I've been carrying a TCP for almost eight years now. When I went to the store to buy, I compared the Keltec, the Ruger and the Taurus, and the TCP fit my hand best of all. At the range later that day, I fired 250 rounds through the TCP with no malfunctions, and even mixed in some Rem Golden Saber during the last few magazines I fired. Also, after that 250 rounds, my hands were not tired or hurting.
I recently bought the Kel Tec P3AT. Has run flawlessly. It's the lightest of the bunch which was important to me. The recoil takes it's toll on your hand after about 100 rounds at the range. Just got some Pearce grip extensions to help with that. Also added some orange paint to the sights. Have also fired the LCP and LCP 2. All are good but I prefer the smaller Kel Tec for concealed carry.
I got a tcp not long ago and I'm in love. The trigger is so smooth when you fire that you barely feel yourself pull it all the way back with any tension.
I purchased my Kel Tec P3AT shortly after my neighbor showed me his. I do believe that Kel Tec was the first to come out with the micro .380's so I had nothing else to compare it to .I have never had any problems with my gun except after many magazine changes, the magazine would pop out after every shot. The catch button that held the magazine was worn. I sent them the gun and had it back in 2 weeks, very good customer service. Very pleased with it and carry it nearly every day. Great gun.
Nice comparison review. The Taurus is the winner for me. Got it for $210 new. Along with that great price, good reliability, good trigger, and lifetime warranty made it an easy pick. Only downside is poor magazine availability.
Thanks for the comparison! My LCP needed quite a bit of break-in. I clean and lube it every week, and dry fire occasionally to keep the feeding smooth and to keep wearing in the trigger. The LCP's trigger does get substantially better with use. As you pointed out, accuracy is not great, but is plenty for it's intended use. I later bought a S&W 642 and the accuracy was really good for a snub-nose. It is my regular carry, but if I find my clothing is insufficient to hide the 642, I use the LCP.
I compared all but the Hellcat, and was shocked that I preferred the Taurus! I really like the feel, the looks, and especially the last round hold back of the slide! Very easy to carry and very reliable.
I think you make the best gun reviews out there. I like how you compare guns against other similar ones. very thorough and in depth commentary. I like how you explain and demonstrate trigger pulls in videos too. very good work and very much appreciated.
jawjww I think a trigger pull gauge would make your reviews SOOOO much better. I bought mine for $20. My TCP has a 4.5lb trigger pull. Very nice for a d/a only hammer fire.
great review. as a "Taurus guy" I was pleased that the Taurus did well in comparison to those others. I switched from the P3AT to the TCP as my CCW in my EDC, very much in part because of the slide lock after the last round. I like to know when it's time to reload, because I'm sure I won't be counting rounds in a stress firing situation. As you pointed out, it also feels better recoil-wise than the P3AT! Thanks for the comparison vid!
It would appear that many of you don't like the P3AT. I may but suppose it's the "luck of the draw", but mine has been brilliant. It did have a small problem with the link pin walking out at first, sent it back to the factory, and they took care of it. Not the first problem since. always works, holds "minute of tree" at 50 yds.
Thank you for this. I just bought the Ruger with the laser site built in, so I don't feel that accuracy is going to be a problem, plus I have VERY small hands and it feels really good. I was glad to watch this as I feel I made a great choice in a conceal & carry!
Nice review! Good to see someone give the Taurus the credit it deserves. Mine works flawlessly. Just a note of caution. Be careful of which holster you choose. The sharp corner on the Taurus slide release can and has gotten stuck on the holster seam. I trimmed the seam at that spot and have had no issues since.
I recently won a gun from a raffle and I chose the Taurus because of the beautiful fit in my hand. I have watched a couple of your videos about the Taurus. Great info, very straightforward and matter-of-fact. Thanks!
I've read several comparisons between these two. The general consensus seems to be that the Ruger is slightly easier to carry concealed, and the Taurus easier to shoot.
Excellent video. I am going back to the Kel tec for pocket carry. I used to carry the older Grendel .380 in the 1980's and now the design is the Kel tec. Thanks for the excellent video.
I have one of those, bought new when Grendel marketed them to members of my department. Took a bit of work to make it run, and I can count on it to at least run one magazine, which is all you get in a gunfight with one. Most people (even me at the time) didn't get Kelgren's idea behind a fixed-magazine pistol, but it made sense when you learn for what, and whom, the gun was developed.
I really didn't think I would like my Taurus but I was wrong. I polished the ramp and cleaned it up a bit . Also, I painted a bright red spot on the front sight myself and it's perfect. One of the best features is that the slide locks back as Sootch mentions. Makes for a quick mag change and the pistol comes with two mags!
I gave $215.00 at Gander Mountain for the Taurus TCP 380, Which is really a shock since they are so high on everything they sell ! I have to say I really like this little pistol for a quick throw into the pocket carry, it conceals very well. Of course the price was a big factor in the purchase, but I am glad I went with it. Reliable and solid right out of the box.
Taurus TCP owner for 2 years. I have one identical to his, stainless with dark grey frame. I am extremely lucky I got a reliable one. Way to many lemons in reviews, articles, word of mouth. I can't even recommend it to people who ask me about it. But mine has 600 rounds, 200 hollow points through it without a single failure of any kind. Accuracy is decent at defensive ranges, little to the left though. I'm 5'11" and it fits my hand great, better then any other tiny auto I own. Love it.
Sootch that was an awesome review. I was looking for my first gun and got introduced to the kel tec. After not finding any I read a quick good review of the Taurus. Bought it like the impulsive buyer that I am and am now glad I went with it. Can't wait to get it and shoot it.
One thing I found very helpful in terms of firing the LCP comfortably was swapping out the stock slide spring with a heavier 13lb spring (I also grabbed the stainless steel guide rod while I was in there). The results were that I actually like firing this gun (especially with the 7+1 magazine) better than my Beretta 96. I still wouldn't want to defend my home with it, but for concealed carry it rocks! FYI - I did consider getting the Galloway "Sweet Pea" trigger replacement, but I have heard from more than one person that in court some attorneys look at a modified trigger as a "crazy dude who is looking to kill someone" flag. Hope this helps some LCP folks out...the spring and rod was a really cheap upgrade. :*)
I’ve owned a Taurus tcp for a couple of years and today I went and traded it for the ruger. There was not a time that I went to the range and the gun didn’t fail. Tried different magazines, ammo and there was always an issue. I carried it all the time in my pocket but never trusted it. Also found that the magazine tends to come loose when Carrying in my back pocket.
i have the ruger lcp and love having it everywhere with me. i forget my cell phone before i forget my lcp. just got one of those hogue rubber grips for it and it feels really nice in the hand. the tackyness of the rubber gives it a good no slip grip and makes the grip a little thicker which i like. also got a 7 round mag. that makes the grip a little longer which i also like.
nice review of these 4 pistols . I've had the kel tec in 32. it was a good little gun. I now have the tcp. haven't shot it yet. can't wait till the weather breaks and get to the range.
I have shot my sons LCP but went with the TCP. The Ruger is a good gun but I couldn't hit anything with it. The Taurus has the lock-back on the last shot and I have shot 2 1/2" groups at 21 ft.
dempsey gray you couldn't hit nothing with it cuz your a shit shot everyone know every gun is accurate its the shooter that's pulls the trigger that decides if he or shes going to hit what they are shooting
I have the LCP. The issues I have are: can't see the sights (need to paint the front), the slide doesn't lock back on the last round and the felt recoil makes the gun move in my hand. I shoot some large caliber handguns so recoil is not usually a problem. I solved this proble, with a Talon grip in the rubber-type material. It feels much better and the gun doesn't shift in my hand when shooting. Another great vid Sootch.
Thanks for the informative review. I favor the Taurus and my local shop has one for $199.00. The last round hold open is important, and that's why I'll select the Taurus, but in most other ways the four are very close in terms of a short range pistol
I don't know which series of TCP you are using. This is an older video. Mine is an "E" series. The only other of those I have shot is the LCP. I wouldn't trade my TCP for ALL of those others. For a little pocket gun it is flawless. Taurus has improved their quality by leaps and bounds. I like it so good I went out and bought a PT111 G2. It too is flawless. I'm an ex-cop and have fired a lot of guns over the years. Taurus hasn't always had the best reputation but they are MUCH better than they once were. Of the guns I have, I carry one of my Taurus's everyday.
+dempsey gray I have 3 'Tauri,'including the PT111, PT709 and the PT145 Pro. I like them all but I don't love the PT111. They advertise it as having second strike capability, which seems great on paper, but so far, it seems to require the second strike about every third round. That's far too often for my taste. I find myself wincing or even flinching every time because I don't know if the gun is going to go off or not. It's annoying and I'm going to try a variety of ammunition to see if that has any effect. I can't recommend it yet for carry until that is resolved. However, the other two weapons have been excellent.
Good vid Don. I still carry my Kel Tec P32. I just find that since I dont have as much time to spend down range these days I need a gun I can still be proficient with and if need be to defend myself with. So I went with the more controllable .32 acp. Not only is it more controllable for me but it also give me one extra round. I keep it loaded with ball ammo only. Looking into a small NAA as a back up. I carry a .38 or my Bersa CC in the winter.
u better be a good shot,back in the day some guy emptied 380 in some body cause 380 would not put bad guy down,D.A. made good guy look like a killer by empting mag into perp,had good guy used bigger rounds would not need as many rounds to stop perp.
@@roberthardenglens9429 Late reply, but that has happened multiple times with every caliber known to man, and none so much more often that it should be discounted.
After seeing Sootch00's review of the TCP PT-738 and the comparison with other micro 380s, i knew its the perfect pistol for me. Got my Taurus TCP last week. And what a fun and enjoyable pistol to shoot! Fired 100 rounds and no malfunctions. I can shoot 8" plates at 15 to 20 yards with the TCP. If you guys know how to hold micro compact / pocket 380 pistols, you'll find that recoil is very manageable. If you're leaning towards the TCP, get one with a serial number that ends with the letter
Thank you for taking the time to do this excellent review. I have a Taurus PT-22 and now want to get something with a larger caliber yet stay small or even smaller in size. After viewing your four contenders I think the Kel-Tec P3AT will be the way I'll go.
A pistol is a tool,the more you use it the more proficient you become.Now with that being said you must also load it with a good personnel defense round .I use Hornady Critical defense FXT ammo.great stuff. The Taurus TCP has more feature's than all three pistols mentioned.slide lock on last round,build in safety lock,loaded chamber indicator plus an extra magazine. I found this to be an excellent non bias review of four great pocket pistols.Outstanding
I've got the LCP. Trigger pull and sights were updated recently and I've got a newer model. Can't say much about the trigger pull since I never fired the original version but the sights are much better from what I've seen on the old model but still smooth for pocket carry. Might be time for an updated review. It ain't fun to shoot due it's size and recoil but its a good gun.
wouldnt want a pistol that doesnt hold open on last round. no way. The TCP does. works flawlessly. Made in USA. Nice trigger. Paid $199. Usually dont like Taurus but this thing is absolutely awesome after a few years. Highly recommend.
+Morkmork Binglebob what are you talking about. my reasoning is the same as the well known professional shooting instructors. In a gunfight, these are the things that matter.
Jack Sin I agree. every professional, whether a self defense instructor or competition shooter wants a gun to lock open. theres just no reason to build a gun without that basic and important feature.
I was going to add that I still love my little Colt Mustang. Good call on that one Sootch. It's a hard gun to stop. As a matter of fact, I don't ever recall having a malfunction with it. And trust me, I have shot a LOT of rounds through it! Happy 4th all!
After the review, I purchased the Taurus @ Cabelas for $179.00 during the holidays. After 250 accurate, no issue rounds and carrying it very comfortably, I would recommend to anyone looking for a small form factor Conceal Carry.
Awesome review Sir! As usual you nailed it! I'm so glad that I have a 'go-to' source for a knowledgeable and resourceful channel as yours! THAT is why I subscribed and watch! I'm a little biased towards the Ruger because I have several of them (in different calibers)... but, your review is very fair and concise! As you say sir..God bless America...Long live the Republic! P.S. I know that this is an older video but I like to review and comment on things I like! -Steve-
Really nice review, very thorough. I ended up going with the Taurus and it is a very nice little pistol. USA made with a lifetime warranty doesn't hurt either.
I have an LCP and I had to put a Houge grip on it. I know a lot of people don't like the rubber grips because it snags clothes but for a gun of this size I highly recommend adding a rubber grip.
I'm a 911 dispatcher and officers responded to a report of a shooting 2 nights ago. A male was shot 1 time in the head, it didn't penetrate his skull, but just ran under the hair line, then exited. He survived...a .380ACP shell casing was found at the scene. Don't get me wrong, I carry a P3AT when I'm in "minimal carry mode" but that's a real world indication it's weak.
Thanks for the comparison. I have a Diamondback DB9 9mm. I've wanted a smaller gun in 380. The Taurus is nearly as large as my DB9, and weighs about the same. The Ruger LCP is the smallest and thus would be worth the money to carry it rather than my DB9.
As other have mentioned, there are other excellent options in the micro 380 world, though most cost more than these examples. I have a Kahr P380 and it is a great little pistol with dovetailed sights front and rear (means you can upgrade, change and drift adjust sights). It handles the hotter loads well and is very accurate. Most of the major manufacturers have gotten into this market due to the extreme demand. Features vary and, assuming a 380 is what you want, there are many good choices.
I have an LCP and up to a month ago I hated it. I decided to put some upgrades into it before I gave up on it and I have to say they changed my opinion of the gun. I upgraded the trigger to a sweet pea trigger. That made the most significant improvement. Next was a stiffer return spring. This reduced the kick but made it a little harder to rack the slide. I also replaced the hammer spring with a reduced tension spring. This I thought was a fail. I had several mis-fires. According to the manufacturer of the spring you had to use soft primer ammo. I wasn't willing to place my safety on the "right" ammo so I removed it. It's now an awesome gun and fun to shoot. Just my 2 cents.
Great comparison, although I think that te guns that started it all was the Grendels, which later became KelTek. I still own a p12 and works well with 9 rounds in the 11 round may (fails to feed beyond that) but still beats on fire power. It is thicker though due to the double stack may.
I have the Taurus PT 738 .380 ACP. I have shot the Ruger and its nice. The other two, I can't speak on. Of the two that I have shot, the TCP felt the best to me so I purchased it. It jammed once and that was my only issue with it. At 25 yds. I am able to shoot center mass, so I'm happy with that. If I was shooting that in a fire fight, I might be arrested. Shooting that good. I like the over all weight, and the tigger pull. I had a gun smith who shot competition, help me with shooting it.
Sootch great review.I have to tell you though the Taurus TCP is one of the best..Locks to the rear on last shot,extra magazine,internal keyed safety. The bad things left side of frame rail cracks and seperates from frame,this happened to me twice had to send the pistol back to Taurus ,pistol was replaced twice (hope Taurus correctecd this designe flaw!!).I use hornady critical defense ammo.can't beat it.This gun is like the everything card.Don't leave home with out it.
I'm fortunate in that my local indoor range rents guns so I was able to shoot all but the hellcat before I made a decision. S&W Bodyguard .380 IMO offered so much more gun for a small compromise and a few more bucks. Well worth the upswell. Had a P3-AT and sold it.. Review the BG Sootch!
Thanks for taking a stab at this one, Sootch. You took some heat and you responded. Some ideas for a follow-up vid, given the POU of these pistols: How comfortably do they carry for an extended period in a pocket holster? And perhaps most importantly, how well do they come out if a pocket holster in an emergency situation? My experience is that the slide stop on the TCP is very snaggy and it's too big. Also, the rear sight on the Hellcat is a bit snaggy but not bad. The LCP and P-3AT are the
I have a Taurus and I added an extension to the magazine and padding to the grip...these two additions make it a comfortable and naturally pointing pistol...what I mean by naturally pointing is it naturally lines up with the target...two other pistols I own that do the same thing are the smith model 15 and the colt commander (45)...plus the lock back of the slide after the last round makes the Taurus a lot easier to put in second loaded magazine...;the sights are just as sotch00 says...breaking the pistol down ino problem, but putting it back together is a royal pain in the ass...took me almost a hour the first time I reassembled the pistol...getting the pin back in is an ordeal...finally looked at several you-tube videos to get it back together...fingers sore for 3 days after...
AFAICR, the Ruger LCP came out over a year AFTER the P3AT. I got the P3AT as soon as it came out although I really like Ruger as a brand & likely would have got the LCP.
I have the Ruger LCP 380 with the Stainless Slide. I also have the Ruger LCs-Professional in 9mm with the Stainless slide. I find I carry the 9mm more often in a Kydex outside the waistband belt holster because carrying the 380 in my pocket doesn't give me enough room for my Keys, Mini-Flashlight, and Handkerchief. In my other front pocket I carry a Coin Purse, a Medicine Bottle, and hard candy (because I am a Diabetic).
I have the LCP. It's a great gun you just need to do the spring and pin. Also I used glow paint on the sights and added the laser. My main gun is my FNH-9C.
I just recently got a TCP specifically for pocket carry I was a little leery because of problems ive had with another taurus but after shooting and carrying it I'm surprised at just how much I like this gun. The only thing I didnt like was the sharpness of the rear of the slide which I promptly blunted
I have the TCP, which I've had for years. Never had any problems with it. I bought it for the light weight and the lock back option. I just carry it when I need a deep cover carry gun and can't carry one of my nines or 38's. I can put 7 rounds in a pie plate at 15 yards- so figure it will do the job if I need it. I've also had a Ruger LCP II and did not care for it- didn't like the glock style trigger on it or the fact it wouldn't lock back after last round. Traded it off.
Sorry to chime in late- My .380 Bodyguard broke with less than 100 rounds. S&W fixed it free. The trigger is kinda sponge. I shopped around and felt that the Sig p238 (Colt Mustang too) was the best for what i prefer.
I looked at all of them and even rented the LCP. I really wanted to like the LCP, but couldn't make peace with that trigger. The Kel-tec doesn't fit my hand at all and it is rough as a cob. Wasn't sure about the quality of the Hellcat. Picked up the Taurus. It fits my large hands well, has last round hold open and slide lock. Sold. So far so good. I'm not sure you would beat yourself up for buying any of these though.
just picked up my LCP today , its actually alot smaller than appears in videos to me . havent shot it yet , but have experimented with different gripping styles . i found that by wrapping my offhand index finger around the front of the trigger guard allows me to have a much more secure feeling grip on it , also allows the offhand thumb to tuck under the guard
I carry the LCP everyday and with range time I am pretty darn accurate with it. I like the heavy trigger on it for a pocket gun. Although i carry in a holster that covers the trigger, i don't want to worry about accidental shooting.
Great video! As far as 380's go, I prefer my Bersa Thunder. It's not as small as the pistols reviewed but it is very accurate, well made, and the recoil is manageable vs the mouse guns.
BTW Ruger has improved the LCP as far as the horrid trigger travel and improved the sights. bought mine lcp latest improved model a week ago and it is the best choice out of the four reviewed! my opinon
Great review, thumbs up. I owned the p3at and sold it. I now miss having a pocket gun. Do you think the taurus for its additional size and weight is concealable as the p3at?
Only issue I have is the magazines, it's nearly impossible to rack the slide ejecting a round and feeding a new one. The round in the chamber is catching the lip of the next round, something the pawn shop I bought it from said is common? So I practice and practice with dropping the mag, racking the slide, putting mag back and re racking. I've gotten very good at it LOL, and the gun is holding up to hundreds of mag ejects over the years.
I gotta go with the Taurus. It wasn't my favorite going into the review, but after watching it shoot, I gotta say it looks the most enjoyable of the four. The Kel-Tec and Hellcat seem to be close imitations of the Ruger, visually speaking. I thought the Ruger was nicest looking, which was my favorite before the review, but the Taurus I could learn to live with.
I haven't fired any of these yet I've held the keltec and the LCP but I have a BG 380 and once u get used to the long trigger pull I really really like the gun ALOT it's made very well and seems to be a very reliable gun so far. 0 malfunctions but I have only fired 40 rounds of mixed hallow points and about 50 rounds of fmj so far so good and very accurate also
I find that with mine, if I don't slingshot it, it hangs up. What I mean is you can't ride the slide back when you chamber a round, the nose of the round will stick on the feed ramp. It's not a problem when you shoot it, but just something to be aware of when you are loading or reloading. I've got maybe 400 rounds through mine with no malfunctions.
I bought my daughter a bersa thunder for her birthday. Ive been playing with it and it is a great little pistol...500 rounds,,,no problems what so ever,,,
The Keltec P-11 and P-32 really may have started the polymer mouse gun category. Before them you had the Seecamp LWS .32 ACP, NAA Guardian .32 ACP, Colt Vest pocket .25 acp, Jennings J-22 and CZ 45 .25 ACP. And a dozen copies.
I don't get why a lot of .380 makers don't offer last shot slide open, or even slide lock at all. Seems to me, if you have a low capacity weapon, like all those guns there, they should be giving the shooter the time advantage of having that slide locking back. Those are valuable seconds that a .380 carrier would probably really appreciate. Thanks for all the work you put into showing these four compacts.
@@MajimaGoro8 The Seecamp in .380 does frequently approach $750 or more (MSRP.) The .32 caliber has an MSRP closer to $500. Real-world prices run $75-100 lower.
I've been carrying a TCP for almost eight years now. When I went to the store to buy, I compared the Keltec, the Ruger and the Taurus, and the TCP fit my hand best of all. At the range later that day, I fired 250 rounds through the TCP with no malfunctions, and even mixed in some Rem Golden Saber during the last few magazines I fired. Also, after that 250 rounds, my hands were not tired or hurting.
I recently bought the Kel Tec P3AT. Has run flawlessly. It's the lightest of the bunch which was important to me. The recoil takes it's toll on your hand after about 100 rounds at the range. Just got some Pearce grip extensions to help with that. Also added some orange paint to the sights. Have also fired the LCP and LCP 2. All are good but I prefer the smaller Kel Tec for concealed carry.
I got a tcp not long ago and I'm in love. The trigger is so smooth when you fire that you barely feel yourself pull it all the way back with any tension.
A year after your post, I come to say I agree. I have one, too. But, my Kel-Tec P32 remains my go-to for pocket carry.
I purchased my Kel Tec P3AT shortly after my neighbor showed me his. I do believe that Kel Tec was the first to come out with the micro .380's so I had nothing else to compare it to .I have never had any problems with my gun except after many magazine changes, the magazine would pop out after every shot. The catch button that held the magazine was worn. I sent them the gun and had it back in 2 weeks, very good customer service. Very pleased with it and carry it nearly every day. Great gun.
Nice comparison review. The Taurus is the winner for me. Got it for $210 new. Along with that great price, good reliability, good trigger, and lifetime warranty made it an easy pick. Only downside is poor magazine availability.
Thanks for the comparison! My LCP needed quite a bit of break-in. I clean and lube it every week, and dry fire occasionally to keep the feeding smooth and to keep wearing in the trigger. The LCP's trigger does get substantially better with use. As you pointed out, accuracy is not great, but is plenty for it's intended use. I later bought a S&W 642 and the accuracy was really good for a snub-nose. It is my regular carry, but if I find my clothing is insufficient to hide the 642, I use the LCP.
I compared all but the Hellcat, and was shocked that I preferred the Taurus! I really like the feel, the looks, and especially the last round hold back of the slide! Very easy to carry and very reliable.
I think you make the best gun reviews out there. I like how you compare guns against other similar ones. very thorough and in depth commentary. I like how you explain and demonstrate trigger pulls in videos too. very good work and very much appreciated.
jawjww I think a trigger pull gauge would make your reviews SOOOO much better. I bought mine for $20. My TCP has a 4.5lb trigger pull. Very nice for a d/a only hammer fire.
On my Kel Tec P3AT, I added the base plate extender to make the grip a bit easier to hold with such recoil. It was only 7 bucks and well worth it.
great review. as a "Taurus guy" I was pleased that the Taurus did well in comparison to those others. I switched from the P3AT to the TCP as my CCW in my EDC, very much in part because of the slide lock after the last round. I like to know when it's time to reload, because I'm sure I won't be counting rounds in a stress firing situation. As you pointed out, it also feels better recoil-wise than the P3AT! Thanks for the comparison vid!
Love my TCP. I added the grip extensions to the magazines and it's even better now. As always a great review. Thanks!
Very nice review. I chose the Taurus TCP and now how over 600 rounds through it with zero failures (C model). Thank you for your video.
It would appear that many of you don't like the P3AT. I may but suppose it's the "luck of the draw", but mine has been brilliant. It did have a small problem with the link pin walking out at first, sent it back to the factory, and they took care of it. Not the first problem since. always works, holds "minute of tree" at 50 yds.
Chris Blake i have 2 they are both flawless. I guess there are lemons running around out there. Lucky me i suppose
Thank you for this. I just bought the Ruger with the laser site built in, so I don't feel that accuracy is going to be a problem, plus I have VERY small hands and it feels really good. I was glad to watch this as I feel I made a great choice in a conceal & carry!
Nice review! Good to see someone give the Taurus the credit it deserves. Mine works flawlessly. Just a note of caution. Be careful of which holster you choose. The sharp corner on the Taurus slide release can and has gotten stuck on the holster seam. I trimmed the seam at that spot and have had no issues since.
I recently won a gun from a raffle and I chose the Taurus because of the beautiful fit in my hand. I have watched a couple of your videos about the Taurus. Great info, very straightforward and matter-of-fact. Thanks!
Great video, for me it’s the tcp or the lcp.
I've read several comparisons between these two. The general consensus seems to be that the Ruger is slightly easier to carry concealed, and the Taurus easier to shoot.
Excellent video. I am going back to the Kel tec for pocket carry. I used to carry the older Grendel .380 in the 1980's and now the design is the Kel tec. Thanks for the excellent video.
I have one of those, bought new when Grendel marketed them to members of my department. Took a bit of work to make it run, and I can count on it to at least run one magazine, which is all you get in a gunfight with one. Most people (even me at the time) didn't get Kelgren's idea behind a fixed-magazine pistol, but it made sense when you learn for what, and whom, the gun was developed.
I really didn't think I would like my Taurus but I was wrong. I polished the ramp and cleaned it up a bit . Also, I painted a bright red spot on the front sight myself and it's perfect. One of the best features is that the slide locks back as Sootch mentions. Makes for a quick mag change and the pistol comes with two mags!
Great comparison. I just purchased a Taurus TCP (C model) and couldn't be happier. Thanks for your great reviews.
I gave $215.00 at Gander Mountain for the Taurus TCP 380, Which is really a shock since they are so high on everything they sell ! I have to say I really like this little pistol for a quick throw into the pocket carry, it conceals very well. Of course the price was a big factor in the purchase, but I am glad I went with it. Reliable and solid right out of the box.
Taurus TCP owner for 2 years. I have one identical to his, stainless with dark grey frame. I am extremely lucky I got a reliable one. Way to many lemons in reviews, articles, word of mouth. I can't even recommend it to people who ask me about it. But mine has 600 rounds, 200 hollow points through it without a single failure of any kind.
Accuracy is decent at defensive ranges, little to the left though. I'm 5'11" and it fits my hand great, better then any other tiny auto I own. Love it.
Sootch that was an awesome review. I was looking for my first gun and got introduced to the kel tec. After not finding any I read a quick good review of the Taurus. Bought it like the impulsive buyer that I am and am now glad I went with it. Can't wait to get it and shoot it.
One thing I found very helpful in terms of firing the LCP comfortably was swapping out the stock slide spring with a heavier 13lb spring (I also grabbed the stainless steel guide rod while I was in there). The results were that I actually like firing this gun (especially with the 7+1 magazine) better than my Beretta 96. I still wouldn't want to defend my home with it, but for concealed carry it rocks! FYI - I did consider getting the Galloway "Sweet Pea" trigger replacement, but I have heard from more than one person that in court some attorneys look at a modified trigger as a "crazy dude who is looking to kill someone" flag. Hope this helps some LCP folks out...the spring and rod was a really cheap upgrade. :*)
Taurus TCP is 180 dollars on sale right now through Buds
I’ve owned a Taurus tcp for a couple of years and today I went and traded it for the ruger. There was not a time that I went to the range and the gun didn’t fail. Tried different magazines, ammo and there was always an issue. I carried it all the time in my pocket but never trusted it. Also found that the magazine tends to come loose when Carrying in my back pocket.
i have the ruger lcp and love having it everywhere with me. i forget my cell phone before i forget my lcp. just got one of those hogue rubber grips for it and it feels really nice in the hand. the tackyness of the rubber gives it a good no slip grip and makes the grip a little thicker which i like. also got a 7 round mag. that makes the grip a little longer which i also like.
nice review of these 4 pistols . I've had the kel tec in 32. it was a good little gun. I now have the tcp. haven't shot it yet. can't wait till the weather breaks and get to the range.
I have shot my sons LCP but went with the TCP. The Ruger is a good gun but I couldn't hit anything with it. The Taurus has the lock-back on the last shot and I have shot 2 1/2" groups at 21 ft.
dempsey gray you couldn't hit nothing with it cuz your a shit shot everyone know every gun is accurate its the shooter that's pulls the trigger that decides if he or shes going to hit what they are shooting
I have the Taurus TCP and it's AWESOME. I've had it for a month and have shot over 150 rounds and it hasn't jammed or anything. Great gun
I had mine for almost 2 years still love it
I have the LCP. The issues I have are: can't see the sights (need to paint the front), the slide doesn't lock back on the last round and the felt recoil makes the gun move in my hand. I shoot some large caliber handguns so recoil is not usually a problem. I solved this proble, with a Talon grip in the rubber-type material. It feels much better and the gun doesn't shift in my hand when shooting. Another great vid Sootch.
Thanks for the informative review. I favor the Taurus and my local shop has one for $199.00. The last round hold open is important, and that's why I'll select the Taurus, but in most other ways the four are very close in terms of a short range pistol
I don't know which series of TCP you are using. This is an older video. Mine is an "E" series. The only other of those I have shot is the LCP. I wouldn't trade my TCP for ALL of those others. For a little pocket gun it is flawless. Taurus has improved their quality by leaps and bounds. I like it so good I went out and bought a PT111 G2. It too is flawless. I'm an ex-cop and have fired a lot of guns over the years. Taurus hasn't always had the best reputation but they are MUCH better than they once were. Of the guns I have, I carry one of my Taurus's everyday.
+dempsey gray I have 3 'Tauri,'including the PT111, PT709 and the PT145 Pro. I like them all but I don't love the PT111. They advertise it as having second strike capability, which seems great on paper, but so far, it seems to require the second strike about every third round. That's far too often for my taste. I find myself wincing or even flinching every time because I don't know if the gun is going to go off or not. It's annoying and I'm going to try a variety of ammunition to see if that has any effect. I can't recommend it yet for carry until that is resolved. However, the other two weapons have been excellent.
Sounds like you have a problem somewhere. I've never used the "second strike" on my gun because it has never failed to fire.
Darrin Nunyah 3333
Plus Taurus has a lifetime warranty!
dempsey gray I agree. I own a TCP, PT111 G2, and a model 66 7 shot .357 magnum. Love them all!
Well done. I carry the LCP and while training with the little bugger WAS mandatory to shoot it well, it fits a niche PERFECT for me.
Good vid Don. I still carry my Kel Tec P32. I just find that since I dont have as much time to spend down range these days I need a gun I can still be proficient with and if need be to defend myself with. So I went with the more controllable .32 acp. Not only is it more controllable for me but it also give me one extra round. I keep it loaded with ball ammo only. Looking into a small NAA as a back up. I carry a .38 or my Bersa CC in the winter.
I bought my TCP for 299 and that came with a laser sight attachment which I thought wasn’t a bad deal love the stainless steel slide
I've been a Ruger guy all my life but i picked the Taurus over the LCP . Better trigger mainly.
Me too
u better be a good shot,back in the day some guy emptied 380 in some body cause 380 would not put bad guy down,D.A. made good guy look like a killer by empting mag into perp,had good guy used bigger rounds would not need as many rounds to stop perp.
You fire until the threat is stopped, doesn't matter how many rounds you use
@@roberthardenglens9429
Late reply, but that has happened multiple times with every caliber known to man, and none so much more often that it should be discounted.
After seeing Sootch00's review of the TCP PT-738 and the comparison with other micro 380s, i knew its the perfect pistol for me.
Got my Taurus TCP last week. And what a fun and enjoyable pistol to shoot!
Fired 100 rounds and no malfunctions. I can shoot 8" plates at 15 to 20 yards with the TCP.
If you guys know how to hold micro compact / pocket 380 pistols, you'll find that recoil is very manageable.
If you're leaning towards the TCP, get one with a serial number that ends with the letter
Thank you for taking the time to do this excellent review. I have a Taurus PT-22 and now want to get something with a larger caliber yet stay small or even smaller in size. After viewing your four contenders I think the Kel-Tec P3AT will be the way I'll go.
A pistol is a tool,the more you use it the more proficient you become.Now with that being said you must also load it with a good personnel defense round .I use Hornady Critical defense FXT ammo.great stuff.
The Taurus TCP has more feature's than all three pistols mentioned.slide lock on last round,build in safety lock,loaded chamber indicator plus an extra magazine.
I found this to be an excellent non bias review of four great pocket pistols.Outstanding
I have the walther PPK, S&W version. I absolutely love it! It's pricier than these, but it's reliable, classy, accurate, and looks great in my suit.
I've got the LCP. Trigger pull and sights were updated recently and I've got a newer model. Can't say much about the trigger pull since I never fired the original version but the sights are much better from what I've seen on the old model but still smooth for pocket carry. Might be time for an updated review. It ain't fun to shoot due it's size and recoil but its a good gun.
Remington RM380. Hold open on last round. Super reliable. Love it.
Taurus tcp for the win, thanks for the in-depth research and review
380s are sooo cute! I'm getting for my baby sister for Christmas I gave her a compact bow for her birthday. Keep up the good vis sootch
wouldnt want a pistol that doesnt hold open on last round. no way.
The TCP does. works flawlessly. Made in USA. Nice trigger. Paid $199. Usually dont like Taurus but this thing is absolutely awesome after a few years. Highly recommend.
+Morkmork Binglebob what are you talking about. my reasoning is the same as the well known professional shooting instructors. In a gunfight, these are the things that matter.
romansten9 thank u so much😊
Jack Sin I agree. every professional, whether a self defense instructor or competition shooter wants a gun to lock open. theres just no reason to build a gun without that basic and important feature.
Taurus makes some fine 380s!
Not just .380 the G2 Pt111 9mm from Taurus is a awesome gun as well they have came a long ways
I was going to add that I still love my little Colt Mustang. Good call on that one Sootch. It's a hard gun to stop. As a matter of fact, I don't ever recall having a malfunction with it. And trust me, I have shot a LOT of rounds through it! Happy 4th all!
After the review, I purchased the Taurus @ Cabelas for $179.00 during the holidays. After 250 accurate, no issue rounds and carrying it very comfortably, I would recommend to anyone looking for a small form factor Conceal Carry.
this is a very scientific comparison. you did great on many points. but overall gerneral logic of the divide is on the keltec. small light reliable.
8/23/16, My Ruger LCP 380 after firing 300 rounds the hammer broke.....fyi
I was just thinking about getting that same one👎
Great video, thanks for cleaning my Keltec! haha
Awesome review Sir! As usual you nailed it! I'm so glad that I have a 'go-to' source for a knowledgeable and resourceful channel as yours! THAT is why I subscribed and watch! I'm a little biased towards the Ruger because I have several of them (in different calibers)... but, your review is very fair and concise! As you say sir..God bless America...Long live the Republic!
P.S. I know that this is an older video but I like to review and comment on things I like! -Steve-
Really nice review, very thorough. I ended up going with the Taurus and it is a very nice little pistol. USA made with a lifetime warranty doesn't hurt either.
I have an LCP and I had to put a Houge grip on it. I know a lot of people don't like the rubber grips because it snags clothes but for a gun of this size I highly recommend adding a rubber grip.
I'm a 911 dispatcher and officers responded to a report of a shooting 2 nights ago. A male was shot 1 time in the head, it didn't penetrate his skull, but just ran under the hair line, then exited. He survived...a .380ACP shell casing was found at the scene. Don't get me wrong, I carry a P3AT when I'm in "minimal carry mode" but that's a real world indication it's weak.
thinking about getting the TCP
Lorenzo Guice the TCP is what I have and it's actually quite a good gun
Polish that feed ramp and adjust the magazine feed lips and it's perfect. Takes some rounds to break it in good.
Thanks for the comparison. I have a Diamondback DB9 9mm. I've wanted a smaller gun in 380. The Taurus is nearly as large as my DB9, and weighs about the same. The Ruger LCP is the smallest and thus would be worth the money to carry it rather than my DB9.
Im going to look at the diamond backs dimentions next. Good vid. Thank you.
As other have mentioned, there are other excellent options in the micro 380 world, though most cost more than these examples. I have a Kahr P380 and it is a great little pistol with dovetailed sights front and rear (means you can upgrade, change and drift adjust sights). It handles the hotter loads well and is very accurate. Most of the major manufacturers have gotten into this market due to the extreme demand. Features vary and, assuming a 380 is what you want, there are many good choices.
I like the Taurus little bit more because of the slide lock always nice to know exactly when you've emptied that last round
I have an LCP and up to a month ago I hated it. I decided to put some upgrades into it before I gave up on it and I have to say they changed my opinion of the gun. I upgraded the trigger to a sweet pea trigger. That made the most significant improvement. Next was a stiffer return spring. This reduced the kick but made it a little harder to rack the slide. I also replaced the hammer spring with a reduced tension spring. This I thought was a fail. I had several mis-fires. According to the manufacturer of the spring you had to use soft primer ammo. I wasn't willing to place my safety on the "right" ammo so I removed it. It's now an awesome gun and fun to shoot. Just my 2 cents.
Taurus all the way. Picking one up soon.
How has it held up? I'm thinking about getting one for a backup while I'm jogging around the neighborhood
Great comparison, although I think that te guns that started it all was the Grendels, which later became KelTek. I still own a p12 and works well with 9 rounds in the 11 round may (fails to feed beyond that) but still beats on fire power. It is thicker though due to the double stack may.
I have the Taurus PT 738 .380 ACP. I have shot the Ruger and its nice. The other two, I can't speak on. Of the two that I have shot, the TCP felt the best to me so I purchased it. It jammed once and that was my only issue with it. At 25 yds. I am able to shoot center mass, so I'm happy with that. If I was shooting that in a fire fight, I might be arrested. Shooting that good. I like the over all weight, and the tigger pull. I had a gun smith who shot competition, help me with shooting it.
Sootch great review.I have to tell you though the Taurus TCP is one of the best..Locks to the rear on last shot,extra magazine,internal keyed safety.
The bad things left side of frame rail cracks and seperates from frame,this happened to me twice had to send the pistol back to Taurus ,pistol was replaced twice (hope Taurus correctecd this designe flaw!!).I use hornady critical defense ammo.can't beat it.This gun is like the everything card.Don't leave home with out it.
I'm fortunate in that my local indoor range rents guns so I was able to shoot all but the hellcat before I made a decision. S&W Bodyguard .380 IMO offered so much more gun for a small compromise and a few more bucks. Well worth the upswell. Had a P3-AT and sold it.. Review the BG Sootch!
The heavy favorite as far as fans go for sure! And you can't argue with budsgunshop! #1 selling pistol there! THanks for the awesome video, Sootch!
I've practiced with all these but ended up purchasing the tcp love it
Thanks for taking a stab at this one, Sootch. You took some heat and you responded. Some ideas for a follow-up vid, given the POU of these pistols: How comfortably do they carry for an extended period in a pocket holster? And perhaps most importantly, how well do they come out if a pocket holster in an emergency situation? My experience is that the slide stop on the TCP is very snaggy and it's too big. Also, the rear sight on the Hellcat is a bit snaggy but not bad. The LCP and P-3AT are the
I'm looking at the Taurus because of the last round hold open and the slide lock. The prices are good too.
I have a Taurus and I added an extension to the magazine and padding to the grip...these two additions make it a comfortable and naturally pointing pistol...what I mean by naturally pointing is it naturally lines up with the target...two other pistols I own that do the same thing are the smith model 15 and the colt commander (45)...plus the lock back of the slide after the last round makes the Taurus a lot easier to put in second loaded magazine...;the sights are just as sotch00 says...breaking the pistol down ino problem, but putting it back together is a royal pain in the ass...took me almost a hour the first time I reassembled the pistol...getting the pin back in is an ordeal...finally looked at several you-tube videos to get it back together...fingers sore for 3 days after...
AFAICR, the Ruger LCP came out over a year AFTER the P3AT. I got the P3AT as soon as it came out although I really like Ruger as a brand & likely would have got the LCP.
I have a Ruger lcp2 lcp made a lot of nice improvements to the gun
I have the Ruger LCP 380 with the Stainless Slide. I also have the Ruger LCs-Professional in 9mm with the Stainless slide. I find I carry the 9mm more often in a Kydex outside the waistband belt holster because carrying the 380 in my pocket doesn't give me enough room for my Keys, Mini-Flashlight, and Handkerchief. In my other front pocket I carry a Coin Purse, a Medicine Bottle, and hard candy (because I am a Diabetic).
I have the LCP. It's a great gun you just need to do the spring and pin. Also I used glow paint on the sights and added the laser. My main gun is my FNH-9C.
I just recently got a TCP specifically for pocket carry I was a little leery because of problems ive had with another taurus but after shooting and carrying it I'm surprised at just how much I like this gun. The only thing I didnt like was the sharpness of the rear of the slide which I promptly blunted
I have the TCP, which I've had for years. Never had any problems with it. I bought it for the light weight and the lock back option. I just carry it when I need a deep cover carry gun and can't carry one of my nines or 38's. I can put 7 rounds in a pie plate at 15 yards- so figure it will do the job if I need it. I've also had a Ruger LCP II and did not care for it- didn't like the glock style trigger on it or the fact it wouldn't lock back after last round. Traded it off.
Thanks for the review, one of the best I have ever seen on youtube. Nice job
Sorry to chime in late- My .380 Bodyguard broke with less than 100 rounds. S&W fixed it free. The trigger is kinda sponge. I shopped around and felt that the Sig p238 (Colt Mustang too) was the best for what i prefer.
I looked at all of them and even rented the LCP. I really wanted to like the LCP, but couldn't make peace with that trigger. The Kel-tec doesn't fit my hand at all and it is rough as a cob. Wasn't sure about the quality of the Hellcat. Picked up the Taurus. It fits my large hands well, has last round hold open and slide lock. Sold. So far so good. I'm not sure you would beat yourself up for buying any of these though.
and I wanted to say your video presentation was well organized, easy to understand and really informative...well done...thanks for taking the time...
just picked up my LCP today , its actually alot smaller than appears in videos to me . havent shot it yet , but have experimented with different gripping styles . i found that by wrapping my offhand index finger around the front of the trigger guard allows me to have a much more secure feeling grip on it , also allows the offhand thumb to tuck under the guard
I carry the LCP everyday and with range time I am pretty darn accurate with it. I like the heavy trigger on it for a pocket gun. Although i carry in a holster that covers the trigger, i don't want to worry about accidental shooting.
Great video! As far as 380's go, I prefer my Bersa Thunder. It's not as small as the pistols reviewed but it is very accurate, well made, and the recoil is manageable vs the mouse guns.
BTW Ruger has improved the LCP as far as the horrid trigger travel and improved the sights. bought mine lcp latest improved model a week ago and it is the best choice out of the four reviewed! my opinon
I own a first gen kel tec p32, but thinking about getting a second gen P3AT
The first was not the Kel-Tec,It looked like the Ruger.
during the shooting review.
Great review, thumbs up. I owned the p3at and sold it. I now miss having a pocket gun.
Do you think the taurus for its additional size and weight is concealable as the p3at?
The Remington/Rohrbaugh with laser is absolutely the best of the bunch!!!!
Hey scootch you forgot about the Sterling model 400 mark II in .380
Only issue I have is the magazines, it's nearly impossible to rack the slide ejecting a round and feeding a new one. The round in the chamber is catching the lip of the next round, something the pawn shop I bought it from said is common? So I practice and practice with dropping the mag, racking the slide, putting mag back and re racking. I've gotten very good at it LOL, and the gun is holding up to hundreds of mag ejects over the years.
I gotta go with the Taurus. It wasn't my favorite going into the review, but after watching it shoot, I gotta say it looks the most enjoyable of the four. The Kel-Tec and Hellcat seem to be close imitations of the Ruger, visually speaking. I thought the Ruger was nicest looking, which was my favorite before the review, but the Taurus I could learn to live with.
I haven't fired any of these yet I've held the keltec and the LCP but I have a BG 380 and once u get used to the long trigger pull I really really like the gun ALOT it's made very well and seems to be a very reliable gun so far. 0 malfunctions but I have only fired 40 rounds of mixed hallow points and about 50 rounds of fmj so far so good and very accurate also
Another excellent detailed review as always. I just love your reviews!! I just wish you picked your choice though!
I find that with mine, if I don't slingshot it, it hangs up. What I mean is you can't ride the slide back when you chamber a round, the nose of the round will stick on the feed ramp. It's not a problem when you shoot it, but just something to be aware of when you are loading or reloading. I've got maybe 400 rounds through mine with no malfunctions.
I like the M&P BG 380.
Enjoy your reviews!
I bought my daughter a bersa thunder for her birthday. Ive been playing with it and it is a great little pistol...500 rounds,,,no problems what so ever,,,
The Keltec P-11 and P-32 really may have started the polymer mouse gun category.
Before them you had the Seecamp LWS .32 ACP, NAA Guardian .32 ACP, Colt Vest pocket .25 acp, Jennings J-22 and CZ 45 .25 ACP. And a dozen copies.
I don't get why a lot of .380 makers don't offer last shot slide open, or even slide lock at all. Seems to me, if you have a low capacity weapon, like all those guns there, they should be giving the shooter the time advantage of having that slide locking back. Those are valuable seconds that a .380 carrier would probably really appreciate. Thanks for all the work you put into showing these four compacts.
Thumbs up for blasting on the 4th of July with any and all of your guns ;)
Seecamp?
Seecamp is out of my price range at $800.00
Rafael Madrigal Seecamp pistols do not even come close to $800.00. More like $510.00-$595.00 MSRP, depending on the model.
@@MajimaGoro8
The Seecamp in .380 does frequently approach $750 or more (MSRP.) The .32 caliber has an MSRP closer to $500. Real-world prices run $75-100 lower.