Other than the one instance/site that I had the issue with, that started this thread I haven't had any real issues with TCP client connections. Things have been very stable on 3 and 4-series...
Note: By default, I start my TCP connections programmatically (i.e. with signal triggers not a '1') after the main program is fully started. This may contribute to more stability, though I do it only for my own feeling of wanting to stage things in an orderly manor, not because I actually found it to be required (though it may actually be...)