In an effort to assist shooters with limited upper body strength and/or poor technique, Taurus now offers “wings” on the original TCP pistol. The TCP with Wings as it is being called is an intriguing idea, but one that may be flawed in its current form.
I had a chance to handle one on the SHOT Show floor, and I spoke with a company rep. Here is what I learned…
The new Taurus TCP with Wings functions the same as a regular TCP. However, Taurus added a pair of metal flaps attached to the rear of the slide by hinges. The wings are retractable so that they are not constantly sticking out.
According to Taurus, these wings are specifically designed “…for shooters who may require assistance chambering a round or locking back the slide.”
I spent some time handling a sample model at the Taurus booth. The wings do offer a flat point to help with retracting the slide. However, I found a few potential problems with the configuration.
Ease in Deployment
The wings are fairly difficult to deploy. There doesn’t seem to be an easy way to pull either of the wings out. Digging a fingernail behind the top of the flap works, but is a very fine motor skill that could not be done by anyone under pressure. In fact, the Taurus rep showing me the gun had difficulty in quickly pulling it out.
I am concerned that even if the flap never needed to be deployed in a stressful situation, someone with even minor hand trembles would have a very difficult time in getting the wings out.
Durability of the Wings
Quite frankly, the wings are thin and do not feel like they would handle regular use. Both the hinge and the thin metal are potential failure points.
I asked the Taurus rep about the durability of the wings. He replied that the guns had more than 1,000 rounds through them. However, he was a bit vague about how many times the TCP wings had been tested.
There was also no clear statement from the Taurus rep that the wings would be able to handle the forces associated with using them for a one-handed reload. While this maneuver would likely be uncommon, it is something I would hope it could accomplish – especially for a gun that could be used as a backup by law enforcement officers or others.
Finish
The finish on the hinges was pretty worn when I got to the gun on the first day of the SHOT Show. I don’t know how many times the gun had been handled prior to my arrival. However, I mention it as it might be important to some readers.
TCP with Wings Specifications
| Model # | black: 738BWGS, stainless: 738SWGS |
| Caliber | .380 ACP |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Barrel Length | 3.3″ |
| Overall Length | 5.25″ |
| Weight (unloaded) | 10.2 oz |
| Sights | fixed |
| MSRP | $265.15 |
Taurus is expecting to ship the new TCP pistols by the end of the Q2. A MSRP has not yet been set, though the rep stated it should be close to the existing TCP models.
It is possible that the gun will be changed prior to release. While the first Taurus rep I spoke with stated the gun would ship “as is,” the second rep said he would take my suggestions back to the design team. The second rep stated the gun was still under development, so we might see a beefed up version when it hits the shelves.
Update
In an apparent effort to create controversy, a person posted on his blog that these photos demonstrated poor gun handling safety on my part. Beyond that, this person made some unfortunate remarks about me as an individual.
I understand that my regular readers are adults who exercise good judgment when handling firearms and are capable of being able to rationally think. Therefore, I do not expect that I have to explain the context of each and every photo taken on the site because my readers are not stupid.
However, for the benefit of any new readers that have made their way here from this individual’s blog, let me put these photos into context:
- the gun shown does not have a firing pin in it
- the gun shown does not have any ammunition in it, nor was there any on my person or in the Taurus booth
- the gun was checked by me, NSSF staff and Taurus staff prior to these photos being taken
Gun safety rules are a good thing, but like most things they can be carried to the extreme and defeat common sense if applied with dogmatic zeal. The minute common sense is made to suffer for anyone’s “rule,” the rules should immediately be re-evaluated. History is rife with dogma trampling common sense at the detriment to all.
Should anyone have any questions about anything on this site, feel free to do what the unprofessional critic chose not to do – contact me.
2016 Version of the Taurus 738 TCP
Taurus returned to the drawing board and is trying again. At the 2016 SHOT Show, the company had a new version of the Taurus 738 TCP with Wings on display. The new version has larger wings and a scalloped area on the slide for easier wing deployment.
I’m still not convinced the gun could handle the rigors of wing use on any regular basis. However, at least the company recognized the original design was not optimal and is trying to improve it.
Update: April 3, 2022
19 replies on “Taurus TCP with Wings”
My wife has Rheumatoid Arthritis so I give Tarsus prop for thinking about those with limited hand strength but not a thumbs up for the design and execution. In truth, though the design might help here grasp the slide more effectively I doubt if it would help her rack the slide. A lager caliber “tip up barrel” model would seem like a better option for a semi auto if feasible, or like I have done, have a SA or DA model revolver with a light hammer and trigger pull.
This gun sounds intriguing to me. I have 2 Berettas, both with tip-up barrels: .32 Tomcat & 9 mm short, or .380 auto. I have very weak hands & arm strength, so that’s why I chose guns with tip-up barrels. All I need to do is push a button & the barrel comes up, ready for me to pop in a bullet & the gun is ready to go. This is, by far, the best design for someone with weak hands.
Kind of seems like a solution to a nonexistent problem…
Simple. Create a push button spring release That deployes the wings on the top of the slide. Press down with index finger, pull back wings.
Although it is a mostly pointless design for the average shooter it could be improved upon.
Yah, I think if there’s a shooter incapable of normally racking the slide, he/she should probably consider a tip-up design, or a revolver. Liam and Janice are both on the right track, IMO. And listen, nothing against someone without the dexterity to rack the slide, especially for women, or those with physical limitations (RA or neurogenic disorders); but I think it may result in a safety issue. Let’s say someone is trying with all of their might to rack the slide, and they unintentionally have their finger on the trigger…what happens if they get slide pull, have their finger on the trigger, and it just so happens to fire when the slide returns forward and the hammer is triggered! Hopefully, they have the firearm pointed in a safe direction!
As far as the wings, it sounds like they haven’t worked the kinks out in terms of performance…and I would also be hesitant to use them from a shooting perspective. You now have these two protrusions that could get caught on, or strike against something else. You ever see that video where someone holds a hot dog against the back of the slide while firing? It’s supposed to represent the idea of your finger(s) and/or hand in that position while firing. It rips the hot dog apart and sends it flying. Those wings just seem like a bad idea to me…