Taurus TCP 738 , or Ruger LCP II ?

You can get an idea about the experiences of real Taurus owners at Taurusarmed.net

Be sure to check out the problems page where you can get a pretty unvarnished look at the problems owners are having.

Also, when evaluating customer service you need to separate the experiences of people who returned their guns as part of a recent recall that is still tied up in court and the rest of their users.
 
After owning many different firearms over the years, I have seen the problems pages with just about every thing ever manufactured. You typically see a lot of newbie owner's going to that website with a problem, and you see dedicated shooters of that gun that have had them for years and repeat customers.
I have a lot of range buddies. We share many different firearms all the time. Gives you a good chance to separate the good from the bad after actually shooting the gun.
Some of the best guns I own are some of the one's bashed on the internet and vice versa.
I do not own a Taurus, but have shot many. Would I buy one? Of course if I really liked the way that particular gun shot and the Price was reasonable and I needed one in that caliber, provided the weight, size etc. fit my criteria.
I also have owned guns that I would never buy again. I even have owned 4 of one of a particular Model pocket gun that I have shot now for over ten years, and now never would buy another. Why? Never tried others and when I did, I saw much better quality, better shooting etc. You own experience is ultimately the best.
 
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Carl the Floor Walker wrote:
...if I really liked the way that particular gun shot and the Price was reasonable and I needed one in that caliber,...

First off, love the Cool Hand Luke reference in your screen name.

Second, that's precisely the reason I bought a Taurus PT-111. Some friends who did not reload gave me their brass, so with a thousand-plus rounds of 9mm brass, I had to start loading it. And if I loaded it, I had to be able to test those rounds, right? The PT-111 was the least expensive 9mm available to me locally.

I read the owner problems section of Taurusarmed.net to see what to expect and since price was the primary consideration figured it was worth the risk. So far the gamble has paid off. Once I got far enough along the reloading ladder that the loads were heavy enough to reliably cycle the gun, it has been trouble-free.
 
I have been really happy with my LCP II. So far no failures of any kind and the trigger is actually very good. Mine was $249 locally so no shipping or FFL fees. I have 9mm's too, but sometimes smaller is better...
 
The original LCP is a fantastic gun and all you need from a pocket pistol.
No Custom, no II, "Improvements" that were unnecessary just to appease the marketing department. Be it BUG, or EDC, a pocket pistol is not a target gun, competition gun, or meant for precision shooting. They don't need "good" sights, or tricked out triggers. But marketing has to comply with potential customers that have that misconception.
 
Actually they can be a competition gun, a group of guys where I live have gotten together over the years and compete. I started shooting the Pocket gun about a decade ago, and it was a challenge. I accepted that challenge and started diligent training. I wanted to be good with the gun I carry. I figured I need to trust the gun and myself. Over the years I shot a whole lot. Thousands of rounds. I have been point and shoot training for decades and I really hit it hard with the pocket guns.
Improvement over the years was drastically improved.I practiced drawing all the time. Something most people do not do. I use to believe the pocket pistol did not need good sights. Man that changed over the years. They do need good sights for sure. Especially Night sights. First of all even with point and shoot skills you need the peripheral vision of the sight, maybe not directly but you need it. At night you need a focal point. Not all shooting is don at three feet.
I also like a good sight, because with new ammo, I will target shoot the gun to see what is grouping well at given distances.
I owned 4 lcp's but moved on to better guns with much better quality and shooting ability. I do not need the high Five slap of recoil the LCP is so notorious for. I like mild shooting Pocket guns that have the ability to go the long run and not fall apart. No, I do not like short crisp light triggers on a pocket gun. A nice firm long but not overly long trigger is fantastic if you shoot a lot. You really get accustomed to it.
You goal should be to draw and hit center mass in three seconds or under. Get the best gun for the job and train often. Shooting the pocket guns are a Perishable skill.
I always hated the internet crap of "It is not a range gun". Well it should be. Ironically the pocket guns are some of the hardest to acquire good shooting skills and I would say the one that people train the least on. Dilligent, moderate and frequent practice. Dry fire training at home and drawing skills are a major part of the equation.
Buy your ammo in bulk or reload. Train often.
 
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Not a range gun meaning not a pistol I am concerned about having pinpoint accuracy. My LCP does see plenty of range time. Partly to keep myself fresh with it. But mostly because I like shooting it. My basically unaltered early dash S/N Elsea Pea is plenty accurate at ten yards. Consistant center mass hits from start to finish. Just for grins I even do some two the the chest, one to the head practice. Again, very consistent accuracy through good old instinct shooting.
 
I got rid of a Kahr CW380 because if reliability issues and bought a Ruger LCP 'Custom' after the LCPII came out. I paid $230 out the door and it has been flawless after 150 rounds.
 
I got rid of a Kahr CW380 because if reliability issues and bought a Ruger LCP 'Custom' after the LCPII came out. I paid $230 out the door and it has been flawless after 150 rounds.
I have the custom too. It's a great little gun, very reliable. If I'm running out the door it's in my pocket.
 
I prefer the LCP. I have the standard LCP. The trigger isn't that bad. I actually like it quite a bit. Recoil is a bit stout, but it's a 9 ounce pocket gun.



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http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2013/05/jeremy-s/gun-review-taurus-738-tcp/
"My local range rents basically all of the .380 micro compact pistols on the market – Kahr, Diamondback, S&W, Kel-Tec, SIG, Ruger, AMT, Magnum Research, Colt, etc., etc. They’re popular rentals and popular sellers...they tell me the TCP is the most reliable pocket .380 in their rental case. Their renter has over 10,000 rounds through it with no breakages. None of the other contenders can claim that."
 
Have you considered the Remington RM380. I took the plunge today. $229.99 - $100.00 rebate = $129.99+tax. I couldn't pass it up. If you are interested in it because of the rebate, better act fast. Today is the last day of the rebate.
 
Which would you buy as a backup? I'm not a cop,just a reg. dude.
I LOVE saving money!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Neither?

I'd rather have the original LCP, or the "Custom" version (real sights from the factory).

I have an LCP, and concluded that it was a gun specialized for when nothing larger can be concealed. It's not at all fun to shoot. IMHO & YMMV.

I never found the trigger to be that obnoxious.
 
My daughter just bought a brand new TCP, cleaned it thoroughly, and it didn't even survive its first range trip. Is back at Taurus for repair, they tell us there's an 8 week minimum wait. In the mean time...my Remington RM380 performs flawlessly.
 
Neither for me. I'd get a Gen 2 of the original LCP. Not a custom, but the one with a better trigger and slightly bigger built in sights. The trigger feels the same as the custom and they don't have the giant gaudy sights. Also, the original LCP has way more accessories available than the custom or the LCP II.
THIS! ^^^

Yep, the LCP generation 2 is fantastic. But add a Hogue Handall Hybrid LCP Grip.
The difference the Hogue makes is incredible!

https://www.hogueinc.com/handall-hybrid-ruger-lcp-grip-sleeve-black
 
...my Remington RM380 performs flawlessly.
This has been my experience thus far. To say I'm happy with this small pistol would be a gross understatement.
I'm only about 100 rounds in with it, but so far it has been great.
 
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