Choosing the right handgun for concealed carry is a personal decision, influenced by factors like budget, size, and intended use. For those considering a Taurus, there are several options to explore, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. This article delves into some popular Taurus models for concealed carry, including the G2S and G3X, to help you make an informed choice.
Have you ever been short on cash? Most adults have at some point or another. These days, while I’m blessed to be able to choose pistols from Glock, CZ, and SIG, I know they aren’t options for everyone.
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Taurus G2S: An Economical Option
The G2S is one of the most economical guns currently on the market. It costs less than 200 bucks at most retailers, including Palmetto State Armory. The G2S is a single stack handgun that comes in 9mm and 40 S&W. In 9mm, the Taurus G2S holds seven rounds in the magazine and comes with two magazines in the box.
It’s a small, relatively lightweight gun that’s heavy for its size but still light enough to carry with ease. The G2S has a Picatinny rail for accessories and features adjustable sights, manual safety, and a trigger safety.
As a mid-size subcompact gun, it’s not as small as some pocket 380s but it’s also not as chunky as a Glock 26. Each magazine has a built-in pinky extension that is a must-have to achieve a full grip.
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While I don’t prefer my handguns to feature safties, I admit the Taurus is at least well-placed and easy to use. The grip is blocky and not exceptionally ergonomic. It’s like holding a small board, making it far from perfect.
The Taurus G2S has one serious ergonomic downfall: slide bite. I like a high grip and with that hand placement, the slide takes a nasty bite out of my hand. After a hundred or so rounds, it drew blood. This is the curse of a big man’s hands. An easy fix would be an added beavertail or extending the rear of the frame just a bit.
Recoil and muzzle rise is minimal. It’s not going to smack your hand, but don’t expect it to shoot like a full-sized gun. Using standard self-defense ammunition, you won’t have any issues putting multiple rounds into your target rapidly.
The G2S also has a unique trigger system. It is technically a DA/SA design, but there is no way to decock the striker from single action to double action with a chambered round. So what you have is a single action with the ability to restrike a cartridge should it fail to fire. The trigger is long - not heavy but very long. It’s gritty and rough, and it has a long wall where the trigger gets consistantly heavier.
On a man-sized target at 20 yards, I could toss rounds into the chest without much of a challenge. Beyond 20 yards, you start to lose some practical accuracy. The Taurus pistol is plenty accurate for self-defense use.
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Rarely does a self-defense encounter go beyond 20 yards and if it does, you could probably make a safe getaway. If not, aim true and carry a spare mag.
What expectations can you have for a handgun with a pricetag under $200? At the very least, it needs to be a reliable pistol. A gun that goes bang with each pull of the trigger.
Two were failures to extract and two were magazine-induced. The magazine’s follower failed to feed the next round into the weapon. This happened with a single magazine and these failures occurred within the first 200 rounds.
If I was still a young, broke Marine, I’d carry the G2S. It’s a good, economical, concealable gun more than capable of defending your life.
Taurus G3X: A Versatile Option
The Taurus “G” series guns have turned a lot of former Taurus haters into Taurus owners. But does the G3X hold its weight in an already crowded and saturated concealed carry pistol market?
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It seemed to take one forever to get a gun replaced and another forever for two measly little springs to be replaced in my .380 Spectrum - they wouldn’t just send me the springs. It’s different now, though. When Bret Voorhees took over the company’s reins a few years back, he vowed to clean things up. He has, by and large, done so.
Before the G3 came the G2C Millenium. I owned two of them. The G3X would work very well in an IWB or an OWB holster. Whether or not you belong to this particular team, it’s not a problem here. No way could that happen with the G3X. Another possible buyer might be those looking for a bedstand pistol that hides well but still carries a bunch of rounds.
The grip is large enough to include six textured sections. I typically stipple my poly-framed pistols’ grips because they are usually too slick for me. A couple of trigger observations…first, the trigger face was smooth. The central blade’s edges are rounded, as are the trigger surfaces. Secondly, even though there are slightly more than ½ inches of take-up, the trigger broke cleanly.
It was with great expectations that I ventured into my backyard shooting range. The loads I have on hand are dwindling - ammo is still pretty scarce in my neck of the woods. I had some Fiocchi Range Dynamics FMJ and Training Dynamics FMJ, with 115-grain bullets. This load has proven accurate in most of the guns I’ve put it through. I had a few outliers that I chalked up to the trigger. It’s not bad; I just wasn’t used to it. Another trigger plus is the central blade in its face. Both it and the trigger are polished and did not bite my finger.
The excellent grip helped cement the gun into my hand. I had no problems at all holding the gun on target. The sights were regulated well, putting the shots pretty much in the center of the target.
The recoil spring is mounted on a polymer guide rod, but you can pick up a Lakeline stainless assembly if inclined. And, since Taurus made their dovetail cut on the rear to match Glock’s, you can use Glock aftermarket sights!
Finally grab a spare mag or a bigger, 17-round mag to make range time more efficient and increase that capacity. Taurus has its finger solidly on the shooting public’s pulse. The striker-fired G3X supports 15- or 17-round magazines in the world’s most popular caliber.
Full Size vs. Micro: Choosing the Right Size for Concealed Carry
When it comes to every day carry (EDC), one of the most enduring debates is what size gun to carry. Should you carry a fullsize gun like a Taurus G3 Tactical, or are you better suited with something smaller and easier to conceal like the GX4 TORO?
Full Size Guns: Pros and Cons
There are a number of really good reasons to carry a full size gun, but we’ll start with the most obvious: they’re easier to shoot. A Model 82 revolver is easier to shoot than a 605 2-inch, a TH9 is easier to shoot than a TH9c, and a G3 is easier to shoot than a G3c.
Secondly, bigger guns hold more rounds, and while most civilian self-defense shootings are low-round count affairs, having more rounds on board makes everyone feel better. Finally, it’s easier to mount a wider variety of accessories on full size guns. For example, the G3 TORO accepts lights and optics with ease.
However, full size guns aren’t without faults. The biggest, and I say that intentionally, is that they’re big, which means they’re harder to conceal.
Micro/Sub-Compact Guns: Pros and Cons
That brings us neatly to the most important pro of a micro or sub-compact gun, and that’s how easier they are to conceal for the average citizen. 99% of people are going to have an easier time concealing a 2-inch Taurus 856 or a G3c than they are a full size gun. Simple as that.
The cons for small guns are basically the inverse of the pros for big guns.
Making Your Choice
Ultimately, your choice on carry gun needs to be driven by your lifestyle and goals. If maximum concealability is your goal, small guns are going to be the thing you need.
ClipDraw: A Minimalist Holster Solution
The ClipDraw for Taurus eliminates bulk and printing from your daily conceal-carry handgun, provides holsterless carry, and easily installs on either side of your gun with no gunsmithing required. ClipDraw is a minimalist holster solution that helps you eliminate the bulk and printing of your conceal-carry gun. It’s a concealable gun clip that easily affixes to your sidearm to deliver a secure, lightweight, and discreet carry option without a holster.
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Key Considerations
Here's a summary table to help you compare the key features of the Taurus G2S and G3X:
| Feature | Taurus G2S | Taurus G3X |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Economical (Under $200) | Higher than G2S |
| Size | Mid-size Subcompact | Compact |
| Magazine Capacity | 7 rounds (9mm) | 15 or 17 rounds (9mm) |
| Ergonomics | Blocky grip, potential for slide bite | Textured grip sections, smooth trigger face |
| Trigger | Long, gritty, DA/SA | Clean break, central blade |
| Sights | Adjustable | Glock aftermarket sights compatible |
What do you think of the G3X? Let us know in the comments below. Interested in more concealable pistols?