Taurus G 3 – A Modern Affordable 9mm

By R.K. Campbell | Contributing Editor

   Most new additions in the handgun field are polymer frame striker fired handguns.

   This is a huge market, lucrative even, and every maker wants to be a part of this market. Glock has the institutional market sewn up but the civilian market is even larger. The price point is important and sometimes the bottom line is, well, the bottom line for a new purchaser.

   Polymer construction offers affordability not possible with steel frame handguns, and that brings us around to a handgun from Taurus that shooters should consider. The Taurus G3 operates in the same manner as the popular G2 series. The lockwork, take down, and operation are the same. The G3 is chambered for the 9mm Luger, a powerful cartridge well suited to defense use. The 9mm is also controllable and downright pleasant to fire in full size handguns. This makes for enjoyable practice sessions.

   The G3 has a four-inch barrel and a full size hand filling frame. The pistol is supplied with two steel magazines, a 15-round and a seventeen round magazine. The larger magazine features an extended base pad. Thanks to the magazine capacity, a trained shooter is a formidable opponent against home invaders. The Taurus G3 is similar in size to the Glock 19 handgun. This is a good spot to be with a size that many of us find ideal for both concealed carry and home defense. The pistol will be offered in versions with a stainless steel slide or black slide.

   Overall length of the pistol is 7.3 inches. The Taurus G3 9mm weighs just 25 ounces, so it isn’t a burden on the belt during a long day or when traveling and it handles quickly. The G3 features a modern light rail for mounting combat lights such as the TruGlo combination light/laser. This light offers both illumination and an aiming index, and it may be set for white light only, red laser only, or a combination of the pair. The TruGlo set up is a good one for combat shooting but offered at a fair price. The base pad equipped magazine with two more cartridges adds only 0.1-inch to the pistol’s height. The pistol breaks down in the now standard Glock style using spring loaded levers on the frame to release the slide. 

A significant difference between the Taurus G3 and the Glock – and most every other striker fired polymer frame handgun – is that the G3 is a single action handgun. Rack the slide and the action is cocked for single action fire. Press the trigger and the sear trips the striker.

Since this is a single action pistol the G3 should always be carried safety on. The frame mounted safety is positive in operation and falls under the thumb easily as the pistol comes to ready on target. There is also a lever set in the trigger to prevent firing unless the lever is pressed flush with the trigger.

Trigger compression is a manageable 5.7 pounds. When practicing with this trigger I noted considerable take up before I hit a ‘wall’ and then there was a solid break. The trigger isn’t difficult to manage but like most must be learned for best results. The pistol has a second strike feature. If the first shot does not ignite the cartridge the Taurus may be fired again with a long heavy trigger press. While some like a second strike others feel that the cartridge in the chamber should be cleared immediately after a misfire.

The sights of the Taurus G3 9mm are well suited to fast combat shooting. They set low, snag free, and are supplied with white three dot inserts. The pistol features a nicely pebbled grip section that offer both adhesion and abrasion.

   I have fired a good cross section of ammunition in this handgun. Results have been good. The pistol’s sights could be larger, perhaps, but then it would cost a few more bucks. Among the loads tested have been the Black Hills Ammunition 124 grain JHP. I like this loading a lot. It isn’t a +P but develops over 1150 fps. Accuracy is good and it isn’t difficult to control. The 9mm isn’t a hard kicking but there is a lot going on with a 9mm self-loader and you must pay attention to the grip, trigger press and sight picture. The pistol was fired at 5, 7 and 10 yards. It isn’t difficult to keep all of the rounds in the X ring. Firing off a solid bench rest firing position at 15 yards the Taurus will group five shots into three inches. That’s adequate if not outstanding.

   I also fired a magazine of the Black Hills Ammunition 100 grain +P. This round is a screamer at 1,250 fps from the muzzle. Accuracy was a bit better and the loading punched sharp edges in the target. This loading uses an all copper bullet with a sharp fluted nose. It doesn’t expand but works thru fluid dynamics and cutting action. Black Hills Ammunition really has something here.

Packing the G3

    I have tested the Crossbreed Reckoning holster extensively and find it an outstanding choice. The Reckoning was intended to provide a smaller footprint than the original Crossbreed while offering the same Kydex over leather advantage. The Reckoning is supplied with an anti-rollout device that combats one of the few drawbacks of appendix carry. The appendix position often allows the handle to “roll out” forward. The Crossbreed anti roll out addition is a solution.  This device may be removed if not needed. The Reckoning also features a magazine carrier that is easily removed if you prefer a carried worn on the weak side rather than attached to the holster. The Glock 19 size Crossbreed is a good match for the Taurus G3.

   The G3 is an affordable performer that offers baseline performance for personal defense.