The Taurus G3X is the hybrid version of the G3 concealed carry pistol line. The gun features the G3’s full size grip combined with the G3C’s shorter 3.2-inch barrel and slide. The idea is to provide the best possible control with the shorter length’s greater comfort and concealability.
Taurus has impressed me over the last year or so. I’ve tested and run three different Taurus handguns in that time, and I’ve liked all three.
The G3X felt somewhat familiar since I reviewed a G3 Tactical last summer. The two guns share several features, as you’d expect. My G3 Tactical’s performance and reliability gave me confidence in its smaller brother’s capabilities as well.
Let’s look at the G3X’s performance and how it measures up. And, most importantly, we’ll discuss whether the G3X can do the job for which Taurus created it.
For the record, Taurus provided this gun for testing. Onward.
Taurus G3X Specifications
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Capacity: 15+1/17+1
- Trigger Pull: 6 lbs.
- Overall Length: 6.3 Inches
- Barrel length: 3.2 Inches
- Height: 5.2 inches
- Width: 1.2 Inches
- Weight: 22.6 Ounces (Unloaded)
- Alloy Steel Slide with Tenifer Matte Black Finish
- Stainless Steel Barrel with Matte Stainless Finish
- Restrike Capability
- Striker Block Drop safety
- Available 10-Round Version
Taurus G3X Features
The G3 series handguns are surprisingly feature-rich. You really get a lot for your money.
Slide
The slide has front and rear serrations that aid the already easy-cocking action. The slide’s four corners are beveled for smooth holstering and drawing. I like that feature.
The G3X is not yet available with an optic-ready slide. The G3C does have the Taurus TORO (Taurus Optic Ready Option) feature, so it may come soon.
The forward Picatinny rail only has one slot, but I mounted my Nightstick TCM-5B subcompact light on it just fine. That light, in fact, fits the G3X perfectly.
Grip
The grip is well-textured on both sides as well as the front and back. It’s a bit more sandpapery than I like, but it sticks to the hand. The slight palm swell is very comfortable and fills my hand well.
The gun doesn’t have interchangeable backstraps, but I don’t think that’s a big deal unless you have gargantuan hands. I also like the molded “Memory Pads” for the support hand index finger. Those are ambidextrous, as are the thumb shelves for the grip hand.
Controls, Mags, and Disassembly
The magazine and slide releases are easily reached and very responsive. Mags eject positively, and the slide release is clean. But the controls are not ambidextrous.
The Taurus-built magazines themselves are well-made and reliable. The G3X’s full-size grip allows the use of the extended 17-round Taurus mags along with the included flush 15-rounders.
Disassembly is easy and requires no tools. If you’ve ever field-stripped a Glock, the G3 series is like that.
Running the G3X
The G3X made several range trips, over which time we fired 350 rounds of 115 and 124-grain FMJ and 25 124-grain JHP defensive rounds. The Taurus ran like a champ, without a single hiccup.
Taurus really has come a long way since the days when their reliability was often questionable. We ran the included 15-round mags and a couple of 17-rounders from our G3 Tactical. We fired the following loads:
- 115-Grain Blazer FMJ
- 124-Grain Federal American Eagle FMJ
- 124-Grain Sellier & Bellot FMJ
- 124-Grain +P IMI Black Dot JHP
The FMJ rounds were generously provided by the good folks at Ammo-to-Go. We thank them for their sponsorship.
Staying On Target
Recoil is very manageable thanks to the full-size grip, and we had no trouble staying on target for follow-up shots. The sights are basic, with a blacked-out rear notch and front post with a white dot. But they work. The rear sights are serrated to reduce glare.
The action is nice, with an easily operated slide.
Honestly, the two G3 pistols I’ve run have some of the nicest racking slides I’ve ever handled. Very smooth and very easy. They remind me of the Smith & Wesson EZ slides for ease of use. We ran stoppage drills using LiveFire Type3MalfunctionRounds, and the slick slide helped with those. I really like it.
The 6-lb. trigger is good but has more initial travel than I prefer. There’s a long take-up to a pretty clean break. The reset is short, with a quick return to the break.
The trigger is exactly the same as my G3 Tactical. It’s no Walther PPQ trigger, but many folks don’t want that for concealed carry. The G3X’s trigger is better than any stock Glock trigger I’ve used.
The bladed trigger safety is indexed and wider than the Glock-style blade. Some folks complain that the blade tears their finger up on long range days. This one is far more comfortable and will likely mitigate or eliminate that problem.
The gun does not have a manual safety, which probably accounts for the long take-up since the G3 will likely appeal to new gun owners. We handled the trigger just fine, and we didn’t notice it one way or the other once we got going.
Is it a good choice for Concealed Carry?
The gun carries very comfortably. It is light and unobtrusive. I can’t say specifically whether the beveled slide corners aid holstering and drawing, but I can say that they don’t hurt. Either way, the G3X is smooth in both operations.
I wouldn’t hesitate to carry this gun. But I’d do it with the 15-round mags if I’m not wearing a loose overgarment. The 17-rounders tended to print.
Final Thoughts
I like the G3X. The entire G3 line has been well-received and with good reason. They are reliable guns with nice features and are competitively priced. My G3 Tactical has done well over the last year, including successfully running a defensive handgun course.
I think the average gun owner looking for a good, affordable carry gun would do well to consider the G3, in this case, the G3X.
