Sometimes, you need your carry gun to be small enough for deep concealment, and other times, you require a backup gun. Regardless of the reason, odds are good you’ve spent some time looking at smaller handguns. That’s where the Taurus GX4 comes in, as a viable option as a backup or (somewhat) deep concealment pistol. We put the GX4 through its paces, and here’s what we learned.
What is the Taurus GX4?
The Taurus GX4 is a micro-compact pistol designed for self-defense and concealed carry use. It’s not the only handgun in its line either; there’s also a GX4 Carry, GX4XL, and the GX4XL T.O.R.O., among others. The family of handguns has become popular for its affordable pricing and the fact that the guns tend to outperform their price point, which is nice to see.
As a micro-compact — which is basically another name for a subcompact — the GX4 fulfills a specific carry niche. It’s larger than some but smaller than compact and full-size handguns, making it ideal for deep concealment, concealed carry for smaller-framed individuals, or when wearing clothing not quite as compatible with concealed carry. Of course, not all micro-compacts are created the same, and some key features of the GX4 help it stand out in the market.
Taurus GX4 Specs
This gun is chambered in 9mm Luger. There was a time years ago when a gun this size would have been a .380 ACP, but those days are long gone. It has an 11+1 capacity with a flush-fit magazine. If you carry a spare magazine, it doesn’t take up that much space or create a lot of additional weight on your belt. It has a 3.06-inch barrel, which helps keep it small enough to conceal. Its overall length is 6.05 inches, its overall height is 4.04 inches, and its overall width is 1.08 inches. Empty, it weighs 18.5 ounces, and when it’s loaded, it’s still not excessively heavy.
The barrel of the gun has a 1:10 twist with six grooves. Stainless steel is used for the barrel, along with a satin black DLC (diamond-like carbon) for lubricity and resistance to wear. The frame is also stainless steel, while the slide is alloy steel. All the pistols currently in the GX4 line are black.
The controls are ridged or grooved to provide a solid gripping surface. The grip is aggressively textured in the recognizable Taurus handgun style and features a slight palm swell to fit more securely in the shooter’s hand. Angled serrations are located at the front and back of the slide to make racking the slide easier. As always, if you’re going to rack the slide by gripping the front rather than the back, take care to ensure you understand how to do so safely. Your hands and fingers should never cover or cross the muzzle.
Other features include a safety blade trigger, drift adjustable rear sight and fixed front sight, and magazine well cuts to make changing mags easier. The GX4 also has a takedown pin for fast disassembly, a reversible magazine release, and an RMP — a signature indexing and Recoil Management Pad. From the gun’s small profile to its features, it’s designed to give concealed carriers a good option for defensive use.
How does it shoot?
For this review, about half a dozen different loads were used, including Federal American Eagle 9mm 115-grain FMJ, Federal American Eagle Syntech 150-grain TSJ, Hornady Critical Defense 9mm 115-grain FTX, and Speer Gold Dot 9mm 135-grain HP. During the course of the review and use in general, the gun didn’t have any failures. So far, it’s cycled quite reliably.
As a micro-compact, the GX4 isn’t as precise a fit in my hands as larger guns, but that’s to be expected. For a pistol of this size, though, it fits pretty well. The palm swell helps it stay more securely in my hands, and the overall design facilitates a firm grip. The grip texturing is aggressive enough to help you keep your hold on the gun even with wet hands, and it’s not so aggressive as to be problematic. Yes, you can still use a thumbs-forward firing grip on the GX4. Some smaller guns work better with thumbs down, but the GX4 is just fine when you leave your thumbs forward.
Felt recoil and muzzle rise with the GX4 depends on the ammo you’re using. Because it’s smaller, it’s a bit snappier, but it’s not extreme. The factory trigger is sufficient and has a fairly short and tactile reset, making it easier to manage under rapid fire. On target, the gun is accurate but not precise — which is really to be expected with a micro-compact 9mm. At closer distances, groups are small with slower, steadier fire rates, and groups open quickly with rapid fire or extended distances. Of course, as a micro-compact, you’re not likely to be shooting this gun at longer distances, and it does just fine at what most consider standard self-defense distances.
This gun comes with a drift adjustable, blacked out, notched rear sight and a fixed white dot front sight. The sights are just fine right out of the box, but if you’re going to use the GX4 for carry, you might consider upgrading to aftermarket night sights. Because while the white dot sights work, you will find better options to draw the eye and facilitate rapid target acquisition. Also, remember that there’s an optics-ready version of the GX4, making it easy to drop a red dot sight on your gun.
Should you get a Taurus GX4?
If you want a smaller handgun for daily carry or need a backup gun, the Taurus GX4 is worth checking out. It’s proven reliable after cycling several hundred rounds without failures. And it’s fairly accurate. Shooting it might take some getting used to with its smaller size, but it’s not unmanageable by any means. For its purpose, it works well, and the fact that it can be concealed so easily is a huge plus.
The Taurus GX4 does outperform its price point, and that’s not something you can say about all guns. It’s a good option for someone looking to get into daily carry or handguns. Just keep in mind that the felt recoil and muzzle rise are greater than you’d feel in a larger handgun. Be prepared for a little extra practice to get used to it. Overall, the GX4 is a solid pistol that makes a great little carry gun.
