Another day, another Glock and another aftermarket company popping out Glock magazines. That’s not a complaint, just an observation. I think more mags and more Glocks are better than fewer Glocks and fewer mags. The late series of centerfire Glocks includes the G43X and G48 single stack firearms. The latest magazine to hit the streets is the G48 and G43X ETS Mags.
ETS made its name by producing affordable magazines for various platforms. They often provided extended magazine options for firearms that don’t traditionally have extendos as options. My G43X ETS Mags are just that, extended magazines for a single stack concealed carry piece.
The G48 slash G43X ETS Mags deliver 19 rounds of 9mm in a very curious and interesting magazine design. At the top, we get the single stack design we know and love from the G43X and G48 pistols, as the magazine reaches the portion where it extends from the grip. From there, it becomes more like a traditional double stack.
This single stack to double stack model isn’t that rare; it’s the same way Sig Sauer and Springfield Armory fit so many rounds in their compact magazines. It’s a bit odd to see the same thing applied to an extendo, but we know it’s effective.
Big, red, translucent, and it packs 19 rounds.
From tip to butt, the G43X magazines measure out to 6 and 3/4s inches. The magazine extends 2 and 7/8 inches below the grip itself. The design allows capacity to nearly be doubled situs slot gacor without having to double the length of the magazine itself. ETS designed the magazine with great efficiency.
As always, the magazines are made from an advanced polymer blend that’s resistant to cracking and breaking. It’s also resistant to chemicals and UV light. Unlike Glock OEM magazines, the ETS mags lack an internal layer of metal. This makes them non-magnetic in general, so they won’t work with NeoMag devices.
Oh, and they are clearly translucent. (Get it?) They come in clear and party time red.
Durability Testing —Do these things work?
That’s the big question most of you have. If you plan to use the G48 and G43X ETS magazines for anything beyond plinking, they need to be reliable and durable. I set out to find how much abuse one could take.
Let’s drop this big thing on a cinder block and see what happens.
First, I dropped it unloaded—just let it clack to the ground from shoulder height on a variety of surfaces. This included hard limestone ground, sand, and concrete bricks. I let it fall from the gun and dropped it on its sides and on its feed lips.
I dropped it so many times one of the bullets had some setback in the casing.
From there, I loaded the G43X ETS magazine with 19 rounds of brass-cased 9mm and repeated the tests with a loaded magazine. I remember some of the first-generation Glock ETS magazines would eject a ton if not all their rounds when dropped.
Sand is pretty brutal on anything gun-related.
Luckily that issue has been seemingly solved with the latest generations of ETS magazines, including these G48 and G43X ETS mags. I dropped it on its side, bottom, and tip, and only a single round would eject when the fully loaded mag hit the deck.
Shoot, Shoot, Shoot
After I dropped it, exposed it to sand, and generally beat the hell out of it, I figured it was time to see if the dang thing still cycled without issue. I popped it in the G43X, held my breath, and proceeded to squeeze the trigger as fast as possible.
Each and every round cycled without a single issue. The magazine-fed, so I decided to start the entire durability test over again. I dropped it, and dropped it, and loaded it, then dropped it again. By now, enough sand had squeezed itself in the magazine that it rattled around, and I felt the friction as I slid round after round into the gun.
Let’s shoot, shoot, shoot with the ETS magazines.
The follower ground along, and admittedly I felt more resistance as I loaded it. However, it loaded the 19 rounds without issue, and I let it loose once more. 18 of the 19 rounds fed, fired, and ejected without issue. The 19th didn’t raise quite high enough for the slide to catch it.
I gave the mag a healthy slap, the follower slammed upwards, and the final round fed and fired.
Is This Realistic?
My durability testing is a bit atypical and not necessarily realistic, but it proves the magazine can take some abuse and still function rather well. Like most things, it can’t eat a healthy diet of sand and limestone and be expected to function.
The G43X has a surprising amount of magazine options.
I stripped the magazine down and gave it a good wash with water to clean the sand out and let it dry. Unlike Glock OEM magazines, it’s not a hassle to take apart by any means. After it was cleaned and dried, I loaded it up with 19 rounds and fired a final string. It fled flawlessly once the sand was liberated like an oil-bearing middle eastern country.
Why an extendo for a concealed carry gun?
Here is the big question. What’s the practical purpose of an extendo like these G43X ETS magazines? There are lots of reasons for extendos. Number one, this is America, so if I want, I should have it. Second, extendos are just fun to shoot with. Neither of those reasons is necessarily practical, though.
It extends a few inches below the grip, so it’s not exactly suitable for concealed carry.
You don’t need a practical reason to own a G48 or G43X ETS magazine, but I can give you some. As always, more bullets are better than fewer bullets, especially when your firearm has tasks beyond concealed carry. For some people, one gun is all they have. It pulls double duty for concealed carry, home defense, and beyond.
In the home defense role, the 19 round G43X ETS magazine offers a heckuva lot of rounds for defensive purposes. The more you have in the gun, the better for home defense. Packing a reload isn’t likely when something goes bump in the night and a 19 round magazine grants you a good bit more firepower.
19 rounds beats the hell out of 10 rounds for defensive use.
Road Trippin’
Beyond home defense, an extended magazine like the G43X ETS magazine packs a punch for traveling. A long road trip will have you packing your G43X with its standard 10 round magazine but having an extended option for emergencies is far from crazy. When you spend the night in hotels and such a 19 round magazine opens up your defensive capabilities.
10, 14, and 19 rounds give the G43X lots of options.
Packing on the Rounds
The G48 and G43X ETS magazine is an awesome option for topping off your mag with a few extra rounds. A few extra being 9, or almost double the OEM magazine capacity. These mags can take a healthy amount of abuse and keep click-clacking, although be aware everything might need a little TLC here and there.
If you want to exercise your freedom, packing a few extra rounds for defensive purposes, or just reduce the need to reload, then G43X ETS mags keep you covered. Literally, they allow you to lay down cover fire if necessary.
Travis Pike is a former Marine Machine Gunner, a lifelong firearms enthusiast, and now a regular guy who likes to shoot, write, and find ways to combine the two. He holds an NRA certification as a Basic Pistol Instructor and is the world’s Okayest firearm’s instructor.
In the never-ending battle of anti-gun legislation, Texas is making some major moves when it comes to suppressor regulations — and they all hinge upon Texas silencers.
Currently, in order to own a suppressor without having a felony slapped on you and getting major jail time, you must comply with the National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA). Would-be suppressor buyers must go through the typically long and arduous process of asking permission from the ATF and passing a BATFE background check. Though the processing time for this varies, it’s often as much as 8-10 months or more.
There there is the tax. Once the wait is over, you are then required to pay a $200 transfer tax. Oh, and you also have to live in one of the 42 states that allow ownership of suppressors. If your legal residence is in California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, or the District of Colombia, well…you’re just out of luck.
These laws have, obviously, always applied to Texas silencers as much as those of any other state.
Texas Silencer Laws
However…
For Texans, this may all get a little easier when House Bill (HB) 957 comes into play. This fun little bill would not-so-quietly squash the current federal suppressor laws by asserting that suppressors mad in Texas are no longer subject to federal regulation. It will do so by using the commerce clause of the U.S.Constitution.
Boiled down: any suppressor physically manufactured and subsequently remaining in the State of Texas and engraved with the words “Made in Texas”, would no longer be subject to federal law.
The code will go into effect on September 1, 2021.
Now, this doesn’t mean that you can just fire up the ol’ lathe and get going. Cases will be handled at the individual level. Private Citizens will have to file a complaint with the attorney general that a government body is taking action to enforce federal suppressor laws on you. In that case, the AT would seek a declaratory judgment from a federal district court that these provisions are not in conflict with the U.S. Constitution.
Texan Rep Tom Oliverson
The man who made this possible? State Representative and Physician in Anesthesiology, Tom Oliverson ( R-Cypress). The good Doctor not only presented and argued for this law in terms of legality but also from a medical standpoint.
With hearing loss and tinnitus being all too common amongst hunters and recreational shooters, he was able to present his case and show just how effective the use of a suppressor can be in terms of protecting against such ailments.
The Texas Senate passed HB 957 on a vote, 18 to 13. The House passed it 95 to 51 and — shockingly enough – it even had some bipartisan support from about 14 Democrats!
Now, a cautionary note worth repeating here:
“…the bill provides a path to secure a declaratory judgment on the constitutionality of this law before someone manufactures ‘Made in Texas’ suppressors.
That last part is really important. Before you run out and make yourself a can out of an oil filter and then post it on Instabook for all the world to see, STOP. If signed into law, this is still going to have to go through the federal courts.”
It is currently an offense to possess, manufacture, transport, repair, or sell a firearm silencer unless a person is in compliance with federal law. It has been suggested that this is an unnecessary regulation that infringes on the rights of Texans and that the State of Texas should also not assist the federal government in enforcing laws and regulations restricting Texans’ access to firearm suppressors if they are wholly manufactured and sold in Texas. H.B. 957 seeks to address this issue by removing the aforementioned offense and establishing that a firearm suppressor that is manufactured and remains in Texas is not subject to federal law or regulation under the authority of the U.S. Congress to regulate interstate commerce.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT
It is the committee’s opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee’s opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
H.B. 957 amends the Penal Code to remove a firearm silencer from among the prohibited weapons whose intentional or knowing possession, manufacture, transport, repair, or sale constitutes an offense. The bill establishes that a criminal action for such an offense involving a firearm silencer that is pending on the bill’s effective date is dismissed on that date.
H.B. 957 amends the Government Code to establish the following regarding firearm suppressors that are manufactured on or after the bill’s effective date:
· a firearm suppressor that is manufactured in and remains in Texas is not subject to federal law or federal regulation, including registration, under the authority of the U.S. Congress to regulate interstate commerce; and
· a basic material from which a firearm suppressor is manufactured in Texas, including unmachined steel, is not a firearm suppressor and is not subject to federal regulation under that Congressional authority as if it actually were a firearm suppressor.
The bill requires the attorney general, on written notification by a U.S. citizen residing in Texas of the citizen’s intent to manufacture an applicable firearm suppressor, to seek a declaratory judgment from a federal district court in Texas that these provisions are consistent with the U.S. Constitution. The bill sets out the circumstances under which a firearm suppressor is considered to be manufactured in Texas and requires a firearm suppressor manufactured and sold in Texas to have the words “Made in Texas” clearly stamped on it.
H.B. 957 prohibits the state, specified state or local entities, or an officer, employee, or body of certain local entities from adopting a rule, order, ordinance, or policy under which the entity enforces or by consistent action allows the enforcement of a federal statute, order, rule, or regulation that purports to regulate a firearm suppressor and that imposes a regulation that does not exist under state law. The bill prohibits any applicable entity and any person employed by or otherwise under the entity’s direction or control from enforcing or attempting to enforce any such federal statute, order, rule, or regulation. The bill prohibits an entity that adopts a prohibited rule, order, ordinance, or policy from receiving state grant funds and requires such funds to be denied to the entity for the fiscal year following the year in which the entity’s adoption of the rule, order, ordinance, or policy is finally judicially determined to have violated the bill’s prohibition.
H.B. 957 authorizes any citizen residing in an applicable entity’s jurisdiction to file a complaint with the attorney general if the citizen offers and includes with the complaint evidence to support an allegation that the entity has adopted a prohibited rule, order, ordinance, or policy or that the entity consistently allows the enforcement of an applicable federal law. The bill authorizes the attorney general, on determining the complaint is valid, to file a petition for a writ of mandamus or apply for other appropriate equitable relief in a specified district court to compel the entity’s compliance with the bill’s provisions. The bill provides for the attorney general’s recovery of reasonable expenses. The bill establishes that an appeal of a suit brought to enforce the bill’s provisions is governed by certain accelerated appeals procedures and requires the appellate court to render its final order or judgment with the least possible delay.
H.B. 957 repeals Section 46.01(4), Penal Code.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2021.
A daughter of the PNW and engineering administration maven, Samantha Fischer is an often-underestimated pro-Second Amendment rabble-rouser – who, despite her proficiency with assorted modern long guns, actually prefers a Henry Color Case Hardened Lever Action Side Gate in .45-70 to an AR15…though she is quite attached to her AI L96A1 as well. Sam reports on an eclectic (occasionally esoteric) range of topics, here on The Mag Life and other places.
The Firebase Parabellum Bandolier is a tactical bandolier from Vertx. Developed in conjunction with Firebase Combat Studies Group, the Vertx Firebase Parabellum is a low-profile, multi-use load bearing option designed to mitigate the weight and space problems sometimes created by the need to pack and load for multiple mission profiles. As you can see in the video below, the Parabellum can be worn as a bandolier, like a chest rig, or under the arms. You can also mount it to a plate carrier, inside a bagpack, or down in a kit bag.
Vertx advises,
“You can’t always spare the space or weight it takes to pack for multiple mission profiles so when it comes to loadout the Firebase Bandolier is the versatile solution you need. With the ability to be worn or stored in four different configurations, the Firebase Bandolier is an expert addition the Prepared Professional’s arsenal.”
Features:
• Unique multi-purpose pouch platform allows for on or off-body carry options • Exterior panel can be stowed to reveal hook-side for attachment in bags, packs, chest rigs and plate carriers • The center stow pocket can be used to store sensitive items like IDs and documents or IFAK • Belt keeper shock-cord provides added security when worn in x-strap configuration • Snap closures add retention when on the move • Straps can be reconfigured for left or right-handed use • Pouches can be oriented faceup or facedown for faster reloading
Construction:
• 4 pouches sized to fit AR15 magazines, IFAKs, radios and other tools (Option 1) • 4 pouches sized to fit pistol caliber carbine magazines, flashlights and other tools (Option 2) • Overlapping elastic retention • Silicone printing inside mag pouches for added retention
Fabric and Technology:
• Pliable material conforms to the body • Wear-resistant honeycomb mesh • Lightweight and durable Hypalon snap closures
AR Bandolier Version
PCC Bandolier Version
Vertx provides the following bandolier/chest rig advice:
Be A Hard-Charger, Just Do It Discreetly
You can’t always spare the space or weight it takes to pack for multiple mission profiles so when it comes to loadout the Firebase Parabellum Bandolier is the versatile solution you need. Worn either under the right or left arm like a shoulder holster, diagonally across the body like a bandolier, attached to the front of your plate carrier, or deployed from your bag for off-body carry, the Firebase Parabellum Bandolier allows up to four mags with the ability to configure access either from the top or bottom.
Each mag cell has silicon printing for extra retention and the centerline pocket is Tactigami compatible and a great place to store maps, documents or an IFAK. Designed for concealment under shirts or jackets the low-profile shoulder and waist straps secure the bandolier without adding bulk. A multifunctional, multiple carry platform, the Firebase Bandolier is an expert addition the Prepared Professional’s arsenal.
Firebase CSG is online at https://firebasecsg.com/.
The new bandolier is available online at: https://vertx.com/firebase-parabellum-bandolier
and: https://vertx.com/firebase-pcc-bandolier
Brock Trautman is the senior news anchor for The Mag Life, the official publication of GunMag Warehouse. He’s also a cartoon, so…don’t get butt-hurt about anything he says. He’s not making subjective judgments on things, or reviewing anything – he’s just passing along the news.
Sig Sauer just added a fifth model to the M400 series, and this one has features that were purpose-built for competitive shooters. The M400 Switchblade is a rifle-caliber AR pistol with several ambidextrous controls, 2-stage Matchlite Duo Trigger, free-float M-LOK handguard, and the new Magpul BSL brace which is adjustable for length.
The Switchblade has an 11.5” barrel, Magpuls’ all-new BSL brace (not shown), full ambi controls, twin locking clamp handguard, match-grade flatblade trigger, and a Cerakote Titanium finish.
“The M400 Switchblade brings an entirely new level of performance to the M400 product family with unmatched flexibility and capability,” said Tom Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President, Commercial Sales, Sig Sauer, Inc. “The pistol features fully ambidextrous controls to include the charging handle, selector, and unique to the Switchblade, the bolt catch and release for seamless transitions from hand to hand and rapid deployment of the catch. Additionally, the new Magpul BSL brace offers improved stability, and the rigid handguard is designed to withstand the weight of maximum accessory installation, truly making the M400 Switchblade the ultimate performance pistol.”
As described by Sig:
Sig Sauer is pleased to announce the expansion of the M400 series with the introduction of the Sig Sauer M400 Switchblade, which brings the performance features of the popular M400 SDI platforms — that were purpose-built for competition shooters – to this rifle caliber pistol.
The Sig Sauer M400 Switchblade is an aluminum frame rifle caliber pistol featuring a Cerakote Titanium Elite finish, with a telescoping Magpul BSL Brace, an 11.5” cold hammer-forged carbon steel tapered barrel for easy suppressor installation with a three-prong flash hider, and a rigid free-floating handguard with M-LOK accessory rail that installs with a clamp system and designed to eliminate deflection from the added weight of accessory installation. The pistol offers fully ambidextrous controls including the bolt catch, charging handle, and selector switch, has a 2-stage Matchlite Duo Trigger, and comes optics-ready. The pistol is chambered in 5.56 NATO and ships with a thirty-round magazine.
The M400 Switchblade features an ambidextrous bolt catch (top left), 2-stage Matchlite Duo Trigger (top right), and 11.5″ carbon steel barrel (bottom).
Stephanie Kimmell is the firstborn daughter of Missouri’s Pecan King, worthy scion of a Vietnam veteran sailor turned mad engineer-orchardist-inventor-genius. With a BA in technical writing, she freelances as a writer and editor. A Zymurgist greatly interested in the decoction of fermented barley and hops, she is in many ways a modern amalgam of Esther Hobart Morris, Rebecca Boone, and Nellie Bly. She hunts, fishes, butchers, and cooks most anything. When not editing or writing, she makes soaps and salves, spins wool, and occasionally makes cheese from cows she milked herself. Kimmell is a driven epistemophilic who loves live music and all sorts of beer.
Florida-based B&T USA just announced the next-gen version of its SPR300—the Special Purpose Rifle that is equipped with an integral suppressor. This one is the SPR300 PRO with several improvements including, a new chassis, Timney trigger, and folding stock. And, well, this is GunMag, you know…we’re pretty sure that the best new feature about this new model is that it’s designed to take AR magazines!
The original SPR300 was originally developed for European special mission units and has an incredible reputation as a whisper-quiet precision rifle that boasts comparable sound and flash signature to that of an air rifle.
B&T’s Vice President of Sales Jon Scott said, “Due to increased demand, the SPR300 has jumped the line to receive our updated PRO treatment. The new PRO version features an updated chassis, accepts AR-pattern magazines, features a Timney match trigger, and has a new folding stock assembly compatible with the myriad of AR/M4-style stock models available today”
Oh, and did we mention, it takes AR mags?
Here’s how the company describes it in the official press release:
B&T USA is excited to announce the release of its next generation SPR300 (Special Purpose Rifle 300BLK), the SPR300 PRO. Built for maximum accuracy out to 165 yards, the SPR300 PRO features a 9.8-inch 1:8 twist barrel chambered for 300BlackOut (7.62x35mm). The platform features a foldable, fully adjustable stock; extended top rail designed to accept clip-on night vision/thermal devices and prisms; a quick-detach bipod and a thread-on suppressor. Due to precision Swiss engineering, the SPR300 PRO can be broken down and quickly reassembled with no change in point of impact.
The SPR300 PRO features a durable hard anodized, aircraft aluminum receiver for reduced weight, a Timney single-stage Hunter Elite trigger adjustable from 1.5 lb. to 4 lbs., M-LOK compatible accessory slots, a three-position safety selector, as well as cocked bolt indicator.
Stephanie Kimmell is the firstborn daughter of Missouri’s Pecan King, worthy scion of a Vietnam veteran sailor turned mad engineer-orchardist-inventor-genius. With a BA in technical writing, she freelances as a writer and editor. A Zymurgist greatly interested in the decoction of fermented barley and hops, she is in many ways a modern amalgam of Esther Hobart Morris, Rebecca Boone, and Nellie Bly. She hunts, fishes, butchers, and cooks most anything. When not editing or writing, she makes soaps and salves, spins wool, and occasionally makes cheese from cows she milked herself. Kimmell is a driven epistemophilic who loves live music and all sorts of beer.
The coolest thing about the Shield Arms SA-15 FLR isn’t that it’s a folding AR15 (although that’s pretty cool). The coolest thing about the Shield Arms SA-15 FLR is that it’s an integrally folding AR15: meaning no after-market thingamawhatsits to get it thataway.
Hence Folding Lower Receiver (FLR). Funny how that works eh?
Anyway, the Shield Arms Folding Lower Receiver (FLR) is now available in pistol, rifle, and stripped lower configuration and (as of this writing) it’s in stock. As originally reported on Soldier Systems Daily, the SA-15 FLR is a fully-folding lower receiver that does not require an adapter.
It’s a patent-pending billet AR-15 lower receiver with a folding stock mechanism machined and built directly into the receiver, allowing the stock or pistol brace to fold without the need of an aftermarket folding adapter.
The various SA15s feed via standard (i.e. unmodified) AR15 magazines.
Here’s what it looks like when locked in place and set up with some other cool toys for Insta:
An SA-15 folding AR pistol in FDE build on the Shield Arms folding lower receiver. Keeping it company; Glock 43X with extended S15 mag, SA hat, and a G10 Pugio dagger (w/IWB kydex sheath) in coyote tan. Or coyote brown. Or whatever we’re supposed to call it now.
Each respective configuration is detailed below.
SA-15 FLR
A 16 in. folding Rifle built on Shield Arms folding lower.
Brock Trautman is the senior news anchor for The Mag Life, the official publication of GunMag Warehouse. He’s also a cartoon, so…don’t get butt-hurt about anything he says. He’s not making subjective judgments on things, or reviewing anything – he’s just passing along the news.
This is the new (as of this writing) Vehicle Seatback MOLLE Panel Kit from Grey Man Tactical. The “Vehicle Seatback RMP Kit” has a wide array of attachment options and provides an extremely modular way to organize and mount gear.
Each GreyManTac seatback MOLLE panel comes with their 15.25 x 25 Rigid MOLLE Panel (RMP) and headrest and seat bottom straps. The kit is fully compatible with accessory choices from GMT’s most popular attachment categories: gear, medical, and utility.
There are many ways to exploit GMT’s seatback MOLLE panels.
For hunting, ranch inspections, range visits, and of course on-duty use you can throw rifles, mags, and other gear on there.
But that’s hardly the limit. Camping gear, tools, you name it — it’s all in how you Tetris it together.
And if you don’t want someone to see what’s under there, or if you want to pull the rig out of the vehicle into a base camp, you can always cover it up.
Each kit allows the user to customize from the following, choosing one option from each of the three categories.
• GEAR: 3” QuickFist Clamp with hardware OR Dual QuickFist Original Clamp with hardware.
• MEDICAL: Tear Away Medical Pouch OR Tear Away Medical Pouch with BaseMED First Aid Kit.
• UTILITY: Large Utility Pouch OR Shockloop Bundle (x2)
The 15.25in x 25in RMP is a universal fit for driver or passenger seatbacks and passenger seat fronts on:
Grey Man Tactical advises that their various RMP Series have since been utilized by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies – specifically the DOS, DOJ, DHS, FBI, USMS, USBP, NYPD, and LAPD to US Armed Forces, including the US Army, USAF, USN, USMC, USCG, and USSOCOM – with implementation in missions assigned across Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and surrounding areas of operation. As a result, the RMP Series™ has yielded over 1,000 Five Star Reviews in our efforts to make critical gear rapidly accessible.
Brock Trautman is the senior news anchor for The Mag Life, the official publication of GunMag Warehouse. He’s also a cartoon, so…don’t get butt-hurt about anything he says. He’s not making subjective judgments on things, or reviewing anything – he’s just passing along the news.
While it may seem like the world of high-capacity concealed carry has enough contenders already, there is definitely room for at least one more, especially at a lower price point. With two 11-round magazines included, the new diminutive-framed Taurus GX4 9mm is clearly aimed at the SIG P365, Springfield Hellcat (original and RDP), and Smith & Wesson Shield PLUS as its biggest competitors, but it is also aimed at shooters who don’t want to spend $500+ on a concealed carry gun.
Ever since Sig introduced the P365 in 2018, every reputable manufacturer has upped their game to compete in the larger capacity concealed carry arena, so makes sense that Taurus would join the fray sooner or later.
There is a lot to like about the GX4 and a few things that gave me pause. Here is a breakdown of what I liked and didn’t like.
Spoiler alert: most of it is good.
The Good
The Taurus GX4 has a lot to recommend. It’s not perfect (no gun is), but the Plus column is a lot longer than the Minus column. Understand before we get too deep into the goods and bads that this is not an exotic firearm full of expensive bells and whistles. It’s a basic concealed carry gun.
The Taurus G4X is a basic concealed carry gun.
Let’s start with the size. It matters, right? (Sorry, not sorry.) At around 1 inch thick, it falls right in line with its competitors, tucking easily away under even the lightest cover garments.
The magazine easily holds 11 rounds within its narrow grip, with a spring that is surprisingly light for being brand new. Like so many of us, I typically use my speed loader with a new magazine because the spring is so stiff. However, this one was light enough to load all 11 rounds without any mechanical assistance, a refreshing change.
Once loaded, the gun was easy to get into battery with a medium weight recoil spring making slide rack easy, aided by deep serrations on both front and back. Press check was easy.
Taurus did an awesome job on the grip texture — not too rough and not too smooth. Kudos to the grip design engineers. Goldilocks would be proud. Shooting with both dry and sweaty palms proved solid and firm, with little worry about the gun moving in my grip during recoil and realignment.
The grip texture was really good, but I was a bit confused by the interchangeable backstraps. Not the concept — I get that — but why they are virtually identical.
The GX4 comes with two interchangeable backstraps that are simple to swap out, but they are so similar that I couldn’t tell much difference between them. The slightly larger one that came installed on the gun fit my hand solidly, but of course, I was obligated for scientific reasons to swap them to feel the difference, which was nominal. The swells were close enough that I don’t know that Taurus needed to include the second one.
I would like to have seen a more significant difference between the two. It’s also interesting that they chose to spend money on interchangeable backstraps instead of fixing some of the small items I’ll mention in the “The Bad” section below.
(Don’t jump down there yet. That’s cheating. There is more good stuff first.)
The grip length, often the bane of large-handed people’s existence on compact pistols, is better on the GX4 than on most of the competition. Taurus did an admirable job of shortening the grip to reduce printing without going too small for larger hands.
For sure, cramming 11 rounds inside prevented them from going too small. While only part of my pinky rested comfortably on the bottom, it only sort of hung off, barely. When I started shooting, my fingers stayed firm on the grip, not ever slipping off. After a few shots, I forgot all about it. This was all during a session where I threw 100-, 115-, and 124-grain ammo downrange in a healthy mix of practice and defensive rounds from Federal, Winchester, and Black Hills, all of which ran flawlessly with zero malfunctions.
The Taurus GX4 has a wide trigger guard and a flat-faced trigger.
One often neglected feature in compact pistols is the trigger guard size. But Taurus paid attention to it. The GX4 incorporates a large trigger guard, wide enough to comfortably insert a gloved finger without the danger of an accidental discharge.
Speaking of the trigger, the GX4 features a flat-faced design with trigger safety. I was half expecting a squishy action with lots of slack and a mushy reset, especially given the price point (see below), but what Taurus gave us instead is a 6-pound pull with a crisp break, minimal slack, and a firm, audible, tactile reset — the kind of trigger feel normally associated with more expensive guns.
I have to call out one feature that floored me, in a good way.
You know how hard it is sometimes to close a slide on a compact with your thumb because the slide stop is just too dang small and hard to push? Not on the Taurus GX4! (It’s the little things, right?) The slide stop on this compact is easy to operate with the thumb, removing the need for a two-hand rack on every reload. This may not sound like a big deal but think about reloading under pressure in a real gunfight. Now, how big of a deal is it? Kudos to Taurus for this little oft-overlooked detail!
The Bad
Now, before you start thinking this is a Taurus GX4 love fest, there are a few things about the gun that definitely could be better. Some are big, some small. Remember, this is a budget-conscious pistol, so don’t expect too many high-end features, but a few small improvements would have been nice.
The Sights
The factory sights are okay but not great. They are basically Glock knockoffs with a non-glowing white dot on the front and blacked-out rear with anti-glare texturing, which is a nice touch if you like blacked-out sights. I’m not a big fan, especially on concealed carry guns designed to be used in heat-of-the-moment self-defense situations where you need to immediately see the sights, but maybe that’s just me.
Thankfully, replacing the stock sights is fairly simple, if you so choose. It would have been nice to see a dayglow sight on front at least, but that might raise the price beyond Taurus’ target market, so maybe we will see that in a 2.0 version down the road.
Takedown
The GX4 has an unconventional takedown system that requires tools. Unlike the typical takedown lever found on most guns, which pushes up or rotates with a finger or thumb to release the slide, the GX4 requires a flathead screwdriver to twist the lever while the trigger is pulled and the slide is pushed forward. And the screw is on the other side of the gun, which is a bit odd.
This is not terribly difficult or prohibitive, just unnecessarily awkward. The good news is once these gyrations are complete, the rest of the takedown process is like any other striker fire.
Where is the accessory rail, even a short one?
Right now it has none, zero, zilch, not even a stub of one for tiny accessories. It would be nice to have at least a little rail to attach a small laser or light. Space is not an issue. There is enough real estate in front of the trigger guard to allow for one. This may not be a huge miss for some, but it might turn off at least a few potential buyers.
One last thing — and this is a biggy.
It’s missing an optic plate, something more and more expected as standard across the pistol world nowadays. While the rest of the compact concealed carry market is either including an optic plate (some even throw in the optic) on new models or going back and adding them to new versions of an existing gun, Taurus inexplicably left off this ever-increasingly popular and important feature.
Even though it should have been on the original, perhaps we will see it as at least an option on any upgraded versions of the GX4 in the future.
The Ugly
Okay, shame on me. Yes, I threw this in just to perpetuate the movie theme at the risk of copyright infringement. There really is nothing ugly about this gun. But there really is nothing all that pretty about it either. In fact, its looks are fairly unremarkable. The GX4’s boxy exterior is neither ugly nor beautiful. It’s…functional, which is fine because it’s a gun, not decoration.
While it won’t win any beauty contests, it also didn’t fall out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down like many other lower-priced firearms. Its design serves the purpose: to hold all the parts and pieces together and provide good ergonomics and concealment for the shooter.
While the GX4 may not be the sexiest gun on the market by a long shot (pun intended), its average looks do justice to a gun that clearly only serves a utilitarian purpose. It’s a box. And that’s okay.
Takeaways
Overall, the Taurus GX4 is a rock-solid, reliable option in a basic carry gun that won’t break the bank. It fits the hands well, shoots flat with minimal felt recoil for a small gun, has enough rounds in the mag to compete in the higher capacity concealed carry market, and performed flawlessly in my limited testing.
Manufacturers will soon introduce holsters and other accessories, so support should be good. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly, no-nonsense, frill-free concealed carry gun that checks all the basic boxes and a few extras, the Taurus GX4 at $392.42 MSRP is definitely well worth consideration.
In an effort to figure out how well the Taurus entry into the ‘micro-compact/moderate capacity 9mm pistol’ field stacks up against others in the space, I shot the gun on a few courses of fire that I’d used for similar guns for comparison.
I’d already checked it on the CQ standards, where it went up against the Ruger MAX-9 (with optic) and the Springfield Armory Hellcat RDP. Later, the S&W M&P Shield Plus will face that test.
(Image: The Tactical Wire)
As you recall, the GX4 did well on those “close range benchmarks,” outscoring every gun I’ve tried so far – including a larger, conventional “service-compact” pistol. The CQB consists of “high value” close-range hits, a stage from a state course of fire and the Waidelich/Bakersfield standards (or a facsimile thereof). Based on time/point penalties – and while the GX4 didn’t shoot it clean – I still scored 91/100 – a record thus far. That can’t be ‘training effect,’ as the GX4 was the second gun ever fired on this mashup course of fire. The times weren’t perfect; it’s a small gun even considering the outstanding ergonomics. And I was only one hit down on paper (not time). If I were to work with it more, I could revisit the course and see if I could sort that out.
The fact remains that this little pistol was able to keep up with larger guns and guns with optics.
The Taurus GX4 13-round magazine is an 11-rounder with a +2 extension for elongated grip and added capacity.
For today’s mess, I grabbed an NRA TQ-21 “blob” silhouette with its nearly invisible scoring lines denoting a generous area for full-value hits. I’ll likely opine on ‘spot-shooting’ sometime – even though friend Claude Werner has already well explained the idea – but suffice to say I added a scoring ring on the target’s face with a permanent marker around a roll of tape. I following that up by stapling a B-8 repair center on the target’s “chest.”
I wanted to shoot something like a more traditional ‘police-qual’ type of course and see if the little gun was okay out to distance.
Not the prettiest target, but some agencies would consider this a “possible.” For such a small pistol, it’s a really good performance. (Image source: The Tactical Wire)
As to all that’s made of the ‘snappy’ nature of these small 9mm pistols; that’s real, some considerable blast and an abrupt recoil impulse. It’s about like shooting the 40 Auto in a GLOCK 23 (pre-Gen5) in suddenness but without the torque that creates the ‘shooters’ elbow’ condition. In short, it wasn’t at all fatiguing.
You have to hang on – of that, there is no question.
This is a very personable little pistol. And now, with the various accouterments available on shoptaurus.com, it can be made ‘more shootable’ perhaps at the expense of extreme close concealment.
Taurus GX4 Initial Release
The following is the notification we initially received about the new micro-nine from Taurus HQ in Bainbridge, GA.
This is a copy of their PR, not a part of a review or endorsement.
Taurus, manufacturer of premium handguns for defense, hunting, and sport shooting, is excited to announce the all-new Taurus GX4, designed to deliver maximum concealment without sacrificing ergonomics, performance, or capacity. In short, the Taurus GX4 offers everything you would expect from a full-frame defensive handgun (and more!) but at a fraction of the size and weight. The new Taurus GX4 redefines the micro pistol segment to deliver the concealability of a .380 but with the power, capacity, and function of a full-size 9mm handgun.
The Taurus GX4 is built on a stainless frame with a polymer grip that earns high marks in shooter comfort and strength. This thin, one-inch-wide frame provides negligible printing when worn inside the waistband and features a grip dimension sized to fit any hand. To ensure structural rigidity and reliable cycling in such a scaled-down foundation, the polymer receiver bolsters an integral stainless-steel framework that eliminates flex or deformation when firing.
Intelligent channeling beneath the slide rail allows for recessed placement of the slide stop lever and takedown pin. This permits easy manipulation of these controls while maintaining a flush, no-snag profile for a smooth draw from deep concealment. Likewise, the magazine release button is flush to the grip to eliminate snag potential without hindering quick manipulation during mag changes.
The stippling pattern along the grip offers the perfect balance of aggressive texture across the front of the grip, the side panels, and the full length of the backstrap for a concealed carry application. Stippling is also found forward of the trigger at the indexing and recoil management pad locations. These pads, working in conjunction with the high-texture grip, help the shooter maintain proper hand positioning and assist in managing 9mm recoil while promoting fast target reacquisition in a small handgun platform.
The Taurus GX4 comes with two backstrap options. Installed at the factory is the standard backstrap profile with its slight palm swell to accommodate the preferred grip for most shooters. Those who favor a higher wrist position for natural point-of-aim via a more pronounced palm swell can install the included high-swell backstrap.
Shooters will enjoy the accuracy and predictability of the Taurus GX4 trigger courtesy of its crisp, precise sear break and the pleasingly short and tactile reset that is fundamental to quick, on-target follow-up shots. Adding to the control quotient are serrations along the trigger safety blade. These serrations help prevent finger slip and promote a straighter, more consistent trigger pull.
Located at the front and back of the slide, the serrations not only provide a positive grip for charging and cartridge extraction, but they also allow for push or pull manipulation from either end of the slide to accommodate the shooter’s preferred operation style.
Topping the slide is a fixed-position steel front sight and square-notch steel rear sight. The rear sight features serrations across the back to minimize glare, and the cross-cut dovetail slot allows for drift-adjustment of the sight’s windage. The front sight includes a white alignment dot for improved visibility in reduced light conditions. Understanding that many personal defense practitioners desire a tritium or fiber-optic sight system for extreme low-light performance, the Taurus GX4’s dovetail slot is sized to be compatible with common aftermarket tritium and fiber-optic sights. The front sight also uses the conventional screw attachment system, so upgrading the Taurus GX4™ to aftermarket night sights is a simple matter for a gunsmith or anyone with a pistol sight installation tool.
As with all Taurus polymer frame pistols, the Taurus GX4 slide includes a visual loaded chamber indicator. This allows the shooter to quickly see if a cartridge is loaded in the chamber and eliminates the need for the traditional “press check.” To separate the slide assembly from the frame for cleaning, the Taurus GX4 utilizes an easy take-down pin system.
The Taurus GX4’s 3.06-inch stainless-steel barrel, for example, features a satin black DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) treatment for reduced friction and greater wear and corrosion resistance. For the slide finish, Taurus engineers opted for a gas nitride coating to maximize slide surface hardness. This treatment is ideal for a gun intended for daily carry and for deep concealment due to its wear resistance properties.
Elsewhere, operational control parts receive a Teflon coating. The inherent lubricity of Teflon allows components such as the reversible mag release to operate with maximum smoothness while also resisting wear and corrosion. The steel slide stop has polymer overmolding for maximum durability. Inside the Taurus GX4, metal internal parts are nickel-plated to further resist rust and corrosion.
While the Taurus GX4 proves that neither ergonomics nor reliable performance need be sacrificed to create a full-feature micro pistol, it also proves that firepower or cartridge capacity need not be compromised, either. Chambered for 9mm Luger, the Taurus GX4 delivers several double-stack magazine options.
The Taurus GX4 comes from the factory with two flush 11-round magazines. There is the standard magazine with a floor plate that is flush with the bottom of the grip and an optional 11-round magazine with a finger extension for those who prefer a larger grip surface. If more capacity is desired, Taurus offers an optional 13-round extended magazine. The Taurus GX4 comes in a 10-round magazine version for those consumers in capacity-restricted states.
In keeping with the Taurus philosophy of producing handguns with the industry’s best performance-to-cost ratio, the new Taurus GX4 delivers. With an MSRP of $392.42, Taurus GX4 buyers can enjoy all the feature benefits and ergonomics typically associated with larger polymer frame striker-fired pistols at a price point that fits any budget.
This has been a collaborative effort by two or more members of The Mag Life contributor team: to wit, a JWOT (Joint Writing Operations Team). We’ll advise which specific contributors in the text of the article. Subscribe to GunMag TV and follow GMW on Instagram, @gunmagwarehouse. Connect on Facebook, /gunmagwarehouse/.
The popular 407 red dot sight series from Holosun just expanded to include the HE407K-GR X2, which has a green reticle. Why a green reticle? Good question, green is more easily seen by the human eye, and in optics, is considered a better option for aging eyes or those with astigmatism. Here’s the lowdown on the new Holosun green dot sight, according to the company.
When it comes to self-defense pistol optics, there isn’t room for failure. One of the best self-defense optics produced by Holosun is being reintroduced with a wavelength change that provides a green reticle. The 407 series already have a reasonably large reticle, at 6 MOA, which helps during close-quarters defense. An addition of a green reticle makes this a more attractive option for EDC.
A green reticle appears brighter to the human eye than standard red at the same intensity. Pair this increased intensity, larger reticle, and the ability to be more readily seen in daytime light conditions make this a prime and efficient choice for users.
A 1632 battery can power the Super Green LED for up to 50,000 hours. With Shake Awake the life of the battery — and overall effectiveness — of the optic is much greater. The efficiency of the 407K’s green LED coupled with the large, 6MOA green dot creates the ideal carry package.
Weighing in at a mere 1 oz, the HE407K-GR X2 may be the next best thing for defensive carry. At 1.60” long, 0.98” wide, and 0.95” tall, it’s able to be adapted to both full-size, compact and subcompact pistol types. The uses are endless. If you’re a competition shooter or carry an EDC defensive firearm, HOLOSUN has you covered.
Check out the new green LED HOLOSUN models for yourself and improve your precision and efficiency with innovation from HOLOSUN.
Specifications
•6 MOA Dot
•Light Wavelength of 540nm
•Green Reticle Color
•Parallax Free
•Unlimited Eye Relief
•1x Magnification
•Multi-Coated Optical Glass
•CR1632 Battery
•50,000 Hour Battery Life
•10 DL&2 NV Brightness Settings
•Anodized 7075 T6 Aluminum Construction
•Window Size 0.58” x 0.77”
•Exterior Dimensions 1.60” x 0.98” x 0.95”
•1 Oz. Weight
•IP67 Water Resistance
Stephanie Kimmell is the firstborn daughter of Missouri’s Pecan King, worthy scion of a Vietnam veteran sailor turned mad engineer-orchardist-inventor-genius. With a BA in technical writing, she freelances as a writer and editor. A Zymurgist greatly interested in the decoction of fermented barley and hops, she is in many ways a modern amalgam of Esther Hobart Morris, Rebecca Boone, and Nellie Bly. She hunts, fishes, butchers, and cooks most anything. When not editing or writing, she makes soaps and salves, spins wool, and occasionally makes cheese from cows she milked herself. Kimmell is a driven epistemophilic who loves live music and all sorts of beer.
What you see here is a monolithic 3D-printed 6Al-4V Titanium suppressor from Radical Firearms. It’s called the Sinter.
Radical Firearms says, “This Firearms suppressor is 8 inches long, 16 ounces, and rated up to 300 WM. If you thought it couldn’t get any better, it does! The Sinter’s full titanium construction means you get durability without any added weight.
It’s not just about the insides for the Sinter titanium suppressor, but it also has to do with its unique aesthetic appearance.
The honeycomb exterior is intended to help dissipate the heat due to its increased surface area, helping the Sinter cool down faster. This is a wonderful feature since the Sinter can withstand higher rates of fire!
With its muzzle brake taper mount design, you’ll also be able to mount your silencer onto your host firearm and be ready to rumble in no time at all.”
Sinter Titanium Suppressor Specs
The SINTER is one of the lightest, most durable suppressors on the market to date. Tested on everything from .22 WMR to 300 WM, all calibers are hearing safe. The internal design creates a robust superstructure unachievable through traditional manufacturing methods. Constructed wholly of Titanium 6Al-4V, the SINTER has a high strength-to-weight ratio creating a durable and the lightest weight commercially available suppressor for everyday use.
Cal: Up To 7.62
OAL: 8”
OD: 1.75”
Weight: 16 oz
Material: Titanium 64 (Ti-6Al-4v)
dB: ~136.7 with 12.5” 308
• Monolithic Design
• Additive Manufactured (3D Printed)
• High Temp Cerakote Exterior Coating available in Black or Desert Tan
• Muzzle Brake Taper Mount Design
• Honeycomb exterior provides increased surface area for heat dissipation
• Full Auto Rated
The honeycomb exterior is intended to provide increased surface area for heat dissipation (not to mention a unique aesthetic).
16 in. 5.56 RPR rifle with the Radical Firearms SINTER 3D printed titanium suppressor. Rifle: FR16-5.56SOC-15RPR-MFT Suppressor: SINTER 3D printed titanium suppressor. Optic: Aimpoint PRO WML: Streamlight ProTac.
Brock Trautman is the senior news anchor for The Mag Life, the official publication of GunMag Warehouse. He’s also a cartoon, so…don’t get butt-hurt about anything he says. He’s not making subjective judgments on things, or reviewing anything – he’s just passing along the news.
