Selected Handgun Detail

Manufacturer
	Forjas Taurus SA More Info

About the Gun

The PT-38S is a medium-framed, hammer-fired double-action/single-action semi-automatic pistol that pairs an aluminum alloy frame with a stainless steel slide. It was offered in blued or stainless finishes, with checkered rubber grips on standard examples and smooth mother-of-pearl grips on the premium stainless-and-gold configuration. The design includes fixed three-dot sights and an under-barrel accessory rail on many units. Operation follows a conventional DA/SA sequence with a manual safety, allowing a longer first-shot trigger pull followed by shorter single-action pulls for follow-ups.

Production

Production ran from the early 2000s through the mid-2010s.

Market value

MSRP at production was around $650. Current used market value for examples in good to very good condition ranges $350–$550.

Cartridge Specifications
Cartridge:	.38 Super Automatic
Alias:	.38 Super Auto Colt
More Info

Analysis

Taurus developed the PT-38S by adapting the existing PT-945 alloy-frame platform, originally engineered for the .45 ACP, to the .38 Super cartridge. This approach enabled efficient production of a higher-velocity option that appealed to competition shooters and enthusiasts seeking flatter trajectory and greater energy than contemporary 9mm loads without the expense of an entirely new frame design. The DA/SA trigger system provided operational flexibility suited to both range and defensive use during a period when many shooters still preferred hammer-fired pistols with manual safeties. The stainless-and-gold models with mother-of-pearl grips were produced in smaller quantities as visually distinctive variants, reflecting Taurus’s occasional practice of offering upgraded finishes to broaden market appeal. Overall production remained limited compared with Taurus’s more common 9mm and .45 models, and the line was discontinued in the mid-2010s as the company shifted focus toward striker-fired designs and changing U.S. caliber preferences.