The T.O.R.O. versions of the G3 (top) and G3c feature slide plates that permit the easy mounting of a red dot sight. (Handguns photo)
March 09, 2021
By J. Scott Rupp
The Taurus G3 and G3c are among the best values on the polymer-frame, striker-fired 9mm market today. Maybe the best. I have a little time behind the full-size G3 and a lot of time behind the compact G3c, and I’ve found them to be reliable, natural pointing and great-shooting pistols. And depending on your needs and preferences, they just got better with the new T.O.R.O. versions, which add red-dot capability.
T.O.R.O. stands for Taurus Optics Ready Option, and with this version the slides are cut for plates that accept a wide variety of today’s red dots. Four plates, three screw sets and the necessary Allen wrench are included:
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Plate 1 accepts Doctor, Noblex, Vortex Venom, Burris Fastfire and Sightmark Mini Plate 2 accepts Trijicon RMR and Holosun HS407C using the sight manufacturers’ screws (for which you’ll need the appropriate wrench) and Holosun HS507 with the Taurus-provided screws Plate 3 accepts C-More STS2; and Plate 4 accepts Leupold DeltaPoint
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The gun comes with a steel slide cover plate installed, and it has serrations that match the slide. To install a sight, just remove the slide cover, clean the surface underneath, install the adapter plate and screw the sight onto the plate. Taurus recommends using Loctite 242 on the screw threads and allowing it to cure for 24 hours before shooting the pistol.
The rear sight doesn’t sit low enough to co-witness with a red, but both the G3 and G3c T.O.R.O. have steel rear sights that are set into dovetails, so it’s possible to swap out the stock rear for a taller model that would co-witness.
The T.O.R.O. models come with four plates and three screw sets that can accommodate 10 popular red dots. (Handguns photo) For more information on the guns themselves, check out our reviews of the G3 HERE and G3c HERE .
The T.O.R.O. models cost a little bit more than the non-optics versions, with both carrying a suggested retail of $409. The only downside is in order to keep the price down, the G3c T.O.R.O. comes with only a single magazines whereas the non-optics G3c came with three mags. The number of magazines for the G3 T.O.R.O. remains at two.
As I mentioned up top, I think the G3 and G3c represent excellent value in the polymer-frame striker-fired defensive handgun market. If you’re one of the growing legions of shooters who are opting for a red dot aboard your favorite defense gun, the new T.O.R.O. versions are all that and more.
