Check out Johnny B’s full review of the Taurus GX4.
How does Taurus’s new and improved CCW semi-auto 9mm that holds 11+1 rounds stack up?
Glad you asked.
Today we’re going to dive into the new Taurus GX4. We’ll look at some specs and features, as always, and let you know how it handled on the range.
Ultimately, I’ll help you decide whether you want to add the GX4 to your concealed carry lineup.
Table of Contents
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Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Taurus GX4 Specs & Features
- Capacity: 11 rounds
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Action: Single Action
- Firing System: Striker
- Frame: Micro-compact
- Barrel Length: 3.06 in.
- Overall Length: 5.8 in. w/ Small Backstrap; 6.05 in. w/ Large Backstrap
- Height: 4.4 in.
- Width: 1.08 in.
- Weight: 18.5 oz
- Frame Material: Stainless Steel
- Safety: Striker Block, Trigger Safety
- MSRP: $392.42
And how about features?
- Flat, serrated trigger
- Indexing and recoil management pad
- Reversible mag release
- Take down pin for disassembly
- Polymer grip
- Includes 2 mags
Source: Taurus
Background
Taurus hasn’t always been synonymous with reliability and high performance, but the company has worked over the years to rectify that by bringing affordable pistols to the masses.
And now, Taurus waded into that pool further, releasing the teeny tiny GX4.
Look around the compact pistol market, and you’ll find a ton of models claiming to be small enough for concealed carry.
Straight up, the GX4 comes in as an ultra-compact, super concealable carry gun. Oh, and did I mention it’s affordable?
Measuring 5.8-inches with the small backstrap (and 6.05-inches with the large), the striker-fired GX4 stands 4.4-inches tall. Weight-wise you’re looking at about 18.5-ounces.
Width is really where this pistol shines, though. Measuring only 1.08-inches, it packs 11 rounds!
Not bad for a slim and trim model.
Barrel sits at 3.06-inches in total length. The gun is built on a stainless steel frame and sports a polymer grip.
It offers up standard white dot sights. Nothing fancy here, but that’s okay, especially for a budget gun.
I like the fact that you also get a loaded chamber indicator. May not seem like a huge deal, but it’s nice not to have to press check every time you pick it up.
Just peek into the window and you know whether you’ve got a round ready or not.
It ships with a pair of magazines and two backstraps (small and large), all in a nice plastic box. I think this is a definite improvement over Taurus’ old habit of sending its guns out in cardboard boxes.
This case you can actually use to tote the GX4 to and from the range.
Rounding out the features, it’s the lifetime warranty. Yep, that certainly doesn’t hurt.
Taurus GX4 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Textured grip (feels like Sig grips)
- Magazines are made by Mec-Gar in Italy (they are the best!)
- Size is great for a 11-round pistol. An inch wide is awesome.
Cons
- Grip comes a bit short in length. Wish they offered a pinkie extender mag.
- For bigger handed folks, you will need to adjust your grip because this gun is small.
The Bottom Line
Overall, it's a winner. Good carry gun option.
Who Is It For?
Swinging for the fences at $392 MSRP, the 9mm Taurus is designed specifically for those that want to concealed carry but also don’t need a tricked-out Gucci Glock to do it.
Fit and Feel
Ergonomically, it’s okay.
It feels good in the hand, but its diminutive size is both a good and bad thing. More on that in a minute, though.
The grip comes outfitted with some texturing, which allows for a good grasp. It’s always nice when manufacturers add a little extra texturing, especially on snappy micro-compacts.
As far as controls are concerned, everything is more or less where you expect it – all within reach and easy to manipulate.
The magazine release might be a tad too shallow for my liking, but it’s billed as a carry gun, and carry guns typically carry smaller controls.
The slide features serrations that look nice and make slide manipulations easy.
Now, as far as aesthetics…she ain’t winning any beauty contests. The finish is nice and all, but she’s not a looker.
Not that you necessarily need your gun to be as pretty as you, though.
How Does It Shoot?
I headed to the range to put this tiny pistol to the test. Alongside it, I carted out some Russian steel-cased ammo.
Yep, it’s cheap, but the plus side is I didn’t have to hold back. I was able to get a boatload of rounds on target.
So, how did the GX4 perform?
Not bad. It shoots and feels way less snappy than I anticipated.
The trigger felt…alright. It offers a shallow reset, and it felt okay. Nothing spectacular or noteworthy, but it gets the job done.
Accuracy wise it did just fine for a small gun. I hit center mass on a target set up at 7-yards right out of the box.
I was pretty pleased with that estimated 2″ group. It’ll do in a pinch.
After several hundred rounds in, I had zero issues with the gun.
The GX4 feeds and loads just fine and even locks back on empty. (It’s the small things…)
And if it ran this good with steel, I suspect it will do even better when brass ammo makes a comeback.
What Sets It Apart?
The micro 9mm category has some stiff competition with almost every major player having a horse in the race.
However the Taurus GX4 has its price price of a $392 MSRP and more representative street price of low $300s that beats its competitors. For example the Sig P365 has a street price of $499.
Taurus GX4 Gun Deals
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Taurus GX4 - By the Numbers
Accuracy
4/5
You’re not gonna win any sniper medals, but for getting shots on center mass in a defensive situation, you’re good to go.
Reliability
5/5
Two words: it RUNS.
Customization
2/5
Not much to see here, folks…move along.
Ergonomics
4/5
For what it is, it’s not bad at all. Grip feels good. Slide is easy to get ahold of. Not bad.
Value
5/5
I appreciate what Taurus does. They get reliable carry guns to people at a crazy affordable price. An 11+1 capacity at this price? Solid, solid value.
Overall
5/5
OK so we wish it had night sights and maybe an extended magazine, but at this point we’re just finding something to complain about. The new GX4 is cool with us.
Since the GX4 is begging to be concealed carried…our favorite CCW holster is Hidden Hybrid Holsters.
It’s what we use for our regular concealed micro 9s. Check out our full review of the holsters.
Remember our complaint about extended mags? There’s now 13+1 mags that grant your pinkie a resting place.
Upgrades & Accessories for Taurus GX4
Final Verdict
The Taurus GX4 hits the sweet spot bringing an inexpensive, super concealable 9mm pistol that runs.
Overall, I had a great time with the new GX4. I think Taurus scored another hit with the GX4.
In my opinion, it’s a winner. If you pick one up, I think you’ll be happy with it.
Again, to see the GX4 in action, check out my video review below.
And some important manuals and links:
What do you think of the Taurus GX4? Let us know in the comments or leave a review below. Ready for more Taurus pistols? Check out our reviews on the G2C and G3C. Or see more concealable pistols in our Best Concealed Carry Pistols Guide.
Rating score
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Love mine with lakeline ported barrel and advantage tactical pyramid sights for 1-handed operation & faster sight acquisition
I just bought one today. Seriously. I will always call it my "St Patty". I love my GX4!!!
A pinkey extension is available from Taurus. It makes the gun feel much better!
"...she's not a looker." Huh? Compared to what? Seems like it might have been fair to compare aesthetics to the almost identical Sig 365 and Springfield Hellcat. Honestly, I also think it's better looking than the ugly Shield plus (it's probably just me, but the M&P pistols are not attractive at all) and the super ugly Ruger Max 9. What's great about this firearm is that in the post-pandemic, things are getting back to normal again, 9mm target ammo is .20 a round, world I can see these being on sale + a rebate for less than $319.
Bought a Taurus 845 .45 auto years back. It was the worst, inaccurate lemon I ever bought. Their revolvers are OK, but no more Taurus semi autos for me, thanks.
Bought a PT709 Slim with terrible accuracy too. I don't want anymore Taurus pistols.
I've got their TX 22 and it's both super accurate and reliable. It shoots far more reliably than my Ruger Mk iii 22/45 "target" model. I'm sure that Taurus sources some parts of their newer poly semi-autos from Brazil, but I think these are at least assembled in the states. For those who ain't got the dough they're an alright option.
What's funny is I've seen comments about Taurus pistols almost the opposite of yours claiming their semi-autos to be reliable but their wheel guns to be garbage.
Also, Kias and Hyundais were once terrible cars and now they give Honda and Toyota stiff competition as far as driving experience (better than Toyota) and reliability. Companies change as they make inroads into the marketplace.
I wouldn't choose to buy a Taurus knock off of a proven pistol format like the 1911 or the Beretta 92 to save even a couple hundred bucks, but a cheap reliable plastic fantastic....sure.
I got the emails a week ago and saw the intro yesterday, the launch. I have the G3C, which I love, the TX22, which I love even more.
I expect this would run as good as my G3C.
Taurus does have accessories for this already. An extended 13 rounder is already on the site in stock ready for purchase.
They also have about 5 holsters, a laser, and more.
It uses Glock 19 size sites, just like the G3 series.
This would be my go to if I were in the market, and may still pick one up at some point. This looks real nice.
Handgunhero also has it if you want to see size comparisons.
Thanks for the review Johnny!
Actually it uses Glock 42 sights!
Say you want to be dog without saying
Up the Irons!! Somewhere down the line....