Just bought a new Taurus Spectrum

fisherman · January 17, 2019, 03:09 PM

Just bought a new Spectrum 380ACP with the two magazines and I got it in White frame, laguna blue grips, and stainless slide. Love the color mix and love all the Taurus pistols I have so far. Won't have it until April when I get home to go to my FFL dealer but I will definitely do my own little assessment of it and will keep you all posted on he results.

Auto5 · January 18, 2019, 09:24 PM

Why?

Just kidding

hornetguy · January 18, 2019, 09:39 PM

I'm curious how well they perform... I've been very pleased with my TCP. If the Spectrum is as reliable, it will likely be a better pistol, because of the rounded edges, making it more "pocket" worthy.

osbornk · January 18, 2019, 11:03 PM

I would love to have one but I can come up no logical or illogical reason to get one. I have a Taurus TCP, a Taurus PT111-G2 and a Taurus 605 357 magnum revolver that covers that segment beautifully.

Cheapshooter · January 18, 2019, 11:18 PM

A Spectrum is certainly high on my "just because" to buy list. Pocket carry is already well covered with a 1st generation LCP, and a Kahr CM9. Even a Kel-Tec P32, but it to was more on the afore mentioned just 'cause list.
I'm not a Technicolor gun guy. Not even a FDE guy. So it will probably be black on black, or if I feel real adventurous wanting to walk on the wild side, maybe silver on black.

fisherman · January 19, 2019, 12:19 PM

That's kind of what I would do as far as the colors go except for a couple things. I bought the brightest thing I could. I hunt until the snow comes so if I drop it in the fall leaves before snow is on the ground it will be easy to see in the fall leaves. I bought white with aqua blue grips and a silver slide! Reason 2 is my daughter will get it when I depart this wonderful place and it truly is kind of a woman's gun. The 380 will make her a good purse or cc gun for her personal protection.

DPris · January 19, 2019, 12:33 PM

I did a three-gun .380 shootout between the Spectrum, the Springfield 911, and the Smith EZ Shield.
The Spectrum, with the worst sights & trigger of the bunch, was markedly more accurate off the bench.

Zero malfunctions.
If I had not already had the pocket pistol needs covered, I would have bought the Spectrum.

Not built for regular weekend use, but it's a superior pocket pistol for carry & close-in defense if needed.
Denis

gbclarkson · January 19, 2019, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Why?

Because the Curve has been discontinued.

fisherman · January 19, 2019, 04:37 PM

I hope the curve is not discontinued. If I had know it was coming I would have bought one quick!!

glove · January 19, 2019, 04:40 PM

Nice choice you will like it.

kenny53 · January 27, 2019, 07:52 PM

Look forward to the range report. With what I have experience with Taurus I am sure that you will be pleased.

Bart Noir · January 28, 2019, 05:17 PM

I guess that curving magazine was too pricey to manufacture

Bart Noir

Carl the Floor Walker · January 28, 2019, 07:45 PM

Congrats, I am thinking of getting one for my collection. I know it will not be the quality of the Beretta Pico, but I think it is a better choice than the LCP's etc. For one, they copied the take down from the Pico. And with the ability to change grips, would be a asset as I had so many crack, rails split etc. I did handle on in the store and it felt good in my hand. As far as trigger, I is what I perfer in a pocket gun. And what I have trained with for a decade. Nice double action.

Ps, I knew the same old internet bashers would apprear. Many running their traps about the curve and never ever owned on or shot one. Just discount that garbage. The Spectrum is getting a lot of good reviews. I really believe it will be a winner in the class that it competes.

Get a crack like these and simply get a new inexpensive grip.

Prof Young · January 31, 2019, 08:21 PM

I handled a Spectrum at the range today and with owner's permission dry fired it. It has a loooong trigger pull loooooong trigger reset. For a gun without a safety, that can be a good thing, but . . .

Talk to me.

Life is good.
Prof Young

OhioGuy · February 1, 2019, 06:55 AM

I was looking at these just the other day -- local range had the black one for $200 and more colorful options for $220. Felt good in the hand, but the trigger pull was possibly the grittiest/crunchiest dry fire experience I'd ever had. Was wondering if someone filled the frame with sand....

But it's also not a target pistol and for less than half the cost of a Glock 42 I'd be willing to live with it, esp. as a backup carry that I'm sure I wouldn't fire often.

I'll be interested to hear your report on how accurate it is. I'll guess it's meant for rapid self-defense at very short distances like any other pocket pistol. The sights reminded me of Braille dots more than actual sights

DPris · February 1, 2019, 12:19 PM

As mentioned, when I did a three-gun shoot-out with the Spectrum, the S&W Shield EZ, and the Springfield 911, the Spectrum was by far the most accurate, despite the worst trigger & worst sights.

It's not built for IPSC or a lotta rounds every week at the range, but it's a good pocket pistol for close-in defense.
Denis

OhioGuy · February 1, 2019, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DPris

As mentioned, when I did a three-gun shoot-out with the Spectrum, the S&W Shield EZ, and the Springfield 911, the Spectrum was by far the most accurate, despite the worst trigger & worst sights.

It's not built for IPSC or a lotta rounds every week at the range, but it's a good pocket pistol for close-in defense.
Denis

That's an interesting result -- what distances, and how did you define "accurate?"

I've not shot the 911, but it's far more solidly built, the sights are actually very nice, and the trigger is almost 1911 level of good. I've used squirt guns with better triggers than the Spectrum's.

DPris · February 1, 2019, 02:03 PM

June 12, 2018.
Seated rest, 10 yards, five different .380 loads.

I defined accurate by noting the best 5-shot groups with each load through all three pistols.

The Spectrum easily beat the other two.

Best group through it was 5 shots in 11/16 of an inch with Remington Golden Sabers.
Worst best was Winchester Kinetic at 2 1/8 inches.

The Springfield was the most solidly built, but too tightly fit, several malfunctions.
Smith & Spectrum zero malfunctions.

The thing about the Spectrum is that you HAVE to understand it.

A lightweight carry, no-snag draw, smooth ergonomics, fast-reaction, close-in defensive pistol.

Not built for regular shooting, not a target pistol, not a recreational pistol.
The trigger is long & heavy to allow safe carry, round chambered, no manual safety.
The tiny sights are largely ignorable in a very close-threat context.
Point & pull.
Can be used if threat's farther out & time allows.

The trigger pull is not the sole determiner of value in the right context & overall picture.

My results have been published twice, and written up as they were found during testing.
Denis

OhioGuy · February 1, 2019, 02:19 PM

Awesome, thanks for sharing! Agree it's the total package that counts most, and if for $200 you can get an accurate gun that's easy to carry and shoot, reliable and effective at the close ranges for which it was designed, then spending 2x-3x more on a "better" gun loses its appeal.

I've been thinking about getting a .380 for very occasional, deep concealment needs. I'd probably shoot it once a month to make sure I'm still hitting with it. No target practice or IDPA matches

Maybe I'll get one.

DPris · February 1, 2019, 02:28 PM

If I had not already been using a pair of Smith .380 Bodyguards as occasional deep carry pistols, I would have kept the Spectrum after testing the three.
Its role was already filled here, but it was still tempting & I almost did keep it.

Denis

kmw1954 · February 1, 2019, 04:31 PM

Denis, thanks for the review and feedback. I am a Taurus supporter and own a PT92C which follows me everywhere. Also have a brother that owns 3 different Taurus and I've shot them all to differing degrees of satisfaction.

I do also own two different 380's and doubt I will be adding another. Though I would like to own a Beretta 380.

DPris · February 1, 2019, 06:49 PM

The Berettas are nice, but a trifle on the large size.
Just for fun, no problem.
Denis

kmw1954 · February 1, 2019, 08:03 PM

Just not a pocket pistol kind of guy myself.

kymasabe · February 1, 2019, 10:42 PM

Good luck with it. My daughter had such horrible luck with her TCP (didn't survive first range visit, then 16 week wait for repair) that we're all reluctant to buy another Taurus. Ever. I hope you have better luck with yours.

Carl the Floor Walker · February 2, 2019, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DPris

The Berettas are nice, but a trifle on the large size.
Just for fun, no problem.
Denis

Not sure what Beretta you are referring to, can't be the Beretta Pico. Love shooting this gun, and for myself, it is a fun gun. Pocket guns are my niche in shooting. Love the challenge they provide. I shoot often, and I would say 90% of my shooting is with a Snubbie or Pocket gun.
I will also say they are much more capable than most folks realize given frequent practice. I know many will disagree, but I find them excellent EDC guns. And for sure, easy to carry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...&v=TR7H3lbNTBw

January 17, 2019, 03:09 PM	#1
fisherman Member Join Date: December 2, 2009 Posts: 42	Just bought a new Taurus Spectrum Just bought a new Spectrum 380ACP with the two magazines and I got it in White frame, laguna blue grips, and stainless slide. Love the color mix and love all the Taurus pistols I have so far. Won't have it until April when I get home to go to my FFL dealer but I will definitely do my own little assessment of it and will keep you all posted on he results.

January 18, 2019, 09:24 PM	#2
Auto5 Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2013 Location: Chicago suburbs Posts: 662	Why? Just kidding __________________ At the young age of five, a bear told me that I was the only person who could prevent forest fires. Why I was chosen, I'll never know.

January 18, 2019, 09:39 PM	#3
hornetguy Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2011 Location: on the north side of DFW Posts: 970	I'm curious how well they perform... I've been very pleased with my TCP. If the Spectrum is as reliable, it will likely be a better pistol, because of the rounded edges, making it more "pocket" worthy. __________________ I always felt that if I got to the point where I thought it was time to bury my firearms, it was actually time to pick them up..

January 18, 2019, 11:18 PM	#5
Cheapshooter Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 8,306	A Spectrum is certainly high on my "just because" to buy list. Pocket carry is already well covered with a 1st generation LCP, and a Kahr CM9. Even a Kel-Tec P32, but it to was more on the afore mentioned just 'cause list. I'm not a Technicolor gun guy. Not even a FDE guy. So it will probably be black on black, or if I feel real adventurous wanting to walk on the wild side, maybe silver on black. __________________ Cheapshooter's rules of gun ownership #1: NEVER SELL OR TRADE ANYTHING!

January 19, 2019, 12:19 PM	#6
fisherman Member Join Date: December 2, 2009 Posts: 42	I like the colors and That's kind of what I would do as far as the colors go except for a couple things. I bought the brightest thing I could. I hunt until the snow comes so if I drop it in the fall leaves before snow is on the ground it will be easy to see in the fall leaves. I bought white with aqua blue grips and a silver slide! Reason 2 is my daughter will get it when I depart this wonderful place and it truly is kind of a woman's gun. The 380 will make her a good purse or cc gun for her personal protection.

January 18, 2019, 11:03 PM	#4
osbornk Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2012 Location: Mountains of Appalachia Posts: 1,598	I would love to have one but I can come up no logical or illogical reason to get one. I have a Taurus TCP, a Taurus PT111-G2 and a Taurus 605 357 magnum revolver that covers that segment beautifully.

January 19, 2019, 12:33 PM	#7
DPris Member Emeritus Join Date: August 19, 2004 Posts: 7,133	I did a three-gun .380 shootout between the Spectrum, the Springfield 911, and the Smith EZ Shield. The Spectrum, with the worst sights & trigger of the bunch, was markedly more accurate off the bench. Zero malfunctions. If I had not already had the pocket pistol needs covered, I would have bought the Spectrum. Not built for regular weekend use, but it's a superior pocket pistol for carry & close-in defense if needed. Denis

January 19, 2019, 04:37 PM	#9
fisherman Member Join Date: December 2, 2009 Posts: 42	I hope you are wrong I hope the curve is not discontinued. If I had know it was coming I would have bought one quick!!

January 19, 2019, 04:40 PM	#10
glove Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2006 Location: Richfield Ohio Posts: 141	Nice choice you will like it. __________________ NRA Life Member Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club Member 72-75 Don't take life too seriously, No one makes it out alive anyway.

January 27, 2019, 07:52 PM	#11
kenny53 Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2015 Location: My back yard Posts: 971	Look forward to the range report. With what I have experience with Taurus I am sure that you will be pleased.

January 28, 2019, 05:17 PM	#12
Bart Noir Senior Member Join Date: August 5, 2000 Location: Puget Sound, USA Posts: 2,215	I guess that curving magazine was too pricey to manufacture Bart Noir __________________ Be of good cheer and mindful of your gun muzzle!

January 28, 2019, 07:45 PM	#13
Carl the Floor Walker member Join Date: June 3, 2017 Location: South Posts: 1,422	Congrats, I am thinking of getting one for my collection. I know it will not be the quality of the Beretta Pico, but I think it is a better choice than the LCP's etc. For one, they copied the take down from the Pico. And with the ability to change grips, would be a asset as I had so many crack, rails split etc. I did handle on in the store and it felt good in my hand. As far as trigger, I is what I perfer in a pocket gun. And what I have trained with for a decade. Nice double action. Ps, I knew the same old internet bashers would apprear. Many running their traps about the curve and never ever owned on or shot one. Just discount that garbage. The Spectrum is getting a lot of good reviews. I really believe it will be a winner in the class that it competes. Get a crack like these and simply get a new inexpensive grip. Last edited by Carl the Floor Walker; January 28, 2019 at 07:57 PM.

January 31, 2019, 08:21 PM	#14
Prof Young Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2007 Location: Illinois - down state Posts: 2,404	Long trigger pull and reset . . . I handled a Spectrum at the range today and with owner's permission dry fired it. It has a loooong trigger pull loooooong trigger reset. For a gun without a safety, that can be a good thing, but . . . Talk to me. Life is good. Prof Young

February 1, 2019, 06:55 AM	#15
OhioGuy Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2016 Posts: 1,089	I was looking at these just the other day -- local range had the black one for $200 and more colorful options for $220. Felt good in the hand, but the trigger pull was possibly the grittiest/crunchiest dry fire experience I'd ever had. Was wondering if someone filled the frame with sand.... But it's also not a target pistol and for less than half the cost of a Glock 42 I'd be willing to live with it, esp. as a backup carry that I'm sure I wouldn't fire often. I'll be interested to hear your report on how accurate it is. I'll guess it's meant for rapid self-defense at very short distances like any other pocket pistol. The sights reminded me of Braille dots more than actual sights

February 1, 2019, 12:19 PM	#16
DPris Member Emeritus Join Date: August 19, 2004 Posts: 7,133	As mentioned, when I did a three-gun shoot-out with the Spectrum, the S&W Shield EZ, and the Springfield 911, the Spectrum was by far the most accurate, despite the worst trigger & worst sights. It's not built for IPSC or a lotta rounds every week at the range, but it's a good pocket pistol for close-in defense. Denis

February 1, 2019, 02:03 PM	#18
DPris Member Emeritus Join Date: August 19, 2004 Posts: 7,133	June 12, 2018. Seated rest, 10 yards, five different .380 loads. I defined accurate by noting the best 5-shot groups with each load through all three pistols. The Spectrum easily beat the other two. Best group through it was 5 shots in 11/16 of an inch with Remington Golden Sabers. Worst best was Winchester Kinetic at 2 1/8 inches. The Springfield was the most solidly built, but too tightly fit, several malfunctions. Smith & Spectrum zero malfunctions. The thing about the Spectrum is that you HAVE to understand it. A lightweight carry, no-snag draw, smooth ergonomics, fast-reaction, close-in defensive pistol. Not built for regular shooting, not a target pistol, not a recreational pistol. The trigger is long & heavy to allow safe carry, round chambered, no manual safety. The tiny sights are largely ignorable in a very close-threat context. Point & pull. Can be used if threat's farther out & time allows. The trigger pull is not the sole determiner of value in the right context & overall picture. My results have been published twice, and written up as they were found during testing. Denis

February 1, 2019, 02:19 PM	#19
OhioGuy Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2016 Posts: 1,089	Awesome, thanks for sharing! Agree it's the total package that counts most, and if for $200 you can get an accurate gun that's easy to carry and shoot, reliable and effective at the close ranges for which it was designed, then spending 2x-3x more on a "better" gun loses its appeal. I've been thinking about getting a .380 for very occasional, deep concealment needs. I'd probably shoot it once a month to make sure I'm still hitting with it. No target practice or IDPA matches Maybe I'll get one.

February 1, 2019, 02:28 PM	#20
DPris Member Emeritus Join Date: August 19, 2004 Posts: 7,133	If I had not already been using a pair of Smith .380 Bodyguards as occasional deep carry pistols, I would have kept the Spectrum after testing the three. Its role was already filled here, but it was still tempting & I almost did keep it. Denis

February 1, 2019, 04:31 PM	#21
kmw1954 Senior Member Join Date: June 11, 2016 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 1,524	Denis, thanks for the review and feedback. I am a Taurus supporter and own a PT92C which follows me everywhere. Also have a brother that owns 3 different Taurus and I've shot them all to differing degrees of satisfaction. I do also own two different 380's and doubt I will be adding another. Though I would like to own a Beretta 380.

February 1, 2019, 06:49 PM	#22
DPris Member Emeritus Join Date: August 19, 2004 Posts: 7,133	The Berettas are nice, but a trifle on the large size. Just for fun, no problem. Denis

February 1, 2019, 08:03 PM	#23
kmw1954 Senior Member Join Date: June 11, 2016 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 1,524	Just not a pocket pistol kind of guy myself.

February 1, 2019, 10:42 PM	#24
kymasabe Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2005 Location: SW Florida Posts: 2,747	Good luck with it. My daughter had such horrible luck with her TCP (didn't survive first range visit, then 16 week wait for repair) that we're all reluctant to buy another Taurus. Ever. I hope you have better luck with yours. __________________ God's creatures big and small, eat them one, eat them all.