Raise your hand if yoga pants are your favorite piece of clothing! While I love my yoga pants, they can make concealed carry a bit of a chore. I know there are lots of products out there that profess the solution to this conundrum, but I have yet to find one that works for me. As a result, I started open carrying in places where access and functionality overrode the need for concealment. Come to the woods with me as I explore the Taurus GX4 Carry as an openly appreciated companion.
The Taurus GX4 is available in a variety of options and configurations. I elected to break down the GX4 Carry TORO edition (Taurus Optic Ready Option). This means that the slide is cut for a variety of after-market optics that are consumer serviceable. It comes standard with a fixed front sight and drift adjustable rear.
While classified as a “compact” 9 MM, the GX4 Carry has a lot of the benefits typically found in a larger handgun. The overall length is 6.56 inches and the unloaded weight is 21.50 ounces, or 1.34 pounds, for those of us that are conversion challenged (that would be me). The 3.7-inch barrel provides a functional sight plane that makes great accuracy highly attainable.
After spending some time on the range with the GX4, I decided I wanted to see how it carried on some rural adventures. My engagement range was 10-to-20 yards – the distance I would imagine needing to engage a threat with this firearm. Living in Northern Michigan, the largest 4-legged critter threat I might encounter would be a black bear. We have mountain lions, wolves and coyotes, as well. With that in mind, I typically carry a .45 in a 1911 commander bobtail frame style in a chest holster. This solves the yoga pants problem and gives me eight rounds of persuasion should I run into an issue.
The GX4 impressed me to the point that I wanted to take it to the woods – and here are the reasons why:
Let’s talk actual effectiveness. As in hunting, ammunition construction is key for terminal effectiveness. If we’re discussing carry (concealed or otherwise), our projectile must match our purpose. The 9 MM as a caliber has evolved significantly over the last decade when it comes to bullet options.
For this project, I wanted ammunition that would support my end usage goal – open carry in the woods. Toward that end, I settled on the Hornady Handgun Hunter in 9 MM Luger + P. This is a 115 grain Monoflex lead-free bullet. It is designed to retain 95% of its weight upon impact, delivering maximum energy into its intended target. The elastomer material in the frontal cavity is designed to compress and then expand upon impact, creating the highly-desirable, and extremely destructive, “petal” effect.
While the Hornady ammo was my end usage choice for carry, I built familiarity with the gun using two additional ammunition types. The first was the Federal Syntech Training Match in 147 grain. The other variety was the Fiocchi Defense Dynamics Jacketed Hollow Point in 115 grain. All three ammunition types were graciously provided by Ammo To Go.
Let’s talk actual carry. With the GX4 Carry being a “concealed carry” gun, there are lot of IWB holster options out there. Finding a good option to open carry took a little more effort. I ended up going with a Bulldog Max Multi-Fit holster to get that “just right” fit and retention. The holster accommodated the Carry frame, including the undermount rail and most after-market optic options.
I like the gun so much, I will be ordering a Gunfighter’s Inc Kydex insert for my existing Kenai chest holster!
The goal of this exercise though is not to convince you to trade in your concealed habits for open carry practices. The point is to demonstrate that “carry” does not have to always be “concealed.” It is also to showcase the adaptability of a concealed carry focused platform to a functional field-friendly tool.
The GX4 Carry from Taurus is not only incredibly accurate and enjoyable to shoot, but it is versatile beyond traditional carry parameters. With features such as interchangeable grip back panels, an undermount rail and an optics-ready slide, the GX 4 Carry is an outstanding carry option. Whether open or concealed, this Taurus is a functional, accurate, reliable, comfortable and utilitarian firearm choice.
For more information, check out visit the Taurus website to see the GX4.
MSRP: $515.99
Andrea Bogard’s love for the range began at 12 with competitive handgun and expanded to encompass sporting clays a few years later. She became an NSCA instructor at 18 years old and spent the next 18 years getting married and raising two sons, ages 17 and 9 currently. Andrea started hunting six years ago and learned to shoot a rifle and a bow. She is now 41, a full-time writer, homeschool mom and business owner and has hunted three countries, three continents and 19 states. Her sons and lab (Mr. Moose) are the focus of her world. View all posts by Andrea Bogard
