Taurus 738 TCP
Bottomline
The Taurus 738 TCP is a budget-friendly pocket pistol that’s great for carry, but its reliability might leave you second-guessing.
When it comes to pocket pistols, the Taurus 738 TCP often sneaks into the conversation, but not without a mix of praise and skepticism. Introduced in 2009, this ultra-compact .380 ACP was Taurus’s attempt to join the booming concealed carry market. Lightweight and priced to appeal to budget-conscious buyers, the 738 TCP quickly gained attention, but its journey has been anything but smooth. Known for its minimalist design and portability, this little pistol has also faced criticism for reliability issues and a rather basic build. So, does the Taurus 738 TCP deliver where it matters, or is it just another entry-level option best left on the shelf? Let’s dig in and see what it’s really made of.
Table of Contents
Bottomline
The Taurus 738 TCP is a budget-friendly pocket pistol that’s great for carry, but its reliability might leave you second-guessing.
Pros
- Super lightweight
- Compact design
- Polymer frame
- Loaded chamber indicator
- Low-profile fixed sights
Cons
- Small magazine capacity
Taurus 738 TCP Specs
| Caliber | Capacity | BBL | OAL | Width | Weight |
| .380 ACP | 6+1 | 2.84″ | 5.25″ | .87″ | 10.2 oz. |
Taurus 738 TCP First Impression
The Taurus 738 TCP features a hammer-fired mechanism with a hidden hammer and a loaded chamber indicator, but skips external thumb or trigger safeties for a design focused on quick readiness while staying safe. The grip is super slim, which makes it great for concealment, but some users find it a bit tricky during recoil. It can feel like the gun shifts in your hand thanks to its lightweight and small grip surface.
Taurus 738 TCP Features
Polymer Frame
The Taurus 738 TCP’s polymer frame keeps it ultra-light at just 10.2 ounces, making it super easy to carry and conceal while also being durable and corrosion-resistant for daily use. However, the trade-off is a less solid feel compared to metal-framed pistols, and that lightweight design can amplify recoil, making control a bit trickier for some shooters.
Loaded Chamber Indicator
The Taurus 738 TCP includes a loaded chamber indicator that offers a visual and tactile way to check if a round is chambered, adding a layer of safety without needing to rack the slide. However, some users find it less noticeable compared to other models, and there’s a risk of relying too much on this feature instead of maintaining proper firearm handling habits.
Low-Profile Fixed Sights
The Taurus 738 TCP’s low-profile fixed sights are great for concealed carry, minimizing snagging and working well for close-range self-defense. However, they’re pretty basic, not adjustable, and can be hard to see in low-light situations. Many users recommend adding paint for better visibility, but since they’re fixed, upgrading or replacing them isn’t an easy option.
Further reading: Ultimate Gun Reviews
Final Thoughts
The Taurus 738 TCP is a lightweight, budget-friendly option for concealed carry, offering portability and simplicity in a compact package. Its polymer frame and low-profile design make it easy to carry and draw, while features like the hidden hammer and loaded chamber indicator provide added safety. However, its minimal size and weight come with trade-offs, such as increased recoil and a less secure grip, which may impact control for some users. The fixed sights and modest construction quality may also leave experienced shooters wanting more. While it’s not a high-performance firearm, the 738 TCP fulfills its purpose as an entry-level concealed carry pistol. Ultimately, it’s a practical choice for budget-conscious carriers but may not satisfy everyone.
Taurus 738 TCP Score Card
| Ergonomics | Lightweight and portable. | 3.35 |
| Trigger | Light and smooth. | 4.5 |
| Accuracy | It performs well at close ranges. | 3.5 |
| Quality | Solid overall build quality. | 4 |
| Value | Budget-friendly. | 2.74 |
| Overall | The Taurus 738 TCP is a budget-friendly pocket pistol that’s great for carry, but its reliability might leave you second-guessing. | 3.62 |
More Photos
I found the PT738 to have a smoother trigger then the LCP and Smith&Wesson. Its real light and that can be a drawback. The grip is very small for average hands but for smaller hands it is adequate. I had no problem findiing the sigth picture and once I got my grip I had no problem hitting 10 rings from 15. 125 rounds through the pistol with 3 stovepipes that cleared easily with a rack/tap. I like that the slide locks back on an empty mag. The loaded chamber indicator is a plus.
Very good micro pistol. Extremely lightweight and surprisingly accurate for its size. Fits nicely into small to medium hands wth pearce mag extender. Did not bother to clean it upon delivery and weapon performed nearly flawless. Only issue was magazine related (1 good mag, 1 not good mag). The bad mag consistently failed to chamber 2nd round. Long trigger pull without resistance, however shorter pull than the Ruger LCP.
I really like this little pistol. Purchased in November 2012 at my local store for under $180.00 it truly is a great value. I put only one box of shells though it at 30 feet it hit consistently in a 5 inch group. That’s good for a gun this size. I now carry it daily in the hip pocket of my jeans and I’m confident that it will perform if ever needed. I carry it using one of those flat holsters that allow the pistol to be aimed and fired without removal from the holster – very neat lightweight package.
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Magazine drops out after every round fired.
Only one way to hold this gun — perhaps the mag ejector spring is way too light>
Ideas please……
Stock, the grip on this gun is way too small for large hands. I would say that even medium hands would have a problem getting a good grip. My female shooting partner, with medium hands, who shoots regularly on different handguns (with full-sized grips) shot this one time, and immediately set it down on the table and stepped away. She would not shoot it again, as she said she felt she could not “control it” as she could with her .38 and full-sized .45.
I have very large hands. I shot at 7 yards with stock magazines (no extensions) and was all over the silhouette. I could only fit 1.5 fingers underneath the trigger guard on the grip (ring finger would slip off with each firing). Thinking this was leading to accuracy problems, I actually hooked the index finger of my off hand through the trigger guard and pulled down as hard as I could to stabilize while firing. This brought the groups back in the 9 circle at 7 yards. Not applicable for real-world shooting, and the firearm was not carried.
Have since purchased mag-attached grip extensions and hogue sleeve that allow all fingers purchase. Will determine if accuracy is improved during the next trip to the range.
Pros: slide lock on last round is great, price is right. Had no FTEs or FTFs during usage (~ 20 rds).
Cons: can’t shoot accurately at ALL in large hands with stock grip, at even short distances. Build quality is what you’d expect for the price, and I actually had to do some filing of the slide lock on the inside to prevent rounds rubbing against it during feeding.
Trigger is infinitely better than the competition, really no contest. My hands are big but with the extensions on the mag it’s controllable, and reasonably accurate. Of course it can’t be held like a Kimber but then it is a Micro pistol! Sent hundreds of rounds down range without issue. Sights are almost non-existent but it still makes nice little holes where I point it. It’s pretty snappy on recoil but that’s expected with such a light pistol, physics is a bitch isn’t it.
Disappears in a pocket with a sticky holster, and I usually forget it’s there. For penitration and cavitation I use Lehigh Defense XP rounds. Hollow points are useless with the .380. The gun is well built and sturdy, and dare I say fun! I have other guns for carry, but Vegas in the summertime requires something that doesn’t print as readily as my Kimber or Sig. I think my wallet prints through my jeans more than the TCP does in the sticky holster.