Today we're doing a first impressions on a very popular option in the concealed carry micro 9mm category in for review: the Taurus GX4. This particular GX4 is the TORO model, which means that it also has an optic ready slide. We'll take a look at its specs, call out some of its unique features, and then pick out a few things we like about it.
The first thing to notice here is that the GX4 comes in an actual plastic case, not the standard Taurus white and orange box. This is a nice touch for the price point, and the case itself seems pretty solidly made with good latches and hinges. Opening up the case, there's the owner's manual (which you should read), the trigger lock that nobody uses, an extra backstrap, a keychain that we'll talk more about in a few minutes, two magazines, and the GX4 itself.
The GX4 was introduced last year as their entry into the 9mm micro compact or concealed carry segment that the Sig P365 pioneered. The TORO (or Taurus Optics Ready Option) model was introduced shortly thereafter as an optics-ready version of the GX4. Its a polymer frame, striker fired pistol that feeds from a double-stack magazine. Its priced aggressively compared to other options in this category; MSRP for this TORO model is $468, but can be found for $350 and sometimes less. Non-TORO models can be had for even less than that. I got this one for $350 at Brownells.
The GX4 is a very small pistol. It measures 6 inches long by 4.4 inches tall, and it is right at an inch wide. Weight unloaded according to Taurus is 19 ounces. It has a 3.1 inch barrel with a 1 in 10 twist rate. Despite this small size, it can hold a total of 12 rounds with 11 in the flush fit magazine and one in the chamber. Capacity with the included extended magazine is 13 in the magazine and one in the chamber, or 14 total. Both of the included magazines are metal bodied and made by Mec-Gar, so those are good to go.
All of the controls on the GX4 are in keeping with it's concealed carry purpose. On the left side of the pistol, there is a slide lock lever and a triangular magazine release. The slide lock lever is low profile but sticks out just enough to get good purchase on it. The magazine release is also similarly low profile, and has some protection behind it to guard against accidentally dropping the magazine. It's also reversible to the other side of the weapon for the lefties out there. On the right side of the weapon the only control we have is a captured takedown pin that is flush mounted with the frame.
The texturing on the grip is pretty good in my opinion, with similar but slightly different patterns on the front strap and back strap. The front and back strap feel just a little more aggressive to me than the side panels. Speaking of the backstrap, it is interchangable, with 2 different sizes being included with the weapon. There are also textured sections on the frame up by the slide, where the shooter can rest their trigger finger or support thumb.
The trigger on the GX4 is this angled shoe with a safety blade in the middle. Without the blade depressed, the trigger can't be pulled back far enough to discharge the weapon. As far as pull weight is concerned, it comes out to an average of just over 6 pounds.
The slide on the GX4 is nitrided, which is a big step up from the matte parkerized finish that we saw on the G3 and 856 revolver previously. As mentioned before the slide on this TORO model is optic cut, with an RMSc footprint so it will accomodate a lot of popular carry optics. Taurus has a list of optics that will fit, but anything that has an RMSc footprint should fit the GX4. Taurus also includes a cover plate for those who don't want to run an optic, and its held in place with the included screws. The cover plate is metal and finished in that matte parkerized finish from the G3 and 856, so its obvious how much of a difference there is to the nitrided slide.
The sights are metal, with a blackout rear and white dot front. They're small but easy to pick up, and they're Glock-style sights so there are a lot of options for replacing them. There are some nice slide serrations front and rear for a good grip while running the slide. Finally at the rear of the chamber area is a witness hole that serves as a loaded chamber indicator; when there is a round in the chamber, the case is visible through that hole, so the user has visual confirmation that there is a round chambered.
Now for a few things I like so far about the GX4, and then a few things I didn't like. Good things I noticed were some of the main things are important in a handgun: a good texture to the grips and metal sights. I did want to call out specifically that the GX4 has a notably lighter or easier to rack slide than other weapons in this class, and that should appeal to more people when they handle the gun.
As far as bad things go, there's a few of those as well. First and foremost is that trigger pull weight. While it is a defensive pistol, a pull weight of 6 to 6.5lbs is a little high. It would be a much better trigger if it were down around 5 to 5.5lbs.There was also notable magazine wobble with the extended magazine that makes the pinky area unstable when gripping the weapon. Finally, the slide serrations are good but would be better if they extended higher up on the slide to this beveled area.
So that's it! The first impressions of the Taurus GX4. The plan from here is to put a bunch of rounds through it and then bring it back for a long term review. That's all I've got for you this time, so until next time: stay safe!