The Taurus Curve is unlike any firearm in the market. It is made to fit your body, not just your hand.
Taurus USA
https://www.taurususa.com/
When you think about it, we wear our guns a lot more than we shoot them, yet they are designed primarily for shooting. The new Taurus Curve fixes that. The grip on the gun is curved, so that when you wear it on your hip or carry it in your pocket, the gun hugs the contour of your body. The Curve is a 6+1 .380 ACP semi-automatic pistol with a consistent trigger pull for each shot. The MSRP for the introductory model is $392, and it will come with an integral LaserLyte light and laser combo built in. The Curve also comes with a Kydex pull-off trigger guard holster, and screwed onto the side of the gun is a steel clip for inside the waistband or inside a purse pocket carry. Overall the gun is 5.2″ long, and it ways 10.2 ounces empty.
I was one of about a dozen industry writers who were invited to shoot the Taurus Curve at the Miami Taurus plant a couple weeks before the gun’s launch. The Curve will be built in Miami and will carry a Made in U.S.A. moniker on its side. Right now there are only a couple hundred production sample guns built, and the gun should be ready for market and for sale at your local dealer by late Spring of 2015. Orders have already come in from all of the major gun distributors and the Curve should be one of the hot guns for next year. We will have a complete review before the gun comes to market.
First impression? After about 100 rounds shot at both stationary and moving targets, the Curve is going to be reliable and consistent. We shot at 7 yards using a new video screen target technology, and I felt that Curve was quick shooting and accurate enough to be a serious self defense weapon. The trigger pull is somewhat heavy, but most people want a heavier pull in a pocket, purse or belt gun that doesn’t have an external safety lever.
The sights on the Curve are a bit odd. It doesn’t actually have a traditional sight. Instead, there are lines painted on the back of the gun that form crosshairs like in a scope reticle. The center of the crosshairs is the rear of the barrel, the bore axis. So when you line up the crosshairs, you are basically lining up your bore with the target. I personally couldn’t hit much with the bore axis method, but the laser worked great! A human sized target at bedroom distances doesn’t require anything but a gun that you point, shoot and hit with. The Curve can hit at that distance without the laser, but you’ll find it a bit odd, if you are already an avid shooter and you are used to regular sights.
Which brings me to what I think is the most important thing that I read out of my initial impression of the Taurus Curve. If you read this GunsAmerica Digest, you are probably already a fan of firearms, and perhaps something of an expert in your circle of friends and family. We all get asked a lot the question of what gun to buy, as a basic self defense weapon. My answer for women and even many men is a small .380 or a .38 Special revolver. When I see they want a semi-auto, I will usually sway them towards a Kel-Tec, Ruger LCP or S&W Bodyguard. But then you have to deal with the questions of should I get a laser, what should I carry it in, etc.
This is the rear of the gun in hand.
Now, based on the performance of the guns I shot, I will most likely tell them to try the Curve. It fits your hand a little odd, because of the curve in the frame of the gun, but I found it not unpleasant to shoot, and because it is an actual hammer gun, not striker fired, I think it will have a good track record of long term reliability. I will be eager to test the production guns when they come out, but I think the Curve is going to be a good gun. I am a long time fan of Taurus because they give you a lot of gun for the money, and now that they have cured their quality control and customer service issues, I don’t think I will have any problem with recommending the Curve as an out of the box “all you need” kind of carry gun as a first choice for a .380. It even comes with the Taurus key locking feature for those who are afraid to have a gun in the house.
For now the Curve is only going to come in this configuration, with a hard case and two magazines, as well as the trigger guard holster. Later next year Taurus plans to release an even less expensive version with no light/laser on it. There also will be a left hand model at some point.
As you can see, the frame of the gun on the Curve is substantial, and that made it a soft shooter, despite it’s weight of only 10.2 ounces.
So what do you think? Is this gun going to be a home run for Taurus? It does take some getting used to shooting the Curve because your thumb is looking for a place to sit due to the inward curve of the grip. But I shot it both one and two handed and could consistently break 12″ video plates at 7 yards, even fast firing. The Curve certainly is a new concept, and I’m sure that Taurus would love to her your comments below as much as would we.
Have have not shot a .380 ac p weapon asofyett yet. I am not comfortable ,with no external safety lever.
As a combat veteran pot VIETPocono
NAM vintage? I lik like the manual safety options. Jim breen, shooter, poconopo!Finkmountains, pa.
I usually carry my mini mac 10 with a 30 round clip but one of these guns sound cool
Thanks for the article!now I won’t waste my time looking for this gun to try or buy, since it has the libtard lock. I wouldn’t give $5 for one with that death trap.
I just got my CC permit last month and purchased a Walther CCP 9mm. Really like the weapon but looking for something a little more concealable. I like the look of this pistol for CC. One question and hope it’s not a stupid question. I am a lefty. Is this pistol bent for a right hand shooter or would it be comfortable for a lefty also.
I have owned a Curve for some time now- It is my First choice in concealable. Not my first choice in carry.
I can slip this beauty in my pocket with No fuss but prefer it as a ankle gune. I also have a modified Iphone case to carry at waist. Now that’s slick.. It shoots every time and hits what I aim at within defensive distances. Around here they consider 30 foot a defensive perimeter- any farther and it could become a felony. For defense at home I have a staged G17 in three rooms
Hello Davis, I came across this article actually looking for an ankle holster to use for this as I plan on using the Taurus PT709 for my main IWB CCW (I prefer to rely on 9mm over the smaller .380) and getting the Curve as a back up for an ankle holster but couldn’t find much for holsters for them. What holster/holsters do you use to carry the Curve on your ankle? Also you mentioned a modified iphone case to waist carry? I’m not much for open carry as it tends to be socially bothersome when you are in public, especially in bigger towns, but it sounded interesting and I was wondering what modifications allowed it to be done?
Ordered curve with lazer in November of 2014 and just came in January of 2016. Apparently delayed shipments due to lack of caliber stamping on slide during manufacturing. Well worth the wait!! This gun carries so easy inside waist of jeans without digging into ur side due to its super smooth body texture and shape. Shooting this gun was also awesome! Very accurate from one shot to the next. Obviously this is a personal protection piece so 5-15 feet was dead on.
I bought a Curve in August 2015 and have really become very comfortable with using my Curve as my everyday carry handgun. My only recommendation is to ditch the holster which is basically a plastic trigger guard. It is great for when you store the gun, but hinders the drawing of the gun. I either wear mine in my rear pocket or appendix carry.
CAUTION: Apparently Taurus sells two models on their dealer site. One with laser/light and one without. Most gun dealers list the gun without comment on the laser/light is included or not. If it does not say with laser/light then it most likely is not. The MSRP on the gun is $392 but does it include laser/light – no idea!
Yes $392 with light and lazor $342 for no light and lazor
Where the heck do you get the laser and light if you have a curve without one?
I paid $392 for my curve, but I don’t see the lazer or light. What gives?
Finally they have hit the market with little reviews… see if they stick..
Want it. Can’t find it. Want to test for a program we operate. The gun may fill an important roll for us with laser and light I’m looking everywhere for one.
I have carried a pepper blaster for years ,even had to use it once,now I will make this my main carry ,it’s all about the unrecognizable shape,
I own one and love it. Taurus good thinking.
I carry my Curve as a backup gun. My primary gun is my Taurus GT111 or my Kahr CM40
What is a video plate?
A gun with no sights. Pass.
I am not a big fan of the .380, but both my wife and I are interested in trying this gun. For years, I was limited to carrying 38 special 158 grain round nosed lead due to politics while on duty. The modern .380 is a far superior roun to that, and if you check out the effectiveness of tha old 38 special load over the years, it did a pretty good job. What is most important is whether you can shoot the weapon quickly and accurately whether it is a 22 or a 45. Next in importance for concealed carry is ease of carry and concealement. The Curve is designed for both. Most semiautomatic pistol slides are very difficult for most women and many men to cycle to chamber that first round. Find a gun that you can shoot accurately no matter the caliber is the main thing. If you can’t shoot it you won’t carry it!!
great points! mostly the ones who complain about the Taurus or any small caliber pistol are the ones who like to carry the heavy duty guns. if you don’t have one of those, “they say”, you’re probably ‘dead’ then.
Where can I get one? I can’t find one anywhere…
To many Ego’s here
Looking forward to trying one. Carried the Taurus .380 for several years and always liked the weight and balance. Great idea to design a weapon that will appeal to both current shooters and non shooters.
Why so much .380 hate? I was given a Lorcin 380…and I have to say, it’s the best gun I’ve ever had to throw at an attackers face…..
ways? 10.2 ounces. Wow
Any idea when it’s gonna be available?
Need it in 9mm, then it’s a definite buy. 380, will have to think about how much I like the comfort vs the downgrade in stopping power…Awesome concept for sure..
I’m with those guys above that like to see new design.
Someone who would like to see a 2015 design pistol to replace the 1911, LOL
I love this Idea.
I’m going to hold off for a bit, because I can see by responses they will probably make it without lights in a higher caliber.
And by then they will have fine tuned the ergonomics of it as well.
I will own one day, hopefully in 9mm., .357 mag., .40, or one that shoots shot shells.
Very cool, very smart.
I own a Taurus 380 TCP w/Crismson Trace and its a great pockect or IWB gun. Carry all the time. I dont think the laser and light would make a big difference. Now if I could get extra mags for my gun I would be a happy camper!
I can’t wait for this gun to copy out. My son bought me a glock 23. But I want this gun.
I need a gun for my speedo…. Seriously if it runs well and is reliable it may be a home run for Taurus….(Finally)
I think its an awesome idea.i carry all the time and a gun that conforms to my body is a dream come true.I have one ordered already cant wait to shoot it.If its not what Im hoping for i can always switch back to the m&p. I have 2 Taurus hand guns and quality has come a long way since the first time I shot a Taurus. I think people should def look into them.
I’m a 200lb 6′ tall man who always chooses to carry my Walther PPK/s over my 40 cal Sigma simply because I don’t like wearing baggy clothes all the time. I think this is a fantastic concept as I usually carry a whole lot more than I shoot, so comfort and ease of access is a huge plus. I would like to see some kind of a positive safety though, so I could carry one in the chamber in case a quick draw is necessary.
And for those of you who always talk about stopping power, people usually avoid bee stings so unless your expecting mindless zombies to come after you, I can’t imagine the need to carry a huge cannon.
Empty chamber is an empty gun.
Most days now I carry the Kel-Tec P3AT .380 in a pocket holster, on the principle that the handgun you actually have on you is infinitely better than the more powerful weapon you had to leave at home.
The little Kel-Tec (with laser) is my only concealed carry that never needs adjusting as I enter or leave a car, it never prints, it is an easy summer carry, and it’s reliable enough. But it is nasty to shoot–too light and too little grip for the recoil. My wife also carries the Kel-Tec, although she hates firing it even more than I do. But she carries it in her purse, because it never fits right on her body or in her clothing. To my thinking, a purse carry is not too much better than no gun at all, except when the purse is in her hands rather than, as it is so often, locked in her desk or sitting on the floor of her car.
I showed her some pictures of the Taurus Curve (talk about marketing to women!) and she was immediately excited to get her hands on one. If it was in retail production, she’d have one for Christmas. A gun she may ACTUALLY be able to wear daily, at work or play! Presuming the darn thing shoots halfway decent, what’s not to like about that? On behalf of my wife, I’m already sold.
To a great extent, success or failure will depend upon how easy it is to work the slide for those with less hand and finger strength. It seems that’s the greatest issue with blowback .380’s.
No! Check out our articles on the Handi-Racker!
I am looking forward to this design. Count me in.
Before everyone gets a Boehner here lets remember this is only a .380. Now until they come out with one in a 30mm its all a waste because I have never yet to this day met someone who has survived a body shot by a 30mm which provides the maximum penetration and knockdown performance. Plus the 30mm comes in a variety of models and conceal carry holsters allowing the future perp a huge surprise when you draw it on him. Sarcasm!
I think it’s great this comes in a model people can comfortably carry. I carry a Ruger LCP everyday 365 days a year, even at work which is a school, at church, or sitting in the recliner. The general rule, if I have a belt on a gun is attached. I have so many friends who went out and bought a 40 or 45 and never carry. If you feel comfortable with a 22 then carry it since it’s better than a 45 in the gun safe when needed.
I have been an avid fan of taurus for the last 25 years. I owen 8 of them now. 357(3) 45 (3) 22(2) 32 (1 carrry pistol). I think a taurus, any taurus is a fine gun and if they want to build a curved gun then I will be first in line to get one. GO Taurus
Wow, there’s a lot of comments about the .380ACP being a crappy round, mostly by people who are living in the past, don’t understand the capabilities of modern ammunition and, quite simply, don’t know what they’re talking about!
I do have a few questions about the Curve though, and a comment about micro-.380’s in general, questions first.
1) How difficult is it to activate the light/laser under stress? When Smith & Wesson first introduced their Bodyguard series pistols, the .380 & the .38+P, they looked like good ideas until one actually tried to activate the built-in laser. That’s when one realized that the laser might as well not even be there because there was no way he’d be able to activate it in a fight! I have one of the new Bodyguard .380’s without the internal laser, I put a Crimson Trace Laserguard on it that is actually useful, and it has replaced my Kel-tec P3AT as my backup & deep concealment gun. (My Kel-tec was & is a good gun, and it also has a CTC Laserguard installed. It went to my father; he needed a small concealment gun.) I’m really wondering if the Taurus Curve’s built-in light-laser combo is actually useful, or if, like in the original S&W Bodyguards, it’s just a useless gimmick.
2) Is the built-in light bright enough to be useful? If it’s not both easy to activate and bright enough to be useful it’s just a gimmick with no real value. I truly hope that isn’t the case however, because I’d really love a pocket .380 with both a light and a laser on it!
Regarding micro-.380’s for women and beginning shooters, I always recommend that they be avoided! Pistols like the Kel-tec P3AT, the Ruger LCP & the S&W Bodyguard are really difficult to shoot accurately, especially the first two, and are what I consider to be expert’s guns. I do, however, often recommend the small 9mm’s like the Ruger LC9, the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield & the Taurus PT709 Slim. These guns loaded with soft recoiling ammunition like Hornady’s Critical Defense Lite are very easy to both carry and shoot accurately. Another good carry gun for women or anyone with limited hand strength or the need to avoid recoil is the Ruger LC380. That gun is basically an LC9 but chambered in .380ACP. My mother, who is not into guns & does not like recoil at all, carries an LC380 with a purple frame & a CTC Laserguard. It’s small & light enough that she doesn’t mind carrying it, and the recoil is so mild that she actually enjoys shooting it and can do so accurately! That’s the gun that I usually recommend to people who won’t shoot anything with much recoil. The new Glock .380 would probably work too, but I haven’t had a chance to actually handle one yet.
Personally, my primary carry guns are a 9mm Ruger LC9s with a Laserlyte side mount laser, a Viridian Radiance weapon mounted light (100 lumens) & XS 24/7 Big Dot night sights. Usually I’d go with a Crimson Trace Laserguard, but the Laserlyte laser works, and unlike a CTC Laserguard it allows for a weapon mounted light to be added as well. My other main gun is a Kimber 1911 in .45ACP, their Custom TLE/RL II that I setup with Crimson Trace Master Series Lasergrips (in rosewood), a Streamlight TLR-1 HL weaponlight (630 lumens) & XS 24/7 Big Dot night sights. Other than that I also added an ambidextrous thumb safety and a Smith & Alexander aluminum arched mainspring housing with the integrated slim-line mag well funnel.
Be patient and loyal and get them to take care of you including shipping..
Hope they sell a jillion of them, provided Laserlyte has fixed their NOTORIOUS switched-off battery drain issue. (I sent a rear sight for a Taurus 709 back twice; great service, but they failed to fix the constant battery drain. It’s now just sitting on the bench.
Figures!! Lefties get put on the back burner…………again 🙁
Charter arms makes a DA .38 revolver that is a mirror image of rt h gun. A real treat. Wish they made the 40sw in lh clone.
I would like it if they just fixed the TCP trigger reset issue. If you are in a hurry and do not allow the trigger to completely reset, when you pull the trigger again, the hammer will hit the firing pin lighter than if fully reset. Sometimes the round will fire and sometimes it will not. If it does not, it will go into a “neutral” mode where you must then rack the slide and eject the round before you are able to fire again. Because these are for up close self defense, chances are very great that you will be in a hurry when using it and you may have to try hitting someone with it, instead of shooting it and it’s light so chances are you won’t hurt them if thrown!-:) Because of this, I stuck it in the safe and started carrying the LCP. But the trigger on the ones made before 2012 I believe are total garbage. (Yes, I’ve heard those who have them argue otherwise but it doesn’t change the facts) So I bought the newer version of the LCP which has a better trigger and a few other improvements and carry it. I heard a lot about Ruger’s great customer service. I have several and the only time I contacted them was to ask why they don’t fix the sucky trigger on the LCP like S&W did on their Sigma’s. They gave me some lame non-answer, like politicians give when they don’t want to answer a question.
By observing the straight mag it appears that the pistol has been made wider than would otherwise be necessary to create the curved shape.
For those who lament the lack of a protruding front sight, it shouldn’t be too hard to find someone who could mill a groove the length of the slide and fill it with white paint to compliment the rear cross-hair psuedo-site. Possibly the guys at Taurus will read this post and make a minor change in the production run to accomodate folks. If they mill a “V” and gradually increase its depth as it gets closer to the muzzle, they could arrange for the bottom of the “V” to be centered at 10 or 20 yards such that putting a target level with the bottom of the V and inline with the milled groove along the slide would indicate point of impact within about 2″.
Once the long white line is pointing at the bad guy and his chest / head appears within the bottom of the V, fire at will.
Although, at what are generally considered self-defense ranges, I doubt if I would be taking the time to line my shots up oh-so-perfectly. I’m pretty sure that I would just be in a hurry to put a couple holes somewhere in the neighborhood of the chest as soon as I could decently arrange it. In that case, a simple line pointing the way, like a pencil pointing at a spot on the wall, would be more than enough
guidance.
Accurate? Not really. Accurate enough? Yeah … accurate enough.
Taurus, hire this guy.
And hire me too, we’ll get that thing smoothed out , fine tuned and in every caliber so everyones happy.
I’m curious about the laser, I have seen a few brief reviews/previews of this pistol and I was unsure about how the laser functions. Is it an off/on button/switch or is it a “I’ve been waiting for ages for this”- laser that is activated with the pressing of the trigger or is it a crimson-trace-style pressure switch of sorts?
I’ve only seen it noted that it has a light and laser, nothing about how they are activated. Personally if it’s a button or switch, I can live without it..I never understood the value of one activated in such a way as one surely cannot spend time and energy manually activating a laser first in a self-defense event.
Light’s..meh..not worried about how that activates, an on/off switch is okay for when needed.
A $300 street price will keep me interested to be fair.
It is a pressure pad in the front.
I get real stoked when I see great new Ideas.
I love that curve and don’t care for the caliber, but it could still come in handy in certain applications.
I will jump all over that design when I see; 357 mag , 9mm or above. And 10mm to me would be ideal.
Less corners and higher calibers seem like they will be in our future.
I can’t wait.
First impression is WOW;-) Very nice package, good job Taurus. I hope it proves out to be reliable and durable. A gun that you can be proud to own and shoot for generations to come. Possibly an offering in 32ACP may be well received as a light recoil option. I will be looking to try out or rent one at my local gun range.
So its the size as the equivalent glock and only 15/100 of an inch thinner than a para wharthog .45 acp that holds 10 +1 wtf the para is an inch longer and has sights ya its only 10.5 oz but is it controllable or reliable I mean it is from Taurus the laser light combination is great but probably worth $250 of the $400 price tag and useless in daytime just forget this right hand only pos and go get a glock or para wharthog
if it fits too snug to the contour of the body it may be a challenge to grasp the grip efficiently. I’m thinking i’ll stick with my p232. it has an inch longer barrel, which provides a bit more muzzle velocity and energy, and it won’t melt.
and… for JC Brown… farsighted.
I’m assuming that this Taurus is for right handers only…I’m a lefty so, screwed!
You could shoot it upside down…? Being that 10% of the population is left handed, I’d thing a LH version can’t be too far off.
I think I will take a pass on this one for an entirely different reason. IT LOOKS TO MUCH LIKE A KIDS TOY. The reason that irks me so much is you know some one will not properly store it and a little one will get hurt if not killed. Even if they play Cowboys and bad guys like a lot of us did when we were young, will look at this and think, “that’s not a gun”. Pick it up and . . . well you can imagine the rest. Maybe a totally irrational thought. And I’m OK with anyone thinking that. I just will not have one in my house just for that reason. Grand kids are starting to show up from my 4 boys, and they may not even know what a gun is. Yes I do store my guns out of a child’s reach with the ammo in a second spot, but I also raised for boys on a farm and now all to well how capable they are of finding “something to do”.
I enjoy receiving the info that comes in the blog from Gunsamerica. Please use spell-check.
regarding the comment about the laser on the small gun. i’m far-sited and there for it is difficult for me to focus on the site. however, with a laser, i can focus on the target and the surrounding area. regarding the curve, i am not comfortable with guns that melt.
you all shoot straight
Personally I think it is a heck of a good Idea and soo does my wallet. I am not talking about cost. When it is new, a wallet feels like carrying a 2×4 in your pocket, but after it gets older it curves and makes you dread a new one. I bet it the gun really comfortable and doesn’t print nearly like the old designs.
ugly as sin, but you gotta hand it to Taurus for innovating!
Total waste of time and effort in .380 IMO. Your better served carrying something in a service caliber. I’m going to try not to laugh the first time I see one at the range and hear some first year concealed carry newbie extol it’s virtue. And a laser on this serves what purpose? This is pure marketing not well thought out self defense. And let’s be honest, Taurus has a less than stellar rep for quality in anything “automatic”……… Stuff a J-frame in your pocket or a Kahr CM9 in your holster instead of this gimmick.
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/police-woman-shot-intruder-9-times-in-self-defense/nFB7g/
Great reply Ducaticlos
In your opinion… I actually own a Kahr CM9 (along with several other “small” 9 mm guns I’ve tried for concealed carry) and I’ve never carried it, it’s too damn uncomfortable or noticeable. All you blowhards that bash .380’s just don’t have a clue. It’s not about being a cool gun aficionado, it’s about a “normal” person being able to actually carry a weapon for protection. If you can’t stop an attacker with a .380 you’re not going to do it with a 9 mm either. I own the Taurus Curve and it’s the first and only gun I’ve had that is truly “carry friendly” it looks like a cell phone in my front pocket and I don’t have to struggle to get it out of a holster or my waist band… I bet you’re the kind of guy that still uses a flip-phone WISE UP!
Looks like a real innovation
The light says “here I am.”
Craig, are you writing that a lazer shows ones position? If so, you are right. Now the question: Is his view of the lazer faster than the speed of light followed by 600+ feet per second of well placed lead?
About service.
I have used both S&W’s and Ruger’s service dept’s in my life several times, I cannot stress enough how they utterly failed to impress me. Ruger really upset me, and I own a LOT of Ruger’s.
I used Taurus once, no problems.
I’m sure many people have had similar and many have had completely different experiences than mine, so it’s a very subjective matter.
As to the capabilities of a .380 acp., would you still want to be shot by one?
I’ve always said there’s more B.S. and wanna be “experts” in the gun world than any other endeavor, just reading these posts convinces me I’m right.
Looks awesome!!! Will get one
Taurus is a very innovative company!
I don’t want to be too critical but I really wish we could get a review without excuses. Sights that you can’t hit with are no good and too often Everytime we SS a negative comment we see the writer give a reason why it isn’t too bad, also heavy trigger pulls mean bad shooting again saying some people prefer a heavy trigger just doesn’t carry much water, really I never met someone who likes a heavy trigger. Lastly striker Fire versus hammer fire, I am not aware that one is inherently more reliable than the other. Of note bedroom guns have no need to be small, the larger the better in my opinion, this gun is small for concealed carry and lord forbid you ever have to use it but if you do, excellent sights and a great smooth trigger will be key. Please call a a spade a spade and spade and stop making excuses for weaknesses on the guns. I know too many people who buy these little guns and can’t hit anything with them because of lousy sights and lousy triggers.
Roy, this is a defensive gun. Sights will mean nothing in a moment when one is being attacked. One will point and shoot. One will be so scared and nervous that one will be lucky to remember to pull the gun. IMHO.
While I am in agreement with you regarding heavy triggers, at the range these guns are intended for just point your index finger and use the middle finger for the trigger. It’ll leave a mark.
I did not see a width spec, but hope it is under an inch. Looks like an interesting inovation for a ccw. As the old adage goes “build a better mouse trap (or maybe mouse gun) and the world will beat a path to your door”. And as “fast is fine, but accurate is final”, any caliber is better than no caliber for those who can’t carry a preferred hand cannon.
Looking at the authors hand holding the “bent” guns’ ammo clip, the width is very small.
innovation and the ability to learn and adapt to new ideas and new concepts. I love it. The fastest typist in the office soon lost their job because they couldn’t learn that new fangled word processor. LCR faithfull presently. I will seriously look at the new Taurus curve
Good article. I enjoy the comments and it seems passions run high at times. My Colt New Agent .45 acp works fine for me, but, the first time I shot it (after about 20 rounds) the recoil spring assy blew apart. Then Colt did not have replacement parts. I finally had to use The Kimber Ultra Carry spring assy and it works great. Then I had to put a Crimson Trace laser on my New Agent because the “Trench” “Sight” was horrible for me. Now after 500 plus rounds of ammo I finally trust my New Agent 1911. I paid alot for the Colt name. So my point is: Each of us must choose what they want and like without criticizing others for their thoughts, opinions and information.
Sounds like Colt put more thought into the design of their logo than they did into the design of your pistol. I hope things stay sorted out for you now. I had to send my SCCY CPX-1 back for warranty work one time, but the gun has been 100% reliable ever since. It’s not a high end gun … it just shoots. And shoots and shoots.
Yes Bill, you may be all too correct. I was very upset about spending 1k + for a “paper weight”. But, I love the New Agent now. Colt should know better than use a recoil spring assembly that is held together with an 3/8 inch E clip (circlip) in a groove on the spring guide rod. There is alot of “things” going on when one fires a .45 acp round. Kimber has their recoil spring assembly secured on th guide rod. Thanks for the comment.
Only problems that I can see, and it would be a major one for me, I’m left handed, thus making this gun worthless to me since it is bent the wrong way. 🙁
Good idea though, for everyone else.
The gun needs iron sights! Even if they are low profile.
Great design provided it is functional. Guns never seem to fit us comfortably concealed here in Florida so hats off.
I am really looking forward to the curve. I think its a great innovative idea. Of course i would like it in 9mm. But thats only because i am a fan of 9mm. I do own several .380 pistols and do sometimes carry them. So i will definitely be picking one up!
Statement clarification request:
“…because it is an actual hammer gun, not striker fired, I think it will have a good track record of long term reliability.”
What is the reasoning behind this speculation?
Not trolling.
*I was under the impression that strikers are more reliable, by design, than hammers.
*Is this statement specific to Taurus designs (have Taurus hammer fired pistols been more durable/reliable than their striker fired pistols)?
*is this statement just referring to the “second strike” feature some Taurus designs possess?
Confused and curious,
Curviosity
The second strike feature is on the Taurus striker guns. All double action hammer guns have a second strike capability. In general, hammer guns have less small parts and historically have had a naturally higher cycles till fail ratio. In an inexpensive gun I’d rather have a hammer gun any day.
Dear Administrator,
Is the Ruger LC9 a double action hammer fired pistol? Does it have a second strike capability? Are you saying that Glocks, by virtue of the fact that they are striker fired, are inherently prone to early failure? Or even earlier failure than the average double action hammer fired semi auto? Will you say anything for money and change your opinion depending on who is paying you that week? Are you making any new friends or increasing your customer base by making snide replies to commenters and calling them “friend” in an unfriendly way? I think most know the answers to these questions, do you?
There is chasm of difference between prone to failure and statistically less reliable. And no, when a self righteous fool such as yourself comments on here, often they are chastised with offensive language and silly jokes. Especially when a downright fool who clearly hasn’t followed our editorial implies that we were somehow paid to give a gun a good review, it is more fun to call them names and point out the stupidity than it is to just hit delete. A laden swallow could clearly grip a coconut by the husk, so your whole argument kind of falls apart at the next zebra crossing.
Keep speaking the truth Administrator. Too many people now days feel, “It’s my way or the highway”; Is this the trend of society today?
Sir, if you’d like to spout unsubstantiated mumbojumbo about what you prefer, feel free to do so; but your air of authority on something that you clearly don’t fully understand isn’t benefiting anyone. “All double action hammer guns have a second strike capability” simply isn’t true. You mentioned Taurus, albeit striker guns. Their TCP 380 is hammer fired and definitely does not have second strike capability, at least not without resetting the trigger and hammer by partially racking the slide. The Sig P290 didn’t have that capability until it was specifically designed in as a feature in the later-released P290RS (re-strike). Kel-Tec’s P3AT and Ruger’s LCP are two more .380s that don’t fit your description of hammer fired guns.
^^^^^^^^^^^^ This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Ah yes my young friends……… the age old battle of “bigger(more) is better”. Coming from the revolver age(with LEO and Combat experience) a small rock accurately placed (getting all biblical on you) works just as well as many large boulders in a random pattern, My wife, the petite creature she is, has diminished hand strength and finds follow up shot accuracy due to recoil of large(r) calibers lacking, and uncomfortable, so, we chose a Walther PK380. A well designed pistol with a much easier action to operate(due to design). I/We have trained her in a more traditional method of 2 to center mass and one to the bridge of the nose(which allows for a slight windage deviation for the left or right eye socket) and if you know your anatomy, even a .177 pellet will penetrate to the brain. Thus rendering the adversary neutralized. In short, realize there have been many advancements in ballistics and bullet design in the past few years making some smaller calibers much more effective than they have been in the past.
So, in closing, carry what makes you comfortable, but be sure to practice and be accurate,
Thus endeth the lesson.
LOL Don,
Thanks for the laugh. And for spreading wisdom.
Left hand model sooner rather than later please!
It saddens me to once again read this type of who’s right and who’s wrong, name calling while trying to read about a new gun. I can only imagine the impression we leave on others.
I totally agree. Why sit there and bad mouth someone you don’t know. If you dont like it then say not for me…
Or better yet, if you don’t like the idea of this pistol, just don’t say anything. We haven’t been asked to review it. The notion that today’s social media outlets have put in people’s heads, that their every thought and emotion is worthy of sharing with the world, isn’t healthy. We can produce evidence where a .380 round put down a giant PCP-laden attacker from 20 yards, and where an entire mag of .45 left the skinny bad guy standing. Anything short of a 12ga is a compromise when talking self defense. We use hand guns and carry pocket guns because it’s convenient and lets us stay armed no matter what. While the Curve doesn’t really appeal to me because it looks uncomfortable (they aren’t available for me to hold yet), when a bad guy comes to call, I’d rather have a Curve in my pocket than a ball point pen.
So for the various fanboys on this thread, please zip up your pants and put your rulers away, so the rest of us can have a sensible discussion about the topic at hand. That isn’t an attack; it’s just a request.
LOL, that was funny Bob, and you guys are right.
People just love to argue and that’s ok with me.
Just don’t forget we’re all brothers in firearms
Caliber arguments always happen with the narrow minded.( I have some dumbass friends that do it all the time)
Fact of the matter is all calibers are useful in the right application and none are good in all.
Buy more guns my bitches, in all calibers, place them all over you and all parts of your dwellings.
Enjoy them!
I like everything from BB guns to 7.62 x 54 R sniper rifles, and all in between
I hope you all do too.
I like what I see and I find the concept solid. I have already contacted my dealer and told him to put me down for two.
Will a Taurus Curve still work with a Left Handed Shooter?
Yes…just so long as you use your right hand..or just wait until they release a left hand version.
Looks awesome can’t wait to buy one. Wish I could buy one now!
I cannot wait to see this in person! I plan on having one as soon as they are available!
Make one in 40SW or at least 9MM and I will try it, until then my Glock 27 with a ClipDraw is doing just fine. 380 is a crappy round!
Please tell me more on why a .380 is a crappy round?
Love the Clip Draw on my (EDC) SCCY CPX-1. Zero bulk, good retention, easy draw. It looks flimsy, but mine has been on my pistol for going on three years and, except for some wear from friction with my belt, is still brand new and hanging on for dear life.
“Curve was quick shooting and accurate enough to be a serious self defense weapon”
You should be ashamed of yourself; NO .380 is a “serious self defense weapon”. .380 is the choice of those who want to feel better without having to dedicate themselves to the challenges of carry. With so many excellent sub-compact weapons chambered in service calibers available today (Shield/XDs/Nano/etc.) there is no excuse to promote any .380 as a smart choice.
Nathan, instead of making an ass out of yourself with child minded insults, go get some real world experience with firearms because your little ‘know-it-all’ rant only helps to prove how little you truly know with ballistics/firearms outside the garbage you parrot from the keyboard Rambos inundating the internet with hard line assumptions but have zero real world knowledge with firearms/ammo.
As others have stated, a certain .380, as in Lehigh .380 Xtreme Penetrators have very good performance. It penetrates 14″ inches through 10% calibrated ordnance gelatin with 4 layers of heavy denim and 19″ inches without (almost perfectly falls within FBI standards, with only a bit over penetration).
On top of these impressive results, it also leaves a very surprising wound/damage channel.
No one is attempting to say that a .380 is best choice but the fact remains that at least with certain 380 ammo as the Lehigh XP, the .380 can be an effective round…. a far better choice than carrying nothing.
But I forgot, you are the one to “shame” others for not believing all the internet hype or who dare attempt to open their minds to new possibilities. Now, I will let you get back to your copy & paste google knowledge and trying to shame people who actually know better.
When you grow-up Nathan and finally get out from behind that keyboard & finally fire some real firearms, maybe then you will stop believing everything you read on the web but have fun trolling until then.
BTW, I usually don’t link internet videos/info due to how much miss-information is out there but at least it gives you a solid point of reference to start your own research and then to do the real world ammo testing in order to draw your own conclusions. I tested Lehigh .380 under the same conditions seen in the following video, plus a few more of my own, so I now fully support the results. So take from it what you will but sadly Nathan, people like you already know everything and anyone using or promoting anything smaller then a RPG is, how did you put it again… “should be ashamed”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LczfeWK9lHw
(Ammo Quest .380 ACP: Lehigh XP Xtreme Penetrator test in ballistic gel )
You’re obviously a .380 fan and there will be no changing that. People don’t want the truth, they only want reassurance that what they believe to be true is in fact true. I could quote Dr. Fackler of the FBI Ballistics Lab, but I’m certain it would do you no good. I’ll tell you this, since you clearly don’t know, it is painfully easy to manipulate gelatin density. I can manipulate the mixture to arrive at any conclusion that I want to reach. This is why gelatin tests mean NOTHING unless they are certified FBI Standard gelatin shot while the gelatin is 32F degrees.
As an NRA instructor (Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun, Personal Protection Outside the Home) and publisher of CarryGuide.com (and many others) I meet people like you “all the time”. It’s nothing new. If you want to feel better about your .380 in your pocket that’s fine and well, but it is irresponsible to encourage others to settle for such a poor choice (sadly there’s nothing new about the blind leading the blind). It’s simply inadequate as a defensive caliber.
You want to feel better for trading real security for convenience; I get it. I would only encourage you to do better research so that you stop dispensing bad advice to those who don’t know better. That you would turn this into a personal attack against me only shows that you have no valid argument. Gelatin density can easily be manipulated (dilution and temperature) to produce any result you want. This is why gelatin results mean nothing unless they are FBI Standard. Nothing else matters. There is no LE department or military anywhere that utilizes .380 as standard issue because it is simply a failure as a defensive caliber.
Funny, you seem to talk a lot and repeat yourself Collier but that video which Wakeup linked speaks volumes against your long winded nothing!
I will give you this much, I have not tested lehigh XP rounds AS OF YET but got a hold of a 3 boxes yesterday and will be putting them through very strict testing later today and the gel will be at 32F because like you, I had a big question if the gel in the video was at the proper temp (it didn’t seem it or state it).
Unlike you, I’m open to honest results, and could give a rats ass what helloween costume wearing agencies use them or not…. and nowhere in the other comments did I read that people preferred the 380 or felt better carrying a 380 over a full size round but by you insinuating so, also speaks volumes about you… screw it, I will just say it out right, you my friend come across as a bullshit artist and a damn lair. A real professional would never act the way you do as a knowitall or telling the author of this article that he should be ashamed! No Collier, it’s you who should be ashamed.
My gel is at temp and in about 3 or 4 hours I will be done with my testing and will post the true results one way or the other. You see, like you I’m not a fan of 380, not at all because I trust my 1911 with my life and carry it everywhere; unlike you, I don’t know shit until I physically test it or witness it plus enjoy learning.
I also have a very petite wife who’s safety is priceless to me. The problem I have is that she can’t carry most guns and is very recoil sensitive but we found two pistols that she loves (Kahr P380 & LW Seecamp 380), either of she NEVER parts with. The LWS is a very high quality firearm and exceptionally reliable. The Kahr is well made but again, I dislike the 380 but IF lehigh truly has some type of new break through (which I doubt), then so be it.
Now to start my test, I will find out who is either stretching the truth, out right lying or maybe a pretend insulting NRA instructor.
Bob,
That you attack me personally shows you have a personal agenda. You have NO idea of my credentials and are clearly a keyboard commando. You question my credentials; I have provided a link above that I publish. My credentials are also posted on the site.
You’ve no idea of my willingness to accept change. I base my conclusions on tens of thousands of rounds tested. I fire into the best CLONE of FBI Standard gelatin (I cannot certify my gelatin and do not pretend to) that I can make. In addition, I’ve also tested ammunition in scores of bone-in pork shoulders. A pork shoulder is the ideal testing media because its density is very similar to a newly released parolee who’s spent the last ten years lifting weights. A pork shoulder provides realistic expectation of overall bullet performance through dense muscle mass and bone.
If .380 ever evolves into a caliber that reliably meets FBI Ballistic Lab minimum standards then I will revisit it. You don’t have to embrace LE/military to realize the validity of their conclusions.
You mention your “petite wife” and recoil sensitivity but your argument is uninformed. Most 9mm autoloaders are recoil operated whereas almost all .380 handguns are blow-back operated. A .380 blow-back gun will recoil far more harshly than a recoil operated 9mm. If you truly love your “petite wife”, provide her with the best protection you possibly can. Don’t rely on what I’m telling you and certainly do not rely on what a magazine author (dependent upon advertiser dollars) tells you. As I tell ALL of my students, get out there and do your own testing and arrive at your own conclusions.
Nice language, btw. Potty-mouth.
Wow, Nathan, you just proved how little you actually know about the guns you continue to lambaste. Most of the current generation of pocket .380s are NOT blowback operated. Starting with the most popular ones: KelTec P3AT, Ruger LCP, Glock 42, Sig P238, S&W Bodyguard 380, Taurus PT 738, Kahr P380, etc. All of those and more have barrels that recoil with the movement of the slide and then cam out of a lug or recess.
Have you ever been shot? Or had to shoot someone? Most people that post in comment sections are fan boys of certian rounds or makes of pistols. If it is reliable then it does its job. The best gun you can have for defense is the one you have on you. The caliber does not matter, what matters is if your trained and accurate. Someone please show me where they have proof of a .380 not being deadly or a .22 for that matter.
Have you ever been shot? Or had to shoot someone? Most people that post in comment sections are fan boys of certian rounds or makes of pistols. If it is reliable then it does its job. The best gun you can have for defense is the one you have on you. The caliber does not matter, what matters is if your trained and accurate. Someone please show me where they have proof of a .380 not being deadly or a .22 for that matter.
I guess NAA should just shut their doors and close up shop. WoW….seems like little Johnny needs a lesson in what a .22 will do? I got a question? If .380 is useless, would you shoot a round into your leg to prove your own statement?
I bet he won’t… If .380 is so useless why do makers keep pumping them out? And why is the holiest of holy’s, Glock, pimping their new .380? Because any gun in any caliber is better than no gun.
My only pistol and my only rifle are both .22s. I shoot left-handed due to a macular scar (no focal vision) in my right eye. And some decades back I shot an M16 quite a bit, sometimes hundreds of rounds in an hour or two. Good thing I didn’t end up in that kind of situation but a few times. I also had to shoot an M60 from time to time. Not banging on my shoulder, but wore the cartilage out around my left shoulder.
So today 100 rounds with a .22 rifle hurts a bit. 200 rounds? Ow! Where’s my Tramadol? (Non-narcotic pain reliever the VA gives me.) Believe me, you get shot with a hypervelocity .22LR once or twice, you won’t have much fight left in you. And I’ll happily admit that I am not a good shot with a handgun. I’m a long gun guy and that’s all there is too it.
But I don’t live alone. My wife was a cop in Baltimore many years ago, and lately I’ve caught her peeking at .38 revolvers on this site (and some others). That was her issue weapon back in the day — and night, too, and she says an S&W Model 10 with a 4″ barrel can’r be beat.
One thing Debbie says that is 100% true: a revolver can’t be beat for reliability. I rotate my magazines for my autoloaders so the springs don’t flatten and fail to send a round into the firing chamber. This is a HUGE reliability enhancer. But you can load a revolver, stick it in a drawer, and pull it out and shoot it 10 years later. I’m not convinced any autoloader/semi-automatic is anywhere near that reliable
Someone very near and dear to my heart was a Balto Co. Police officer and carried a Colt .38 Revolver. It was very reliable..for 6 shots. Thank God my dear friend never had to fire a shot even though the opportunity presented itself several times. I was told this was a one on one situation. Now days it seems one would need more options in certain situations. Police are our friends and I know and love many of them…especially in Maryland. Thanks Robin.
My only pistol and my only rifle are both .22s. I shoot left-handed due to a macular scar (no focal vision) in my right eye. And some decades back I shot an M16 quite a bit, sometimes hundreds of rounds in an hour or two. Good thing I didn’t end up in that kind of situation but a few times. I also had to shoot an M60 from time to time. Not banging on my shoulder, but wore the cartilage out around my left shoulder.
So today 100 rounds with a .22 rifle hurts a bit. 200 rounds? Ow! Where’s my Tramadol? (Non-narcotic pain reliever the VA gives me.) Believe me, you get shot with a hypervelocity .22LR once or twice, you won’t have much fight left in you. And I’ll happily admit that I am not a good shot with a handgun. I’m a long gun guy and that’s all there is too it.
But I don’t live alone. My wife was a cop in Baltimore many years ago, and lately I’ve caught her peeking at .38 revolvers on this site (and some others). That was her issue weapon back in the day — and night, too, and she says an S&W Model 10 with a 4″ barrel can’r be beat.
One thing Debbie says that is 100% true: a revolver can’t be beat for reliability. I rotate my magazines for my autoloaders so the springs don’t flatten and fail to send a round into the firing chamber. This is a HUGE reliability enhancer. But you can load a revolver, stick it in a drawer, and pull it out and shoot it 10 years later. I’m not convinced any autoloader/semi-automatic is anywhere near that reliable
My only pistol and my only rifle are both .22s. I shoot left-handed due to a macular scar (no focal vision) in my right eye. And some decades back I shot an M16 quite a bit, sometimes hundreds of rounds in an hour or two. Good thing I didn’t end up in that kind of situation but a few times. I also had to shoot an M60 from time to time. Not banging on my shoulder, but wore the cartilage out around my left shoulder.
So today 100 rounds with a .22 rifle hurts a bit. 200 rounds? Ow! Where’s my Tramadol? (Non-narcotic pain reliever the VA gives me.) Believe me, you get shot with a hypervelocity .22LR once or twice, you won’t have much fight left in you. And I’ll happily admit that I am not a good shot with a handgun. I’m a long gun guy and that’s all there is too it.
But I don’t live alone. My wife was a cop in Baltimore many years ago, and lately I’ve caught her peeking at .38 revolvers on this site (and some others). That was her issue weapon back in the day — and night, too, and she says an S&W Model 10 with a 4″ barrel can’r be beat.
One thing Debbie says that is 100% true: a revolver can’t be beat for reliability. I rotate my magazines for my autoloaders so the springs don’t flatten and fail to send a round into the firing chamber. This is a HUGE reliability enhancer. But you can load a revolver, stick it in a drawer, and pull it out and shoot it 10 years later. I’m not convinced any autoloader/semi-automatic is anywhere near that reliable
I’m an older woman with arthritis. The best self defense gun is the one you can handle and be accurate with. A 22 is serious in the hands of someone who can shoot accurately. A larger, heavier gun is difficult for me to handle. A 380 especially for a “carry” is just fine!
If Taurus would send me one I’d be glad to accept one to test and evaluate! LOL! looks neat but maybe a bit bulky? How much weight does this design add. All you macho types might not care but if I’m carrying it matters.
Hey Nathan your an idiot plain and simple!
.380 is a 38 short. This is a very simple (and controversial) explanation. It is a 38 round with less powder an less striking power. It is not a toy.
Actually a 9mm short, not a .38. It is called the 9mm Kurtz as well.
Keep speaking the truth Administrator. Too many people now days feel, “It’s my way or the highway”; Is this the trend of society today?Point taken about the 9mm and I shoot 9mm frequently “My bad”!. I am not a fan of the .380. That does not mean it is a bad round. It is amazing the controversy over a gun review.
When will this gun be available?
I took my CHL class with a Ruger SR45 and if I had my way that would be the only weapon I would ever carry. However, my job requires suit and tie, as well as deep concealment. A full sized weapon, even a compact 9 or 40 are not viable options. Enter my Taurus TCP. It has been reliable on the range and although I would prefer a larger cartridge, I feel much better carrying the 380 than carrying nothing. And even the TCP can be uncomfortable to carry at times. I am intrigued by the concept of the Curve and plan on investing $400 to see if it might enhance my comfort level. Integrated light and laser is a nice feature as well.
New innovations are the American way. No one is twisting anyone’s arm to rush out and buy one. But anyone who considers themselves a well rounded shootist would welcome a new design with accoutrements that help any level shooter become proficient with a self-defense handgun at gunfight ranges. I’d expect the cost to be @ $400-450, add another $100 for .45 ACP when that comes out. As far as those who dismiss the .380 as a reliable self-defense round, as a prior LEO I’ve seen .380s kill folks through the gourd and pump. It all comes down to accurate fire and not rushed ‘spray and pray’ type marksmanship. Personally, I’d opt for the .45 ACP for penetrating heavy clothing, but the .380 is adequate within gunfight range of 7-12 feet. I look forward to getting hold of the “Curve”.
Just because a bullet can kill doesn’t make it a “reliable self defense round”. ANY bullet can “kill”, but the objective isn’t to kill. The objective is to remove the will to fight from your attacker with efficiency. The objective is to make him stop his attack immediately. If you shoot him with a mouse-gun caliber that fails to penetrate adequately he can still die from bleed-out, but this gives him a couple minutes to choose to continue to attack you or not. He might choose to spend those minutes running away to seek help, or he might choose to spend those few minutes shooting back at you. If your defensive plan includes giving him time to shoot back at you, you need a new plan.
You mention accuracy but that is not the issue here. We aren’t discussing shooter performance; we are discussing bullet performance. The two are completely separate issues that are equally important. Besides, pin-point accuracy is nearly impossible to obtain under the stresses of a defensive shooting anyway, especially from those who fail to train adequately. People who buy these types of guns don’t typically train adequately; if they did they would know better to begin with.
There are a lot of generalities and unsupported asssertions in your comment. While I am of the opinion that the “correct” caliber is the biggest you can comfortably carry, conceal, shoot and afford to practice with (although I draw the line at 20mm), nobody Ive ever met would laugh off a .380 to the rib cage. They might not lay down and call it a life, but they won’t think it’s funny either.
If they do, shoot ’em again.
If they still think it’s funny, shoot ’em again. And again. The Curve offers seven rounds … surely you can get ONE good hit out of seven rounds.
Eventually they will stop laughing and take you seriously.
The need for multiple hits happens all the time with larger calibers, too.
I’ve been looking for an ankle-biter … a backup pistol … and this just might conceal better than a pistol with straighter lines. A .380 seems about the right size for an ankle gun.
Anecdotally: A pharmacist cousin of mine in Nebraska shot a robber with his .45, killing him.
He pulled the trigger three times.
The first round went through the guys left eye, with predictable consequences. The next round hit the sign of the daycare center across the street. Fortunately 1) it hit the sign instead of the window and 2) this happened at ~6:00 am; about a half hour before the kids started showing up. The final round went through his own ceiling. Fortunately (again) for him, there was no tenant upstairs.
My point? A (.22, .25, .32, .380, .38, 9mm, 10mm, .40) though the eye would have killed the guy just as dead as a .45. However, a smaller caliber gun could (and likely, would) have allowed for more accurate follow-up shots. If his first shot had missed, the robber, who had a 9mm pistol aimed at my cousin when the shooting started, would have lived and not my cousin.
That’s a sobering thought … his life hinged on the placement of a bullet from a gun he clearly could not control and he nearly missed altogether. I guess that’s because “People who buy these types of guns don’t typically train adequately; if they did they would know better to begin with.”
You’ll find this story in “Armed Citizen” on the NRA web site. The NRA version of the story is all jacked up … I wrote my cousin and he told me what actually happened. Read the story, track him down from the information in the article and write him yourself if you doubt my telling of it.
I love my scoped .44 Redhawk but it doesn’t tuck into my golf shorts very well….an is uncomfortable.
will they come out in .9mm, I won’t trust my life with a .380 ???????
I bet they will.
But you know what Howard, 3 holes of any caliber and the bad guy has a 95 percent chance of bleeding out.
I hear you though, I want the bad guy to fly backwards and for the shot to make a lot of noise to scare off his buddies (ammo is costly)
I like 10mm, 357 mag, 40, 45, and 44 myself. 10mm and 357 mag. being my favorite. They’re small-ish, so you can hold more, but serious ass kicking meat stoppers. Watch ballistics, major cavity destruction
10 mm—> https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=8z49Lbnt16M
357 mag.—> https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Q7w4M-LNXuQ
I still think if you want a small caliber you just have to train to double tap the body then the head. Trust that.
.22’s scramble brains, make no mistake about it.
will they come out in .9mm, I won’t trust my life with a .380 ???????
In a ballistics test last year, the *most* lethal round among the 6 or 8 covered was the .22 WMR cartridge. The line up included the usual suspects, 45 ACP, 9mm, 38 special, 357 Magnum, .22 LR, .40 and the like. The combination of muzzle velocity and bullet penetration made it far more lethal than the rest. To say I was surprised is an understatement, but it made me rethink carry weapon calibers.
I say good on them. I, for one, am tired of seeing companies come out with yet another 1911 or some form of AR15. Yes those sell well, but where is the room for new ideas? I will happily give one of these a shot (pun intended) when that is possible.
will they come out in .9mm, I won’t trust my life with a .380 ???????
Howard, this video (below) may change your mind… after watching, I was taken back and couldn’t fully believe the results, so I ordered a box of Lehigh XP Xtreme Penetrators and did the same testing. Bottom line, extremely impressive. Just make sure your gun can use them reliably, most have no problem.
Lehigh XP Xtreme Penetrator test in ballistic gel :
hhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LczfeWK9lHw
380 Lehigh XP through 5 different Guns :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RzpCcAPp84
Here’s the first link again:
Lehigh .380 XP Xtreme Penetrator test in ballistic gel :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LczfeWK9lHw
Modern .380 ammunition is up to the job. I still carry a 9mm Parabellum or a .45ACP as my primary weapon most of the time and use my P3AT as my backup piece, but when necessary I have no problems with carrying just the .380. It’s reliable, and with good ammo it will get the job done!
I’ve never found anyone who thinks a .380 or .22 is a poor defense pistol to accept my challenge of standing in front of one being fired at any distance.
“…now that they have cured their quality control and customer service issues…”
Really – when did that happen? It must have been some time after they fired the CEO who designed this gun (true fact.)
Have you spoken to anyone who has bought a Taurus in the last couple years, or used their CS? During Mark Kresser’s tenure there the company was completely revamped. He has moved on, like most reformer managers do. This is not the first gun company that Mark has gone in and substantively fixed, then moved on.
I used the Taurus Customer Service about 2 years ago. A TCP slide cracked in half on me at the range. Bad alloy for the slide maybe. Taurus replaced every part on the gun except the serial number bearing grip – it came back with a heavier slide, and also shot straighter. They also fixed a feeding problem I had worked around. So, great service. But I never did forget that slide breaking. I swapped the TCP for a Ruger LCP that I’m happy enough with. (I’d like to note that I’ve never had a problem with my Taurus revolvers – sturdy & reliable!)
I recently sold a Taurus revolver, because I couldn’t get the cylinder to open. It would randomly sieze and the only way to get it open was with a rubber mallet and a couple of good solid hits. I’ve owned several Taurus guns , and I’m done with them. Their customer service isn’t horrible, but their quality control is non existent.
So much for the lifetime warranty for you, but the guy you sold it cheap to has a new gun lol.
‘…When I see they want a semi-auto, I will usually sway them towards a Kel-Tec, Ruger LCP or S&W Bodyguard…’
Why do you hate these people so much….?
^^^^^^^
this!
If it goes bang when you need it to, puts the lead where it needs to go and you like it enough to carry it, it’s a good firearm.
Snarky comments serve no useful purpose.
True. Especially the trigger on that bodyguard.
I think it is sweat I would like to carry this weapon and do a little plinking with it
Me too. I have a little .25 acp and I love shooting it. Really love shooting everything from .177 airgun to 45-70 to Caliber 50 and…Crossbow!
Looks like a gimmick! I bet it was sales&marketing designed! It will be seen around for 100years though, in one of those old timey books of crazy products, fat jiggle machines, elctro-shock kits, and elixers!
No it wasn’t actually. The former CEO designed the gun, by melting a TCP until he liked the fit. But you can keep thinking that you’ve got the handle on all those sneaky marketing types who are always trying to rip you off…friend.
Time will tell………and as for “Friend” remark, you are obviously getting paid or perked to promote it. Otherwise you wouldn’t have gotten so defensive with the opinionated comment. On a side note, I’m not your friend.
‘you are obviously getting paid or perked to promote it’
BINGO. Welcome to modern ‘journalism’.
Modern journalists are a joke. I understand getting paid. I agree it may be a fad or marketing ploy. Dont get me wrong i think it is a nifty idea. Progress maybe. But lets see what the general public thinks. It will probably be a while until i can get my fingers on one. But i have no problem pocket carrying a micro 380 now. This does seem a little gimmicky. But i guess i wont know until i put one in my pocket and see how it wears. Also to see how it does with out the laser on the range. The last thing i want to do is count on some laser that the batteries might die or not work in my time of need as my main site. After all the writer said he/she needed the laser to aim. And down played the crosshairs.
Why make a comment that you are not his friend? If anyone respects and likes firearms and our Constitutional Representative Republic like I (assume “we”) do, he, she, they are friends.
I was not that interested until someone was a jerk but now I am going to buy one just to support a company that is willing to think outside of the box. I think innovation is GREAT at least someone is thinking and not just sitting on there butt doing the same thing over and over and over and over. It may be great it may not be but at least someone is trying.
+1
Now we’re talking. I agree Gerry something different. But a 9mm 10 shot would solidify it for me. Liked the 380 during the browning double stack days,but compact 9mm or 380 sounds better to me!
Great job from Taurus.
Seriously?! Why be like that? Do you have any evidence that the author is being paid to promote the pistol? Any evidence whatsoever? Because if not you’re just being a total a– for no reason! I promote products that I like too. Most people do. It doesn’t mean we’re being paid anything to do it!!!
MS,
Maybe you ought to put one in your hand before you judge someones design. I’m not a Taurus fan but I’m open minded enough to take a look and want to put one in my hand and on my side. Then after I evaluate it in person, then I’ll determine who designed it, marketing or an Product Design Engineer like myself.
ABC
I’m with you and the Admin.
I support the praise for innovative thinking but agree the overly defensive “friend” was out of line. Concerning whether of not the writer is getting paid to promote it, that is a moot point. He probably is not being literally paid in cash to promote it but, any writer who routinely bad mouths a product soon will find him/her-self NOT being ‘invited’ to review products and that’s a basic fact of business no matter what manner of product is being reviewed be it, guns, cars or blenders!
The internet gives a voice to shits who would never do anything worthwhile to deserve a voice otherwise. That is all it is. Taurus is an occasional advertiser with us, as compared to a host of competitors who advertise with us 12 months per year. This gun isn’t for everyone, but there is really nothing to badmouth either.
I believe I’ve seen the MSRP price starting at around $400.
How much is the price on This Taurus Curve?
Try reading, they list the price in the very first paragraph.
Are you normally a dick, or just online?
Can you not take the 2 minutes to read the whole thing? Or do you sta sta sta studder every word and it takes all day?
I’ve been looking forward to The Curve since experiencing the body contoured grip frame on the Taurus View revolver. I wasn’t expecting The Curve to be available so quickly and I will certainly try one when they become available. I didn’t see the barrel length specification. Do you have that available?
^ MSPR (manufactured suggested retail price) is $392. The Taurus Curve .380 will be going for around $400 in stores. The last sentence also has a type-o. Doesn’t really make sense. 🙂
The gun ways 10.2 ounces? You are a writer? Cmon.
good comment, check ways
Last sentence? It may make sense if you believe that the writing was hired out to somebody that doesn’t use English as their primary language.
C’mon already! This is an innovative gun article, not an English language exam. Yeah I saw the typo’s too but, for some strange reason I did not have any trouble ‘making sense’ out of them. For the record, they come from too much reliance on spell checkers instead of honest proof reading. Fellow should at least install a grammar checker too I guess.
As for the gun, looks like one heck of a pocket rocket! I’d like to see it in 9mm with a few more rounds though. One other thing I noticed the writer could have/should have mentioned is that the piece also has a seemingly very positive “loaded chamber” indicator. That is a plus in my book. Generally I carry a Glock and use the extractor as my “loaded chamber” indicator but it’s a pretty subtle difference.
The only problem you might have when trying to marry a 9×19 in such a small package and more important, a short barrel, is in which the velocities are needed to actually cause the projectile to expand and/or most effective. Just because the 9×19 has a longer casing “more powder to launch projectile” doesn’t mean it would be more powerful then its shorter, lighter cousin.. .380 or aka 9 short.
9×19/ 9 Luger/ 9 parabellum – 125 grain projectile VS the .380/ 9 short/ 9×17- 85 grain projectile
Having a approximately a 4.5inch barrel minimum on a 9×19 is needed to achieve high enough “fps” velocity to impact with enough energy to expand projectile on impact. With the use of shorter barrels on 9s, the fired casing has much of its unused fuel “powder” not used to launch heavier, more dense 125 grain projectile down range and wasted as an unuseful out gas show. Since the .380 is meant to do this with a small platform you would be achieving the most from this round for maximum effect. Funny thing is you might possibly achieve a higher terminal velocity out of the 380 and carry more energy to target compared to a 9 if you are using the same exact platform to perform comparable task.
Count me in! A gun that I can carry (maybe) like I want, rather than the small-of-the-back holsters that I have to settle for. I’m a bit sway-backed, and appendix and behind-the-hip carry tend to print.
I’m old-school in the extreme, but the Curve will have dip my toe into the water…Only recommendations for improvement or consideration by Taurus:
1. Provide a hole to mount the clip on the other side of the gun, for lefties & backup for righties. Fill it with a simple screw whose head matches the gun’s color and contour, i.e. a plug. The buyer can then swap the clip and plug with a screwdriver in 2 minutes. Presto, an ambidextrous Curve!
2. Any way to squeeze in one more round and make it 7+1? Nice differentiation from the LCP.
3. Ensure the laser-free version is muzzle-heavy enough to reduce muzzle flip, which is the biggest objection to small .380’s.
4. Offer a drop-in .32 ACP barrel, making it good for recoil-averse shooters, or people with hand injuries (like me).
Wouldn’t switching the clip make it curve the wrong way?
Maybe they want to clip it to their underwear. lol
Swapping the clip would not make it ambidextrous. The grip would still be curved for a right handed shooter.
I’m looking forward to trying one out next spring if they become available in sufficient quantities.
They’re right. If you put the clip on the other side, the gun will curve the wrong way, with the outside against your body and two points going away from the body like this )( think of the 1st parenthesis as the gun and the 2nd as your body . It would be very uncomfortable and would print like crazy. With the clip as is, the Curve can be carried on the left side as an across the body draw for backup but Lefties might be left out in the cold on this one.
they mentioned making a left handed model, guess you all forgot to read that part
The guy that laid the ground work for the curve is left handed.taurus promised him a left handed model.
I have owned a Curve for some time now- It is my First choice in concealable. Not my first choice in carry.
I can slip this beauty in my pocket with No fuss but prefer it as a ankle gune. I also have a modified Iphone case to carry at waist. Now that’s slick.. It shoots every time and hits what I aim at within defensive distances. Around here they consider 30 foot a defensive perimeter- any farther and it could become a felony. For defense at home I have a staged G17 in three rooms
In response to your comments The CURVE has a lighter recoil and recovers sight picture faster than any other carry .380 I own.
What if you don’t want all the extra stuff in front of the trigger I like the concept but they just added more to the cost and made it bulkier than it would have been
The reviewer states that a non- Laserlyte version will come out later. Did you even read the article?
The gun is designed to have no “snagging” points. That way when you need to draw the pistol it’s a smooth transition instead of the likely hood it is going to get snagged on clothing. It is a perfect conceal carry pistol. As unattractive the pistol may be, it has a purpose and serves it well.
When is this thing hitting the market and does anyone know if they plan to cater to the Lefties? I would certainly be interested in something that can go right into my pocket that is not only snag free and form fitting but has a stock light and laser on it. As a lefty though this particular model may pose a problem or two for me. Guess I’ll need to handle it first. Also, I’d be even more excited about this type of pocket pistol if it were chambered for 9mm. I’m not too thrilled about stocking another caliber of ammunition. Overall though, great idea and very cool design.
I love the looks. I am looking forward to firing it. Let me know when it is available
the barrel length is 2.5 inches