Taurus G3C Review: Ditch Your G2C? [Hands-On + Video]
Taurus dominates the affordable and reliable concealed carry market. How does their G3C fair? We take a hands-on look at this 9mm pistol.
Teacher. YouTube personality. Recreational shooter
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Johnny B breaks the Taurus G3C down in the video above. Or read on for even more info!
Everyone has some biases when it comes to firearm brands and models.
Due to past disappointments, we’re a little jaded when it comes to the Taurus brand. Truth hurts, but there you have it.
But we do our best to approach every review with an open mind because sometimes we get taken by surprise.
And you know what? The Taurus G3C is one of those times.
It’s a compact, affordable, concealed carry weapon (CCW) with some nice improvements over its predecessor.
We hands-on tested it for reliability, accuracy, ergonomics, and more. Read on to see if it's for you...plus the differences from the older G2C.
Table of Contents
Taurus G3C Review at a Glance
Pros:
- Reliable with all ammo we tested
- 10 or 12 rounds of 9mm depending on mag
- Easy center mass hits at close distance
- Right amount of grip
- Easy to access controls
- Affordable at around $250 street price
Cons:
- Comes with manual safety that requires specific training to disengage in the heat of the moment
- Not optic ready
The Bottom Line:
Overall a reliable and dependable CCW gun for a reasonable price (under $300). It's certainly a step up from the G2C and usually only costs $30 more. Well worth the update!
Specs
Okay, so most of the specs are basically the same as the G2C (full review here); the differences are more in the details, and that is where the G3C really shines.
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Info from Taurus.
Rating score
G2C Versus G3C
Besides the basic specs, the G3C has some nice pluses going for it. First off, you get THREE magazines in the box. That is unheard of, and we love it.
The updated Taurus also rocks front slide serrations and a slightly redesigned magazine well, providing you a place to grip and rip magazines as needed.
But the sights are the most notable change. Gone are the annoying plastic sights of the G2C!
Now you get metal front and rear sights via the 1 dot front post and a black box rear sight.
The best part is that they are Glock sight compatible, so if you don’t like the stock Taurus sights, you can upgrade them with ease.
And to those of you concerned about safety mechanisms? Well, you have a lot of them on the G3C.
The trigger safety dongle, striker block, loaded chamber indicator, and manual safety come standard.
And capacity? You can get 10+1 or 12+1 based on your magazine of choice.
Something to note: The magazines are interchangeable. The G3C can even take P226 mags if that’s what you’re into! Unfortunately, the same can’t be said of the slides.
Some G2C holsters work for the G3C, but not all of them. At this point, finding the perfect fit may be a guessing game until more G3C owners play the trial and error game.
In general, G2C holsters made from leather should work since the material is more forgiving to the minor changes between the two designs. Kydex holsters…are iffy.
And like we mentioned before...the G3C is only about $30 more than the G2C. With the extra mag and all the upgraded goodies on the actual gun it's a no-brainer.
Who Is It For?
Anyone who wants an affordable and reliable concealed carry gun. Against other micro 9mms that can carry 10 or 12 rounds...it's the cheapest at around $250 street price.
How Does It Shoot?
I took the G3C out to the range for some major fun and plinking. And I also invited Uncle Ricky along for the trip!
The G3C ran perfectly with several types of ammo.
This firearm seems to be just as reliable—and possible even more reliable—than the G2C, which is a critical element if you plan on using this gun for self-defense or home defense.
Check out our favorite 9mm ammo here.
We tried a variety of ammo from steel cased to proper brass and the G3C ate it all.
Center mass shots at 7 yards was an easy task, but keep in mind that the G3C is a compact CCW gun, so you won’t have a lot of luck at extended ranges.
For close defense, though, the G3C nails it.
Oh, and the handling is great! The G3C’s grip is extra grippy, and the controls are well placed and easy to work with.
A super long trigger acts as an extra layer of protection and safety, but the reset is short and crisp, making follow-up shots fast and on target.
While the manual safety is easy to flick off and on, we’re not crazy about there being one at all. There is such a thing as making a gun too safe.
Downsides?
The aforementioned manual safety is one.
Besides that, this is a really solid gun. Taurus has a long history of designing and manufacturing some mediocre pistols. But the G2C and G3C have really set the stage for this company to make a comeback as a respectable brand.
Taurus has every right to be proud of the G3C. It’s a budget CCW that runs, runs well, and is actually nice to shoot.
By The Numbers
Reliability: 4.5/5
Range day opened with one forgivable hiccup. But after that? Perfection.
Ergonomics: 4/5
Controls are in the right place. Great grip. Sits low in the hand and feels good.
Accuracy: 4/5
Not a nail-driver, but it does what it is supposed to do. This gun could serve you well if you find yourself in need of a dependable CCW.
Customization: 3/5
Has a little rail and takes Glock sights. However, there's now the G3C TORO version that is optics ready.
Value: 4/5
Good value, especially with the three mags.
Overall: 4/5
Taurus is providing reliable personal protection to a lot of folks who may be on a budget. Their G3C is a solid and cost-effective offering in a fairly saturated market.
Upgrades for Taurus G3C
It's made for CCW so you'll definitely want a holster! Check out our Best Concealed Carry Holsters article but otherwise we had a good time with the Crossbreed.
There's a space for a small flashlight and our favorite compact light is the TLR-7 but check out our Best Pistol Flashlights for other recommendations.
Mags...you can never have too many!
Want to add a micro red dot (see our picks)...check out the new Taurus G3C TORO edition.
Final Verdict
The Taurus G3C delivers as a reliable, ergonomic, and economic CCW for the average person. A dependable CCW is always a great self-defense item to have on hand and getting one within your budget is always a perk. The G3C also gives users an upgraded experience over the older G2C.
We’re very excited to see what Taurus will come out with next, and highly recommend their G3C!
What is your take on the G3C? Can it live up to the G2C? Can Taurus become a super respected name like Glock? Let us know in the comments!
If you’re looking for more CCW guns, check out the Best CCW Guns by Caliber! To feed your new gat, stop by the Best 9mm For Home and Self Defense!
FAQ
Taurus G3C