Guns are task-specific tools. That goes double for concealed carry handguns. Not only do you need to select your carry gun based on its reliability and accuracy, but it needs to suit your style of carry and your hands. That means that a gun that works well for your buddy might not be a great fit for you. That applies to both the gun’s dimensions and its price point.
Taurus has been upping their game for some time now and it’s been most evident in their pistols. If you’re looking for a wallet-friendly concealed carry gun, you might want to consider the Taurus G3c. Here’s why.
What is the Taurus G3c?
The Taurus G3c is a compact9mm handgun that’s designed for superior concealment. And while it might come as a surprise, its design is the culmination of years’ worth of model evolution.
In the late 1990s, there was a Millennium line of pistols which eventually lead to the creation of the Millennium G2. That gun morphed into the G2c (yes, we’re telling this along the lines of “there is too much, let me sum up). A couple of years passed, and the G2c evolved into the next generation, the G3c. In the gun world that’s not a good track record, especially when the new models really are improved. Of course, we can’t forget the full-sized G3 that predated the G3c. Yes, the “c” in G3c stands for “compact,” your subtle clue that it’s meant for concealment.
Taurus G3c Specifications
Straight out of the box, you know it’s a no-nonsense gun with few frills—and that isn’t a bad thing. It’s far better that a manufacturer focuses more on performance than aesthetics, and that goes double in budget priced carry pistol. Your self-defense handgun is a tool, so a straightforward pistol is A Good Thing. Just as there’s a definite appeal to beautiful, custom-made firearms, there’s something that’s just right about a durable, affordable pistol.
If you want options, you’ve got some. The Taurus G3c is available in what might be considered a classic black-on-black model or as a two-tone design with a black frame and stainless steel slide. This is a striker-fired handgun meaning there is no hammer, externally or internally. When you pull the trigger, an internal spring compresses to create the rapid forward motion that releases the sear to fire the gun.
With a stainless steel barrel length that’s 3.20-inches in length, this is a gun that’s easy to conceal. Its overall length is 6.3 inches, overall height is 5.1 inches, and width is 1.2 inches. Empty weight is 22 ounces, and even when it’s loaded it isn’t too much heavier.
The gun’s frame is polymer which reduces weight—and cost—while increasing the likelihood you’ll be happy using the gun hard (no worries over scratches and holster wear). The slide is a steel alloy. A trio of forward serrations and a row of rearward serrations give shooters a better grip for manipulating the slide. That said, if you’re going to use those forward slide serrations please learn how to do it safely so your fingers stay away from the muzzle and your hand doesn’t cover the ejection port.
Taurus considered the shooter’s needs when designing the G3c. The frame has well-placed textured areas on all sides of the grip. Texturing is aggressive which drastically reduces the chances of slipping and sliding due to sweat or blood on your hands. There are also finger rests at the top of the grip and immediately above the trigger guard.
A few nice improvements to the G3c model also increase its durability and versatility. My personal favorite is the inclusion of the sights being GLOCK-pattern cut. That’s awesome because it means you can put aftermarket GLOCK-pattern sights on your G3c which means your options are almost endless. The gun ships from the factory with standard white sights—not the older three-dot style, but a white front dot and solid black to the rear.
Another change is the Tenifer finish—ferritic nitrocarburizing—that gives the slide greater resistance to scrapes, scratches, and scuffs. Carry guns get plenty of use-related wear, so good coating is a plus.
The Taurus G3c fits my hands reasonably well considering its size. I’ve fired a significant number of Taurus handguns over the years—enough that I’ve long since lost count—and have found the handguns from their now-discontinued Millennium line seem to fit me best. That includes the G3c since it’s a descendant of sorts of the Millennium family tree. The gun’s aggressive grip texturing comes in handy and felt recoil is minimal…basically as expected for a compact 9mm. It’s entirely manageable.
The Taurus G3c for Self-Defense
When choosing a gun for self-defense use there are some parameters that must be met (and yes, the Taurus G3c meets them). Of those details, the most important is that the gun must cycle reliably. If you can put about 500 rounds through your potential carry gun—with at least 100 of those rounds being the specific defensive loads you intend to use—you can determine with decent confidence if it’s reliable. Is that a pricey test? Yes, but arguing about cost here is like putting a dollar amount on the value of your life.
Even with the price and availability of ammunition, don’t fool yourself into believing 50 rounds are enough to prove a gun will cycle reliably. Fifty rounds won’t cut it. Thus far the Taurus G3c has cycled without failure, but it hasn’t hit the 500 round mark yet, although it is close.
The trigger in the G3c is better than the old G3. Also a plus…the G3c has restrike capability so if you experience a click-no-bang you can try again. The trigger itself is curved and has a Lyman Digital Trigger Pull Gauge measured pull weight averaging 6 pounds, 3 ounces. There’s some inconsistency in pull weight which you might or might not notice during live fire. Otherwise, the trigger performs as expected for a factory striker-fired gun trigger.
During range sessions I put various loads through the G3c including Winchester Silvertip 9mm 115 grain JHP, Hornady American Gunner 9mm 115 grain XTP, and Federal Premium Syntech 9mm 124 grain TSJ. Shooting from the bench at 10 yards the gun produced five-shot groups with an average size of 1.77-inches; moving out to 25 yards, groups opened closer to 3 inches. The best five-shot group size from 10 yards was using Federal Personal Defense 9mm 124 grain Hydra-Shok with a group size of 1.3-inches.
Is the Taurus G3c for You?
The Taurus G3c is a very valid choice for an affordably-priced everyday carry pistol. Controls can be easily manipulated without changing your grip and general accuracy is there for the expected closer-range self-defense scenario. It’s not always possible for everyone to invest a significant amount of money into a defensive use pistol. The Taurus G3c is a concealable 9mm that makes the best of its features and design.
Specifications: Taurus G3c
Caliber: 9mm
Magazine Capacity: 12+1 (ships with 3 magazines)
Firing System: Striker-Fired
Barrel Length: 3.20 inches
Overall Length: 6.30 inches
Width: 1.20 inches
Overall Height: 5.10 inches
Weight: 22 ounces (empty)
Safety: Loaded chamber indicator, manual thumb safety, striker block plunger
Sights: Fixed rront sight, drift-adjustable rear
MSRP: $340.99 (about $280 retail)
I really like the Taurus G3c semi-auto pistol. I cannot think of any reason to spend 50% to 100% more for a compact self-defense handgun.
As the author stated, make sure you shoot hundreds of rounds through your brand new semi-auto self-defense handgun to ensure that it is reliable. Some handguns require an actual “break-in” to attain reliable function. And even if your handgun is 10000% reliable, one of your magazines may be defective and you need to screen those for reliable function as well.
Pro-tip: number your magazines with a paint pen so that you can track which magazines function reliable and which do not during testing.
Also be sure and clean your mags just like you would your EDC. They can become extremely dirty from over use and if you allow them to hit the ground during mag change drills they can pick up dirt and other little nasties that will fowl them up.