Meet Taurus’ (almost) Nuclear Family

That spicy handgun manufacturer from Georgia has rolled out several innovative pistols in the G-Series lineup in the last couple of years. High time we had a family get-together.

by Rob Reaser

It’s a centuries-old metaphor that we “stand on the shoulders of giants.” In other words, the benefits we enjoy today largely fall on the works set forth by preceding generations. The semi-auto pistols and AR-platform rifles we employ and modify, for example, build on the engineering and design prowess of history’s greats like John Browning, Eugene Stoner, and Gaston Glock.

The same can be said for the firearms themselves, and pretty much every other technology the modern world offers. Among long-lived gun companies, successful models begat new models with fresh interpretations as new materials and manufacturing techniques come available. A perfect example of this can be found in the latest G-Series polymer 9mm semi-autos from Taurus.

The G-Series pistols, each representing all-new models for their respective class sizes (full-size, compact, and micro-compact), owe a deep debt to the breakout success of the Taurus PT111 Millennium G2 introduced in 2013.

Much to the delight of the contemporary gun press, the polymer-frame Millennium G2 9mm proved to be an exceptionally reliable, notably accurate, and highly ergonomic handgun ideally suited for concealed carry and backup duty. The biggest surprise to gun writers and consumers alike was the price, as the Millennium G2 cost nearly half that of competing compact semi-autos from the top-name manufacturers. The market understandably responded to the Millennium G2’s tremendous performance-to-price ratio and firmly established Taurus as a leading name in the growing EDC/CCW handgun segment.

One of the standout features of the Millennium G2 (and the follow-up G2c released in 2018) was the frame design. The grip contours, prominent palm swell, and downright sticky stippling along the grip made this one of the most comfortable, ergonomically designed handguns on the market. The overall profile was such that shooters with small hands to large hands held a confident, easily managed grip that translated directly to controlled handling, improved accuracy, and quick target reacquisition.

Taurus G3

The upshot of the Millennium G2/G2c’s heralded design and performance fulfilled consumer demand for a full-size version of the same. Taurus responded in 2019 with the all-new G3 9mm—a totally re-engineered handgun that retains the fundamental DNA of the G2c but in a larger package. You can go here to read our evaluation of the G3. The only running change since the pistol’s introduction was the swap to a serrated steel rear sight. This new dovetail arrangement allows users to easily add a night sight to their G3 using commonly available aftermarket systems.

Although bigger dimensionally, the G3 has a slimmer feel than many of the full-size polymer pistols on the market and most certainly delivers one of the most comfortable grips out there. A deep-concealment handgun it is not, but if you favor larger pistols and enjoy the accuracy benefits of the longer sight radius and barrel length, it is ideal for OWB carry in the cooler months when light jackets and over shirts allow for minimal printing.

Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 10 (15 and 17 rounds available)
Action Type: single-action w/restrike
Firing System: striker
Sights: fixed white dot steel front; serrated steel drift adjustable rear
Slide: steel alloy
Slide Finish: Tenifer matte black (stainless steel available)
Frame: polymer, black (tan available)
Barrel: stainless steel
Barrel Finish: matte stainless
Barrel Length: 4.0 in.
Safety: manual, striker block, trigger
Overall Length: 7.28 in.
Overall Height: 5.20 in.
Overall Width: 1.20 in.
MSRP: $339.65

Taurus G3c

The gun that inspired it all, the PT111 Millennium G2 and the follow-up G2c, accepted a new offspring once Taurus rolled out the G3. Called the G3c, Taurus introduced this new model in June 2020 and it proved to be a huge hit with Taurus fans who had grown accustomed to carrying the PT111 Millennium G2/G2c. Although not a large stone’s throw of visible difference between the old and new, the G3c should be considered a downsized, compact version of the G3.

Here is our full review of the G3c.

Subtle differences advance the G3c in terms of performance. Larger stippling patches along the grip provide enhanced traction to the all-new polymer frame and matching scallops at the grip/magazine extension offer a positive grab for mag changes. The slide is simply a smaller version of the G3 slide and has a Tenifer finish for enhanced wear resistance.

As an EDC gun, the G3c finds that delicious balance between “too big” and “too small.” Most CCW practitioners will have no problem wearing the G3c inside the waistband, and it certainly is an easy choice for OWB carry.

Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 10 (12-round available)
Action Type: single-action w/restrike
Firing System: striker
Sights: fixed white dot steel front; serrated steel drift adjustable rear
Slide: steel alloy
Slide Finish: Tenifer matte black (stainless steel available)
Frame: polymer
Barrel: stainless steel
Barrel Finish: matte stainless
Barrel Length: 3.2 in.
Safety: manual, striker block, trigger
Overall Length: 6.30 in.
Overall Height: 5.10 in.
Overall Width: 1.20 in.
MSRP: $339.65

Taurus GX4

Now we get to the smallest member of the G-Series family, the recently introduced GX4.

Taurus has dabbled in the micro pistol category in the past with such models as the Spectrum and the 22 Poly, but the GX4 (here’s our review) is a groundbreaker for the company and a precedent-setter for the micro category at large. How so?

The GX4 is a small pistol that doesn’t know it’s small. While it may only have room for two fingers below the trigger guard, it feels and handles more like a downsized full-size gun than a gun that has been designed simply to be small. Further, the GX4’s frame profile seems to fall right into that natural point of aim groove easier than other micro pistols we’ve shot. That probably contributes greatly to the exceptional accuracy noted not only by us but by other industry member’s we’ve talked to.

As for carry comfort and concealability, this is a deep-concealment handgun that rides comfortably in the waistband and, once you become accustomed to the handling characteristics, delivers a high degree of confidence in such a diminutive package.