the new Taurus Curve

[VBVAGUY]

I will probably purchase one when they are available. However that said, those people that keep saying why not make it a 9mm and they will buy one. I say please go rent and shoot a Diamondback DB9 which is a 9mm in about the same size and weight and then tell me if you would want one in 9mm. If you are recoil sensitive you will not want one in 9mm. God Bless

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

However that said, those people that keep saying why not make it a 9mm and they will buy one.

Disregard them. They're the same ones who'll say a 9 should be .40 a .40 should be a .45....

 

[JR47]

We keep hearing stories about Taurus QC, but how many of them are an amalgamation of trolls exaggerations and plain out "I heard" from some tenth removed source? Taurus sells a LOT of guns, year after year. I currently own 14 of them, and 17 S&Ws. Guess which brand I've had the most trouble with? Hint, it WASN'T Taurus. I just finished taking a neighbor to 5 LGS, looking at small guns that were CCW capable. We looked at anything that he felt were small enough to work for him. During that sojourn, we saw a lot of Taurus handguns, and NONE of them had any obvious issues. S&W, Charter, and Kahr didn't fare nearly as well. Hk and Sig, and a selection of Colts were essentially perfect.

The Curve is simply another choice. It isn't particularly meant to replace existing guns, but to offer more choices. Not everyone in the market already has several guns. New shooters may well be better able to explore the new gun, as they haven't an opinion based upon 160 years of production, without a new thought as to form.

 

[george burns]

I don't think they could have maintained the size and weight of the weapon in 9mm, though I would prefer that also.
But not if it were much bigger than it is now. The beauty of it is the size and hideout possibility, once you enlarge it you lose that.
And honestly at belly gun range, a 380 is still a 380, and many have been dispatched with that round. It is by far better than a 22 or 32, in a powerball type hollow point. Or ball ammo for penetration, and has 3x the rounds of a derringer.
Having carried a 380 some 25 years ago, for the lack of a small 9mm, this is a super compromise even for those of us who prefer a 9mm as the minimum.
And the light/laser combo adds to the accuracy and usefulness of the gun.

 

[Fishbed77]

I'm sure they'll probably introduce a left handed version, maybe once the initial numbers for the right handed sales start coming in.

I just always assumed it was designed for left-hand cross-draw.

 

[george burns]

I read someware that they already are geared up for it in left handed, just waiting for the release of the first ones.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

I don't think it would be hard to create a left-hand version: you just have to mold a new grip frame and mag base; the stuff inside the frame is unchanged.

The following is from the Taurus patent documents -- I just flipped the first illustration for the first two (right-handed and left-handed versions) Notice that the mag itself is straight, and only the base of the mag is curved. That vertical dotted line on the gun drawing is probably the center line of the mag:

 

[chicharrones]

Cheech what did you mean about the rifling on the front portion of the barrel?

If for any reason the muzzle is "rounded off" at the top like in the promotional photos, I would think the part of the barrel in that area would not have rifling (free bore). That way, the rifling would be 360* continuous up to the point of influencing the bullet, but the free bore could potentially be used as a device to counter muzzle rise (theoretically).

Someone somewhere on the net compared this idea to the angled muzzle device on an AK rifle.

However, I've seen other photos on the net of the Curve with a traditional barrel. So, I think the chopped barrel is just an aesthetic design element for the introduction of the pistol.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

I've seen photos, from Taurus, of two different barrel designs. One with a straight barrel end -- with only the top of the barrel even with the front end of the slide. The other had an angled end, matching the contour of the slide/grip. The same photo of that second angled barrel shows that the rifling on the inside of the barrel is inset and dropped back from the barrel's end, so that what is called the crown is also inset. THAT approach would, I think, also work, and in both cases -- whichever barrel design makes its way to the final gun -- there should not be a problem with uneven gas release pushing the bullet out the barrel with uneven force.

 

[heyjoe]

id think long and hard before buying a new model from taurus. the taurus view has been discontinued already after less than 2 months in production.

 

[el Godfather]

Very nice looking pistol for the utility its designed for. I am not Taurus fan as I have had some bad experiences in their semi autos. But if this is anything reliable then I see myself having the need for something compact like this with torch.

 

[USAF_Vet]

The View didn't bring anything dramatically new to the table. It's just another 5 shot .38 J-frame sized wheel gun amidst a plethora of 5 shot .38 j-frame sized wheel guns. The see through cover that allows the user to 'view' the hammer/ action of the gun is a failure of a gimmick. Great for a teaching tool, pointless in virtually every other application. It's failure to achieve mass market sales is due in large part to being one among many, and sporting a useless feature that may actually reduce the longevity of the gun. I sure wouldn't want a clear plastic panel on a gun where it is traditionally metal. But then again, the Taurus 85 (I think) is another 5 shot .38 j-frame sized wheel gun in a totally polymer frame, and they sell quite well according to the gun counter at the LGS. So who knows?

The Curve introduces something unique in the realm of ergonomics. It may be viewed with uncertainty and flop along side the View, but I doubt it. The Curve brings a lot to the table, and if it proves reliable (and introduced in a keft handed mold, 9mm chambering) it may very well replace my current EDC, which happens to be a unique gun design, also by Taurus, the 709 slim.

 

[heyjoe]

the view also had a curved grip

 

[PabloJ]

Ok, quick question. Can one shoot that by holding it with just the middle finger?

 

[Gun Master]

Curve Flaw ?

It looks to me like someone might be injured, with a two handed grip, if the left hand is too close to the barrel. The shooter might have a tendency to get flash burned or even shoot themselves.

 

[Mainsail]

It's somewhat humorous to see people object to a gun they've never even seen in person based on its being "ugly".

So what? Most of you don't (and won't) carry openly; so why do you care what it looks like? Do you really need some flair or bling when you have to shoot someone? Wear a diamond in your ear.

 

[TennJed]

The View didn't bring anything dramatically new to the table. It's just another 5 shot .38 J-frame sized wheel gun amidst a plethora of 5 shot .38 j-frame sized wheel gun.

That is not really a true statement. The view is a good bit smaller than a J Frame. The view is 9oz and almost a 1" shorter (5.6" vs 6.3). It is also smaller in the grip. Really makes a big difference in pocket carry

 

[Walt Sherrill]

I don't think J-frame owners -- or even owners of a VIEW -- are the people most likely to buy a Curve. There are a number of SMALLER semi-auto pocket guns, so the Curve is not a break-through in size. The Curve will be offered with a light and also optional LASER included in the grip frame, so that DOES offer a lot of features for the size (and, maybe, price).

The Curve's weight is also heavier than a number of the other small pocket guns. The weight cited in Taurus materials varies; it may depend on whether the gun is equipped with just the light or the light and LASER.

The Curve will fit a number of pockets, and it won't "print" as obviously as some semi-autos -- but it's best use may be with the belt clip installed, which will allow carry it inside the waistband. Then it's almost invisible, doesn't run the risk of hitting something in the pocket (if you can't find a holster), and the trigger really can't be easily accessed until it's out of the clothing. (There is also a easily-detached trigger guard for those who are concerned about either pocket or IWB carry.) If they can implement a user-defeatable "automatic on" feature with the LASER as is now being offered with some of the other small LASER-equipped pocket guns, that would make it even more practical.

Technologically there doesn't seem to be much new about the Curve. It does have an interesting curved grip frame and mag base polymer cover that apparently can be taken off -- that is the case with a number of other small semi-autos -- but their grip covers aren't curved. (There may be some structural features in the frame, so I don't know whether to call it a frame cover or grip frame. Those features, I'm sure, are adaptable to a left-handed version.) The grip frame/cover and mag base creates the curve, not the underlying mechanical structure of the weapon. Making it suitable for a left-handed shooter may be as simple as slipping on a new (lefty) grip frame and mag base at the factory.

The Curve is a clever exercise in marketing and packaging -- in the sense that it looks and is functionally different (in terms of how it can be carried), and they'll be offering it with both light (and I think light and LASER); I don't know that the LASER will be standard. The prices I've seen are competitive, but may vary depending on whether light or light and LASER are installed.

If the gun proves reliable and the grip is comfortable, I won't be surprised to see Taurus sell a LOT of them.

.

 

[HexHead]

Probably carries well in a right back pocket.

 

[Gun Master]

Captian Kirk's Input

"Look, Spock ! A new phaser !" Blam! "Spock,.......Spock,......Spock !"

"Beam me up Scottie !"