Taurus GX4 XL Review: A Comprehensive Look at the Latest Handgun from Taurus
The Taurus GX4 XL is a highly anticipated handgun from Taurus, a well-established manufacturer of firearms. As a long-time enthusiast of firearms, I was eager to get my hands on this latest addition to the GX4 line. In this review, I’ll delve into the features, pros, and cons of the Taurus GX4 XL, providing a comprehensive look at this impressive handgun.
Design and Features
The Taurus GX4 XL boasts a sleek and modern design, with a slender profile that makes it perfect for concealed carry. The overall width of the pistol is just over 1 inch, allowing it to be tucked into a waistband holster with minimal printing. The edges of the pistol have been rounded to eliminate the risk of snagging, and the lack of a manual safety makes it easy to draw and fire quickly.
The GX4 XL features a long slide and barrel, providing a longer sight radius and increased muzzle velocity. This is achieved through the use of a special DLC (Diamond Like Coating) treatment on the barrel, which offers reduced friction and stands up to wear and corrosion. The slide has also been given a gas nitride coating, providing outstanding resistance to the elements, corrosion, and scuffing.
The GX4 XL magazine release and slide release have been given a Teflon coating, providing a natural lubricity for maximum smoothness and greater protection from wear. The internal metal parts feature a nickel plating to further resist the effects of rust/corrosion. As with all of Taurus’s semiautomatic pistols, the GX4 XL features a visual loaded chamber indicator, allowing the user to immediately tell if a round is loaded and eliminating the need for "press-checks."
Performance and Accuracy
The Taurus GX4 XL is designed for both defensive applications and recreational shooting at the range. Its trigger is designed with professional input, featuring a short take-up, crisp break, and trigger blade serrations that offer a positive contact point for enhanced accuracy and fast follow-up shots.
The GX4 XL also ships with two interchangeable backstraps, allowing the pistol to conform to any hand size. The grip has been designed for EDC and concealed carry use, featuring an aggressive stippling pattern that covers the front, rear, and sides for consistently placing the shooter’s hand in an optimal position to manage recoil and enhance accuracy.
Pros
- Longer sight radius and increased muzzle velocity: The GX4 XL’s longer slide and barrel provide a longer sight radius and increased muzzle velocity, making it ideal for both defensive and recreational shooting.
- Aggressive stippling pattern: The aggressive stippling pattern on the grip helps to consistently place the shooter’s hand in an optimal position to manage recoil and enhance accuracy.
- Rounded edges and nickel plating: The rounded edges and nickel plating on the internal and external components help to reduce the risk of snagging and provide a long service life.
- Visual loaded chamber indicator: The visual loaded chamber indicator allows the user to immediately tell if a round is loaded and eliminates the need for "press-checks."
- Interchangeable backstraps: The interchangeable backstraps allow the pistol to conform to any hand size, making it ideal for users with varying hand sizes.
- Advanced surface treatments: The advanced surface treatments on the internal and external components provide a long service life and withstand corrosion, rust, wear, and provide a long service life.
Cons
- Higher cost: The Taurus GX4 XL is a high-end handgun, and its higher price point may be a deterrent for some users.
- Limited availability: The Taurus GX4 XL may not be widely available in all regions, and users may need to search for authorized dealers to purchase the pistol.
- Trigger break: Some users have reported a slight trigger break with the GX4 XL, which may be a concern for those who prefer a smoother trigger pull.
- No manual safety: The lack of a manual safety on the GX4 XL may be a concern for some users who prefer a more secure pistol.
Conclusion
The Taurus GX4 XL is a highly impressive handgun that offers a range of features and benefits that make it ideal for both defensive and recreational shooting. While it may have some drawbacks, the pros far outweigh the cons, making it a great choice for users who are looking for a high-quality, reliable handgun.
Rating: 4.5/5
I would highly recommend the Taurus GX4 XL to anyone in the market for a high-end handgun. Its impressive features, performance, and accuracy make it a great choice for users who are looking for a reliable and secure pistol. However, users who are on a tight budget or who prefer a more affordable option may want to consider other options.
