From cars to cellphones, as a product gets more sophisticated, it usually also gets more expensive. And, as modern handguns get more modular and optic-ready, their prices tend to go up. Sometimes you want simplicity but not at the expense of quality or functionality. The minimalist Taurus G2c has been one of the most popular compact handguns on the market, with more than 1 million sold in the United States to date. With the GX2, Taurus seeks to provide more modern features, better usability and increased reliability while sticking to the price point that contributed to the G2c’s popularity.
The GX2 is a recoil-operated, semi-automatic pistol chambered in 9 mm Luger. A “compact”-size handgun, it has an overall length of 6.13", a height of 4.88" and weighs 21 ozs., unloaded, making it slightly smaller than the G2c. Like the company’s GX4, it uses a striker-fired action and has a modular fire-control chassis that is the “firearm,” as it bears the serial number, which is visible through a window in the rear of the grip module. With both the GX4 series and the GX2 pistol, this modular chassis is used for modern manufacturing convenience, as the manual does not recommend that the owner remove the chassis, and aftermarket grip modules have not been developed.
Like the GX4, the GX2 uses a serrated, flat-faced trigger that does not have the second-strike capability of the G2c. While the GX4 is not offered with a manual external safety, the GX2 follows the lead of the G2c and is only available with a thumb safety. This is in addition to the trigger safety and firing-pin block.
The GX2’s polymer grip module (eight colors available) follows the profile of the GX4, except it uses a unique stippling pattern and lacks magazine-gripping cutouts and interchangeable backstraps. Its texture affords a positive grip without being too aggressive. The design of the GX2’s magazine, which is double-column/single-feed, allows for a small circumference at the top of the grip. This not only provides a confident firing hold but also allows most users to reach the magazine-release button without having to shift their grip. While the magazine release is reversible, all other controls (slide release and manual safety lever) are left-side-only. The GX2’s dustcover has a molded-in M1913 Picatinny rail with three slots for mounting lights and lasers.
The design of the slide and barrel assembly, as well as its profile, also mimics the GX4, with upper and front bevels to facilitate carrying the GX2 concealed and deep slide serrations both front and back. The 3.25" barrel is made of stainless steel and given a matte natural finish; a notch in the rear of the barrel hood serves as a visual loaded-chamber indicator. Sights are made of metal and consist of a fixed front post with a white dot and a dovetailed notched rear with a serrated face. The GX2’s slide is not cut for an optic.
Its 13-round magazine capacity places the GX2 between the flush-mounted 11-round magazines of the GX4 and GX4XL and the 15-round GX4 Carry. While the design of the GX2’s magazine is identical to the GX4, the length and baseplate of the 11- and 13-round GX4 magazines preclude their use in the GX2. Taurus is offering an extended 15-round GX2 magazine as an accessory. GX2 magazines are also made in-house by Taurus, versus the Mec-Gar-manufactured magazines of the GX4.
How confident is Taurus in the GX2? Confident enough to make it the company’s first product ever launched at the famed Gunsite Academy. For two days, a cadre of gunwriters put the pistol through its paces on the Academy’s ranges, a task that the GX2 proved it could handle. This experience was mirrored in our formal accuracy and reliability testing with a production sample months later. The GX2’s trigger has the typical striker-fired take-up before hitting a solid wall and breaking cleanly at 6 lbs., 4 ozs.; its reset was short and positive. While the GX2 can be unloaded with the manual safety engaged, the slide cannot be retracted far enough to chamber a new round with the safety on.
Taurus notes a more user-friendly takedown procedure as one of the GX2’s attributes. Whereas the GX4 requires the use of a screwdriver to turn the takedown pin, the GX2 has an external takedown lever. After confirming that the pistol is unloaded, the takedown lever is rotated forward and the trigger pulled to allow the slide assembly to be removed from the frame.
Taurus made sure that the holster market was ready to support the GX2 upon its release. During our testing, the pistol alternated between an IWB PHLster Skeleton and an OWB UM Tactical Qualifier. The GX2’s overall size makes for a perfect balance between carryability and shootability.
With an MSRP of just $310 for the black-slide version, the GX2 is priced about $175 less than the GX4 Carry.
User-friendly, reliable and feature-packed at an affordable price point, Taurus has checked all the boxes with the GX2. A worthy heir apparent to the G2c, it is another example of the company updating its firearm lineup in a way that makes “protection accessible to every American.”
