Thread: Taurus .380

I've been thinking about picking up a Taurus .380 from academy ($199) for my gf as a small compact she can carry in her purse. I don't know much out them and was hoping someone here has one or knows something about them. I carry a Glock 27 but its just a little to much for her and with ammo getting harder to find in 9mm I figured the .380 would do the job. Thanks in advance

James, I own and carry the Taurus in 45 ....don't know much about it in 380....my 380 carry guns are the ruger lcp, and sig 230sl that both I love and never have had an issue with....the 45 is more for the home and winter coat gun....for 199 I don't think you can go wrong

a little reading for you

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/201...aurus-738-tcp/

I don't care for the Taurus .380.
But my wife and I both like the Bersa Thunder .380.

Don't think that something bigger won't suit her. My wife normally purse carries her Rossi .357mag revolver,loaded with .38spc.
Has your GF shot very many different pistols/revolvers in multiple calibers?

Originally Posted by bigboyjames11

I've been thinking about picking up a Taurus .380 from academy ($199) for my gf as a small compact she can carry in her purse. I don't know much out them and was hoping someone here has one or knows something about them. I carry a Glock 27 but its just a little to much for her and with ammo getting harder to find in 9mm I figured the .380 would do the job. Thanks in advance

My son and I both have the Taurus .380 TCP. The first version (serial # ending with "A") had some issues with the ramp that caused jams. This is the version that my son has and he sent it back to Taurus and they repaired it. Mine is the latest revision (serial # ends with "C") and I have not had any problems. Takes about 300 rounds to "break it in". It is very small, light, and easily concealed. Very simple to break down and clean. No safety, just a very long trigger pull. Even though it is only a .380 it is not a fun gun to do a lot of target practice with since it only weighs about 9 oz. empty. It is designed for close encounters and that's what we bought ours for, and I assume that's what you want your gf to have for personal protection. Broke mine in with CCI Blazers but when I'm carrying it I load it with Hornady Critical Defense FTX 90gr. You will probably have some jamming issues during the break in period but I haven't had any issues with Critical Defense ammo. The Taurus is almost identical to the Ruger LCP but is about $120 cheaper. The Taurus also has a "hold open" feature that locks the slide open after the last round, the Ruger does not. I have shot the Rugers and can't find $120 worth of difference in the two. My dad and brother-in-law have Rugers. For $200, it's hard to beat for what it is designed for. Just make sure if you decide on the Taurus to get the latest revision "C". I haven't checked lately they may even have a newer revision. Link posted by Ironman has some good info. I also painted my sights with a dots. That's just my opinion and you know what they say about opinions.

the only experience I have with a .380 is the wife's LCP and she likes it.


off topic, but I believe purse carry is a mistake. that's the first thing a mugger/purse snatcher goes for.

Thanks for the info. She has actually never fired a round. She has been very intimidated by guns. But she now has a few female friends who carry and regularly go to the range and she has been asking for me to get her a gun. She won't go and hold them she just wants me to get her. I really don't like that idea but for $200 worse case I carry it instead of her. Looking for something she can put in a purse, small hand bag and also put a good amount of rounds through at the range and still want to do it again.

Check out the Kel-Tec. Very popular no frills pocket/purse pistol. Generally gets pretty good reviews and, if I'm not mistaken, is one of the lightest .380s available.

ETA
If she is intimidated, I'd strongly suggest she be introduced to shooting by someone with experience teaching ladies to shoot.

revolver for her then..... semi's are not good for the beginners..... in my opinion

Originally Posted by ironman172

revolver for her then..... semi's are not good for the beginners..... in my opinion

I don't disagree with that, BUT quality revolvers get very expensive in a hurry. Definitely would want to at least consider a used quality brand over a crappy new one which are notoriously inaccurate and unreliable.

carry a
lil kel-tec 380 to th likker sto every day,,,shoots great for a small auto,,hope it never comes into service,,but it's there if I need it,,Hope to see alla,or some of yall next weekend,,tight lines