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All The FACTS You Want In One Place!

Robbie
January 20, 2023
15
min read

The Taurus GX4: A Comprehensive Look at Features and Performance

We've put a lot of rounds down range from the Taurus GX4 and GX4 TORO. And we've had the opportunity to let a lot of other people shoot them, too, and get their thoughts. So, this week, let's take a deep dive into the Taurus GX4 and GX4 TORO!

Product

Image
Product
Rating
The Taurus GX4
9 mm

Specifications

Caliber
9 mm
Capacity
10+1
Weight
18.70 Oz. (Unloaded)
Barrel Length
3.06 In
Total Length
6.05 In
Total Height
4.40 In

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Small, compact, and easy to carry
  • Wide and Flat trigger safety
  • Accurate shooting with and without red dot
  • Higher Capacity Magazine Available, comes with at least 2 -10 round mags
  • Great customer service
Cons
  • Heavier Recoil than other micro-compact pistols
  • Grip isn't long enough for my liking
  • Front sight actually came off the TORO version after a couple hundred rounds
  • Would like Hi-vis sights
  • Textured grip is too much for Adrian

Introduction

There may be some more specific, detail-oriented things we've left out, but based on all the shooting we've done, we're going to let you know what we think about it and how it performs.

The GX4 and the GX4 TORO are both striker-fired, single action, micro-compact 9mm's. The only difference between the two is that the TORO, which stands for Taurus Optics Ready Option, comes with an optics-ready slide.

Description

Taurus advertises the GX4 as versatile and reliable.

We've had at least 10 different people shoot these guns with at least five different kinds of ammo. After several hundred rounds through them, we've only had a couple of issues. The first was the shooter's fault, and the second was because of one particular ammo. But beyond that, we haven't had any miss-feeds or jamming issues. So we can say for us, both of these have been very reliable.

Is this the Ideal EDC gun as Taurus claims?

Shooting the GX4 TORO with a Sig Romeo Zero

It's definitely compact, thin, and weighs in at just over 18 ounces unloaded. With the extended magazine, you can put 13 rounds in there, making it a higher-capacity carry gun.

We've carried it in a 1791 Gunleather, inside the waistband holster, and it has been super comfortable. Adrian carried it around several people one day and nobody even knew she had it on her. Even sitting down and getting back up she said it never felt uncomfortable.

Another great part of this gun, specifically the TORO version, is the optics-ready function.

If you've watched any of our turkey TSS videos, you will know that we both absolutely love a red dot. Even Adrian's rifle scope, actually the one we reviewed, is also illuminated.

This gun is designed so it will easily accept several different red dots.

Every red dot out there won't fit, but it is compatible with Shield RMSc platform red dots. Taurus recommends the Holosun HS507K. We used a Sig Romeo Zero that was really easy to mount, fit great, and was definitely accurate.

Both the regular slide version of the GX4 and the TORO version were accurate for us from the beginning, but putting that red dot on there made it a lot easier to aim, and helped us with accuracy. According to Taurus, the slide is also meant to keep that low profile, so that even with the red dot this could easily be your everyday carry gun.

Front and Rear sights on the Taurus GX4

Now as far as the sights that come on the guns, the rear sights are plain black but there's a white dot in the front.

I think we would like it better if it was a hi-vis sight or night sights like on some of the other guns we've reviewed.

Keep in mind, though, these sights are interchangeable, so it wouldn't be difficult to get any number of aftermarket hi-vis sights  and switch them out.

You may be wondering how it feels to hold the Taurus GX4.

You're going to notice on all of our handgun review videos and articles that fit is an extremely subjective thing. Adrian does like the way the GX4 fits her hand. The curved back to the grip, seems to fit the shape of her hand better and feels more comfortable than flatter grips.

Interchangeable backstraps for the GX4

Taurus also gives you options on the backstraps to make it fit you even better.

On the other hand (literally), the GX4 seems almost too small for my hand. I am able to control the gun, but because the grip is so short, I don't feel like I ever have a really good grip on it.

We both would like it better if the grip was at least a quarter of an inch longer. The extra length of an extended magazine definitely helps, but, I also pinched my finger a few times when slamming the magazine in place.

In our testing there were different opinions.

Some people thought it was too small, some too big, and then a couple of people also felt the same thing that I did with my pinky.

Reaching the trigger, mag release, and slide release have not been a problem for either of us. Even with Adrian's smaller hands, she hasn't had any difficulty reaching them.

If you're considering a Taurus GX4, definitely go to a range and shoot it if you can. At a minimum, go hold one before you decide to buy one.

Buyer's Guide

FAQs

Should I Buy This Thing?

What are the final thoughts on the Taurus GX4 and GX4 TORO?

The GX4 MSRP is right at $393. The TORO is $469. Now, I shopped around a little bit, and I found them anywhere from like $330 to $375. So for the quality and the accuracy that you're going to get, you're going to have a really hard time finding a similar handgun within that price range.

If you're looking for a compact, easy to conceal 9mm that's going to give you reliability and durability at a really great cost, then you may want to check out the Taurus GX4. And if you want to put a red dot on it, make sure you check out the GX4 TORO.

If you own or have shot a Taurus GX4 or GX4 TORO, please email us or comment on the video and let us know your experience. If you have another EDC and consider it to be the best on the market, please comment or email us so we can check it out!

Written by
Robbie

Robbie has enjoyed the outdoors since he can remember. His earliest memories include hours upon hours of squirrel hunting and learning how to enjoy all aspects of hunting season in God's wonderful outdoors. Now he is always working hard and testing gear in the field to give you the best review and most thorough information he possibly can.