Taurus has introduced the GX4 T.O.R.O., a micro-compact, high-capacity 9mm that takes a red dot and retails for less than $500.
December 07, 2021
By J. Scott Rupp
Earlier this year Taurus introduced the GX4 , its entry into the micro-compact concealed carry pistol market. Now the company has added red dot capability with the new T.O.R.O. (Taurus Optic Ready Option) version. Pop off the slide optics plate and install a sight. That’s it. With one exception, sights attach without requiring an adapter plate.
Read the full review on the Taurus GX4 T.O.R.O. by J. Scott Rupp here.
The GX4 T.O.R.O. accepts the following sights: Shield RMSc, Holosun HS507K and HS407K, Sightmark Mini Shot A-Spec M3, Springfield Hex Wasp, SIG Romeo Zero, Riton 3 Tactix and Trijicon RMRcc (requires adapter plate). That’s a great bunch of options, which means you shouldn’t have any problem finding the sight that’s right for you.
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Other than this new red-dot capability, the GX4 T.O.R.O. is unchanged from its predecessor. It’s an 11+1/13+1 pistol (10-round mags available for restrictive states) with a 3.06-inch barrel, overall length of 6.05 inches and a weight of just 18.5 ounces.
The polymer frame has stippled panels on both sides of the frame above the trigger guard to index your trigger finger and support-hand thumb. It has a polymer frame with excellent stippling and, an added advantage you don’t see on other guns of this size, interchangeable backstraps. There’s a small one and a large one, and the difference is the amount of palm swell you get. They’re easily changed.
There are also stippled areas toward the front of the frame on either side. Taurus calls these “indexing” and “recoil management” pads, and they serve to give a little extra traction where you would index your trigger finger when not on target as well as your forward support-hand thumb.
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The trigger permits a nice, straight pull and has a good break. The alloy-steel slide is treated to a gas-nitride finish to resist corrosion and wear, and it has nice wide serrations front and back for easy slide manipulation. The front of the slide and the frame are beveled for easy holstering.
While the iron sights aren’t tall enough to co-witness, they’re really good if you switch back and forth between dot and no-sight carry. The serrated rear has no white dots to distract you from the front white dot, and the sight picture is really nice.
The gun comes with a flush fit 11-round magazine and an extended 13-round magazine (shown). The suggested retail price for the new GX4 T.O.R.O. is $468—about a $75 premium over the non-optics-ready version. You won’t find any other 9mms in this size/capacity class for such a low price, so if you were considering the original GX4 but wanted a sight-ready gun, here’s your opportunity.
Look for our full review in an upcoming issue of Handguns.
