Taurus Spectrum .380

[DPris]

For them what's interested in little blasters, working on a 3-gun piece with Smith's Shield EZ, Springfield's 911, and the Taurus Spectrum.

The first two have large visible sights, and SA triggers.
The Taurus has almost no sights, and a 5-mile DAO trigger.

Off a rest at 10 yards, the Taurus with "You call those nubs sights?" and an all-day trigger pull was the most accurate of the three.
I was quite surprised.
Couple 5-shot groups under an inch, one group was a large ragged single-holer.

If anybody's interested in the new Taurus, it's not a long-range driller, but it had no malfunctions & even fed Black Hills' X-nose bullets perfectly. That one choked a Kahr I had here.
Five different loads, five different bullet weights.
No lube out of the box.

An odd-looking little duck, but I'm impressed.
Just FYI.
Denis

 

[VoodooMountain]

A friend picked up a spectrum and I was skeptical given my history with Taurus. However, I was pleasantly surprised with the it.

I may have to pick one up. They are cheap enough.

 

[DPris]

Just about perfect as a lightweight no-snag get-off-me pocket blaster.
I was quite surprised myself.
Denis

 

[murf]

is the trigger reset also 5-mile? this one sounds interesting.

murf

 

[DPris]

Yes, since it's a double-action with second-strike capability.
Denis

 

[MedWheeler]

I had been thinking about one when they were first announced. But then, I came across a TCP of recent-production (likely 2016) that runs well and shoots pretty straight for its mission. However, I find myself with little use for it now, all of my other carry modes already being covered by other models.

If the Spectrum runs as well as late-production TCP guns, it should do just fine.

 

[entropy]

I'll take a look at them. I shot a friends LCP II Sunday, and it shot low and to the left for both of us. He kept ejecting the mag with his thumb, I had no problem. Brass went every which way. I wasn't as impressed with it as I was before I shot it.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

As a pocket gun enthusiast, I am a huge fan of the Pico.Especially with the all Stainless Steel build quality. However, to add to my collection, I am thinking about the Taurus Spectrum. I shot one recently and much better shooter than the LCP's. Not really interested in any more "aluminum" sub chassis guns, but I think this one may be different. I like the way they copied the take down procedure from the Beretta. That was a smart move. Will be a big asset if the grips crack like the Rugers are known for. Also small parts can be replaced by end user rather then sending in the gun. I liked the trigger. I am a advocate that small pocket guns do perfectly fine with a longer trigger. In fact, I do NOT want a light crisp striker fired trigger on one. And for me personally I have proved that they can shoot just as well and even better than a light trigger for fast action shooting. And for a pocket gun I believe the restrike capable is a must. It would have been better if they had the ability to add night sights. And yes, with proper point and shoot skills, night sights work great.
The Spectrum has a lot going for it. Looking forward to adding one to my collection. The Pico will remain as my main carry. (I have one for range work and one for CCW). They get regular range work each week. Love hot ammo and Plus P.

 

[DPris]

When I first pulled it out of the box, I laughed.
But, in shooting it & getting a feel for it, kinda like it, especially with the grip extension for the pinky.

If I weren't already invested in a couple little Bodyguard .380s (with second strike capability), I think I'd keep this Spectrum.

That second strike thing, coupled with not being able to keep a magazine seated in a pocket, are what killed off the LCP.
Denis

 

[bannockburn]

Denis

Thanks for your review and insight. Like the DAO design with second strike capability and the easy take down. Not crazy about the long trigger pull or the minimalist sights. Will have to check this one out when I see one.

 

[DPris]

It's definitely a quick-reaction close-in deal here, but no sharps on it, no snags on it, no rough spots anywhere, bar-of-soap feel, reliable out of the box with no prep, and feeds even that Black Hills X-tip stuff.

If this had come out before I spent money on my Smiths.....
I don't normally say that about Taurus.
Denis

 

[BlueHeelerFl]

Does it handle plus p loads? I've been considering the Spectrum, glad to see some good opinions on it

 

[Trey Veston]

A couple of weeks ago, my dad and I brought out our three favorite carry guns and shot up a couple hundred rounds of ammo through them. Mine were my Springfield Armory XDS FDE in .40 S&W and my Taurus G2c that I bought for $200 on a whim. His was his Ruger EC9s. I also included my Ruger Super Blackhawk Bisley in .45 colt since it was in the bag and it's fun to shoot...



I love/hate that little Taurus. It has excellent ergonomics and it points just as naturally as can be, plus, 12 rounds of 9mm in that size of package is pretty darn good. When I picked it up from my FFL, I was amazed at the fit and finish. It seemed to be every bit as well made as my Glocks, M&Ps, and XDS.

Then I pulled the trigger... WTH?? There is a distinct "clicking" feel halfway through the pull. It feels like the trigger safety is catching on something. I went online and some said it could be cured by replacing the factory plastic striker guide with an aftermarket stainless steel version for $15. Tried it and the pull got lighter and crisper, but there is still that awful clicking feel.

Accuracy seemed acceptable and I carried it all summer. Mostly used it as a backup gun when fishing and riding my UTV. It's size made it perfect for tossing in a pocket on my little pontoon boat or in a pack on my UTV.

However, the finish on the slide is very weak. It is showing more wear than any of my other carry guns that I've had for over a decade. There is a stainless slide version that I would buy if there was a fix for that awful trigger.

Anyway, my dad was looking at the Spectrum and really, really wanted to buy one, but he said the trigger was just awful.

BTW, at the end of the day, I decided to shoot all four pistols off-hand at 7 yards. 5-shot groups, two groups each to see how they all compared. Of course the Ruger BH was king, but the XDS and the Taurus were pretty much tied.

The big surprise was the Ruger. It had the best trigger by far since the XDS is crisp but heavy, and the Taurus is, well, simply awful.

The ruger groups were over twice the size of the other pistols.

 

[Pat Riot]

Uh...okay...

 

[Pat Riot]

I was looking at the Spectrum pistols just the other day and was wondering what folks thought of them. Thank you all for posting.

I was wondering. I have a Remington RM380 and it has a long DA pull and reset.
Does anyone know how the Taurus trigger pull compares to the RM380?
I love that little Remmie but thought the Taurus might be a little easier to carry in the pocket.

 

[Trey Veston]

Uh...okay...

Sorry for the detailed response and apparently wasting your internet time.

Here's one for those with a short attention span...

Taurus has some neat ideas and are getting better and better, but they have yet to figure out one of the most crucial aspects of a defensive pistol; the trigger. Granted, I've only shot my girlfriend's 709 Slim and my G2c, but both have triggers that are awful. My dad said the Spectrum he looked at had a similarly awful trigger.

Therefore, they are a no-go for me and others who consider the actual shootability of the pistol to be important.

 

[1KPerDay]

Sorry for the detailed response and apparently wasting your internet time.

Here's one for those with a short attention span...

Taurus has some neat ideas and are getting better and better, but they have yet to figure out one of the most crucial aspects of a defensive pistol; the trigger. Granted, I've only shot my girlfriend's 709 Slim and my G2c, but both have triggers that are awful. My dad said the Spectrum he looked at had a similarly awful trigger.

Therefore, they are a no-go for me and others who consider the actual shootability of the pistol to be important.

So your dad said he didn't like the Spectrum's trigger. Got it.

 

[Old Dog]

My dad said the Spectrum he looked at had a similarly awful trigger.

The Spectrum "he looked at ...?" Presumably didn't shoot. Ah, we see.

 

[Trey Veston]

Dry firing a weapon will give you a pretty good idea of how good or bad a trigger is.

Do you disagree?

 

[Old Dog]

If it's only a sample of one, in a gun store, yes. And I'm not gonna buy anything at a shop that lets non-buying customers dry-fire display guns extensively.

Also, only I can determine whether a trigger on a gun is good enough for me or bad enough to pass on the entire model line; I don't take one person's opinion as gospel when it comes to the topic of trigger pulls; even if that opinion is from dear old dad, my brother, sister or my German Shepherd Dog.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

If it's only a sample of one, in a gun store, yes. And I'm not gonna buy anything at a shop that lets non-buying customers dry-fire display guns extensively.

Also, only I can determine whether a trigger on a gun is good enough for me or bad enough to pass on the entire model line; I don't take one person's opinion as gospel when it comes to the topic of trigger pulls; even if that opinion is from dear old dad, my brother, sister or my German Shepherd Dog.

Well said. How people can make a judgement on a gun at a gun store is beyond me. As far as the Spectrum trigger, I hear it might be on the long side, so what. Sounds good to me. It is after all a pocket gun. Was it smooth? So many People shoot a light striker fired pistol, cannot shoot a double action and therefore a double action is a bad trigger. Yet, many experienced shooter's can shoot a double action as well as any striker fired or better depending on the gun.

 

[Monac]

DPris, thanks for starting this thread. I've been curious about the Spectrum, and am very glad to hear first person reports about them.

 

[bumbazine]

I bought a Spectrum last month when it was offered to me at $149.xx and I just couldn't resist. I've put about 100 rounds through it so far and I can say that it is comfortable in the hand and easy to shoot, though I think my Glock 42 is a little softer shooting.

A couple of things: on mine, and one other I've handled, you have to slam the magazine into place. Don't know if that's going to be a point of breakage in the future. Also, when you slam that puppy home, you'd best keep your ring and pinkie fingers out away from the grip or you'll get pinched.

The sights are tiny and molded into the slide. The only thing you can do to help there is paint them.

The trigger on mine was crunchy when I got it. This is entirely due to the striker. When I had the slide off I exercised the trigger to look for any friction points and it was quite slick. I haven't had the time, or possibly the nerve, to disassemble and clean out the striker channel yet. I suspect that when I finally get around to that that it will improve quite a bit.

Accuracy with FMJ range fodder is good, but I'm currently having a problem with pulling my shots down with my smaller pistols, so I'm not going to embarrass myself by showing you any targets. The RO at my range tried it out though and put 5 shots into about 3" at 25'.

Hope this info is helpful to you.

 

[DPris]

As noted- it's a very close-in point & shoot get-off-me gun.
In that context, the tiny sights and long trigger are largely irrelevant.
Not a range toy, but slick out of a pocket and quick at ten feet.

In the intended niche behind the design concept, it meets its goals.
And also in that niche, the excellent accuracy is a bonus, not an absolute requirement.
Denis

 

[Pat Riot]

Sorry for the detailed response and apparently wasting your internet time.

Here's one for those with a short attention span...

You should be. A G2C is not a Spectrum, the subject of the thread.