Taurus 738 TCP
Description
The 738 Taurus Compact Pistol is a semi-automatic pocket pistol chambered for .380 ACP. The 738 TCP series is comprised of six pockets that vary by finish. They come in a combination of blued finish with black or pink polymer frame, stainless finish with a black or pink frame, and titanium with a black frame.
The TCP models feature a barrel length of 2.84″, height of 3.3″ and an overall length of 5.25″. Taurus touts that it’s the smallest Taurus available weighing a little more than half-a-pound. The 738 series has a double-action only trigger.
Taurus recommends the 738s for concealed carry.
Specifications
| 738B | |
|---|---|
| Caliber: | .380 ACP |
| Grip: | Checkered |
| Capacity: | 6 |
| Sights: | Fixed |
| Action: | Semi-auto |
| Size: | |
| Trigger: | Double-action only |
| Slide Material: | Steel/blue |
| Frame Material: | Polymer/black |
| Website: | http://www.taurususa… |
| Weight: | 0.6375 pounds |
| Barrel Length: | 2.84" |
| Length: | 5.25" |
| Height: | 3.3" |
| 738SS | |
| Caliber: | .380 ACP |
| Grip: | Checkered |
| Capacity: | 6 |
| Sights: | Fixed |
| Action: | Semi-auto |
| Size: | |
| Trigger: | Double-action only |
| Slide Material: | Stainless steel |
| Frame Material: | Polymer/black |
| Website: | http://www.taurususa… |
| Weight: | 0.6375 pounds |
| Barrel Length: | 2.84" |
| Length: | 5.25" |
| Height: | 3.3" |
| 738SSP | |
| Caliber: | .380 ACP |
| Grip: | Checkered |
| Capacity: | 6 |
| Sights: | Fixed |
| Action: | Semi-auto |
| Size: | |
| Trigger: | Double-action only |
| Slide Material: | Stainless steel |
| Frame Material: | Polymer/pink |
| Website: | http://www.taurususa… |
| Weight: | 0.6375 pounds |
| Barrel Length: | 2.84" |
| Length: | 5.25" |
| Height: | 3.3" |
| 738TI | |
| Caliber: | .380 ACP |
| Grip: | Checkered |
| Capacity: | 6 |
| Sights: | Fixed |
| Action: | Semi-auto |
| Size: | |
| Trigger: | Double-action only |
| Slide Material: | Titanium/shadow grey |
| Frame Material: | Polymer/black |
| Website: | http://www.taurususa… |
| Weight: | 0.6375 pounds |
| Barrel Length: | 2.84" |
| Length: | 5.25" |
| Height: | 3.3" |
| 738BSS | |
| Caliber: | .380 ACP |
| Grip: | Checkered |
| Capacity: | 6 |
| Sights: | Fixed |
| Action: | Semi-auto |
| Size: | |
| Trigger: | Double-action only |
| Slide Material: | Stainless steel/blue |
| Frame Material: | Polymer/black |
| Website: | http://www.taurususa… |
| Weight: | 0.6375 pounds |
| Barrel Length: | 2.84" |
| Length: | 5.25" |
| Height: | 3.3" |
| 738BSSP | |
| Caliber: | .380 ACP |
| Grip: | Checkered |
| Capacity: | 6 |
| Sights: | Fixed |
| Action: | Semi-auto |
| Size: | |
| Trigger: | Double-action only |
| Slide Material: | Stainless steel/blue |
| Frame Material: | Polymer/pink |
| Website: | http://www.taurususa… |
| Weight: | 0.6375 pounds |
| Barrel Length: | 2.84" |
| Length: | 5.25" |
| Height: | 3.3" |
| MSRP | $336.00 |
Editor Review
The Taurus PT 738 TCP (which stands for Taurus Compact Pistol) is chambered in .380 and designed specifically with everyday carry in mind, and concealed at that. It is an extremely small and lightweight pistol that is meant for up close and personal situations.
The American made .380 ACP features a completely polymer frame with all-aluminum guide rails that the black stainless steel slide moves back and forth on. If you wish for the stainless steel to look like stainless, the 738SS is available. One more model, the 738Ti touts a titanium slide, which is nice for shooters looking for maximum strength.
To avoid stuff catching on clothes or holsters on the way out, Taurus has fitted the gun with integral sights that are a non-removable part of the slide itself. They aren’t adjustable, but in close encounters of the criminal kind, you’ll likely be shooting at something less than ten yards anyhow, so I don’t see that as a big deal. The sights are very low to the slide and yet still usable. The front is a post type while the rear is a small-notched design.
The only other things that come close to sticking out are the slide catch and the disassembly latch, although they are so minimal as not to even count. The PT 738 is unnaturally thin at less than 1”, and is 3.75” high by 5.2” long and weighs in at a measly 10.2 ounces. Did I mention that the gun is intended for effective concealed carry? Yea, I think those dimensions are just about perfect for a hidden .380 ACP.
Another feature that lends to its concealability is the fact that it is a double-action-only design, and no hammer to cock back. I was pleased to learn that the trigger pull is only five to seven pounds, making it far easier to shoot than other double-action weapons. There is no manual safety on the gun, either. The PT 738 is meant to be pulled and fired in a hurry.
Like a full-sized ACP, the slide locks back once the last bullet has exited the barrel, which I thought was a really cool feature. The gun’s capacity is six-plus-one and it comes with two stamped metal magazines with witness holes so the shooter can tell at a glance how many rounds are left. The magazines have extended bumper pads that help larger hands grip the pistol, as well. Also, both the front and back straps are checkered to help keep the gun controllable.
I think that if you are looking for a highly concealable weapon in .380 caliber, than the Taurus PT 738 should probably be considered. With an MSRP of only $352, it seems to be a pretty amazing and affordable piece for your waistband.
