By: J. B. Wood | Contributing Editor
The Taurus 380 UL revolver is a compact five-shooter that uses .380 ACP ammunition.
I was about to say that the Taurus 380 UL was the only revolver ever chambered for the .380 Auto cartridge.
Then I remembered, Cimarron imports has one made by Uberti, a nice reproduction of the Colt 1862 Pocket Navy conversion. Beautifully done, but it’s of interest mainly to gun-people who like the old stuff.
In contrast, the 380 UL has serious consideration as a self-defense piece. Its five-shot cylinder holds the rim-less .380 rounds in a “steller” clip (I like the Taurus term better than “Full-moon” — it does look like a star). And, with this arrangement, you have, in effect, a speed-loader.
2a. (a and b) Rimless .380 ACP cartridges are loaded into the cylinder with a stellar clip that fits well and serves essentially as a speed loader.
In the model-name, Taurus omits the decimal point from “380,” and the “UL” says it’s a member of their “Ultra-Light” series. With its high-tech alloy frame and fine steel where it matters, it definitely fits. The unloaded weight is only 16 ounces.
The .380 ACP cartridge is a lot smaller than the usual revolver round, and the 380 UL has been downsized accordingly. Length over-all is 5.95 inches, height 4.4 inches, and the width is 1.4 inches. Barrel length is 1.75 inches. From these numbers, you can see that it’s perfect for deep concealment.
2b. (a and b) Rimless .380 ACP cartridges are loaded into the cylinder with a stellar clip that fits well and serves essentially as a speed loader.
What about that little cartridge? Well, the ordinary full-jacket stuff you’ll use for practice does not have impressive ballistics. Ah, but now there are impressive high-performance loads that approach full 9mm figures. Think Black Hills, Super Vel, Hornady, and so on. And, they’ll do the job without vicious felt-recoil. For some, this is an important factor.
Speaking of which, the 380 UL has a nice one-piece rubber wrap-around grip. There’s even a place at the bottom for the small finger. Sights are also good, square picture, the front ramped and serrated. The low-profile rear even laterally screws adjustable.
Taurus designed this little wheelgun with a bobbed hammer that is nicely recessed into the frame.
The firing system of the 380 UL is Double-Action-Only. Thus, there is no hammer spur to impede getting it out of pocket or holster. Taurus takes this even further, gracefully recessing the entire back of the hammer into the frame. At the lower rear of the hammer is a key-lock safety device.
The trigger is smooth-faced and wide, with a silky pull that seems lighter than its measured (11 or 12 pounds). As always, fine internal fitting makes the pull quick and easy. Good ergonomics help, too. That nice rubber grip positions the hand exactly right for straight movement of the trigger finger.
The molded rubber grip is textured for a solid hold and there’s even a recess for the small finger.
Trying out the 380 UL at the range was done with a two-hand hold, standing, at 15 and 7 yards. At the farther distance, I was able to get several five-inch groups, well-centered. At 7 yards, most groups were around 4 inches, with one nice little 3-incher. Felt-recoil was very mild.
In addition to the version shown here, there’s also one in matte black. The MSRP for the “silver” one is $513.79, oddly precise. I can imagine a company financial official laboriously converting Brazilian Reals and Centavos into Dollars and Cents. Anyway, we all know that out in the free-market, you can find stuff at less than MSRP.
Trigger on the 380 UL is wide and smooth for a good single-motion trigger stroke.
I’m an auto-pistol person, but for some people, a revolver is a better choice. No slide to retract, no little switches to fool with; just grab it and shoot.
Here’s the contact data:
Taurus International Firearms
16175 NW 49th Avenue
Miami, FL 33014
800-327-3776.
