Taurus Curve Review: A Solid .380 ACP Handgun

Image	Product	Price
	Taurus Curve .380 Handgun	Check Price
	Ruger LCR	Check Price
	Walther P22 Semi-Automatic Handgun	Check Price
	Sig Sauer P238 Pistol	Check Price

Here’s an interesting gun built for ergonomics. Today we’ll do a Taurus Curve review, chambered in the .380 Auto (ACP). It’s a doozie.

I saw a lot of negative comments on the looks and functionality of the handgun, and at the same time, I saw a lot of folks praising the manufacturer’s experimental approach to the ergonomics and the print-free feel of the pistol.

There’s no progress without some wacky innovation, right?

I believe it’s crazy enough that it may just work for some people as the body-contoured .380 ACP DAO pistol does offer more than what you pay for. Don’t get your hopes up though, it doesn’t curve bullets.

“The gun you wear,” as Taurus puts it, is a very fitting slogan for this pistol because the beveled and swooped design is the main focus here, and it’s built to holster right inside your pockets. A truly inventive and sneaky CCW pistol for self-defense, though some may find it ineffective.

In this guide, we’ll talk about its main features, how it works, what it excels at, where it flops, and I’ll also try to answer some frequently asked questions as well as provide you with some interesting alternatives.

Taurus are known for their low-end guns and equipment like their highly customizable Taurus G2C 9mm handgun. In 2014, they went for a highly ambitious and inventive handgun that focuses on utility and ergonomics, and they brought us the Curve.

Not only does the Taurus Curve have beveled and rounded edges on the corners, but the whole gun is bowed to the right. This way, the handgun adapts to the hip and matches the shape of your body.

Taurus truly built on a pocket gun concept with the idea that the curve would fit seamlessly. Therefore, the outcome is supposed to have been a gun that offers a completely snag-free, print-free, firmly ergonomic design that will never poke anybody’s ribcage or hips.

A commendable effort. However, the downside is that it’s made specifically for right-handers, and there’s still no sign of a Southpaw model from Taurus. I recommend all you left-handed folk that are looking for a new compact CCW to go for a Glock 19X.

What Taurus intended for this gun was definitely pioneering, and it might be one of the first handguns that underwent such treatment just to cater to pocket-carry gun folk. Nevertheless, you’ve probably seen the criticisms for its accuracy, overall feel, and efficiency.

Subpar precision? Sure. Reliability? Not good. But, I still feel that this handgun went through some overly harsh roasts and I don’t think it should be regarded as a laughing stock in the CCW community.

I’ll explain why.

Taurus Curve For Sale

[gm-product-table=https://www.gunmade.com/search/?keyword=725327611493]

The groundbreaking Taurus Curve is a double-action-only handgun, chambered in the .380 ACP cartridge, has a 6+1 round capacity, and works well with the built-in Viridian light and laser combo.

But, does it shoot well?

Recoil, Reliability, Accuracy, and Accessories

I’ve seen a lot of complaints about cycling, as many customers have experienced stovepipe jamming and failure to load. I blame this on the curved design of the barrel because even the lightest FMJ 95-grain bullets may get jammed after some shooting sessions.

Being a handgun made solely for self-defense, this is a serious downside.

This autoloader pistol is chambered for .380 ACP, which has a similar shooting and stopping power to .38 Special rounds. The 6+1 capacity with a detachable magazine and disconnect is pretty decent as well.

It has double recoil springs on a steel guide rod and the hammer lacks a double strike capability, but thanks to the double recoil springs, the recoil is manageable. Reloading is definitely quicker than revolvers, while the Browning-style locked breech minimizes recoil and makes sliding the barrel pretty easy. 

Safety and Trigger

The only safety for this pistol is the mag disconnect that prevents firing. As for the magazine, I personally don’t like the pinch and pull removal method because it can be difficult for people with arthritis.

The trigger doesn’t help either. It breaks in after a couple of sessions, but it’s still gritty for an autoloader of this size, with the trigger pull mark sitting at around 6.5 lbs.

The Curve comes with a detachable trigger guard with a built-in lanyard that eliminates the need for holsters and minimizes the risk of accidental discharges. It’s good for pocket or belt carry and it draws quickly.

The Ergonomics, Size, and Feel of the Taurus Curve

Taurus took a pioneering and experimental approach to try and break new ground in how we think about handgun shape and feel. The motivation behind the design of the Taurus Curve pistol is purely ergonomics and comfort.

This handgun is about the size of a smartphone. It’s 5 inches long, weighs 13 ounces, has a polymer frame and steel slide, and is curved in a way to contour the body of right-handed shooters.

The Grips and Sights

The grip feels alright; it’s only suitable for a two-finger grip below the trigger guard (or trigger cover) and the stippling of the front strap and backstrap of the grip is convenient. Your fingers might dangle at the end of the mag, so I guess it’s not built for large hands.

Taurus got rid of all the iron sights here and replaced them with bore axis white lines as crosshairs that won’t fade off easily.

Integrated Viridian Laser Sight and Light Combo

While this is one of the main selling points for the Curve, I found that the built-in Viridian light/laser combination has major issues.

The laser/light sight is activated by a button on the side of the gun’s frame, just above the trigger guard. It takes 8 seconds to activate, and this is a major downside in a gunfight.

The Viridian light/laser combo functions well within the 15-yard range, the standard Texas Handgun Proficiency training range. But, it’s not fully visible in daylight.

What’s in the Box?

• Taurus Curve Pistol with Viridian Light and Laser /w adjustment tools
• Battery for the light and laser
• Two extra magazines
• Trigger lock key and allen wrench
• Trigger shield
• Internal lock
• One-year NRA subscription card
• Instructions manual

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Taurus Curve .380 ACP handgun.

Here are some reviews from paying customers so you can see what they have to say for the Taurus Curve.

If the Curve isn’t to your liking, here are some very interesting alternative self-defense handguns that fall into the compact CCW category.

Ruger LCR

[gm-product-table=https://www.gunmade.com/search/?keyword=736676054503]

The Ruger LCR is one of the most popular concealed carry revolvers you can find on the market today.

It’s a highly compact pistol that’s hammerless, so it’s snag-free. It shares similar ergonomics and functionality as the Taurus Curve, but it’s definitely way better for precision shooting. Additionally, you have loads of aftermarket customization options.

It’s budget-friendly, shoots steady, and the reliability is unmatched. There’s no wonder it’s a favorite among CCW handgun enthusiasts.

It’s also available in the .380 ACP if you’re willing to try this model out.

Walther P22 Semi-Automatic Handgun

[gm-product-table=https://www.gunmade.com/search/?keyword=walther%20p22]

Here’s the Walther P22, also chambered in the .22LR caliber.

If you need more capacity for plinking, the Walther P22 offers 10+1 rounds. The reason why I go for .22 alternatives is that they have a somewhat similar feel to the .380 when shooting, only slightly less powerful; a solid self-defense caliber either way.

The Walther boasts excellent ergonomics and it’s perfect for mid-sized hands. What’s best is that Walther offers a lifetime warranty on this model.

You can check out our full review of the Walther P22 and see for yourself why it’s a nice little self-defense option.

Sig Sauer P238 Pistol

[gm-product-table=https://www.gunmade.com/search/?keyword=798681617166]

Here’s another handgun that’s chambered in the .380 ACP. The Sig Sauer P238 is a 6-rounder, with a 2.7-inch barrel and weighs less than 16 ounces, while the Taurus Curve weighs 13 ounces.

It’s a lightweight option that’s similar to the Curve, but it’s much more powerful, but the recoil is also more noticeable. It’s an ideal concealed carry option that’s sought after by handgun enthusiasts that like their 1911-model handguns. It makes you feel like a sheriff.

The reason why it’s so popular is its impeccable accuracy around the 10-20 yard range, depending on your prowess, of course. The beavertail-style frame with fluted grips might be too grippy for some, but I believe it’s on point. The ergonomics and overall feel, as well as the windage-adjustable sights, make it a top choice.

To sum up, I personally wouldn’t want this as my main handgun for self-defense. It’s more of a backup gun (or BUG) when it comes to serious concealed carry purposes.

For a compact, low visibility, high comfort handgun, the Curve fulfills its purpose, but it definitely lacks reliability. It’s viable if you’re looking for a snag-free CCW that doesn’t print or jab your hips or ribs, and it works just fine within the 10-yard radius if you find yourself in hostile environments.

However, I definitely wouldn’t name the Taurus Curve as reliable because it’s prone to frequent malfunctions and stovepipe jams. Sure, the trigger breaks in after a couple of sessions, but the light/laser issues and long 8-second activation time as well as the cycling problems are definitely off-putting.

I gotta hand it to Taurus. This .380 caliber handgun was a brave attempt, and it’s commendable, to say the least. You’ll rarely find firearms manufacturers taking one for the team within the innovation field where a brand pushes limits and pioneers new aspects of weaponry.

As for the Taurus Curve, if they plan to work on the cycling reliability, fix the sighting alignment, improve the light and laser, and maybe smoothen out the trigger a bit more, the Taurus Curve could be a serious contender in the concealed carry field.

Until then, if you’re looking for a .380 self-defense handgun for concealed carry, I recommend the Sig Sauer P238.