Which Pocket Pistol Should I Buy?

[jblanton]

In central Florida, it's pretty much already Summer and I'm back in shorts, so I need to pick up a pocket pistol in .380 to increase concealment. Since it'll be a step down from my preferred round (9mm), I need it to be extremely reliable because each bullet is much more important with such a small caliber. I'm looking to spend under $400, and prefer stainless and titanium. The pistol will be solely for pocket carry, so I need it to be extremely small and lightweight. I'm thinking about the TCP (being a Taurus fan), but I'm not certain of it's size and weight. I know the Kel-Tecs are small and lightweight, but they feel like toys, which concerns me. I'd prefer insight from people who own these guns, but since I've never found a TCP in person, anyone who's even seen it is welcome to chime in

My choices so far (feel free to add more!):

1. TCP
2. LCP
3. Kel Tec P-3AT
4. NAA Guardian

Thanks guys!

Justin

[Jake3501]

The NAA Guardian will be heavier than the other three, and in your pocket, that will make a difference. The other three seem to all be proven guns at this point, even though the Taurus is relativly the new kid on the block. Check the importance of the features of all three and how it feels in your hand. The accuracy reported on the Taurus sounds superior to the P3AT and the LCP just from what I have read. There is another gun to consider called the Diamond Back which looks like a mini glock. My favorite lgs has all 5 most of the time which makes side by side comparison easier. I have the P3AT and have had it for over two years, so I haven't put much effort into comparison other than features and ergonomics and what I've read. So far, nothing I've read makes me want anything else enough to take a loss on the P3AT as it serves it's purpose well. The LCP is basicly a P3AT clone with a slide lock and is better looking and feels a little better to hold.

Here is a good write up on the Diamond Back .380 with pictures, specs and comparisons in size to the P3AT, TCP and LCP
http://www.gunblast.com/Diamondback380.htm

[MilProGuy]

Hello jblanton:
My two cents' worth: I recently acquired the Taurus TCP 738 and am impressed with it for several reasons:
#1--It fires and ejects properly, and is accurate at seven yards.
#2--It is very lightweight (lighter than some hamburgers I've eaten!)
#3--The stainless slide on mine was a plus, which will guard against corrosion (being carried in a pocket).
#4--The DAO trigger has a long pull, which should safeguard against an accidental discharge.
#5--The TCP carries the great Taurus lifetime warranty of the weapon. (Great selling point.)
#6--The slide locks back after the last shot, which is a feature that the LCP and P3AT doesn't have.
#7--The felt recoil isn't too bad, considering the size and feather weight of the pistol.
#8--It is a great backup weapon for my Millennium Pro .380 PT138, which I carry under a jacket in winter.
#9--Last, but not least, I've owned a model 85 Taurus .38 revolver since 1991, and it's never let me down. I'm sold on the Taurus brand...been around considerably longer than Kel-Tec.

Have fun shopping around!
MilProGuy
P.S. I'm so pleased with the TCP, that I'm thinking about changing my handle to "TCP Guy"!

[Spad]

I carry a PT111 in my cargo pants front pocket and my cargo style shorts. 9mm...Spad

[Qwiks draw]

All of these are good points by everyone.

The PT709 could be carried discreetly in a IWB holster or some other way with out calling down anything upon one's head.

The 9mm. has it all over the .380 ACP ballistically in every way. even from short barrels. For instance in the October 2009 American Rifleman magazine put out by the NRA the PT709 bullet velocities for the 115gr and 124gr. rounds were over 1000 fps. Other articles written up in other periodicals have shown this to be true for the 115-124 gr. rounds. +P and non +P alike.

147gr. velocities for the 9x19 also surpass a number of .38 Special loads as well.
Not by a lot but by enough to make the 9x19 better than some snub revolver loads.

My PT709 has snappy recoil, but the dual springs help absorb much of the recoil and help getting back on target for another shot if needed.
Better than most .380 ACP rounds.

Yes, there can be exceptions, but those are rare rather than the norm.

On the other hand there is need in society for something that recoils less than a 9x19 and gives one a decent level of protection.
The .380 ACP can do that for the most part with modern cutting edge ammo.

In the last few years the ammo makers have tweaked the bullet designs to be even better.

Yes, .380ACP ballistics are low coming out of a short barreled gun like a TCP but there are things that people tend to forget. There are +P rounds that help offset the low velocity. Second, the newest generation bullet technology that came along after the " Miami Massacre" where a number of F.B.I. agents were slain or crippled for life, was designed from the start to maintain bullet weight and give deeper bullet penetration. This also meant that the newer bullet designs expand at low velocities. That's between 670fps-720 fps.

That's according to the ammo makers themselves and will not be found in print on the Internet anywhere.

The bullets will not expand dynamically as they do at high speeds, but they will either expand or at least more likely to stop in the felon's body.

If the difference is either leaving a gun home because it is too bulky or hard to discreetly carry or having a gun that can be small, discreetly carried, with somewhat decent power, then the .380 ACP pistol can do that.

It can be beaten to death with a which caliber is best discussion, but why go that way? For some the 9x19 is for them and for others the .380 ACP will get the job done and the .380 ACP pistol is all that can be carried.

Yes, there are exceptions to all this. A person has to choose for themselves what they are comfortable in carrying,can tolerate, and what caliber they are proficient with.

If someone wants to carry a TCP 738, fine.

If someone wants to carry a PT709 or something similar, fine.

[Qwiks draw]

Oh,yes. I do own a NAA Guardian in .32 ACP. The trigger pull on the Taurus TCP is less than on the Guardian.

All the choices for a .380 ACP pistol are good ones.

Try as many as you can. See which one fits you and your needs the best and go with that.

While this is a Taurus forum everyone here has the common sense to realize that one brand,make, or model of gun does fit everyone. It's what fits the needs and niches of the user and nothing else matters.

So if you pick "that other brand", whatever that may be, we will be happy for you.

Those who are not happy for you about your choice can leave the building and not come back.

If you choose the Taurus,fine. If not,fine. It is your hard earned money that is getting laid down and your needs come first.

Many people have found the TCP to meet or exceed their expectations and needs as well.

This could all go in any direction. Good luck and smooth sailing whatever you do.

[agksimon]

I carry a PT111 in my cargo pants front pocket and my cargo style shorts. 9mm...Spad

Check out these pants:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...143&hasJS=true

They hide my PT709 very well in a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster.
Columbia makes shorts with the same pockets, so you can carry it year around.

[Zip196]

The Diamond Back feels awesome. Great balance. It is new, but they have a lifetime warranty and are based out of Cocoa so you would be close if you would need some work done. I have not shot it but the reviews are positive.

Another option is the Kel-tec PF9 in 9mm. Not much bigger.

I am going to take a look at the small Taurus guns next time I get a chance. I have 2 friends that are looking for a small/pocket auto and they are considering all of the above.

Take a look at this chart http://www.mouseguns.com/PocketAutoComparison.pdf

it is not a be all end all but it covers quite a bit.


btw - I do own a P3AT that is in for repair now. It was one with a bad slide. I carried it every day in my front right pocket in a Uncle Mike's #4 pocket holster. Looks like a wallet.

[epj]

[quote=Zip196

Another option is the Kel-tec PF9 in 9mm. Not much bigger

[/quote]

And a real good option at that.

[olfarhors]

well I looked at the top three on your list for about 2 weeks and decided on the TCP-738 taurus after handling, inspecting, and fingering them all.
I am going to shoot it tommorow and will know better then how much i really like it.
there were several factors that made my choice, including the reliabilty that i have had with my other taurus, added features, Price (stainless 738 )was the same basic price of a blue Ruger, feel in my hand, reccomendations from others, warranty, etc.