Taurus has a new entry in the polymer-frame striker-fired micro compact 9mm handgun space, the GX2, and we have an early look.
As a quick view to get us to where we are today, Taurus has been breaking ground in the tiny double-stack 9mm neighborhood since 2013 when the 12+1 shot capacity G2C hit the market – a pistol that is still one of the best firearms deals for consumers. Then came the updated 13+1 shot G3C in 2020 and the gently smaller 11+1 shot GX4 in 2021.
While customers bought tons of GX4s and left overwhelmingly positive reviews, I liked it so much that I carried it as my EDC for more than 18 months in extended evaluation. About the only thing I didn't like about the GX4 was the fact the takedown lever required a tool, such as a flat-head screwdriver or a spent case, to turn and release the slide to field strip.
Well, Taurus has fixed that with the GX2 by adding a takedown lever while upping it to a flush-fit 13+1 capacity and only growing the size incrementally. The end goal seems to be to replace the decade-old G2 series with the new and improved GX2.
Taurus sent Guns.com a new GX2 for review purposes.
The Taurus GX2 is a striker-fired (DAO) polymer-framed micro-compact 9mm pistol with a 3.38-inch barrel that gives it an overall length of 6.19 inches. The width is 1.18 inches and the height is 4.89 inches. (All photos: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
Weight, empty, is 19 ounces, while we found it to hit the scales at 27.4 ounces when stuffed with 14 rounds of Federal HST 147 grain JHPs. It ships with two flush-fit 13-round mags while both state-compliant 10+1 mags and extended 15+1s (the same size used to fit flush with the GX4 Carry) are available for $34 a pop.
The new Taurus GX2 compared to the more classic G3C. Both have a 13+1 magazine (which is not cross-compatible). For the record, the G3C is about 3 ounces heavier and a fraction of an inch larger in length, height, and width.
The new Taurus GX2 compared to the GX4. Of note, the GX4 has an extended 13-round magazine inserted to have a more apple-to-apples comparable capacity. The GX4 is the opposite of the G3C shown earlier, being a fraction of an inch smaller than the GX2 in length, height, and width. The GX2 also has a simpler grip, losing the interchangeable backstrap feature of the GX4.
The overview from Taurus as to where the GX2 fits dimensionally in the GX4 line: in between the GX4xl and the GX4 Carry.
A substantial improvement on the GX2 over the GX4 is the toolless rotating takedown lever. I can't stress how much I hated the key-style takedown process on the GX4.
The trigger is flatter than those previously used by Taurus on the G2/G3 series and runs the GX4 pack. It breaks at 90 degrees with little take-up and a roughly 6-pound pull on average. For a factory trigger, it feels good. Note the trigger safety.
Besides the bladed trigger safety, the GX2 has an internal striker block safety as well as a frame-mounted manual safety lever. The internals include a stainless-steel chassis.
The GX2 uses easily replaceable steel Glock-pattern sights and ships with a front white dot and drift-adjustable serrated rear. It is not offered in an optics-ready model at launch, but it’s always possible that Taurus will release a TORO version with that capability down the road.
You have front and rear cocking serrations as well as ergonomics that are much better than on the G2 and G3 series, using the more HK VP9-ish grip that is common to the GX4 line. Note the memory pads that, along with the high cut on the backstrap and undercut on the trigger guard, aid with positive control.
Unlike the one-slot accessory rail on the G2C/G3C, the new GX2 has a MIL-STD-1913 rail, opening it up to a bigger group of lights and accessories. For reference, the standard GX4 doesn't have a rail.
We found it to fit several holsters that are already on the market, such as this Galco Summer Comfort IWB for the Glock 29/30. You can imagine that holster makers are burning the midnight oil right now to release official fits in assorted flavors.
The best thing about the GX2 is that the MSRP is set at just $309 for the black version shown above, while a variant with a stainless-steel slide is $15 more. Compare that to the stock GX4, which has an MSRP of $393. It should be stressed that is the suggested price, one that you can bet will be a bit lower at retailers.
Stay tuned as we wring this one out and have a full review after completing several range sessions.
The new Taurus GX2 carries a limited lifetime warranty.
