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The Curve. Once you get past the slight bend in the frame, you will find several more radical revisions that may change pocket carry forever.
Check out the Curve at Taurus: https://www.taurususa.com/curve
Buy one on GunsAmerica: /Taurus Curve
Thrown for a Curve
The all new Taurus Curve is out in the wild and no longer the purview of a lucky few early reviewers. I recently had a chance to put it through its paces. I am of two minds about this gun. I want to somehow dismiss it as nothing more than a list of features added to a small .380 auto, but I won’t because of how the gun shoots and small details I appreciate from muzzle to butt.
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Finish: Matte Blue
Caliber: .380 ACP
Grips: Polymer Grips
Capacity: 6 +1
Weight: 10.2 oz
Barrel Length: 2.5″
Height: 3.7″
Width: 1.18″
Action: DAO
Length: 5.2″
Safety: Magazine Disconnect, Loaded Chamber Indicator
Trigger Type: Smooth
MSRP: $392.42
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The sight system on the rear of The Curve is aided by two protrusions on the loaded chamber indicator.
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Handling the Curves
When I picked up the gun for the first time, I quickly understood the name. The whole gun is built with a curve to the frame that allows it conform to the human body. I believe a handgun’s job is to be comforting first and comfortable second. As a card carrying skeptic, I was concerned that a steep price would be paid by the gun-in-the-hand for the comfort of the body-friendly shape.
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The frame has a slight curve to it. The slide, though, still sits square.
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The Curve’s curve is slight, as the mag still has straight walls.
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With the first firing grip on the gun, I no longer noticed the swoop of the Curve. I did notice the index dot on the front right side of the frame for my index finger. The control of integrated laser/light is easy to reach and control with the extended index finger. When my index finger reached the trigger I was again surprised by the trigger pull. It was long but smooth and predictable; what I would expect in a pocket carry gun with no external safety. The attention to detail found on this small weapon shows that a real shooter was on the design team. The rough texture applied to key areas of the grip contribute to a secure purchase. A notch correctly placed for the index finger of my support hand on the underside of the trigger guard lent itself to a correct firing grip.
Though the gun is small, the slide still has clearance over my big hands.
When firing this demure concealed carry pistol, I noticed that recoil is noticeably less than most guns in its class. The magazine release is cleverly located on the left side near the bottom of the magazine. It is reachable with the right-hand thumb and nearly impossible to release accidentally.
I can’t say if the barrel of the Curve contributes to the shooting ability but the design is truly unique. It is a bull design with a reverse crown. The real show stopper is the top slant cut to the barrel resembling that on some AK’s with a matching cut on the slide. If it is effective at taming muzzle rise, I’d expect to see the design in other pistols soon.
(As an aside–check the muzzle in the image at the top of this page. That prototype Curve didn’t have the slanted barrel.)
Grading on the Curve
This gun has some real slippery curves. The first and most concerning is the complete absence of sights. The good marketing folks at Taurus added three milled lines filled with white paint on the rear of the slide and called it the integrated Bore-axis sighting system. I followed the instructions in the manual to use the lines with the two ears of the Loaded Chamber Indicator. This proved to be slow and difficult even when compared to the almost nonexistent sights on the KEL-TEC P-3AT. At night, you can forget any attempt at using this method.
The lights on The Curve are small, and there is a laser.
You can add the LED / laser combo from Laser Lite for just $100.00 more. The laser is moderately visible in low light and (as is to be expected) completely useless in the daytime. The lights are small, and they aren’t going to stand up to a comparison to a typical add-on weapon light.
Some lawyers somewhere are pleased, but I am baffled by the magazine safety. Taurus even seems to apologize for it in the manual: “Magazine disconnectors can be dangerous for a number of reasons.” They know mag disconnects are dangerous–so why include it in the design? There’s no good answer. The gun won’t fire when the mag is out, so you better not accidentally drop the mag.
The TAURUS SECURITY SYSTEM (TSS) is a key lock that renders the gun inert. This creates a gun that will not function. As an added bonus, Taurus clearly warns you: Never engage the TSS with the slide in the open rear position or the hammer back in the cocked position. This will result in permanent damage to your pistol. I recommend leaving these keys in the box and forgetting about them. But if you need the lock for some reason, it is there.
The Curve’s take on the pocket-protector.
The good folks at Taurus include a minimalist holster that covers the trigger guard and has a length of para cord forming a loop. The idea is to secure the cord to your belt with the gun in your pocket. When danger is imminent, the Trigger Protector will stay attached to you when the pistol is drawn. We tested the concept from all of the possible carry methods, and it works well enough. There didn’t appear to be any way to easily dislodge the Trigger Protector while the gun was in your pocket.
The Slide Clip is designed to hold the gun inside the waist band without requiring a holster. It does this as designed. However, it is cumbersome to draw the gun with a natural draw stroke. You have to reach in and push the gun up, exposing the butt. This is not impossible, but also not intuitive–at least at first. The clip can be used to secure The Curve inside the waistband, too–though it may be too tight to get over some belts. The only way this gun really made sense to me was right front pocket carry. I ditched the clip and used the trigger protector.
Here you can see the clip on the side. Yes! The Curve has a mag and a clip.
The Bell Curve
So who will The Curve appeal to? Not an easy question. Gun nuts love new guns, and The Curve is certainly that. After the novelty of the new wears off, what then? The Curve isn’t a range toy. Nor is it meant to be. I think these will be carried a lot more than they ever get shot. And that’s where The Curve’s true potential really seems well executed. This is a comfortable gun to carry.
And if you’re going to carry it, you need to shoot it. Regularly. The gun isn’t punishing, like some mouse guns intended for pocket carry–so you won’t have excessive hand fatigue. And there’s a lot you can practice with daily dry-fire drills, off the range. The magazine changes will take practice. As the holster options are limited, you may need to practice a new set of draw motions. Be safe. Work with it. Once you have it, take it to the range and acclimate to the sights with live fire.
Ranging the Curve
In all honesty, The Curve is a complex gun. When the concept was first announced, we knew it would be a tough sell. Taurus has taken a huge leap with this pistol. And they weren’t content with simply re-engineering a polymer frame. No, they threw everything they had at the design. It would be great if a new idea came out of the ground fully formed but most gun concepts mature over generations of evolution. I think The Curve will benefit from evolution.
The long cuts in the grip are where you index the mag. Squeeze the mag’s sides and pull it out. No button to push.
Still, The Curve is more than a proof-of-concept. It seems to me like Taurus had a list of features they’d designed independently, and put them all on one gun. Most of these features are innovative. And everything works, to an extent. I predict that one day we will look back and recognize that The Curve was a precursor to a new type modern self-defense gun.
I will close with this. I was able to produce respectable groups using two-hand and strong hand only grips. I fired the gun at 5 yards and was surprised by the results. I shot left handed and it took a little effort to make it work. I would not call it a desirable method. All told, the gun functioned flawlessly for the duration of my range work.
Respectable accuracy and flawless function? These are both really strong selling points. In this country, the average gunfight occurs in under three short yards of distance. At that distance, with adrenaline running, sights become an after thought. Would The Curve be my first choice for this gun fight? No. But The Curve has filled a seasonal role, and very easily.
If there is one distinct benefit to the design it is that the gun doesn’t print like a gun. You can fit it in a pocket. You can conceal The Curve when you can’t conceal some of the compact 9mms out there, so there’s no excuse to leave it behind. Unless you’re just not wearing pants.
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The laser, out of the box, pointed low left. But look at the group from the modest pistol.
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The two groups on the right were shot with the laser, slowly. The group on the left was shot for time. Either way, The Curve is capable.
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The curve is compact. What you sacrifice in firepower, you make up for in convenience.
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And there’s still enough pistol to allow for an two handed grip.
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Nice conceal carry. No jams. But needs extended magzine the handle kicks hard in palm of your hand. Hurts to practice with it. Once you sight the laser next time you will only pull trigger in self defense.
I was very encouraged by the design of the curve. Unfortunately it jams more than any firearm I’ve ever owned. I have cleaned it, lubed it, many different rounds and still jams once per mag. If it fired flawlessly, it would be one of my favorites, but now… It just a huge disappointment.
My new Curve would not eject A LIVE ROUND, would jam between the chamber and frame EVERY TIME. Sent it back to Taurus for repair. Gun was returned within 10 days and now functions great
Just bought a taurus curve. Wont Chamber a a round with 3 different ammos. Cost me 350 plus 65 to return to taurus. Would not recommend. My judge is great tho. Pass this gun up.
Update. Repaired and functions great. Very pleased I just wish it worked brand new.
Looks like a gimmick gun meant to appeal to those who like gadgets, but I like the idea of changing the form factor of what we are accustomed to in order to facilitate concealment. Interestingly, I noticed “Made in USA” stamped on the one in the photo.
Always wondered why pistols don’t have slots in the grips like this one, but not for releasing the magazine. Seems like this would help to stabilize an extended mag. Wonder if they got their idea for squeezing to release the mag from those cordless tools that use that type of release for the batteries? If so, they should have spent some time using those power tools in real world conditions because that probably would have caused them to drop that feature and use a more conventional type of release.
I really like this Taurus Curve. The main reason. It’s comfortable to carry every day. Other pistols you may carry for a while, but then they just become a pain in the butt to carry. So, you leave it on the dresser. Example: A friend of mine. A DA in the LA area. Carried a mini-small 25 cal. for years. Just keep it in his suit jacket pocket. It cane in handy late one night when he was leaving for home and was in the under ground parking. Three men approached him and not for a good reason. These guys never touched him. E-Z to carry was the reason he had it.
Not for left handers for sure!
I stopped by Academy to see one. Very interesting weapon.
The one thing…the sales guy told me that the clip on the side BREAKS frequently. (FYI)
Protect yourself and your family. Get trained, get licensed, carry.
Todd
About 20 years ago, I bought a Taurus .380 semi-auto for my wife. The pistol would hang up on every 3rd or so round (Federal ammo). We took it back and traded it for a .38 special.
I have consequently avoided Taurus through the years; however, a lot of people around here are using them now, and seem to have fewer problems. Perhaps they’ve stepped up to the plate w/ quality control in the last few years? I’d be willing to give them another try … After all, it’s been 2 decades & they likely have had some internal changes.
I am quite intrigued with the new design, and if I can get my hands on one, I admit I’d love to at least take it for a “spin”!
This thing looks like it is steeped in gayness. Begs to be limp wristed.
It is OK to tell people that you are gay. You should not project your ignorant and empty whims on tiny objects expecting to look witty and feel better. You are “steeped” in stupid. Consider some life changes. Let me guess…Hillary supporter?
I have not owned a Taurus in the last 25 years that would work without going back to the factory for repair.
I won’t buy anything made by Taurus, ever again.
With Taurus it comes down to this:
you either get one that works, or you get an expensive paper weight.
I would rather my daughter work in a whorehouse than to own anything else with “Taurus” on it.
Wow, and I own 5 Taurus handguns and have had no problems whatsoever. One M82, two M85s, 1 PT99 and 1 PT1911. All have proven to be accurate and reliable. I just ordered a M85 ULSS.
After owning 6 BRAND NEW Taurus firearms and EVERY ONE OF THEM had to go back to the factory to even FUNCTION AT ALL, I cannot bring myself to purchase, much less risk my life carrying a Taurus of any kind…poor factory Quality Control and non existent Quality Check on products being shipped has left me in a mode where Taurus doesn’t exist!! I won’t tell you that after going back TWICE for factory function work…my ‘headboard gun’ in my bed is a PT 1911 .45…
Taurus? That’s enough for me to pass on it.
Lose the mag disconnect and I might be eventually be interested simply bc of the unique design. My Sig 238 equinox is however far better for me as CCW. No mag disconnect and tritium sights with fiber optic front in daytime.
I have a Taurus 24/7 9mm that sits in my home theater as a quick grab in the event of a home invasion. It works great with FMJ ammo and is accurate, but absolutely will not feed HP ammo. Consequently, it is a home BUG and not an EDC gun or even a carry BUG.
The review was pretty lukewarm. If the gun is not one you would take to the range and practice with, then I think it would be unwise to rely on it as an EDC. My EDC BUG is a PF9 in my left pocket in case my right arm is incapacitated. I take it to the range and shoot it one handed with my left hand and it works great and I hit center of mass with it. I just don’t see that working with the Curve.
I have handled on of these in the fun store. I would actually be interested in one in 9mm.
When I see the name “Taurus” I rarely read any further however this time I did. Aside from being an inadequate caliber it is a tribute to the United States in manufacturing junk superior to that of China.
Taurus crap is made in Brazil.
My Taurus “crap” curve fires flawlessly and is Made in the USA
Am I the only person that thinks Taurus autos are crap? I’ve had 3 none would shoot a whole magazine with out problems, the tip barrel 22 wouldn’t feed ANYTHING! The millenium 45 started off great, accurate, dependable, lite but after about 300 rounds it stopped igniting primers, sent back to Taurus at cost of $27 from my pocket, fired maybe 50 rounds and same problem, new ammo will not fire, several brands! The 709 Slim was worse wouldn’t ignite 50% of factory rounds and when it did would jam 20% of the time! I see no reason to think that this new gun is any better, plus its a copy of S&W’s 380 sigma, except for the curve part, which didn’t work out well what a foolish method for retaining the mag! Didn’t work for S&W will not work here! Wait till you drop it on concrete when its very cold, by by magazine!
I had a TP-92 / 9mm it was good but I couldn’t get a small enough group on target so traded for a Glock 17.
I had a 357 snob nose mod #305 5 shot & it gave me no problems but was too heavy as a pocket carry so traded for a TCP 380 & it shoots great with a good trigger pull & e-z to pocket carry.
I had a TP-92 / 9mm it was good but I couldn’t get a small enough group on target so traded for a Glock 17.
I had a 357 snob nose mod #305 5 shot & it gave me no problems but was too heavy as a pocket carry so traded for a TCP 380 & it shoots great with a good trigger pull & e-z to pocket carry.
No Max, you are part of a very large herd on that thought. I just wish Taurus would not discontinue the great self defense guns in order to build crap that sells great and jams great too. They should have left this thang as a drawing or concept gun. That’s all its good for.
can’t buy them in CA. !!
Californians are a lucky bunch then!
I agree with Charlie…This brand is the most problematic on my training range, THBS [they] are innovative…I must give them that…this design just may spark other more main-stream manufacturers to design complete modular models with built in lights/ (green) lasers etc….to that end, I believe this model serves a purpose…still, I would not carry one or allow anyone I love to carry one.
What about left handers? I am a lefty so I cannot believe this gun has much of an advantage over a conventional design for me.
Beats the hell outta being a ONE-hander, take my word for it. I too occasionally crawl into my comfy den of self-pity. It takes but a single visit to my local VA hospital to smack me back in to reality. Try living life with NO hands, for instance…
there are none available anywhere that i can find. i called the company and after a lot of talking in circles a lady admitted they can’t get them as they are made in – i think she said – Brazil, and are not coming ????
Of course they are made in brazil, since Taurus is based there.
l ‘ve owned several (2 model 82 .38’s, a model 66 .357, 2 9mms(809 and pt911), a model 327 in .327 and a pt24/7 in .45acp.over the past 30+yrs. I’ve had no more issues from them then I have had from my springfield’s, S&W’s or rugers.
This gun is withou a doubt the ugliest gun I have ever seen!
The curve isn’t the ugliest, the Mossberg tactical “Lever Action” takes that Honor. Lucas McCain and Rooster Cogburn would be doing cartwheels in their graves if they ever saw one of those. The Taurus products have machining that looks like it was done by a monkey with an axe having a seizure.
Nope, that would be the Cobray 45/410 single shot derringer
Have you seen the Glock revolver. Yikes! And I am a huge Glock fan.
My problem isn’t with a new idea, but with a manufacturer that cuts corners on their QC to the detriment of the customers. I’d never trust my life to a Taurus simply because its a Taurus. Far too many fail for me to have any confidence in anything with that name stamped into it.
If it is like most Taurus autos, it should come with a prepaid shipping label to send it back for repairs as they all seen to go back once or twice before they work reliably.
It likely has the Taurus Lifetime Warranty attached to it, so if things do go wrong, you will likely loose only time and not $$$ getting it repaired!
I took advantage of this warranty with an old Taurus Model 85 revolver I had …. It was 25+ years old and had been put through the wringer over all those years. The shop that offered to buy it from me said that they detected the timing being off and they would only give me $175 for it, as is. However, they stated that if I sent it in to have the timing adjusted, they would give me $250 for it.
So, I contacted Taurus and they sent me a prepaid sticker with which I could send it in. Off to UPS it went, and in less than a month (~ 3 weeks), back it came with the timing adjusted. I then became $75 richer than if I hadn’t sent it in to be repaired.
Charlie, I understand what your saying. Buuuuut, Taurus can and has made what many consider the top self defense pocket pistol of all times. I have several versions of the 450 and 455 revolver. They are my go to gun when the situation calls for a pocket pistol. Sadly, Taurus stopped making them because enough people don’t believe in big bore.
Waiting for full 9mm!
+1 for 9mm
Looking forward to getting one but can’t find a dealer that can get one. Seems they are very hard to find