By R.K. Campbell | Contributing Editor
Some time ago when I was a young cop a friend in the security business ordered a number of inexpensive .38 caliber revolvers.
This was my first exposure to the Taurus brand. These firearms gave comfort and security to many shooters who were on a tight budget. My friend was just cheap but the revolvers served well for many years. The majority of the first Taurus handguns were clone guns or close copies of established handguns. Among these was the highly successful PT 92, a clone of the Beretta 92. Taurus has steadily increased quality. They have also designed and developed original firearm designs. The balance of performance and a light tariff add up to a pistol that will defend the home without breaking the bank when all things are considered in the Taurus line up.
Taurus introduced the G3 9mm a few years ago. A striker fired polymer frame handgun the G3 has proven popular and a great seller for Taurus. The pistol offers modern performance without breaking the bank. The G3 is a single action design unlike the double action only Glock. In that regard it is more like the Springfield XD or Canik than the Glock or the Smith &Wesson Military and Police handgun.
The pistol features a blade type safety set in the trigger face. The safety lever must be pressed flat and even with the trigger face to release the trigger. The trigger is pressed to the rear to break the sear and the striker flies forward and fires the pistol. The striker spring then retracts the striker. A positive striker block prevents the striker from moving forward unless the trigger is pressed completely to the rear. The Taurus G3 trigger action breaks at a clean 6.2 pounds. The wide trigger face allows greater control of the trigger action. There is no manual safety.
In the popular modern fashion, the full size G3 was introduced first. This model was followed by the G3C, a compact version of the original. The G3C features a shorter frame and slide. Taurus as followed the success of the G3C with the G3X. The G3X is a G3 with the full size grip frame but the short slide of the G3C compact. The result is a fast handling handgun with much to recommend. It is easily my favorite of the G3 series. The short G3C slide fitted to the G3X features abbreviated forward cocking serrations. The sights are simple enough but offer a good sight picture. The pistol is easily made ready; the slide isn’t difficult to rack. While inexpensive the Taurus G3X is supplied with two fifteen round magazines. Many pistols these days are supplied with a single magazine. Some magazines are difficult to find and expensive. I like two magazines very much. These magazines are easily loaded to full capacity. The pistol will also accept Taurus 17 round magazines with extended bumper pad. The grip frame is properly stippled for a good grasp when your hands are wet or cold.
This is a simple enough handgun to field strip and maintain. The pistols take down sequence will be familiar to Glock users. Clear the magazine, lock the slide to the rear, and check the chamber. Be certain the pistol isn’t loaded. Lower the slide and press the trigger while keeping the hand and fingers away from the muzzle. Press the takedown levers downward and the slide is easily pressed forward off of the frame. The recoil spring and guide rod are pulled away and the barrel angled out. The pistol is simple to clean.
A few words on the pistol’s second strike capability. This is a rarity among single action handguns. When firing the pistol normally single action handguns usually require the trigger be reset by racking the slide after you have fired. The slide resets the trigger if the pistol has fired. If you have a due round the trigger is dead- but not with the Taurus G3. If the first strike doesn’t ignite the primer the trigger may be pulled again. This is a heavier trigger action than the single action press but a good feature. The pistol seems well made and fitted. I dry fired the action one hundred times over the course of a week then headed to the pistol range.
I lightly lubricated the long bearing surfaces. Polymer frame pistols need little lube but I err on the side of few drops of oil. The ammunition situation is easing up but it is difficult to locate your favorite loads. Brand loyalty has taken a hit. I have fired the Taurus with a wide range of loads. Some of the brands that have emerged during the ammunition crisis work fine. Some are loaded too light; some are a little too hot. A number of the foreign loads tested are dirty. Others occasionally have a hard primer that doesn’t ignite. The Taurus sailed through a good mix of loads without a single failure to feed, chamber, fire or eject. I practiced drawing and firing quickly from concealed carry. The full size grip of the G3X makes for sure handling during the draw stroke. The short slide and 3.2-inch barrel line up quickly on target. The pistol is controllable, recoil is modest. The pistol is well suited defensive needs. It wasn’t difficult to fire a magazine empty at 10 yards and keep every round in a four-inch circle.
As for absolute accuracy I braced the pistol in the MTM K Zone firing rest and fired several groups. The single most accurate loading proved to be the Hornady 115 grain XTP. At 15 yards I was able to secure a 2.5-inch group. This is more than accurate enough for personal defense. The G3X is well suited to personal defense and accurate enough to provide meaningful hit potential to 25 yards. It is light and flat enough for concealed carry. I carried the pistol in a Crossbreed holster during this evaluation. The Crossbreed offers a combination of retention and comfort with its sturdy Kydex holster and supple leather backing. The holster spreads the weight of the pistol out over the ‘wings’ of the holster.
The Taurus G3X is something we don’t often see today. It is a bargain and we get a little more than we expected with this handgun.
Specifications:
Manufacturer: Taurus
Model: G3X
Capacity: 15 Rounds
Action: Single Action with Restrike
Firing System: Striker
Front Sight: Fixed front, Drift-adjustable rear
Barrel: 3.20 in.
OAL: 6.30 in.
Height: 5.20 in.
Overall Width: 1.20 in.
Weight: 22.60 oz.
MSRP: $329.00
