Taurus TCP vs Kel Tec P3AT

[Kiln]

I'm thinking about grabbing one of these two pistols. Which would you go with and why? I've got lots of other guns so no "buy this instead" please. I'm strictly interested in the two options listed.

 

[Armor Snail]

TCP.
Last round hold open.
Better trigger.
Better fit and finish.
Ever so slightly larger and heavier. A good thing in this case.

Better looking too.

I will say though if you haven't seen an I.O. Hellcat, it's one to look at too.

 

[beatledog7]

Armor Snail summed it up nicely. For the same money, the Taurus without question.

 

[MedWheeler]

I have the P32 by Kel-Tec, and really like it.

But, for either of those two .380 pistols, I'd go with the Taurus hands-down, for the reasons given in post 2. I've never shot one, but was impressed with the gun when a friend got one and I was able to lay hands on it.

 

[skoro]

Which would you go with and why?

I've had my P3AT for six years now and it's seen a lot of carry duty over that time. The Taurus wasn't invented yet, but even if it was, I wouldn't change a thing.

 

[TarDevil]

There seems to be a few guns that Taurus got right with little dispute, and IMO the TCP is one of them. I'm not a fan of that class of gun but if I were the TCP would make the short list. It shoots surprisingly soft for such a light pistol.

 

[chicharrones]

Hmmm. As an owner of a TCP 732, if I were asked to compare it to a KelTec P32 . . . knowing what I know from ownership, I'd get the KelTec due to no releasing of the hammer from semi-cock if the trigger is only forward of the "false" reset and pulled again.

KelTec realized this problem and they have corrected it with their pistols made in the last several years. Taurus on the other hand has not changed the function of their TCPs in this regard, to the best of my knowledge.

But, going with .380 pocket autos of this type, I'd really get a Ruger LCP which is the KelTec design with no "false" trigger reset and more refined overall compared to the KelTec.

 

[weblance]

TCP.
Last round hold open.

Thats the number one reason, right there.

 

[Strahley]

TCP.
Last round hold open.
Better trigger.
Better fit and finish.
Ever so slightly larger and heavier. A good thing in this case.

Better looking too.

This. TCP all the way

 

[snooperman]

I have shot both and between the two I liked the Taurus TCP much better. The trigger was better, the grip was more comfortable and also with the last shot , the slide locked open as well. Gander Mt has them for $200 in our area sometimes on a special sale. Nice pocket gun.

 

[kokapelli]

I own both and the TCP in a heartbeat. I replaced my P32 with a P3AT when they first came out and basically liked the pistol, but thought that KT could have done a lot to make it a lot more sufisticated and that is exactly what Tauraus has done with their TCP.

 

[Safetychain]

I didn't realize I had that big of a trigger finger. I had to force my trigger finger into the space between the trigger and the trigger guard on the KT and the Ruger lookalike. I didn't think it was a good idea to have to move the trigger to get my finger in there. The TCP has a much larger space in front of the trigger. I didn't notice any difference in recoil or accuracy.

 

[MICHAEL T]

I go with the KelTec I have had no luck at all with Taurus pistols or their factory service.

If you gave me one I would trade it for a KelTec I have 6 good running KelTecs PF9mm , 380 ,and 32's . I will stay with my KelTec brand.

 

[gamestalker]

I'm not a huge fan of .380's, but I have spent a bit of time behind both of those pistols and much preferred the TCP. That last round open is a must for me, and it just really shoots nice, very controllable.

GS

 

[Shipwreck]

Neither - Ruger LCP. The newest 2nd generation has a better trigger than the Keltec/1st gen of the LCP

 

[Fishbed77]

I agree with Shipwreck.

My choice between these two would be the Ruger LCP.

 

[TennJed]

Owned both. Taurus hands down. Should be able to find it cheaper. (Taurus is $227 on Buds, Kel tec is $259)

 

[kokapelli]

I wonder how many people that voted actually own both or are just voicing their bias without actually having experience with both pistols?

 

[Aahzz]

I've owned both, preferred the Taurus.

 

[Kiln]

I wonder how many people that voted actually own both or are just voicing their bias without actually having experience with both pistols?

Either way they have been pretty much tied in the poll since I created it.

 

[SeanSw]

Voted Taurus TCP. I do not own both. I handled both and preferred the features, feel, and trigger of the Taurus over the Kel Tec. If you try them both side by side you might come to the same conclusion. Adding a Ruger LCP to the list doesn't change my decision.

 

[benzy2]

If my life depends on it, the brand name won't be Taurus. I simply have no faith the next trigger pull on any of their firearms will go off if needed. The TCP may be a great design but I will not have enough confidence in a Taurus product to defend my life with one. Just my personal hang up.

 

[PlayTheAces]

Don't have a TCP, but do have a P3AT so you can figure out what side of the fence I landed on.

First, I've had zero problems with the KT. It isn't a range gun by any means, but I usually run a mag or two through it whenever I get the chance. After that, I'm done. Suffice it to say it's a snappy little devil. It's been reliable and disappears into my pocket, which is all I ask for. And from what I've heard, if I ever did have problems with it, the manufacturer pretty much stands behind them and is pretty easy to work with. Hopefully I'll never have to put that to the test.

As for Taurus, I have one I bought twenty some years ago on the advice of a LGS owner who told me how great it was to have the Taurus lifetime warranty. What he failed to mention is you have to ship it to them, which costs almost as much as the gun is worth now. Taurus will not send you even minor repair parts. You have to send it back to them. So even though I've had some problems with it, it just isn't worth shipping it back to them. Taurus isn't high on my list.

 

[stressed]

I had a P3AT. I've shot a TCP. I would get the TCP. I was going to get a TCP to replaced my pocket weary P3AT except then I shot the S&W Bodyguard, and ended up getting that.

 

[Armor Snail]

Own the Taurus. Shot the others. Which is why I own the TCP.

I will add though that if I could have found an NAA Guardian chambered in .32NAA I would have that.
That is one nasty little mouse gun caliber.