Taurus M380 Ultralite 380 ACP DAO Revolver (Cosmetic Blemishes)

Accuracy

While the 380 isn’t the most accurate revolver out there, it’s perfectly adequate for self-defense and yields surprisingly tight groups despite its incredibly short barrel length. From a defensive range of 10 yards, my average 5-shot group was just under 3.5”. It’s decently accurate up to 15 yards, and I was even able to keep most shots within a target from 25 yards! It’s not an ideal level of accuracy for target shooting, but for self-defense? It’s more than acceptable.

Reliability

The 380 is a generally reliable revolver. I had no problems using the half moon clips, or “Stellar clips”, as Taurus calls them, even with cheap ammo. I’d recommend always firing with the included clips, as I did have some issues with rounds sticking without them. Overall, however, it’s a very reliable revolver.

Handling

The frame is made from aluminum-alloy, while the barrel and cylinder are made from steel. It’s built to last and manufactured with high-quality craftsmanship. It’s available in a wide range of colors and finishes, including both gloss and matte blue, matte gold, and traditional light and dark gray. Since aluminum-alloy is a softer material, it is prone to a bit of scuffing. While this only affects the aesthetics of the gun, it’s still something to keep in mind.

The grip on the 380 is excellent. It’s made of soft rubber, and very easy to hold. Since the 380 itself is so small, the grip is also on the smaller side. However, it’s still very comfortable and grippable. Even though this revolver is double-action-only, it’s still very controllable and points naturally.

It comes standard with two low-profile, snag-free sights. The front is fixed, while the rear is adjustable for windage. The rear sight is built within a groove on the upper surface of the frame and lines up with the front sight to give you a better aim. It also features a bobbed hammer that rests flush with the frame, meaning there are no hammer spurs that can catch on your clothing.

Trigger

The trigger is okay. It’s pretty heavy, but not too bad for a double-action revolver. Weighing in around 14 lbs, it’s heavier than most double-actions, even the Colt King Cobra. Even though it’s heavy, the pull is still smooth. Faster pulls offer better consistency than slow pulls, but for self-defense, you probably wouldn’t want to do a slow pull anyway!

The 380 has a couple of different innovative safety mechanisms built-in. In addition to the transfer bar safety, it also features the Taurus Security System, or TSS. The TSS features a lock and mini key that makes the gun inoperable when locked and not in use. This, along with a special plate that only pulls the hammer when the trigger is fully depressed, increases safety by lessening the chances of an accidental discharge.