Deciding to carry a firearm involves several expenses, including training, permits, and quality equipment. For first-time gun owners or those new to shooting, finding an inexpensive yet reliable option is crucial. Taurus has consistently delivered terrific handguns at affordable prices, and the G3c is no exception. This compact pistol combines the best features of the G3 and G2c models, offering an accurate and controllable package.
This is an opinion piece, but I always aim to eliminate bias. Look, we’ve all read them before. Gun reviews that claim to be helpful, but they’re really thinly veiled hit pieces trying to get you to buy something before you’ve even started your research. I’ve trained with some of the best in the business to learn various shooting styles and ideologies to better serve our customers. I’ve purchased guns of all price points, calibers, and action types to build the best products for the market.
Several years ago, Taurus introduced the G2c, a compact pistol that became a staple for those needing a reliable firearm on a tight budget. Later, the G3 showcased Taurus's ability to produce a high-quality gun for around $250. The G3c is a hybrid of these two models, incorporating the best features of both.
When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment.
The new pistol is built with much more than just the better trigger; it also has undergone several upgrades to make it easier and more fail-safe.
Read also: Viking Card Inspiration for Taurus
When the gun showed up, I had to take it over to the side counter so prying eyes couldn't sneak a peek. After opening the box, I realized that I didn't need to be that careful anymore because it shares almost all of the same external features as its predecessors. In fact, they even both fit the same holster, which is nice if you already have a G2c.
This early inspection also revealed that the sights have been upgraded to steel, and the slide now has a Tenifer finish to help it stand up to the beating that a carry gun typically undergoes.
Taurus G3c vs. G2c: Key Differences
While the G3c shares many similarities with the G2c, there are several notable differences:
- Slide Design: The G2c features odd troughs on the front of the slide, which are absent on the G3c. The G3c has a more traditional slide with forward slide serrations.
- Sights: The G2c comes with plastic 3-dot sights with a crude adjustable rear, while the G3c features metal sights with a blacked-out rear and a white dot front sight.
- Glock Sight Cuts: Perhaps the best feature of the G3c is its Glock sight cuts, allowing users to install a wide variety of aftermarket sights.
- Loaded Chamber Indicator: The G2c has a mechanical bar that sticks above the slide when a round is chambered. The G3c uses a simple witness hole in the rear of the barrel.
- Frame Material and Finish: The frame material and finish on the G3c appear to be slightly better than those on the G2c.
Both of these guns is identical in size and weight so there is no advantage to the Taurus G3c vs G2c or vice verses. The format of the gun originally developed in the Taurus PT111 is big enough to shoot well but small enough for most people to conceal. The only other guns that are sized similarly are the Smith and Wesson M&P 2.0 Subcompact and the CZ P10S.
When comes to the feel in the hand these guns are near identical. There are no noticeable differences when comparing the Taurus G2c vs G3c frame and grip from a functional standpoint. The texturing is identical as well as the ergonomics.
Read also: Decoding Taurus Male Tears
In my opinion, it’s worth but for you, it may not be. The thumb safety on these guns are identical and work well for right-handed shooters.
Taurus Released the G3c TORO which stands for Taurus Optics Ready Option. This will allow you to mount a red dot optic to the pistol from the factory. They ship the G3c TORO with multiple mounting plates and screws so you won’t have to order screws or plates separate.
Now the G3c was simplified and uses a simple witness hole in the rear of the barrel as a loaded chamber indicator.
These guns shoot identical. Neither of these guns has a huge aftermarket. The G2c has a larger holster aftermarket and most Taurus G2c hoslters will not fit the Taurus G3c due to the slide and some frame differences. The reverse is true as well mostly due to the frame differences. You also have more access to more sight options with the Taurus G3c.
Now there is a significant difference in the price of the Taurus G2c vs G3c. Taurus G3c’s have an MSRP of $308 while the G2c range from $272 to $330. For an extra $20-$30, you get a better set of sights and a better finish on the slide.
Read also: Clinginess in Taurus Men Explained
Taurus GX2 Vs. GX4 Vs. G3C/G2C - What’s Different?
Ergonomics and Features
I was impressed with the overall ergonomics, especially the relief cuts at the top of the grip and towards the front of the frame. The ones over the grip give the side of your thumb as well as the front of your palm a place to rest, bringing your grip in tighter. The divot on the left side is perfect for resting your support thumb, and the one on the right is a perfect tactile reference point for keeping your finger off the trigger.
Besides the unique relief cuts I really enjoyed the amount and placement of the skateboard-tape-like material and the generous, but not overdone, palm swell on the backstrap.
Trigger Performance
After a status check, I measured a trigger break at just 4 pounds, 9 ounces, and observed less than one-quarter of an inch of required forward travel to reset. While the trigger is a single-action striker-based system, it has second-strike capability just like a DA/SA. This gives you a second chance to ignite a cartridge with a high or hard primer should you encounter one.
The trigger is identical on these two guns.
Magazine Capacity
The G3c comes standard with 12-round magazines; however 10-rounders are available for restricted jurisdictions. Rumor has it 15- and 17-round versions will be around later in the year, perfect for range time or even to carry as long as your cover garment allows for the extra footprint.
Range Performance
We filled the magazines and dumped a few onto a Champion IPSC steel silhouette to get a feel for how it handled. Recoil wasn't half bad, even with the carry ammo. The trigger was phenomenally easy to manipulate, yielding .2 second split times with centered rounds on steel.
We tested accuracy by producing five five-round groups with both ammunitions at 15 yards and were able to pull in an average group of 1.94 inches with the Gold Dot G2, and an average of 2.74 inches with Winchester's practice ammo.
Overall Impressions
Overall, I felt that it was a lot of gun to get for such a small investment, as typically comfort, features or reliability need to be sacrificed to save some green. Once again Taurus has produced a gun that is easy to shoot and easy on the wallet.
Apex Tactical Action Enhancement Kit for CZ P-10 Series Pistols
While this review focuses on the Taurus G3c, it's worth mentioning the Apex Tactical Action Enhancement Kit for the CZ P-10 series pistols, as it provides a valuable upgrade for another popular firearm.
Apex Tactical has just released their all-new Action Enhancement Kit for the CZ P-10 series pistols. This kit features the Apex action enhancement trigger paired with an Apex performance disconnector and an Apex slide cover plate.
This new enhancement kit is a total game changer for the already incredible CZ P-10 pistol series. This trigger package is a direct drop-in replacement of the factory polymer trigger, disconnector, and slide cover plate. Installing the Apex performance disconnector, trigger, and slide cover plate will yield a trigger pull of sub-4 lbs. Choosing to keep the CZ factory disconnector and installing the Apex trigger with the slide cover plate will result in a trigger pull of approximately 5.5 lbs.
Beyond the weight, each trigger pull option also offers a different “feel”. With the Apex performance disconnector, you will notice a light, smooth take-up and linear, rolling trigger break at the striker release with reduced overtravel. Maintaining the CZ factory disconnector offers a more defined trigger break at the striker release with a heavier pull.
I received all three products from Apex Tactical to install on the CZ P-10 C. Admittedly, I am not a gunsmith, but installation was easy following the detailed instructional videos Apex provides on their YouTube channel. The instructional videos are laid out in a step-by-step fashion making it easy to pause where needed. I chose to utilize the Apex Performance disconnector to achieve the lighter trigger pull of sub-4 pounds. It’s important to note here that you must incorporate the Apex slide cover plate or you will not get the proper end result.
The result was nothing short of impressive. I noticed an immediate difference in the trigger just by dry firing the gun, and live fire on the range was incredible. The end result in trigger pull was well under 4 lbs. while offering a light and smooth rolling break. I ran through a series of static drills maintaining consistent and tight groupings, even with faster follow-up shots.
Performance is important, but safety is crucial. Apex Tactical has put this trigger through rigorous testing prior to its release. Drop testing is a routine part of the product development process at Apex. They repeatedly drop tested this new trigger from 6 feet onto concrete. These drops are done in 27 different orientations, and under high-speed camera which allows them to review exactly what is happening to the trigger and pistol on impact and during its rebound. Additionally, they conduct drops not just at room temperature but also at adverse temperatures. One battery is done at -10º to 20º Fahrenheit, while another is done at 120º to 150º Fahrenheit.
The enhancement trigger comes in red or black with an MSRP of $104.95. This can be utilized with the CZ P-10 C, S and F 9mm models. It is not compatible with the CZ P-10 in .45 ACP, or the CZ P-10 micro. If you own a compatible pistol from the CZ P-10 series, I highly suggest trying out these enhancement products to take your shooting abilities to the next level.