TAURUS TCP break-in review.

[Float Pilot]

The other day I had a Kel-Tec, a Ruger LCP and a Taurus TCP all sitting in front of me. While the Kel-Tec was smaller than the other two, the TCP had the best trigger. So I bought the dang thing on a whim...

After some light oiling I headed out the the range with whatever ammo I could find in my shop.

The DA only trigger pull is 4.65 pounds on my trigger gauge. Much less than the Ruger or Kel-Tec.


Size Comparison Of Pocket Pistols
...........Kel-Tec P3AT Ruger LCP Taurus 738
Weight .... 8.3 Oz 9.42 Oz........... 9.9 Oz
Frame Width 0.798" 0.790"............. 0.775
Barrel Length 2.745" 2.796"............ 2.830
Slide Width 0.748" 0.741"............ 0.778"
Overall Length 5.14" 5.172"............ 5.195
Overall Height 3.576" 3.612" ............ 3.625
Cartridge Capacity 6+1 in all three

The only ammo I could find was Hornady Critical Defense, PMC 90 grain FMJ and a Box of something called Independence ammo made by Federal with 95 grain FMJ and a nickeled case.

I set up my target in failing light at 15.2 yards. (45.6 feet ) Which is probably the max distance for this type of pop-gun.

15 yard accuracy, five shot groups, average of three groups:

PMC 90gr FMJ, = 2.75 inches. usually 3 shots in 1.0 to 1.5 inch and two flyers.

Crit Def 90gr FTX = 4.0 inches, usually 3 shots in 1.5 inch with two flyers.

Indep 95gr FMJ = 5.0 inches with no consistency.

The PMC ammo never had any problems and the little gun just loves it.
The Hornady Critical Defense ammo had some hang ups with the bullet tip getting hung up on the last round in the mag. Causing a failure to chamber.
The Independence (economy Federal) did not work very well. It had about 30% failure to eject. Plus it does not group well at all. It even ejects the wrong way....compared to the other ammo. It seems that the nickel plated case hang up in the chamber.

So far the only thing that seems to be needed is a polishing of the feed ramp and maybe another 100 rounds of ammo down range.

 

[chicharrones]

I've got one of those in .32 ACP. Too bad Taurus quit making them!

If you are looking for the ol' fluff and buff for the TCP pistols, perhaps you have already seen this? http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/smithing/40279-tcp-738-reliability-enhancements.html

 

[kokapelli]

I have one and it was perfect right out of the box. IMO the TCP comes in third behind the G42 and the P238 in 380 pocket pistols and easily beats out the LCP, P3AT and P380.

 

[wally]

IMO the TCP comes in third behind the G42 and the P238 in 380 pocket pistols

And well under half the price!

 

[Float Pilot]

I was not interested in the P238 since it is a locked and cocked carry which I would rather not have in my jeans pocket or ankle holster.

The Glock 42 is nice, BUT it is the size of a small 9mm. (ie KAHR, Shield, LC9) so it somewhat defeats the purpose. I already have an old Beretta M84 around here someplace if I want a large underpowered pistol.

 

[BSA1]

The TCP hurts.

No really. It just plain hurts me when I shoot it. My daughter brought one and we went out together to shoot. My daughter fired the first six rounds through it, said this hurts and I don't want the gun. I talked her into six more rounds after which she said she was selling it.

So I said let me try it. You know what. It does hurt. Something about how it recoils causes the inside edge of the trigger guard to hit the finger. After 12 rounds I was done with it also.

Maybe her gun was a fluke but neither one of us liked the painful recoil.

 

[Float Pilot]

Yes it does.
Your trigger finger gets pinched between the bottom of the trigger and the lower trigger guard during recoil. 50 rounds in cold weather was enough for one afternoon.
Once , or if , I get it p and running I won't be shooting it much more than a few rounds a month.

 

[kokapelli]

Yes it does.
Your trigger finger gets pinched between the bottom of the trigger and the lower trigger guard during recoil. 50 rounds in cold weather was enough for one afternoon.
Once , or if , I get it p and running I won't be shooting it much more than a few rounds a month.

Really, i've never had that happen.

Do you have small hands?

 

[Float Pilot]

Not that I have noticed. I am 6'2 and 220lbs. Maybe it is how I have to hold it for accurate shots. Around shot number 40 I was noticing that the flesh on the bottom of my trigger finger was being pinched or maybe rubbing on something. Temps were in the 20s and rather damp.

 

[kokapelli]

Yes your hands are a lot bigger than mine. I guess that makes a difference.

 

[Float Pilot]

My serial number ends with an " A " so it was an earlier gun....
It must have been in my buddy's shop for awhile...
I am heading out the door to put another 50 rounds through it..

Maybe it will improve....

 

[franco45]

I think you have the right idea Float Pilot. I usually break in a small pistol and when I trust it's reliability and establish what carry ammo it likes I put 2 magazines a month through it to remain familiar. These little guys are not range guns as you know.

 

[Float Pilot]

Well it improved a wee bit. The extractor will now occasionally extract the brass correctly. It might not let go of the brass now,,, but at least it pulls some of it clear of the chamber.

It still hates the Hornady Critical Defense Ammo. ( see photo )

Plus my big hands require that my trigger finger comes down at an angle. This makes the finger slide towards the bottom of the trigger hook itself during recoil. ( Trigger pulled all the way to the rear as well) ( See photo )

 

[rcmodel]

The pointy trigger looks like something that came on my Kel-Tec P3AT!

I rounded it off and smoothed it with a needle file and fine sandpaper the first day after shooting it.

No more sore finger after that!

rc

 

[herrwalther]

It still hates the Hornady Critical Defense Ammo. ( see photo )

My TCP hates CD ammo as well, and nearly every HP I have hand cycled through. Extracts FMJ rounds just fine though when hand cycling. Not sure if I would trust my survival on it so am looking for a buyer.

 

[Float Pilot]

IF,, I can get it running a bit more reliably, I might try hydrashoks.


In the mid 70s I had a $125 (used) Llama 380 that was a mini 1911 with locking lugs. I used to load an old Lyman hand-load with a 121 grain cast lead slug. It was a heavy hitter for a 380. One day I bulged the barrel trying to make it a wee bit too warm....

 

[rogerjames]

I have one and I hate it. It's a piece of junk. The ONLY thing I like about it is its size and weight which make it an easy pocket option. However, I never carry it because I only half-trust it to fire the round in the chamber and I have no confidence that it will cycle anything after that. I have maybe 400 rounds through it. I have shot several mags consecutively without issue and I have also shot the same mag and same ammo with hangups on damn near every round. It's now a paper weight.

 

[kokapelli]

Well it improved a wee bit. The extractor will now occasionally extract the brass correctly. It might not let go of the brass now,,, but at least it pulls some of it clear of the chamber.

It still hates the Hornady Critical Defense Ammo. ( see photo )

Critical Defence out of the TCP fails to reach FBI minimum depth from the TCP so that's not a real problem.

On the other hand Hornady's XTP bullet does well out of the TCP.

I have put three magazines of Fiocchi Extrema with the XTP bullet through my TCP without a problem.

 

[Float Pilot]

Look at how the extractor sits... As if it is a wee bit too long. Plus it does not grip the case rim half the time. This is an A model as part of their first run.... Not Good....

 

[Safetychain]

I've had my TCP for 5 years now, a B model. When I was looking, the TCP was the only one of the 3 in the OP that my finger would fit in the trigger guard without moving the trigger. I'm 6'2", 260 lbs. I had a few fte's out of a box of reloads and several with a box of PMC. I did the tuneups recommended by Taurusarmed.net to the extractor, ramp, and thingydoodle that locks back the slide and have never had a problem since with over 1000 rounds through it. I hold the gun much lower on the grip, pinky under the magazine, thumb in the thumb groove and; agree that this isn't a range toy, fire at least 2 mags of reloads a month through it and it never hurts my hands even after a 50 round session. I suggest a tuneup and change of grip.

 

[Bavarian]

Hey Floatpilot,

Were you the person at the A.P. range who was hitting the 100 yard plate with a pocket pistol a couple weekends ago?

 

[Float Pilot]

Maybe,, I was lucky a few times with my wife's little Kahr. The bench next to me had somebody with a real muzzle blaster...

 

[Float Pilot]

Well I have been on hold with Taurus customer service for an hour. This is the second time trying... Not good...

 

[Racinfan83]

I had a TCP. Key word = had. I bought a new one mainly because I was looking for something smaller then my XD Subcompact. 40. The trigger guard fit me better then an LCP so I got the TCP. Dunno if it was the gun, me, or what - but my wife and I both shot it and had same issues. It would either jam or drop the magazine upon firing. Both the wife and I are experienced shooters. Tried different ammo with same result. Dunno if we were hitting mag release on recoil or what - but it was junk. Traded for an M&P Shield in .40 - now THAT is a good ccw weapon. No more little pocket poppers for me...

 

[george burns]

Funny you brought this up, less than a half hour ago, I ran into this guy I met "in the gas station" , who works for Sysco foods. He is always in there and always has guns for sale, He was showing me the same gun and telling me that it has special bullets that make it as powerful as a 9mm.
So I being the bubble buster that I am, looked at the bullet that he handed me, "they were gold dots". I proceeded to give him a small education in bullets, and he was a bit argumentative but finally had to stop the crap.
I like the gun, I had the Slim, in 40, just wasn't for me, But nothing wrong with Taurus if you get a good one.
I am of the school that a gun should not require a break in. It should function with a good cleaning and some good factory ammo, after the first magazine.
I can't see spending a couple hundred dollars on ammo to break in a gun that should shoot after a thorough cleaning , this 300- 500 round break in, is nonsense.
Especially with Kimbers, and other thousand plus guns. To me all that means is the gun is still rough, and needed a buffing wheel. All ammo does is slick up surfaces, like burs in the slide and ramp.