Taurus USA joined the micro-compact handgun fray in 2021 with its own unique take on the platform. While the Taurus GX4 fit the bill, size-wise, as many of the other micro-compacts on the market, it offered some benefits not found in some other models, such as the interchangeable backstrap and Taurus Optic Ready Option (T.O.R.O) for mounting micro red-dot sights. Best of all, it was affordable, bringing the benefits of the micro-compact to people who couldn’t justify spending a premium. Now, though, with the Taurus GX4XL chambered in 9 mm Luger, the company is offering a platform not seen in many other corners of the market. You can see this pistol in action in our “New For 2022″ video above.

Unlike other companies that are upsizing their micro-compact platforms, Taurus chose to retain the same frame height as that found on the original GX4 while lengthening the slide and barrel of its GX4XL. This provides several benefits while keeping the gun easily concealable. While Taurus offers the GX4XL with a milled, optics-ready slide, the lengthened slide provides a longer sight radius for those who choose to stick with the open sights, allowing them to be more accurate and precise, particularly at distance. The 3.7″ barrel also provides a bit more of a velocity boost, particularly when using ammunition that isn’t designed for the short barrels of today’s micro-compact handguns.

Despite the added length on the front end of the gun, because Taurus retains the original frame height as found on the GX4, the gun remains easily concealable, since the frame is the portion above the waist that has the most tendency to print through a concealment garment. A taller frame means that a gun can be harder to conceal, so the GX4XL provides the benefits of a slightly larger platform without the added concealment burden. Plus, a bonus is that the XL model still accepts all standard flush-fit and extended GX4 magazines.

Each Taurus GX4XL comes with two interchangeable backstraps and a flat-faced target trigger. The gun features a nitride-treated, carbon-steel slide and a DLC-coated, stainless-steel barrel. The T.O.R.O. mounting system accommodates all micro red-dot sights that fit the Shield RMSc footprint. The gun measures 6.43″ long, 4.4” high and weighs in at 20 ozs., unloaded. Each pistol ships with a single flush-fit, 11-round magazine and an extended 13-round magazine. The suggested retail price on the Taurus GX4XL is $429. For more information, visit taurususa.com.

Article by AMERICAN RIFLEMAN STAFF