Opinion: This wonderful article was first printed on AmmoLand Information in Might of 2023 and seems right here with contemporary updates.
Earlier than the Taurus GX4, I had by no means owned a Taurus pistol in my complete life.
For those who’re questioning why, it’s most likely not what you assume. Once I first acquired into taking pictures, the gunshops round me both didn’t carry Taurus or priced them at or above weapons from corporations with objectively higher monitor information for reliability. Now given this was almost 15 years in the past, and the Taurus of the mid-2000s was plagued with high quality management points.
I point out this to not scare off potential consumers however slightly to provide perspective on each the negativity surrounding older Taurus weapons on the web, in addition to the progress made below its new CEO – Bret Vorhees. Underneath Vorhees, Taurus has actually improved its picture by producing extra trendy firearms at reasonably priced costs and by doubling down on high quality assurance to make it possible for clients by no means have to reap the benefits of the lifetime guarantee behind the weapons.
Taurus GX4 Pistol in 9mm
Producer’s Specs
Model Taurus Arms
Mannequin: Taurus GX4
UPC 725327935391
Caliber 9MM LUGER (9X19 PARA)
Motion SEMI AUTO
Capability 11 ROUNDS
Barrel Size 3.06″ BARREL
Weight 1.1 LBS.
End BLACK POLYMER
What we like? The Taurus GX4 is a striker-fired, polymer-framed locked-breech semi-automatic handgun chambered in 9mm parabellum.
It feeds from metal, stagger-column 11-round flush-fitting magazines and contains two within the field. One fascinating side of the magazines’ design, is the acute angle of the tapered portion of the journal’s physique on the high. Presumably, this was accomplished to permit for a smaller slide with out compromising the GX4’s journal capability. Regardless of this comparatively steep angle, the follower by no means felt prefer it dragged, even when loaded to capability.
As talked about above, the Gx4 includes a polymer body to cut back general weight. The GX4 solely weighs 18.5oz unloaded. Moreover, the body and slide are each dehorned for simpler, cleaner attracts from concealment. In distinction, the body options chosen areas lined in a molded stippling texture to make sure shooters retain management of the pistol when it’s moist or oily.
The body additionally has a low-profile journal launch button and slide launch to forestall snagging on clothes or holsters. This additionally makes the gun slide right into a holster simpler.
Under this, the GX4 includes a flat-faced set off with a security blade within the middle not completely dissimilar to these discovered on a Glock.
Taurus GX4 Ergonomics
All controls on the Taurus GX4 are simple to achieve for shooters of all sizes, and in testing, even my 100-pound spouse, who wears a dimension small glove, can attain all the pieces with out having to shift her firing grip. That is partially because of the general compact dimension of the gun but in addition the channel on the high of the grip, which reduces the size of pull of the pistol.
The set off could be very competent however not gentle; in any case, it’s a hid carry gun that lacks a guide security. Utilizing a Lyman set off scale, 25 set off pulls averaged out to 7.3lbs. Some set off pulls measured as little as 6.4lbs, others as excessive at 8lbs. However this was resulting from set off finger placement and to not an inherent design flaw.
One other ergonomic concern for me on the GX4, which applies to all compact hid carry handguns, is the bore axis of the pistol. If the barrel is just too excessive above the grip, it provides mechanical benefit and leverage to the recoil impulse in opposition to the shooter’s grip. This, in flip, interprets to moreover felt recoil. Fortunately, the GX4’s bore axis is pretty low, which helps tame the typically snappy recoil of 9mm ammo when fired from a compact, light-weight handgun. That is nice as a result of regardless that the Taurus is roughly the dimensions of a .38 particular J-Body revolver, it has dramatically much less felt recoil and greater than double the capability (Plus quicker reloads.).
Reloads with the Taurus GX4 pistol had been additionally fairly fast. So whereas the gun lacks a beveled journal properly, the sharp angle of the journal our bodies helps funnel the magazines into the mag-well.
Accuracy
Though the GX4 solely has a 3.06-inch barrel, the pistol proved surprisingly correct – even with 115gr cheap FMJ. Whereas I didn’t have sufficient time to do a scientific, in-depth accuracy take a look at, the Taurus handgun by no means struggled to hit any targets on my vary. This even features a 12-inch metal gong at 60 yards. Nevertheless, the pistol’s considerably snappy recoil did make hammered pairs very troublesome past 10 yards on small targets.
That mentioned, man-sized targets (it’s a concealed-carry pistol, in any case) proved no problem even when firing the Taurus GX4 pistol as shortly as attainable at 10 yards. And I think the heavy break on the set off contributed extra to any difficulties I had shortly taking pictures than any mechanical limitation. Plus, the set off ought to enhance considerably after a number of hundred rounds of break-ins.
GX4 Reliability
As a consequence of my abridged time with the gun and the insane value of ammunition these days, I solely put 350 rounds of ammo by way of the GX4. 100 fifty of those rounds had been 115gr Winchester White Field FMJ.
Moreover, 100 rounds of 124gr FMJ from Aguila was test-fired by way of it, in addition to a mixture of 135gr +P Important Responsibility JHP from Hornady, 124gr HydraShok JHP from Federal, and some 147gr JHP from Browning ammunition. In all this testing, the gun by no means encountered any malfunctions in any respect. It was precisely as dependable as any high-quality hid carry pistol must be. General, the gun was totally reliable.
Underneath the GX4’s Hood
The Taurus GX4 makes use of a easy locking lug and a double, captured recoil spring for operation. Disassembly for cleansing is easy. A shooter merely removes the journal, then clears the motion of any cartridges earlier than turning a disassembly lever with both a flathead screwdriver or the rim of a 9mm cartridge. As soon as the lever is rotated 90 levels counter-clockwise, the slide have to be gently pressed ahead, after which the set off pulled to launch it from the body.
After that, to free the recoil spring from the slide meeting, simply push it in the direction of the muzzle to alleviate stress earlier than lifting the rear up and away. The barrel comes aside a lot in the identical method. Simply slide it ahead barely to unlock it from the slide, then elevate it vertically and backward away from the muzzle to take away it.
To reassemble, do the earlier steps in reverse, besides the takedown lever doesn’t should be rotated. It is going to rotate by itself as soon as the slide is re-installed on the body.
Is the Taurus GX4 Price It?
With a unusually particular MSRP of $450.00, the GX4 is in no way an costly handgun – particularly in comparison with its friends.
Reside Stock Worth Checker
However there are a number of choices I might have personally preferred to see included that had been absent on this authentic gun. For starters, I might have most well-liked a extra seen front-sight publish. Ideally, a tritium-filled one. Nevertheless, that might undoubtedly increase the MSRP considerably.
The opposite gripe I’ve with the gun is its lack of an prolonged journal or presumably an prolonged baseplate. With the inventory magazines put in, the gun remains to be very snug for me – although caveat emptor – I’ve smaller palms. So in the event you’re properly over six toes tall, the gun could also be small for you. Fortunately, it does embrace an enlarged backstrap to assist fill the palms of bigger shooters.
Taurus GX4 Verdict
Compact, easy-shooting, and that includes a really stable journal capability, the brand new Taurus GX4 is a wonderful handgun for hid carry. Some could scoff on the prospect of shopping for a handgun not made by one of many large protection corporations however relaxation assured, if my instance is any indication, the Taurus GX4 is a dependable performer and one which I wouldn’t really feel under-armed carrying.
Taurus GX4XL 9mm EDC Pistol Evaluate ~ VIDEO
About Jim Grant
Jim is without doubt one of the elite editors for AmmoLand.com, who along with his mastery of prose, can wield a digicam with professional finesse. He loves something and all the pieces weapons however holds firearms from the Chilly Struggle in a particular place in his coronary heart.
When he’s not reviewing weapons or taking pictures for enjoyable and competitors, Jim might be discovered mountain climbing and searching together with his spouse Kimberly, and their canine Peanut within the South Carolina low nation.
A number of the hyperlinks on this web page are affiliate hyperlinks, that means at no further price to you, Ammoland will earn a fee in the event you click on by way of and make a purchase order.
