LC9 because it's a striker fired gun with double strike capability. perhaps the TCP is largely inspired by the LCP and P3AT, but the PT709 is a pure taurus design, copied from nobody.

cls12vg30 · Jun 15, 2011

My PT709 has been flawless as well, and a joy to shoot compared to the PF-9. It's got just over 500 rounds through it with nary a hiccup, and the trigger is much nicer than the DAO rivals.

My pocket gun is a P3-AT, just because I've been carrying their pocket pistols for several years, since before any of the others came along. I like the TCP, though, it has good features and that little extra weight at the muzzle end of the slide seems to really help the recoil. I do not like the smoother grip of the LCP.

Tommygunn · Jun 15, 2011

OK, thanks for all the answers.

I have purchased the Ruger LCP. I like it pretty well.
As for it being a copy of the TCP rather than the other way around, I really don't care so much.
My main criteria was that I felt the Ruger was likely more reliable. No offense to the Taurus fans, it's just an opinion.

RUGER LCP vs. TAURUS COPY

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