Taurus 738 TCP...worth $169?

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holdencm9

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Saw that a store near me had them for what seems like an absurdly low price. I don't need another .380 pocket gun, I am very happy with my LCP, but figure, for so cheap, I could have another (occasional-use) range toy, and if my LCP ever goes down, I have the TCP to back it up in a jiffy.

It seems like just a couple years ago these TCP's were going for high $200's, in the same ballpark but a bit cheaper than the LCP's. Are they just not selling, or have they been having some huge issues I haven't heard about?
 
I may have to pick one up later this week! :D

I notice at the same store, the stainless TCP is selling for $299.

Why the huge disparity? Is stainless that much more expensive nowadays. That is a 76% increase in cost.
 
Great price for that piece. I looked at one a year or two back, but went with the Ruger SR9C instead.

I'm curious, why would you choose the TCP over the Ruger LCP? I'm not knocking anyone's decision, I was just curious what helped you make your decision.
 
I have heard some great things about the 738. It was one of the pistols I considered when replacing a S*W Bodyguard I was getting rid of a little bit ago. Most places I have seen sell them in the 250-300 range so $169 is a steal.
 
I'm curious, why would you choose the TCP over the Ruger LCP? I'm not knocking anyone's decision, I was just curious what helped you make your decision.
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I already have an LCP. This would be strictly for backup if that goes down, and just fun at the range. But back when I was making my decision, the price difference was maybe $20. Now it is around $100.
 
That is an excellent price. Go ahead and buy it.

I'm assuming the low price is because it is used and possibly an older standard model. The $299 is probably MSRP of a new stainless model. Otherwise they should be around $200-250 range.
 
I notice at the same store, the stainless TCP is selling for $299.

Why the huge disparity? Is stainless that much more expensive nowadays. That is a 76% increase in cost.
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The $170 model is the 738FS, and it has a $200 MSRP. The FS is the economy model with only one mag, and no case. The blued 738B with all the goodies is only about $20 less MSRP than the stainless steel 738SS which also has all the goodies.

The $170 price is good if you want a backup to your LCP anyway, but with the $200 MSRP I wouldn't rush to buy one if I didn't need it.
 
If you have to ask , don't buy it as you will make you lcp become the back up. hard to compare the two when shooting. As noted the tcp 380 FS sells for new 199.95 so is it a deal. Besure it is a C model. It will be in the serial number. If not buy a new one cause if it needs an up date, being used, it will cost you the difference in price to send it in.
 
95% sure it isn't used. I have never seen FF sell used guns, and I don't think they would advertise them in their weekly ad.

The $200 msrp makes it seem less fantastic, but still a good deal. That is still 15% off.

Good to know about the distinction between the 738FS and 738B. But seeing the mags on midway for $20 apiece, and the fact that I already have too many pistol cases, it is still tempting.

Other than the number of magazines you get, and the case, is there any mechanical difference in the guns themselves? Finish? MIM/plastic in lieu of hard metal?

Food for thought, guys, thanks!
 
Thanks for the heads up on this. Seems like a really good price. I've been thinking of picking up a pocket .380 lately and have narrowed it down to the Ruger and Taurus. From the reviews I've read, the Taurus is at the top of my list, but I was hoping to get to the range and compare the two for myself before making a final decision.
 
BTNut,

No problem! I was hoping to get there today but won't happen, so it'll likely be there tomorrow. Don't buy the last one from the Lakeville store before I get there!
 
The triggers are nice and smooth, that's all I know because I've only held and dry fired in a store.
 
Haha, I probably won't get a chance to go till tomorrow or Friday, but it'll be the Osseo store, so no problems. I have a free range pass & rental for Bill's that I've been saving, in hopes that they'll get a Shield and XDS that I can compare side by side, but I may just use it to compare these two .380's instead. Thanks again!
 
ugaarguy said:
The $170 model is the 738FS, and it has a $200 MSRP. The FS is the economy model with only one mag, and no case. The blued 738B with all the goodies is only about $20 less MSRP than the stainless steel 738SS which also has all the goodies.

The $170 price is good if you want a backup to your LCP anyway, but with the $200 MSRP I wouldn't rush to buy one if I didn't need it.
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The FS is a poly gun and weighs in at 10 oz unloaded. I have sold several and have not heard any bad reviews.

You will also find that the trigger pull is better than the LCP or Bodyguard.
 
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Well, I broke down and got one at FF last night. Also got a spare mag for it right there for another $20, so $190 total for the TCP with a small hard plastic case and two mags. Just from dry-firing I'd say the trigger on the TCP is much better than the trigger on the LCP, but hopefully I'll get to go & actually shoot it this weekend.

Also swung by Bill's and got a Remora for it, but I'd kinda like to get a wallet holster for it too eventually.
 
I have one and would buy another at that price. I have owned or shot extensively most of the main poly pocket 380s (kel tec, ruger, S&W) and IMHO the TCP 738 is the best of the bunch. Best ergos, best trigger, most accurate. 0 issues in many many rounds for mine
 
If I could buy one here for that price I would be on my way to the store NOW!

A friend of mine bought one about a year and a half ago. He had some initial fail to feed issues. He took it apart and polished the feed ramp, after that it runs like a champ.

I'm curious, why would you choose the TCP over the Ruger LCP?
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The best answer I can give you for that question is, you can't lock the slide back on an LCP. I had a guy on the firing line at the range two weeks ago with an LCP that had a fail to extract/double feed. Clearing that requires locking the slide back. You can't do that with an LCP. I held the gun and held the slide back and hit the mag release, the shooter pulled the mag free. If that had occured during a gun fight then he would have been helpless unless he could sprout a third arm and hand.
 
Actually you can lock the slide back on an LCP. It is one reason I bought an LCP over a P3AT. I like to be able to keep the action open.

The difference is that the slide does not lock back automatically on the last shot with the LCP, but it does with the TCP.
 
Holden - You are 100% correct and I am mistaken. I went to a Youtube video and clearly see see the manual slide stop. The gun I was handling absolutely did not have any slide stop and I could only clear the jam in the manner I described above. Due to it's size and shape I must have assumed it was a Ruger when in actuality it must have been another brand. My bad.
 
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