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Old January 14, 2018, 03:13 PM   #1
SonOfScubaDiver
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Taurus Spectrum 380

Taurus has a new 380. I know lots of people don't like 380, but I don't have a problem with carrying one. This looks like it's gonna be a nice one--no edges anywhere, all rounded everything. I'm guessing it'll be around $250-$275ish, maybe more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilTXGN3TWTM
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Old January 14, 2018, 04:30 PM   #2
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The Taurus Spectrum was actually announced at the 2017 Shot Show, which in my opinion they announced it way too early. I think Taurus created a lot of buzz around this pistol but took forever to release it.

Hopefully Taurus took this time to perfect the Spectrum and it turns out to be a great product.
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Old January 14, 2018, 04:32 PM   #3
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I'm a Taurus believer, I think it'll be a good ccw option. Hopefully they continue their recent success.
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Old January 14, 2018, 04:44 PM   #4
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Quote:
I know lots of people don't like 380.....
Lots of people don't matter when it comes to personal preference and what works for you. They aren't earning your money or firing your pistol. I just invested in my first 380. I don't own a Taurus(yet), but I'm not a hater either. Their TCP 380 is pretty well regarded by the people that own/carry them. I'll be curious to see how the curve rates.
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Old January 14, 2018, 05:06 PM   #5
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That is ugly!!!
Grip and mag extension looks like a turddd!
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Old January 14, 2018, 05:09 PM   #6
wild cat mccane
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Can't find a TCP vs Spectrum photo.

I bet, from the looks of it, the Spectrum is the size of the TCP.

If so, I'll stick with the smaller LCP. Size is king in the pocket.

If it is LCP sized (exactly or smaller) I will buy when the red version comes out
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Old January 14, 2018, 06:50 PM   #7
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I think Taurus created a lot of buzz around this pistol but took forever to release it.
Don't they always? Not just Taurus either.
Market anticipation.
I like the look. My taste does not lead to the Technicolor versions however. If I find a black, or maybe black/silver one for a decent price I might just buy it for grins.
Still happy with Elsie Pea always in my pocket though.
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Old January 14, 2018, 08:39 PM   #8
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Quote:
I know lots of people don't like 380.....
Well heck, lots of people don't like Taurus...I am one of them.

Quote:
I'm a Taurus believer
I am a Taurus believer, too...they made a believer out of me, I believe I will not buy another.
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Old January 14, 2018, 08:57 PM   #9
Kvon2
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I am a Taurus believer, too...they made a believer out of me, I believe I will not buy another.
less demand and better prices for the rest of us
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Old January 14, 2018, 09:39 PM   #10
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Academy has several color combinations listed on their website for $229. The website claims the guns are available in stores now. Unfortunately, there are no customer reviews posted on the site for the gun yet. I am curious to know what actual buyers think of the gun.
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Old January 14, 2018, 09:47 PM   #11
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I have mixed feelings about Taurus as a whole, I own a PT111 G2,and a tcp.
The PT111 doesn't hold a candle to the glock 19, That being said the PT111 is a good gun especially for the price, and the TCP I think is just to small. The spectrum looks like a nice novelty option for the subcompact .380 market. I don't think it'll it hit big for a variety of reasons

1) The time between the announcement date and release date was a little long, so long that people have probably lost interest.

2) The subcompact .380 craze is coming to end.

3) Its target demographic is pretty slim, and its competitors are pretty stiff.

That being said I hope the spectrum lives up to all the hype and proves to be more than a novelty piece.
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Old January 15, 2018, 01:44 AM   #12
Carl the Floor Walker
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Originally Posted by WannabeMiculek View Post

That being said I hope the spectrum lives up to all the hype and proves to be more than a novelty piece.
I agree with you. I have never owned a Taurus so cannot say anything about the company. I have read that they have a new President and they plan to turn their customer service reputation around.
While I am not interested in the Spectrum (Dedicated Pico Fan) I think the gun itself has a lot going for it. It looks like Taurus has copied the design of the Pico take down which is on the best I have seen on any gun. And the modular design is a great step of improving the gun. The gun appears to have some nice ergonomics. Looks streamlined.
There will always be a big market for small pocket guns in today's society. I see where Springfield has announced a new gun similar to the Colt and the Sig 238. Should be interesting.
The Spectrum has the potential to be a big success. I wish the best for Taurus.

Last edited by Carl the Floor Walker; January 15, 2018 at 01:49 AM.
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Old January 15, 2018, 02:00 AM   #13
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The soft touch rubber makes me nervous. It's hard to find one that can overcome the rigors of just sitting there, let alone holsters, heat, oil, and solvents.

It's slightly larger than the LCP.
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Old January 15, 2018, 10:06 AM   #14
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I agree with your concerns about the rubber. Milled slide serrations don't wear out. How is that material going to hold up over the long haul?
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Old January 15, 2018, 11:16 AM   #15
wizzamen
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I definitely would have preferred regular slide serrations over that rubber insert, I have serious doubts about the longevity of that piece of rubber.
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Old January 15, 2018, 12:06 PM   #16
SonOfScubaDiver
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So....this gun is about 1/2 inch shorter in length and 1/3 inch shorter in height than my G42 (I'm guessing that is with the flush mag). It is also .05 inch thinner. It's way smaller than my Bersa Thunder. I know I like all the rounded edges and the extended mag as well. Take down looks to be very very easy. Not that it's a must have, but the color combinations thing is nice for those who want to add a little pizzaz to their gun. I guess I'll have to hold one before I decide if I like it enough to get one.
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Old January 15, 2018, 04:47 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by kozak6 View Post
The soft touch rubber makes me nervous. It's hard to find one that can overcome the rigors of just sitting there, let alone holsters, heat, oil, and solvents.

It's slightly larger than the LCP.
Thought the same thing when we got a Taurus 24/7 Pro-C...
nice rubber...how long will it last under carry conditions??
Turns out, pretty well. Wife's been EDC'ing hers for 9 years now.
Instead of rubbing off, it just bends & returns.
You do have to take the time to clean it carefully on a regular basis,
like any other item you handle daily.
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Old January 15, 2018, 05:18 PM   #18
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This reminds me of how successful the Taurus Curve was...or not.
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Old January 15, 2018, 05:42 PM   #19
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I like the looks of the Spectrum but I can think of no excuse to buy one. Both my TCP and PT111 G2 look new and shoot flawlessly, just like my 70s era Taurus Model 84.
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Old January 15, 2018, 05:57 PM   #20
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Looks like Taurus ripped off the plans for the Beretta Pico. The Pico is a great little gun... I wonder if the Taurus will be as reliable and soft shooting?

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Old January 15, 2018, 07:37 PM   #21
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I wonder if the Taurus will be as reliable and soft shooting?
Surely, you jest.
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Old January 16, 2018, 12:20 AM   #22
Cheapshooter
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This reminds me of how successful the Taurus Curve was...or not.
Except the Spectrum isn't a stupid looking abomination!
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Old January 16, 2018, 03:39 AM   #23
Carl the Floor Walker
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Yes the curve was a strange look. However, the Spectrum is a completely different gun from what I have seen. I think for some the Rubber may actually help some of those shooters that are recoil sensitive.
I saw on another forum that a avid shooter mentioned how long his RUBBER Hogue grip has been on his gun. The grip on my Ruger SR22 has been on since the gun first came out and holding up fine. So I doubt the rubber on the Spectrum will actually be much of a issue.
The Spectrum may be a flop, or it may be a success. I will hold judgement for down the road. That said, as I mentioned I am a Pico fan and have desire for another 380. (Actually own two Pico's now and the Kahr).
Ps, the Kahr by the way, even though it ran very good at the beginning did have a problem when I experimented with a new Lube. After cleaning out the striker channel, it has been running like a top.

Ps. Received a Hornady Ultrasonic Cleaner the other day. Man I wish I had bought one years ago!!

Last edited by Carl the Floor Walker; January 16, 2018 at 03:58 AM.
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Old January 16, 2018, 11:48 AM   #24
brian33x51
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I think for many that soft rubber will be a stumbling point on this pistol. I know here in dry Colorado rubber stuff doesn't hold up very long before its crumbling everwhere. I wonder how easy it is to replace and what replacement options might be.

Quote:
Originally Posted by WannabeMiculek View Post
I have mixed feelings about Taurus as a whole, I own a PT111 G2,and a tcp.
The PT111 doesn't hold a candle to the glock 19, That being said the PT111 is a good gun especially for the price, and the TCP I think is just to small.
While glock dumps all over people who ask for manual safeties the pt111 still delivers on one and it's actually a pretty good safety. They've got some trigger issues on the pt111, though.
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Old January 16, 2018, 11:51 AM   #25
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