Taurus 380 revolver or???

[4given]

I took my Wife, Daughter, and Granddaughter to the range the other day. We had a great time. Getting my girls out for a bit of practice i always good.

My Daughter has some health issues. She was experiencing a lot of pain shooting the 638 with 125gr light practice loads. It affected her shooting quite a bit. She carries an LCR in 38 special. We have been discussing replacing it with something with less recoil.
She was comfortable shooting my wife's M64 4" with the same loads, so I think something with a similar recoil impulse might do well.

I know we could go with an LCR in 22lr worst case, but I would like to find a better option. Has anybody tried the Taurus 380 revolver? Any other ideas?

Thanks for your help

[Navin Johnson]

How do Magtec 148 WCs @600 ish out of a 2" compare to the above 125's?

Also LCR in .357 is 17ish oz.

A steel 640 for Practice?

[wmu12071]

https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?48023-JCN%92s-Taurus-380-Snubbie-review

JCN has talked about the M380

[SecondsCount]

Why does it have to be a revolver?

[BillSWPA]

Why does it have to be a revolver?

This was my question as well. I would look at a S&W .380 EZ, Sig P365 .380, G42, or perhaps Ruger Lite Rack .380.

If going below .380 becomes necessary, I would look at a Kel-Tec P-32 before going to a .22.

[Glenn E. Meyer]

LCR in 327 mag but with SW 32 Long wadcutters? However, the semis suggested are worth trying.

[feudist]

I bought one last year because I have beat up and arthritic hands.
To my hands, the recoil was indistinguishable from a .38 wadcutter. With a revolver, you get all the recoil at once, which concentrates both the impact and torque on your hands. My Kahr CM9 is comfortable to shoot for 50 rounds. No centerfire revolvers are.
My solution ended up being a pair of LCP2s in .380 and .22LR.

It's a nice revolver, on par with my Smiths. It has a better front sight and a smooth action, although I could do without the moonclips.

[luckyman]

How do Magtec 148 WCs @600 ish out of a 2" compare to the above 125's?

Also LCR in .357 is 17ish oz.

A steel 640 for Practice?

Navin has a good point, if she likes the lcr the extra 3.5 oz of the 357 variant will help quite a bit.

[Totem Polar]

I love revolvers. That said, the easy button for the recoil sensitive is a G42. If an LCR .38 is too much, the G42 becomes a rule #1 option worth looking at. JMO.

[4given]

Why does it have to be a revolver?

Great point.

The honest answer is that she is very familiar with and SAFE carrying a revolver. She has not had enough training with semi-auto pistols. She is a working, single mom with limited time & resources. It would be a heavy lift to get her dialed in to my satisfaction. I am more comfortable with her carrying a revolver at this time.

If I could get her out to the range more often & etc, a G42 or something similar would be the logical choice. Right now a light recoiling revolver seems to make the most sense.

[Lester Polfus]

I've got some mild hand arthritis I'm trying to keep from getting worse. My 638 is strictly a wadcutter-only gun nowadays.

My 640 Pro (all steel) with +P .38 Special loads is just fine and is incredibly mild with wadcutters. I wonder if the .357 frame LCR, an all-steel J-frame, or an SP101 is the ticket for her. Start with wadcutters and work your way up the power scale until you find the edge of her comfort zone.

Or just stop at wadcutters. To get a .38 Special JHP to expand, you usually have to bump the velocity up quite a bit.

The 640 Pro's sights make it shoot like a much bigger gun. The Wiley Clapp SP101 is also a very nice gun.

[BillSWPA]

Great point.

The honest answer is that she is very familiar with and SAFE carrying a revolver. She has not had enough training with semi-auto pistols. She is a working, single mom with limited time & resources. It would be a heavy lift to get her dialed in to my satisfaction. I am more comfortable with her carrying a revolver at this time.

If I could get her out to the range more often & etc, a G42 or something similar would be the logical choice. Right now a light recoiling revolver seems to make the most sense.

To confirm that I understand correctly, recoil is the big issue, and pulling a DA trigger is something she can handle without difficulty?

What is the largest size revolver she would be able to effectively and comfortably conceal?

[SecondsCount]

Great point.

The honest answer is that she is very familiar with and SAFE carrying a revolver. She has not had enough training with semi-auto pistols. She is a working, single mom with limited time & resources. It would be a heavy lift to get her dialed in to my satisfaction. I am more comfortable with her carrying a revolver at this time.

If I could get her out to the range more often & etc, a G42 or something similar would be the logical choice. Right now a light recoiling revolver seems to make the most sense.

After spending hundreds of hours on a range teaching women to shoot, the key is to put something in their hands that they enjoy shooting. If she hasn't already, let her try a semi, either in a 22LR or a even a 9mm, and let her decide.

[JCN]

I took my Wife, Daughter, and Granddaughter to the range the other day. We had a great time. Getting my girls out for a bit of practice i always good.

My Daughter has some health issues. She was experiencing a lot of pain shooting the 638 with 125gr light practice loads. It affected her shooting quite a bit. She carries an LCR in 38 special. We have been discussing replacing it with something with less recoil.
She was comfortable shooting my wife's M64 4" with the same loads, so I think something with a similar recoil impulse might do well.

I know we could go with an LCR in 22lr worst case, but I would like to find a better option. Has anybody tried the Taurus 380 revolver? Any other ideas?

Thanks for your help

I know that it might seem controversial but it's totally okay to practice with a larger / heavier version of your carry gun to work on fundamentals that will carry over.

I think practicing with a K frame and carrying a J frame is totally reasonable.

[onehalfmvsquared]

I would go with a heavier gun and wadcutters, like a SP101 loaded with 38 wadcutters.

And I love my G42

[4given]

To confirm that I understand correctly, recoil is the big issue, and pulling a DA trigger is something she can handle without difficulty?

What is the largest size revolver she would be able to effectively and comfortably conceal?

Yes, it is the recoil, not the DA pull that is the issue. I don't know the answer to that but an all-steel snub might work.

[4given]

I've got some mild hand arthritis I'm trying to keep from getting worse. My 638 is strictly a wadcutter-only gun nowadays.

My 640 Pro (all steel) with +P .38 Special loads is just fine and is incredibly mild with wadcutters. I wonder if the .357 frame LCR, an all-steel J-frame, or an SP101 is the ticket for her. Start with wadcutters and work your way up the power scale until you find the edge of her comfort zone.

Or just stop at wadcutters. To get a .38 Special JHP to expand, you usually have to bump the velocity up quite a bit.

The 640 Pro's sights make it shoot like a much bigger gun. The Wiley Clapp SP101 is also a very nice gun.

I'm using wadcutters in all my 38 snubs right now but they are a little spicier than Federal Match and the like. I suppose I could load up something similar and see how they do. Also, I think an all-steel snub might be the answer.

[4given]

I would go with a heavier gun and wadcutters, like a SP101 loaded with 38 wadcutters.

And I love my G42

SP 101 ... Humm ...

[BillSWPA]

Yes, it is the recoil, not the DA pull that is the issue. I don't know the answer to that but an all-steel snub might work.

I hesitate to recommend something at this price for someone with limited resources, but a Colt Night Cobra might work well. Colt D frames are not significantly more difficult to conceal than J frames except for pocket carry, and are very comparable in size to an LCR. They shoot like larger guns, particularly with the steel frame. She gets 6 rounds instead of 5.

[onehalfmvsquared]

SP 101 ... Humm ...

I have a 3", but they make a true snub nose. Only 5 rounds, but all steel and on the heavy side

https://i.imgur.com/PRWzpka.jpg?1

[Totem Polar]

If it’s a revolver-only situation, then I can second Lester Polfus’ recommendation of the 640 pro. A great iteration of the classic J-frame, with real sights, and a pussy cat with wadcutters. I’m quite enamored of mine. Most def heavier than either a base LCR or G42 though, with both the pros and cons implied.

[Navin Johnson]

Is there any consideration to the fact that there seems to be wrist issues were talking about and that a semi auto (especially a compact) might not bode well with wrist issues?

The OP would do well to research various factory WC loadings and the associated recoil and how that affects the subject.

We really only have partial information, and no direct input from the subject.

No doubt this is a challenge for the subject, but personal biases need to be left behind.

This is a gun forum, but it might not be a gun solution…..

[mikey357]

I hesitate to recommend something at this price for someone with limited resources, but a Colt Night Cobra might work well. Colt D frames are not significantly more difficult to conceal than J frames except for pocket carry, and are very comparable in size to an LCR. They shoot like larger guns, particularly with the steel frame. She gets 6 rounds instead of 5.

For that matter, used Detective Specials, Cobras & Agents can sometimes be found in "Shooter Grade"--Mechanically solid but somewhat challenged finish-wise--For very reasonable prices--The last two Agents I bought were in about 85--90% condition finish-wise and were purchased in July '22 for just over $425 each including Sales Tax & Shipping to my friendly, neighborhood FFL--They're out there if you're willing to be patient & do the Research...

[BillSWPA]

Is there any consideration to the fact that there seems to be wrist issues were talking about and that a semi auto (especially a compact) might not bode well with wrist issues?

The OP would do well to research various factory WC loadings and the associated recoil and how that affects the subject.

We really only have partial information, and no direct input from the subject.

No doubt this is a challenge for the subject, but personal biases need to be left behind.

This is a gun forum, but it might not be a gun solution…..

I have either gone shooting with or taught a variety of people with hand/wrist issues. In two cases, women felt that the recoil of a revolver was more comfortable. However, they seem to be the exception rather than the rule. One used both index fingers simultaneously to work the DA trigger, a workable but suboptimal solution.

The semiautos I and others recommended were in some cases specifically designed for shooters who need something comfortable to shoot, or are very effective for that purpose.

If limp wrist jams are the concern, that would obviously need to be tested with the individual shooter.

[Navin Johnson]

I have either gone shooting with or taught a variety of people with hand/wrist issues. In two cases, women felt that the recoil of a revolver was more comfortable. However, they seem to be the exception rather than the rule. One used both index fingers simultaneously to work the DA trigger, a workable but suboptimal solution.

The semiautos I and others recommended were in some cases specifically designed for shooters who need something comfortable to shoot, or are very effective for that purpose.

If limp wrist jams are the concern, that would obviously need to be tested with the individual shooter.

Is there a .380 that is anywhere near the reliability of a 9mm (especially in a compact form)?

[BillSWPA]

Is there a .380 that is anywhere near the reliability of a 9mm (especially in a compact form)?

Multiple forum members have posted about having good results with almost all of the .380’s recommended above, although I don’t recall any posts discussing shooting experiences with the Ruger Lite Rack .380.

I have two .380’s which are more compact than anything discussed in this thread. Feed reliability with both is 100%, although 1 needed heavier recoil springs.

Since .380 is slightly shorter than 9mm, it is easier to design compact guns without as tortuous a feed path.

[Navin Johnson]

Multiple forum members have posted about having good results with almost all of the .380’s recommended above, although I don’t recall any posts discussing shooting experiences with the Ruger Lite Rack .380.

I have two .380’s which are more compact than anything discussed in this thread. Feed reliability with both is 100%, although 1 needed heavier recoil springs.

Since .380 is slightly shorter than 9mm, it is easier to design compact guns without as tortuous a feed path.

So in other words…..No

I have seen reports on this very forum of people who’ve had problems with the P365 and the G42

Don’t get me wrong I will probably buy a G 42 and mess with it

[Totem Polar]

So in other words…..No

I have seen reports on this very forum of people who’ve had problems with the P365 and the G42

Don’t get me wrong I will probably buy a G 42 and mess with it

The G42 issues are mostly with the first guns—which were complete POS’s that should have been recalled.

I’ve owned 4 G42s, the last 3 of which were rock solid. I won’t buy one used, however, out of low-level fear of the first run guns that are still out there. They really were terrible.

[feudist]

So in other words…..No

I have seen reports on this very forum of people who’ve had problems with the P365 and the G42

Don’t get me wrong I will probably buy a G 42 and mess with it

I've had a G42 since late in the first iteration.
The magazine issue was the main problem and was fixed by the time I got mine.
It is boringly reliable.
It is also the easiest to shoot centerfire pistol I've ever fired. I could literally shoot hundreds of rounds through it a day. A lot of people will describe a gun as having "no recoil" or "recoils like a .22."
They're always exaggerating. The recoil may not be painful, or even tiring, but it recoils like a 9, .40, .45 etc.
This is aggravated in compact guns and even(especially) compact .380s. They are generally like a firecracker going off in your hand.
The 42 is the exception. The combo of weight, springing and general Glockery makes it literally recoil like a loud .22.
The downsides are there: It's big and heavy relative to the pocket .380s, and I've tried 2 mag extensions that failed after extensive testing and being left loaded for several months. So for me it's a 6+1 gun. The pronounced beavertail and squared off rear of the slide makes drawing from the pocket a snag hazard even with top of the line holsters and dedicated practice.
Since most people consider pocket carry a "drop it in the pocket to go to the store" proposition, it's a really sub-optimal choice for that.

[GearFondler]

feudist, since my wife is getting a G42 for herself would you mind telling me which mag extensions failed on you so I don't also waste my money?
I was looking at the +1 from Pearce and the +2 from Strike Industries.
Thanks!

[Totem Polar]

Not @fuedist, but, all mag extensions appear to be problematic, by report. As well, I personally found ets mags to be unreliable in otherwise “G17 level” G42s, sample of two guns. FWIW. The G42 seems to be a factory mag gun.

[Navin Johnson]

feudist, since my wife is getting a G42 for herself would you mind telling me which mag extensions failed on you so I don't also waste my money?
I was looking at the +1 from Pearce and the +2 from Strike Industries.
Thanks!

Most if not all Glocks are best with stock factory mags IF reliability is of any concern.

Some aftermarket stuff works in some guns but not others....I call that a clue

[feudist]

feudist, since my wife is getting a G42 for herself would you mind telling me which mag extensions failed on you so I don't also waste my money?
I was looking at the +1 from Pearce and the +2 from Strike Industries.
Thanks!

They were both the Vickers +2.

[GearFondler]

Sounds like we'd better stick to the Pearce +0 then, just for the pinky room.
Thanks fellas!

[4given]

I ordered a box of these. I will work up a light load and see how she does with them. I have a number of powders suitable for the task. I also bought her a used TX22 for her birthday, hoping we can get her a little more training with a semi-auto.

https://i.imgur.com/KDe0xiG.jpg

[jandbj]

https://www.hensleygibbs.com/edharris/articles/38wadcutterQA.htm

Ed has tons of good load info.

[TeflonDon]

I took my Wife, Daughter, and Granddaughter to the range the other day. We had a great time. Getting my girls out for a bit of practice i always good.

My Daughter has some health issues. She was experiencing a lot of pain shooting the 638 with 125gr light practice loads. It affected her shooting quite a bit. She carries an LCR in 38 special. We have been discussing replacing it with something with less recoil.
She was comfortable shooting my wife's M64 4" with the same loads, so I think something with a similar recoil impulse might do well.

I know we could go with an LCR in 22lr worst case, but I would like to find a better option. Has anybody tried the Taurus 380 revolver? Any other ideas?

Thanks for your help
I wouldn't suggest any revolver by Taurus. I use to be a fan of their revolvers, but I can no longer recommend any of them.

To those recommending larger revolvers, I doubt she'll carry those on a regular basis outside of the home. If it's for home defense only, I'm not sure why you'd only be looking at tiny pocket sized revolvers.

110100
My recommendation would be a S&W Chief Special aka Model 36 Classic. It's 38 +p special only, is all steel, and almost 20 onces and not 11-14 ounces like most other small 38 specials.

That or the stainless 2" 640 or 640 pro or the model 60. Then have here shoot standard pressure 38 instead of 38+p. All these options should retail for around the same price as a LCR.

[zaitcev]

I had an M380 UL for a few years and while I love and enjoy shooting it, it had a few problems.

1. The rear sight is a disaster. It wobbles on its "windage adjustment screw" if you can call it that. I keep thinking about finding someone to mill me a dovetail for a suitable sight from a small automatic like G42. Or mayble JB Weld it in place.

2. The front of the chambers is too small. Taurus drilled it to the spec, but .380 ammo is wildly inconsistent. Bullets of some brands are wider than the spec. That chambers fine in typical .380 automatics, but the cartridge does not go in deep enough in the M380 UL. Loading those brands caused jams as cylinder refused to rotate. I used a DYI recipe from a magazine to ream the throats, which alleviated the issue. Note that the chamber where the brass goes was completely fine.
{UPDATE: Here's a thread at THR with the photos, explanations, and the lack of reading comprehension on the part of the members:
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/reaming-chambers-a-little.837353/ }

3. Recoil is unexpectedly stiff. Nothing I cannot handle, but locked breech 380 autos are softer, even G42.

4. The trigger is very heavy in DA. I tried to install a Wolff spring kit for M85, but that caused light strikes. I had to give up and use the factory mainspring. I retained the Wolff trigger return spring, which makes the trigger perhaps 15% lighter. My Beretta 84 has a DA trigger that is substantially lighter.

5. The .380 has an extractor groove that is twice thicker than the moon clips. As a result, one has to be extremely careful when stuffing clips. Clips gush the brass, and remain the the false groove that they made. If that groove is anywhere but flush with the rim, the cartridge will stick out and potentially jam the cylinder. The designers at Taurus should've made clips twice as thick, and designed some kind of slots to make it possible to deflect the petals and load/unload them (despite the thickness). But they didn't. Naturally, TK clips aren't any better, because they must remain compatible with the existing design.

I'm kinda thinking about offering plastic clips for the little Taurus, which occupy the whole thickness of the grooves, and prevent jams. It would be a giant step forward in usability. Sadly there's no way to be price competitive with TK (that is TK Customs, not TandemKross of course). And, they're not going to last, so... yeah.

One other thing: in an attempt to use the Wolff springs, I removed the lock and filled the space with molten lead. My testing shows a bit of improvement, the light strikes got rarer. But it didn't solve the problem completely. I thought about getting a hammer from M85, but never got around to it, and meanwhile Taurus switched the models around, so I don't think that I could find a compatible hammer anymore.

The box in the photo is a clip carrier. The demooning tool is a suitable barb elbow.

122730

[jh9]

One other thing: in an attempt to use the Wolff springs, I removed the lock and filled the space with molten lead. My testing shows a bit of improvement, the light strikes got rarer. But it didn't solve the problem completely. I thought about getting a hammer from M85, but never got around to it, and meanwhile Taurus switched the models around, so I don't think that I could find a compatible hammer anymore.

I wonder if an Apex firing pin for S&Ws can be modfied to fit? That might help with the light strikes.

I've never owned a Taurus so I don't know how feasible that is.

[TicTacticalTimmy]

Could you 3d print platic moon clips?

I dont imagine they would last very many demoonings but they could be cheap enough to be near disposable

[Polecat]

Every 3-5oz makes a perceptible difference in felt recoil. Grips that cover the backstrap help! Look for .38 special short for mild rounds. The LCR is com8ng in .32 mag built on the lighter .38 frame. This will be really m8ld with .32 Longs.

[jh9]

The LCR is com8ng in .32 mag built on the lighter .38 frame. This will be really m8ld with .32 Longs.

Wait, what? Is there actually a planned release of an aluminum LCR in .32 mag instead of the steel frame in .327 that's already out?

[jeep45238]

Wait, what? Is there actually a planned release of an aluminum LCR in .32 mag instead of the steel frame in .327 that's already out?

Outside of a misprint from Lipsey's on their 3" .327 LCRx, I've seen absolutely no reference to an alloy .32 LCR setup.

If they did that with a hammerless lower and the adjustable sights, I'd be very happy.

[Ndbbm]

One was apparently seen and fired at the Revolver Roundup that the American Fighting Revolver (Bolke (Dagga Boy) and Bryan Eastridge) put on.


Jason