Summer carry, new gun.

[USAF_Vet]

The LGS is having a sale, and I'm looking at a couple of small pistols for summer concealed carry.

1st: Taurus 738FS TCP in .380 on sale for $199.99

2nd: Taurus 85 Poly frame revolver in .38 special for $299.99

I'm leaning toward the 85, but not sure about the reliability of the polymer frame on a revolver. I like the 85, and have a little trigger time with an alloy frame. I also prefer .38 over .380. I've not heard anything about the 738, Internet reviews are hit or miss, like any other opinion online.

Anyone have much experience with either the 738 or the poly framed 85?

Thanks

 

[cane]

What are you carrying now? Why change your carry gun with the seasons?

 

[USAF_Vet]

I'm carrying a S&W 469, a gun that did not have concealed carry in mind when designed. It's fine to conceal under a coat or jacket, but next to impossible for a t-shirt and shorts.

Open carry is legal, but I live around enough sheep to not want to be bothered with the hassle of a MWAG call. It's happened, thankfully not to me yet, but twice to a buddy of mine.


Plus, it'll be something the wife can use, too. And the kids. And I have been wanting a new gun for awhile, and might as well get something with practical use.

I'm leaning toward the 85, just not sure about the life expectancy of the poly frame.

 

[oldbear]

I also prefer the 38 special round over the 380 round. Also remember that Taurus makes two types of firearms. One type will be fairly priced and a very good value. The second type will never be right no matter how many trips to the warranty center it makes.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

My sister in law has the TCP in .380 and hates it. I went with them to the range not long ago, and I didn't like it either.

I would either go with the PT709 in 9mm or the .38 that you mentioned. (I have both a 709 and a .38 Special Taurus)
They're both in the $300 range and I like them better than the .380.

Also remember that Taurus makes two types of firearms. One type will be fairly priced and a very good value. The second type will never be right no matter how many trips to the warranty center it makes.

I've always heard this, but every Taurus I've ever owned or fired, or know someone personally that has, has been very reliable and plenty accurate enough.

 

[cjl_1775]

Summer and Winter pretty close I like my S&W mdl 60 and then my Ruger SP101

 

[PT92]

The LGS is having a sale, and I'm looking at a couple of small pistols for summer concealed carry.

1st: Taurus 738FS TCP in .380 on sale for $199.99

2nd: Taurus 85 Poly frame revolver in .38 special for $299.99

I'm leaning toward the 85, but not sure about the reliability of the polymer frame on a revolver. I like the 85, and have a little trigger time with an alloy frame. I also prefer .38 over .380. I've not heard anything about the 738, Internet reviews are hit or miss, like any other opinion online.

Anyone have much experience with either the 738 or the poly framed 85?

Thanks

Not much first-hand experience with either. That said for CCW personally I must have a quick reload capability to feel secure--So my question would be do they make a speedloader for the new Taurus revolver? Of course this may or may not be an important variable for you or others.

 

[schultzie]

I usually lurk, but I feel compelled to weigh in on this topic. I am NOT a Taurus fan, but I picked up a .380 TCP a couple of years ago for back-up duty. Make no mistake, you will never confuse it with a Sig P210. However, I really like it for what it is.

If you shoot it with a vise-like (rather than vice-like) grip, it will function flawlessly. My girlfriend is a very impressive pistol shot, but has trouble adequately locking her wrist when firing this diminutive pistol resulting in frequent malfunction drills. In my hands it has been completely reliable with a wide variety of ammunition. Like many picket pistols, it can partially drop the magazine whilst bouncing around (in a pocket holster) in one's pocket. Also, keep in mind that these are actually made stateside to avoid GCA 1968.

Good Luck

 

[sidheshooter]

Also remember that Taurus makes two types of firearms. One type will be fairly priced and a very good value. The second type will never be right no matter how many trips to the warranty center it makes.

Not much to add, save for: this is one of the most balanced and accurate quotes I've seen on Taurus guns, as a whole. A sig-worthy line, IMHO.

 

[USAF_Vet]

I'll give the 709 a look also. I already stock 9mm, and if I can get away with a decent 9mm pocket pistol, it'd be worth it.

I've had an itch for a wheel gun for a wheel gun a Single Six just isn't scratching.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

While I like my 709, it is a little on the large side for pocket carry. I'm thinking inside the waistband.

If you've got a wheel gun itch, then by all means scratch it brother.
The lightweight snubbies are great for pocket carry. Oh, and FYI, Taurus makes a snubbie in 9mm.

 

[gtd]

I bought a 738 to fill the gap between a .45 and a .22 during the summer months. It's extremely accurate, no failures, and very comfortable because of its small size and slim frame.

I sometimes worry because it has no safety -- double-action only.

I use a Tagua IWB holster, which is OK, and a DeSantis Superfly pocket holster which is 100% awesome.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm leaning toward the 85, just not sure about the life expectancy of the poly frame.

Why buy a revolver which is made in Brazil and a copy of the original when you can buy and American Ruger LCR ($399) or the S&W Bodyguard 38 ($439) that comes with an integral laser? Not only do you get an American handgun you get the unquestioned customer service which only S&W and Ruger can deliver.

Of course this is just IMHO.

 

[PorkChopsMmm]

USAF Vet -- mind me asking what store is having the sale? I am in West Michigan too.

 

[Bushpilot]

I'd choose the Taurus TCP, 380. It's very reliable, small enough to easily fit in a pocket, has a good trigger, is powerful enough for most situations and you just can't beat the price. For what it's worth, the Taurus also won first place overall in a recent G&A comparison test between all of the popular pocket size 380's. I personally carry the Keltec during the summer (the Taurus wasn't available yet) and am very satisfied with it. Never the less, I'm pretty familiar with the Taurus and would buy one if anything ever happened to the Keltec. As others have pointed out, when someone reports having problems with the TCP it's usually from limp wristing it, which is a problem for all of the light weight, pocket sized 380's. Something to keep in mind if you intend for your wife and kids to use it too.

Although the poly framed Taurus 85 revolver is more powerful, it is also much bulkier and isn't going to be any where near as easy to carry in summer clothes as the auto. Also, I've seen many of the poly framed Taurus 85 revolvers that had numerous function problems fresh out of the box. I’ve heard complaints from others too. I wouldn't be concerned about wearing out the 85 but I would be concerned with it's overall function.

The Taurus PT 709 slim isn't a bad gun but is no where near as concealable in the summer as the TCP.

 

[Armored farmer]

My b-n-l has a steel frame Taurus 85. It is a nice little revolver. It is small, feels good in the hand, and shoots good too.

 

[USAF_Vet]

Pork Chop, it was Bob's Gun and Tackle in Hastings. The sale ended on Wednesday, though.

I was unable to get over there and check them out side by side. I'm still leaning toward to the 85, to satisfy my wheel gun itch.

Summer carry is awhile off yet, it got to all of 39 degrees here today.

 

[PorkChopsMmm]

Thanks Vet. I am an hour north of GR but it is good to hear of sales going on in the general vicinity.

 

[BTNut]

I bought a 738 last fall and have been very happy with it. It's been absolutely reliable for me. I have a limp-wristed friend who got it to misfeed twice, but for me even when I TRY to limp-wrist it, it just won't FTF ever. And obviously the size is great. I sometimes carry it in a Remora IWB or pocket, but usually in a Smart-Carry, and with that I can carry it anywhere in any clothes and it absolutely WILL NOT be seen by anyone.

I have no experience with the 85.

 

[bikerdoc]

Parallel experience.
Lots of trade offs to be considered here

It gets real hot and sweaty here in the summer,and while open carry is accepted my 45's and big 9's get heavy.

So, many years ago I searched for a pocket pistol and/or revolver.

Long story short I ended up with a nickel Bersa Thunder CC 380 and
two SS snub revolvers, a Smith 649, and a Ruger SP 101. (both in 357)

Truthfully, I carry the 380 slightly more. ( like right now it is 80 degrees and humid) Depending on what I am doing or where I am going, it is more comfortable and less bulky than the revolvers, but the revolvers do see a lot pocket time.

I am a shot placement guy and the 380 cartridge does not bother as I am practiced and confident enough with it to hit COM, and get to the 45 in the truck.

Thanks for listening to my ramblings but I guess I answered your question in a round about way.

 

[hardluk1]

USAF vet The tcp 738 pistols are great little 380s. We have to in the family but it is worth getting the SS model with 2 mags for the extrra 60 dollars. No worthy about sweat that the oxid coated model would have. I will give a big plus to the bersa thunder series from the CC , combat up to the thunder and the thunder plus with a double stack 15 round mag. I can say the cc and combat use a 8 round mag thats hard to find by my wifes works graet with the 7 and 9 round mags too. Price is around 260 for the single stack models. Next up would be the KT pf-9, hard recoiling 9mm but light weight and small eought for pocket carry and the KT p-11 . A double stack 9mm +P rated for carry and easier to control do to the 1" width on the grip. I just don't under stand the 180z poloy taurus 85 as practical. It my be chaeper but a airweight s&w can be found used for a only a little more and new 642 442 can be bought for around $360 new and there all meatl and 3oz lighter.

I carried a taurus 85 SS model for 20 years and love that old revolver. Very nice very light trigger pull and still looks great but would never own a taurus poly revolver for 2oz weight loss.

try to spend a few more dollars for way more choices. Een the ruger poly revolver is a large step up.

 

[USAF_Vet]

Thanks to Arkansas Paul to mentioning the Taurus 709.

My LGS was sold out of the Model 85 poly protectors, and I didn't quite like the 738, probably due to my dislike of .380, or more accurately, the price tag of .380. While I was checking out other guns, a used but unfired 709 slim was placed into the display case.

And here, as the late Paul Harvey would say, is the rest of the story.

 

[788Ham]

80 degrees and humid, the 19th of April? My God son, we've still got snow on the ground here! Only 48 all day, man, no wonder ya'll got chiggers all summer long!

 

[USAF_Vet]

It was 68 degrees and humid yesterday, and 27 degrees and snowing today. Gotta love Michigan. Oh, we're having all sorts of flooding going on, too. Maybe a stainless gun isn't such a bad idea.