November 18, 2014
By G&A Staff
Taurus Curve conforms around the contours of the human body.
In terms of its concept as "The gun you wear," Taurus has stepped outside the norm with its new Curve, offering a non-traditional form factor that aims for comfortable and clever concealment. In the spirit of its name, its curved polymer frame housing is designed to tuck up to your body when carried on the right side. Taurus has even received approval from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on this arched-frame design, so if other manufacturers wish to adopt a similar concept, they'll need to pay Taurus for the privileges.
Read our full review of the Taurus Curve in the Jan. 2015 issue of Guns & Ammo. Subscribe here to print, digital or both.
This .380 ACP pistol is also heavily radiused at every corner, producing a carry gun that prints discreetly in your pocket or waistline like a smartphone. That's right, no holster needed. A removable belt clip is also bolted to the right side of the frame, allowing the pistol to be worn in your waistline for clever concealment with an included triggerguard protector.
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The omission of an external safety, a slide release lever and iron sights also results in snag-free carry. Aiming the hammer-fired, double-action only (DAO) pistol can happen one of three ways. Some will want to simply point-shoot this pistol at close-range targets. Others will use the crosshairs etched on the rear of the slide. However, G&A anticipates that most will activate the on-board red laser and LED light module produced for the Curve by LaserLyte . Why no iron sights on the slide, you might ask? One theory is that self-defense with a .380 fired from a sub 3-inch barrel resembles more of a point-and-shoot task than a bullseye competition. With a bit of practice, getting hits on torso targets positioned across an average-sized room (15 ft.) was no problem during G&A's initial testing this summer.
Getting a grip of the slide is achieved by grabbing hold of the Curve's external snakeskin-like cocking serrations. Users will also find it easy to manipulate the slide. Because the Taurus Curve is a locked-breech pistol and not a blowback design, it is easy for almost anyone to manipulate including those with dexterity or strength issues. The necessary recoil spring weight of locked-breech pistols is generally far lighter than that of a blowback firearm.
Taurus lists that safety features of the Curve include a loaded chamber indicator atop the slide and a magazine disconnect safety.
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The Taurus Curve is expected to appear in stores during the first quarter of 2015 with an MSRP of $392. To learn more about the Curve, read our full review in the January 2015 issue of Guns & Ammo , available on newsstands December 2, 2014.
Until then, please enjoy G&A's exclusive first-look photos of the Taurus Curve.
Lack of an external safety lever or slide release lever allow for a more concealable form factor that won't snag on clothing.
Pictured here with the bolt-on belt clip removed from the right side of the frame.
An integrated LaserLyte red laser module also includes a pair of LED lights, a great combination for close-range personal-defense guns.
Rear grip texturing on the frame allows for a solid purchase on the grip.
Why no sights, you might ask? One theory is that getting on target at typical self-defense distances with .380 ACP loads from a 2.75-inch barrel resembles more of a point-and-shoot task than a bullseye competition. With a bit of practice, getting hits on torso target at distances across an average-sized room was no problem in G&A's initial testing.
Getting a solid grip on the slide is possible with external snakeskin cocking serrations.
Rounded edges and lack of iron sights results in snag-free carry.
Slide radiusing has resulted in the muzzle being slanted like the brake on an AK, and perhaps benefits from the same recoil-reduction properties.
Users will also find it easy to manipulate the slide, because the Taurus Curve is a locked-breech pistol, not a blowback. This makes it easy for almost anyone to manipulate, because the necessary recoil spring weight of locked-breech pistols is generally far lighter than that of blowback guns.
While the 6-round magazine seats seamlessly into the Curved frame, the magazine has a traditional straight-constructed body.
The Curve is easily field stripped for cleaning and maintenance.
The Curve is easily field stripped for cleaning and maintenance.
The frame housing resembles that of a typical polymer pistol, sans the integrated laser module.
The Curve is easily field stripped for cleaning and maintenance.
Simply remove the LaserLyte module for battery replacement and maintenance.
Carry or wear the Taurus curve with the included Kydex holster that covers the trigger, in conjunction with an attached 550 cord.
Rather than develop another pistol that requires people to conform their style of carry around the dimensions of a gun, the new Taurus Curve was constructed around the contours of the human body. The result is a sidearm that prints more like a cell phone than a handgun.
In the spirit of its name, the Taurus Curve's polymer frame housing is actually curved to tuck into your body when carried on the right side. Taurus has even received approval from the U.S. Patent office on this arched design, so if other manufacturers wish to adopt a similar design, they'll have to pay Taurus for the privileges.
Estimated availability of the Taurus Curve is during the first quarter of 2015 at an MSRP of $392.
Read our full review of the Taurus Curve in the Jan. 2015 issue of Guns & Ammo.
Subscribe here for print, digital or both.
Add the bolt-on belt clip and easily wear the Taurus Curve on your waistline.
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