Read more at Taurus: https://www.taurususa.com/pistols.cfm
Buy a TCP on GunsAmerica: https://www.gunsamerica.com/Search.aspx?T=taurus%20tcp
Last year at SHOT Show we saw an early version, essentially a prototype, of a new Taurus pistol. They have kept working on this idea and now have a model that is in production and will be shipping in the next few months. We put a picture of last year’s gun below so you can see the evolution.
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Look at the wings and you can see how narrow the points were.
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The new wings are wider, and sturdier.
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And while we’re talking about last year’s prototype, I’d like to address a bit of the controversy surrounding the new incarnation of the TCP. We heard a lot of buzz about this gun, and some of it was dismissive. The wings, some had decided, were a gimmick. I wasn’t will to pass judgement on the gun–or the wings–not until I’d had a chance to work it out. But these seem much more useful. The prototype’s wings were pointed. These are really robust. They snap shut and stay closed during firing. If I had to guess I’d say this was yet another feature that Taurus is pioneering that we’ll see on a lot of guns in the very near future.
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The gun itself is very compact. Pocket-sized, even.
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The wings are easy to move in and out, and stay in place during live fire.
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Taurus starts off with a TCP 738 in .380 and gives it wings. Folding wings to be exact. They are made of steel so they wont melt if you fly too close to the sun with this gun on your hip. The wings are made to be sturdy and strong. The representative from Taurus assured us that the engineers went over and over the design and subjected it to torture tests to make sure the wings were strong enough to hold up to repeated use.
The idea is to help users that have a weak grip manipulate the slide. Shooters with arthritis will especially benefit from the wings. The spring tension on most mouse guns in .380 is pretty strong, but using the wings really did make it easier to work. As we were checking out the winged Taurus we found that if you hold it right you can work the slide one handed. A pretty cool feature for a carry gun. Check out the video to see. The Taurus TCP 738, With Wings, will sell for slightly more than the standard model.
If one wing can be used to rack the slide, then this gives another option. It doesn’t matter if one hand/arm is not useful because of a condition or a wound. Practice with the operation of a pistol is always needed for muscle memory in an emergency where speed may and accuracy may determain survival. At least, that’s how I look at it. To me the wings won’t hurt, and give another option. Certainly revolvers and tip up barrells can be solutions for some issues. But they have their own challenges as well.😄
Say what you will about Taurus- crap quality or whatever…They certainly like to go against the grain. I really wish the other gun manufacturers were as innovative or willing to try something different. The Judge. the curve and now this- may not be my cup of tea- but they certainly try to do something different. It seems that anytime a gun company does something other than copying the block pistol or the black rifle- they are put down as a gimmick or a very bad idea. I think this gun, like the curve and the judge has a market- I may not buy one, but i can see a “reputable” gun company like s and w making a better version. “The Judge is crap- buy the Governor!” I would love to see the big guys try some new ideas, rather than coming out with the latest redo.
My left hand is not strong enough to rack my FNS 9mm. I hold it with my left hand and rack it with my right and switch hands to fire it. I would think you could make the back part of the slide flip up and use that as a charging handle. When the slide slams forward the handle would flip down. As for saving weight the slide has to have enough mass to resist the recoil of firing a round. Wings or a charging handle are part of that mass.
Looks like a nicely engineered piece for a small segment of shooters. Macho dicks on here absolutely don’t need this.
Answer: REVOLVER
It’s a double action pistol…. What exactly are you “cocking?” Do you insert a magazine, pull back on the cocking wings, and say “oh good, now my pistol is cocked.”
Don’t you put a round in the chamber after inserting the magazine???
Ratio lol there shouldn’t b a need for a captain obvious on here but guess there needs to be from time to time for the people that shouldn’t b commenting if they have no idea what they are talking about especially for something so obvious that they clearly have no idea what they are talking about guess someone needs to stick to reading they’re gun magazines instead of actually owning and shooting real guns lol
Dear Taurus,
I’d never choose one of your firearms for a situation where my life depends on it. If I ever get too weak to rack a slide, that’s when I start carrying a revolver.
Chris,
I hope you never have a condition that won’t allow to rack a slide. However, if you are cursed with RA or lose a thumb to something like cancer, I hope you have a choice like this. (Both experiences are within my circle of friends) The last thing you want is to have to ask a mugger to cock your gun for you. Yes, a revolver is a choice, but it loses slim concealability of as an auto. I guess without this cute little marketing trick, we gummers should just be happy carrying a revolver; with its drawback.
I guess with all the maxipad commercials “now with wings” Taurus had a revelation 🙂
It’s a Taurus. Can’t make a decent semi-auto, so they come up with a silly gimmick.
It’s shits like you who ruin the internet. Taurus makes a ton of great autos and they always have. They had a huge issue with quality control for many years, but that hasn’t been the case for a couple years now, as the people who use the guns can attest. Taurus guns are a great value for what you get.
In all of the years I’ve been shooting, (a VERY long time), I’ve foolishly given Taurus a great many “chances” to get their products right. For me, they have NEVER been reliable nor worked without their quality control failures happening when I’ve been shooting two of their revolvers and two different pistols of theirs.
No longer will I ever give Taurus a “chance” to put my life in jeopardy, and I “thought” I had only managed to get some “lemons”. Not four times in a row over multiple years, they’ve produced far too much CRAP for me to ever waste time and money on again.
For those folks that haven’t YET had that experience, good for them, I truly hope it never happens to them.
Your comment and rancor towards another expressed opinion shows some serious defensive immaturity that is not needed, in this post, nor does Taurus need any defending from MY experiences, they are what they are.
When two different revolver triggers snap off while firing standard pressure loads, SOMETHING is seriously wrong with their metallurgy and design.
When parts on pistols fail during firing, again standard pressure loads at the range during practice, something is seriously wrong with their engineering and metallurgy.
That is just MY personal experience. Thank goodness I’ve never been stupid enough to depend on a Taurus product for my life or that of my loved ones. For those who haven’t had my personal experience I’m thrilled for them.
I cannot in moral conscience ever “depend” on any Taurus ever, nor will I.
Exactly WHAT guns are you referring to? What age and models? There are thousands of PT111 G2s out there shooting the daylights out of everything and functioning very well, just to name one gun.
Well sorry for your issues, but the dude was mad because people always have to be assholes and talk shit instead of just saying what they mean like adults as did the person that this guy responded too. There’s always someone who just can’t wait to piss on the parade and it annoys me too. I have 2 Taurus revolvers and they are bad ass and have no issues. I have heard bad things too, but I haven’t had any problems. Some of us get lucky and get the good ones that make it through. I agree with this guy that there always has to be someone being crappy. If they don’t like Taurus, why the hell would you read articles about them?? I passionately HATE Golcks, so I avoid articles that have a bunch of guys talking about how they jack off on their plastic guns every night before they get tucked into bed with it. I can’t stand those guns or those people, so I don’t read articles about Glocks. Unfortunately, some people have to show up just to run their mouth. He has every right to state his opinion just like the prick before him.
Did you really feel the need to resort to profanity & name calling in response to a simple & non-offensive post?
You sir, are the kind of person ruining the internet & if you’re the kind of person buying & defending Taurus’ products then it just shows me I need to continue to steer clear of them.
Thank you.
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I’ve been quite impressed with the stainless Taurus 709 Slim pistol I bought a few years ago. Smooth, small, light, powerful, fits well in a pocket, and only misfired once with cheap ammo. No FTF’s or FTE’s–more than 500 rounds of 9mm fired already. Quite accurate at 25 ft.–the misses are my fault–not the pistol’s!
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John Bibb
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First, let me thank all you heroes for saving me from making more mistakes. Friends and I have and had many Taurus guns that never had a problem. Guess we had all better get rid of them as they are seemingly junk. Guess we should trade for a shotgun that doesn’t need aimed, a .45 that will knock an intruder down or a Glock that will never break? I liked the idea of the folding wings, if you don’t need them they will be out of the way.I thought Taurus was innovative and improving on an existing idea. However, many of you EXPERTS have illustrated just how terrible an idea this is. I had my heart set on a new VP9, I am very disappointed to find out it is junk because it has wings.
If she reads this you might find out its a suppository!
Innovative idea. As you can see in the live fire portion, you may forget to close rhe wings (the shooter almost did on the second volley). I’m assuming the first blowback/recoil would snap them shut if you forget? When people are involved with new features, you’re dealing with the lowest common denominator, and too many newbies buy guns and learn the hard way when it comes to safety.
This takes place in spring of 2017
Taurus customer service: Thank you for calling Taurus how may I help you?
Taurus owner: I have a TCP 738, you know the one with the fold out “wings”?
customer service: Yes! the TCP with the cocking assist panels.
Taurus owner: Well I broke one off, can you send me one? I’ll pay for it.
customer service: No can do, send it in for repair. Turn around is 6 months. “Carry On!”
Looks like a really good idea, especially for “us” older forks who have lost some strength in their arms…
keeping in mind, this is NOT primarily a range weapon, it looks like a great EDC…
A solution to a non-existent problem and how much weaker is the slide as a result? If they don’t need that supporting metal there then just do away with it and make the pistol even lighter and slimmer.
If your hands are so weak that you can’t charge your weapon, I dare say you have no business shooting it either. Kinda like the octogenarian drivers who just won’t give it up…you are a danger to others.
Revisit this comment of yours in about 30 years. I suspect your view may have changed.
I agree Mikey.
Gentleman, I must respectfully disagree as I believe the original poster is correct in his assessment.
I don’t need to wait another 30 years. I was already developing arthritis & then I had cancer & the chemo accelerated me from my mid 30’s to what most people deal with in their 60’s.
I now carry a Beretta Tomcat with a tip-up bbl & an LCR. Is it ideal? Not at all but if I can’t work the pistol without assistance then I’m not safe enough to carry it. I honestly don’t look at this & think it would help me at all.
Gary is right. If the slide does not require the added strength when the wings are placed why have them, cut a bit more weight and parts and pass the saving on to your customer. On baby pistols hat side anyone unable to retract the slide should switch to a small revolver. As to having a different opinion in 30 years; I’m there and my opinion hasn’t changed. So when a shotgun such as my ultra light Fanchi auto 12 that likes high brass kicks too hard for an old warhorse I put it up on the gun room wall, clean it on occasion and have good memories when I look at it; then I go looking for the old Browning A5 in 20 gage. This at best is a gimmick and at worse a real problem in tight quarters. Wings or small parts will have a tendency to get caught up on things. I once had to retract my slide on a 1911with only my right hand and my knees; its doable and I’m here today as a result.
Yeah, because if Garry ever becomes arthritic he will stop shooting and driving and maybe even using his computer. Meanwhile I will reserve judgment on what seems like a harmless feature and avoid telling people I do not know what they have “no business” doing.
Apparently you have not dealt with arthritis, joint swelling or loss of strength in your hands. You should be knowledgeable about something before displaying your ignorance in public. My wife has strength problems in her hands. She is 60+ years old. We have purchased a “slide racker” to assist her racking guns but that is not an every day carry solution. We have several older people in our family who are licensed and concealed carry. 3 Ruger LCP’s in that group. Hard for them to rack. P938’s in that group, hard for them to rack. The single action semi auto trigger is easier for them to pull than the long and more resistant double action pull of a revolver.
We also have several kids … ranging in ages 8 – 18 that shoot regularly. This would make shooting some of the more difficult to rack guns safer and easier for them to use.
So with your brilliant statement that they have no business shooting a certain gun is just totally absurd. They have a want and need to carry and use a handgun for self defense. This feature on this gun or any other adopting this in the future is a good thing.
I just added a right hand charging capability to my AR because arthritis in my left index and middle finger do not allow me to pull the charging handle from the left without a great deal of pain. So with your “judgement” of “us defective folks” I should have just given up shooting my AR. Geeeeeeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzz … what a uniformed mind.
older people are often favored targets of criminals. by your way of thinking, guess that’s just too bad – physical debilities disqualify someone from defending themselves. i’m sure your grandparents think that fair.
Thanks for the comment about the elderly being preferred targets. There are 9mm that I can rack with my arthritic hands, but they are too large to carry. For me, the smaller the pistol, the more difficult to rack. I am eagerly awaiting this pistol from Taurus to see how well it works. I do have a Taurus revolver which has worked flawlessly, but again, is heavy to carry.
I wonder if you can just buy the slide for an older TCP…
Silliness!
I can see this as the author stated — useful for someone with arthritis or a weak grip for some other reason. Of course if it’s a carry gun it will need to be carried with a round in the chamber. Trying to flip one or both “wings” out to chamber a round in a hurry would be a problem. Might be okay to keep in the nightstand without a chambered round, as you would be more likely to have time to mess with it if you heard someone break in. If they were real quiet though… That’s why I have a home alarm set at nigh. Want something to wake me up so I can get the gun! If they get away because of the alarm… well, that just saves me some legal issues.
I have something to wake me up. Three dogs! They don’t bite and they are small (20lbs) but they can sure make a racket if someone comes to the door or in the house even invited. My Taurus is the Millenium G2 model and it has one in the chamber with the safety on right by my bed. A flick of the thumb and it’s ready to fire. No wasted energy.
Well, if I buy one, I hope my wife doesn’t mistake it for a tampon…
Ooouuuuccchhh! And how simple minded and childish r u man, get real Lord I hope the anti gunners don’t read this and some of y’alls stupid ridiculous comments just gives them more ammo to shoot back at us with when u read dumb sh## like this come on some of u folks are going to ruin it for the rest of us who know how to use our brains and deserve to carry and use firearms