Starting off 2025 with a bang, Taurus just announced the launch of the Taurus GX2. The GX2 is a compact 9mm that they say is designed to meet the needs of first-time shooters without compromising quality or performance.
The Taurus GX2
The GX2 is a compact pistol chambered in 9mm and designed for carry and personal defense. It uses a stainless steel chassis housed in a polymer frame. It looks like it takes its ergonomic cues from the excellent and popular TX22. The frame has a MIL-STD-1913 accessory rail for adding compact tactical weapon lights or lasers. The GX2 has a 13 round capacity and ships with two magazines.
The new Taurus has a striker-fired action with hinged trigger safety, as well as a manual safety. The 3.38-inch “Sharpshooter Barrel” has six grooves and a 1:10-inch right hand twist. The slide is also stainless steel and features front and rear cocking serrations, as well as industry standard steel dovetail front and rear sights. Overall length is 6.19 inches and weight is just 19.04 ounces. The GX2 is available in either a black or matte stainless finish. The MSRP is a very reasonable at $310.
Gunsite Academy Testing
In addition to Taurus’ own internal testing procedures, they also set a bunch of gun writers loose on the GX2 prior to its release. It was evaluated during a writers’ event at the Gunsite Academy over a three-day period. Thousands of rounds were fired by media professionals and firearm experts without issue in the dry Arizona desert conditions. I didn’t get an invite to that one (hint hint), but Taurus says that the GX2 “demonstrated impressive durability and ease of use, proving to be a reliable option for both new and seasoned shooters.”
I’m curious to give one a try as the features and ergonomics look good. And you certainly can’t complain about the price if it performs as promised. I’ve been hearing good stuff on the newer generation of Taurus pistols and my TX22 has proved to be a great shooter, as well as being extremely reliable. It also has some of the best ergonomics of any pistol I’ve used, and it looks like the GX2 shares a lot of that influence. I’ll be looking forward to putting some rounds down range at Industry Day at SHOT this month, so hopefully we’ll see some further followup on the Taurus GX2 soon.
Where To Buy
Taurus GX2 Compact Specs:
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 13 Rounds
Front Sight: Fixed (white dot)
Rear Sight: Drift Adjustable
Magazines Included: 2
Action Type: SAO
Frame Size: Compact
Barrel Length: 3.38 in.
Overall Length: 6.19 in.
Overall Height: 4.89 in.
Overall Width: 1.18 in.
Overall Weight: 19.04 oz. (Unloaded)
Twist Rate: 1:10-in. RH Twist
Grooves: 6
Frame Material: Polymer
Frame Finish: Black
Slide Material: Alloy Steel
Slide Finish: Matte Black
Barrel Material: Stainless Steel
Barrel Finish: Stainless Steel
MSRP: $310
For additional information, visit www.taurususa.com.
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Looks good for the money. My gat may be a micro 9 for carry but thinner than this. Probably Ruger Max 9. Anyone have one?
I don’t have one, but I shot a friend’s about a year ago. IIRC, I really didn’t like it because the grip length is too short for any pinkie finger real-estate, and that makes it even snappier than it needs to be. Also, I believe it holds 1 or 2 less than the Taurus due to that fact. I would like to see both of them with slightly longer barrels, as that length is easiest to conceal. On the upside, the Ruger is ready for a micro red dot – although that will most likely make it as wide or wider than the subject gun. Also, Ruger’s customer service is legendary on the off chance you get a lemon. Taurus CS ? I still carry a gen1 24/7pro 45 that was under
a “recall ” – those dumb enough to send it back to the mothership recieved a coupon for half of the purchase price towards a replacement model, which in my case would have expired before anything close to it would have been available.
longer barrel easier to conceal, or do i misunderstand?
Up to a certain length, it really doesn’t matter near as much as grip length, which sticks out further away from your waist when holstered. Shortening the grip length along with shortening the barrel makes recoil harder to manage. It’s something you’ll definitely notice when shooting the different versions side by side.
I have a Max-9 and like it fairly well specifically because of the shorter two finger grip. That means it pocket carries well, and I generally pocket carry it. The 10+1 capacity of 9mm beats my other pocket options of original LCP and S&W 642.
The Max-9 is optics ready (I don’t use one because pocket carry). The pistol came with pinky extensions, plus a larger 12 round mag which give a full three finger grip. I would use that for anything other than PC.
The stock front site is tritium, which is nice on a budged pistol like the Max-9. It must not be terribly popular because I sometimes see some really good deals on them. I don’t seem to shoot the Max quite as well as my Security 9, G19, or G3C, but those are all significantly larger pistols.
I am a bit of a Ruger fanboy 🤔
I fixed mine with the spring from a BIC lighter.
Overall Length: 6.19 in.
Overall Height: 4.89 in.
Overall Width: 1.18 in.
Overall Weight: 19.04 oz. (Unloaded)
Taurus already has the G2C/S, G3C, and GX4 in this size range. Do they really need a fifth gun in the same general vein?
L H W W
G3c 6.3 in 5.1 in 1.2 in 22 oz
G2c 6.25 in 5 in 1.25 in 21.15 oz
G2s 6.3 in 4.8 in 1.1 in 20 oz
GX4. 6.05 in 4.4 in 1.08. 18.5 oz
But this one is “designed to meet the needs of first-time shooters without compromising quality or performance.” WTF that means (marketing BS).
I’m willing to bet, once all the existing parts and old stock are used up, we’ll see the G2/G3 based pistols discontinued. Using the GX platform across different sized guns makes sense – why have two slightly different variations of a striker fired action if you can use the same one in a variety of pistols?
And as far as marketing goes take a look at how the car companies used to do it years ago – selling a Ford Galaxie with a Thunderbird engine made Ford way more money than if they advertised it the other way around! A decontented version of their “best” pistol is going to have some sales appeal.
“I’m willing to bet, once all the existing parts and old stock are used up, we’ll see the G2/G3 based pistols discontinued.”
Possibly; are the G2/G3 models on the CA roster? that’s what has kept Gen 3 Glocks in production.
I don’t like the looks of the GX4 or this new iteration, so I personally prefer that they keep at least the G3 around
Concur on the looks – the GX guns have that odd forward swept trigger guard. But if the reviews are on point the GX is an improvement over the G2/3.
Being approved for CA would definitely keep those guns in production!
@fww A friend just got one. He said it had a decent bit of recoil. It is lightweight, and he isn’t very experienced (first gun). I haven’t shot it yet.
I’m happy with my Shield Plus which is about the same size. I have the Performance Center version with the small ports. I don’t notice recoil. It’s easy to shoot and carry. Jeremy S and Honest Outlaw gave it high marks which was enough for me.
Waiting for the first doof to complain “it doesn’t have a threaded barrel?”
…. well, anything out of that short of a barrel would be subsonic, so why not add another 6 inches to it ? Actually, I gave a thoughtful, reasoned response to FWW addressing that, but it appears to have been sacrificed to the Moderation Gods.
I’m in the market for a home defense gun. With a threaded barrel, so thanks for reminding me about that. I already have a gun without a threaded barrel.
I don’t need another one like it.
“Waiting for the first doof to complain “it doesn’t have a threaded barrel?””
The aftermarket will supply if demand is high enough…
Make it in 40 cal. & I might but one.
Or Makarov. To be different.
Not sure why they are competing with themselves, this vs. their successful GX4 platform. I own one and think it is an excellent low price carry gun. This seems to be about 20% less but without the optic option that you have on the GX4.
This is fully compatible with the GX4, the grip and slide fit on both chassis
Well if they’re making better guns than they used to, I might be interested in a good home defense firearm.
4″ barrel minimum, with a rail and a threaded barrel. And let’s put a tritium sight on it.
Some people don’t care about adding an optic. It makes sense to offer them a version for less money.
From what I hear, this gun is made in Brazil, unlike the G3C which is made in Georgia. My G3C has been excellent, but it is a little bigger than this new gun.
crap finish I bet. maybe Taurus should work on that. gun will look like sh$t in a month
No gun looks good in a month, especially if being holstered in a hard plastic holster. Even leather holsters can wear on a firearm.
But that’s not why I carry a firearm. My days of “looking good” are long gone. At this point, I’d rather just look like somebody you wouldn’t want to mess with because it looks like I’d shoot you if you attack me. Even if that’s all in your mind, then it’s still a good thing.
And yes, I would if you did. If the last thing you see is my butt-ugly gun’s butt-ugly finish, well I’m sorry for your disappointment. Heh!
I just tossed one of these in my shipment this week, I look forward to seeing how it does. We sell a lot of the G2c and G2s. The price point is good for a daily carry.