I love it when the majority of manufacturers talk “innovation”. There are some interesting design features on several firearm platforms – innovation?? – really?? Well let’s take a look at something that is innovative . . .
Of course we all know the box is curved – but it’s almost obligatory to point that out
inside the box is where the fun begins
The usual suspects – manuals,spare magazine,trigger guard, and of course your key for the firearm lock or ie the Hillary hole.
and now we start stepping out of the box – both with the firearm and innovation. The curve is quite apparent – and tucks against your hip very comfortably. The manual sights consist of the white lines centered on the bore of the pistol and do work well – with practice. The stippling on the back of the grip actually does quite well.
as does the stippling on the front of the grip
left side
completely smooth – no slide stop – magazine release – nothing to snag
right side
belt clip,nice index point for your finger and the on – off – and mode switch for the laser.
With 7 rounds of Hornady Critical Defense.
I highly recommend either critical duty or critical defense as a carry ammunition. In fact I carry one or the other in every pistol I rotate through except my 10 mm Glock 20 – steady diet of Buffalo Bore 180 grain jacketed hollow points – there is just something about that large of a round at almost 1400 feet per second that appeals to me.
top to bottom – Keltec P3AT – Taurus Curve – Walther PK380
left to right – P3AT – Curve – PK380
left to right – P3AT – Curve – PK380 – one more picture and then some thoughts . . .
What has Taurus done ? They have made a complete package for the masses. Most people are not enthusiasts when it comes to firearms. They really don’t want to have to buy a firearm – and a holster – then a laser – then a different holster – then a laser light combo – then a different holster – all of a sudden that 300 or 400 dollar gun is now 800 or more plus training and practice costs plus licensing fees plus- plus – plus. . . .
Taurus has taken most of that and gotten rid of it. Loop the lanyard on a belt loop – put the trigger guard on the pistol – clip inside your pants – good to go. Drawing and presentation is easy enough with practice. Scoop the pistol from the outside of your pants – get your thumb behind it and get a grip – continue vertically out of your pants until clear – maintain vertical and bring the gun forward and the lanyard will strip the trigger guard – index your finger and bring it around in front and get your support hand on it – pop the laser on and you are at low ready. Now practice that set of motions 4 or 5 hundred times. Go to the range and put 4 or 5 hundred rounds through the pistol both with and without using the laser. practice – practice – practice !!
LASERLYTE Corp did a great job designing the light/laser module. No problem with daylight visibility at 21 feet. The trigger pull, although long, is smooth and breaks good. Again, that P word gets in the way – PRACTICE! For a relatively light pistol, perceived recoil is very minimal – shape and weight distribution has a lot to do with that. Taurus spent some time and effort getting the ergonomics of the pistol as right as possible.
Things I would like to see offered:
- a barrel chambered in 32 N.A.A. ( a cartridge designed by North American Arms – A bottle necked 380 – An incredible mouse gun round since Hornady started making it in Critical Defense)
- Upsize the platform to a 9mm (but then your starting to go backwards – adding size – weight – thickness etc.)
I am not an “operational operator operating operationally” nor am I a “mall ninja” – I am just a guy that has used firearms in a professional and personal fashion for over 30 years. I quit counting handguns rounds downrange when I got to 100,000 plus. I cannot emphasize this enough – PRACTICE.
Have Fun! – Run the Gun! – and remember – Fish Heads are Cheap!!
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