Taurus is looking to take on the big boys with its new micro pistol, which is designed to deliver maximum concealment without sacrificing capacity or ergonomics – the GX4.
Getting the specs out of the way, the 11+1 shot 9mm is the size of popular .380 "pocket guns," using a 3.06-inch barrel to tape out to a maximum 6.05-inch overall length. The gun is slender, at just over an inch wide, and it is 4.4 inches high at its tallest. The unloaded weight is 18.6 ounces. Fully loaded with 12 rounds of 147-grain JHPs, we found our test gun to hit the scales at 23.9 ounces.
Compared to other recently introduced micro 9s, such as the Ruger MAX-9, Sig Sauer P365, Smith & Wesson Shield Plus, and Springfield Armory Hellcat, the GX4 is a dead ringer as far as size goes. Plus, its flush-fit mags hold one extra round over the Sig or S&W's comparable magazine while being on par with the Springer and one less than the Ruger.
Stacked up to Taurus's already popular G3C model, which boasts a 12+1 capacity, the GX4 is noticeably shorter and lighter. (All photos: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
The same can be said when contrasted against one of the longtime kings of the 9mm CCW market, the Glock 43.
Unlike the other four micro 9s on the market, the GX4 currently is not offered in an optics-ready format, although it should be noted that Taurus recently added the TORO series to its legacy G3 line, so the possibility that a GX4 with a red dot cut in the future shouldn't be ruled out.
Also, unlike the other Micros out there, the GX4 has a $392 asking price, which smokes the competition. The closest thing to that price point up to now is the Ruger MAX-9 with an MSRP of $499, with the other pistols running north of there, especially on the more tricked-out models.
The Taurus GX4 is built on an internal stainless frame with a polymer grip and attention was paid to have a flush, no-snag profile.
Taurus uses an aggressive stippling pattern along the front of the grip, the side panels, the full length of the backstrap, as well as forward of the trigger at the index pad locations.
Installed is the standard backstrap, while a high-swell backstrap is included for those looking for a higher wrist position on the grip. Note the take-down pin system, rather than a lever, as well as the front and rear slide serrations.
The Taurus GX4 comes from the factory with two flush 11-round steel-bodied magazines.
Made by Mec-Gar in Italy, they have witness holes in the rear, an yellow follower, and a floor plate that is flush with the bottom of the pistol's grip. Taurus offers an optional 11-rounder with a finger extension for those who want a longer grip as well as a 13-round extended magazine with a grip sleeve.
Rather than plastic, which is often seen on many pistols marketed for carry use, the GX4 has steel sights with a white front post and a drift-adjustable dovetailed blacked-out square-notch rear sight that has serrations across the back to minimize glare. They use a common aftermarket pattern for easy replacement to tritium or fiber-optic sights.
To combat the environment, the GX4 has a stainless-steel barrel with a satin black DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) treatment while a gas nitride coating maximizes slide surface hardness. Meanwhile, operational control parts have a Teflon coating and the steel slide stop has polymer overmolding. Metal internal parts are nickel-plated.
The GX4 ships in a lockable clamshell box with two 11-round mags, the high-swell backstrap, literature, and a gun lock.
So far we have 100 rounds through it with no problems, and found the trigger to break at a flat 90-degrees with very little take-up and a 6-pound pull on average, so stay tuned for a full review in the coming days. Shown here with a DeSantis Inside Heat IWB holster that fits it like a glove.
