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Taurus G3 9mm
9mm Luger • Taurus

Taurus G3 9mm

Model: 1-G3B941

17
CAPACITY
4.0"
BARREL
1.6
LBS
Semi-Auto
ACTION
9mm Luger
CALIBER
$370
MSRP

Full Specifications

Action Type Semi-Auto
Trigger Striker-Fired
Trigger Pull 6.0 lbs
Safety Manual Safety, Trigger Safety, Striker Block
Optic Ready No
Magazines Included 2
Overall Length 7.28"
Barrel Length 4.0"
Height 5.2"
Width 1.2"
Weight 24.83 oz (1.55 lbs)
Frame Material Polymer
Slide Material Carbon Steel
Slide Finish Tenifer Matte Black
Twist Rate 1:10"
Grip Type Polymer
Country of Origin Brazil

About This Firearm

The Taurus G3 holds 17 rounds, has a Picatinny rail, and fires reliably with standard brass-cased ammunition. At 24.83 oz with a 4-inch barrel and 7.28 inches overall, the dimensions land squarely in full-size territory. Two magazines ship in the box. The manual thumb safety, combined with a trigger safety and striker block, gives the G3 three separate safety mechanisms. First-time gun owners often prefer that physical on/off switch over trigger-safety-only designs.

What you give up is refinement. The 6 lb trigger pull has a gritty take-up that becomes obvious next to anything from Canik or CZ. The fixed white dot sights are basic. No optic cut exists. Tooling marks are visible on the frame. The Tenifer finish on the carbon steel slide handles wear adequately. The Ruger Security-9 competes in the same space with a 5.5 lb trigger and similar build quality, but the G3 carries 2 more rounds. Taurus backs every G3 with a lifetime warranty, which matters more when the manufacturer is still rebuilding its reputation from quality issues in previous decades.

Best For

GOOD
First Handgun
Three safety mechanisms (manual thumb safety, trigger safety, striker block) give new shooters a physical on/off switch. Seventeen rounds in a full-size frame provides enough capacity for home defense and range learning. Taurus backs it with a lifetime warranty.
FAIR
Home Defense
Seventeen rounds and a Picatinny rail for a weapon light cover the basics. The 6 lb trigger and manual safety add steps under stress that simpler trigger-safety-only designs skip. The G3 feeds major-brand defensive hollow points like Federal HST and Speer Gold Dot reliably according to owner reports.

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths
  • Seventeen rounds in a full-size frame with a Picatinny rail and two magazines in the box. The Ruger Security-9 carries only 15 rounds at a similar tier
  • Three safety mechanisms (manual thumb safety, trigger safety, striker block) give first-time gun owners the physical on/off switch many prefer while building safe handling habits
Limitations
  • The 6 lb trigger pull has a gritty take-up that feels rough compared to the Ruger Security-9's 5.5 lb pull and is noticeably worse than anything from Canik or CZ at higher tiers
  • No optic-ready slide. Getting a red dot on this gun requires aftermarket slide milling, which pushes total investment toward guns that ship with an optic cut from the factory

Category Rankings

How the Taurus G3 9mm ranks among full-size 9mm Luger handguns.

Capacity
#9 of 22
Top 41%
17 rds
Weight
#7 of 22
Top 32%
1.6 lbs
Barrel
#18 of 22
Top 82%
4.0"
Trigger Pull
#16 of 20
Top 80%
6.0 lbs
MSRP
#2 of 21
Top 10%
$370
Overall Length
#3 of 22
Top 14%
7.28"

Compatible Ammunition

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Where to Buy

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Taurus G3 need a break-in period?

Most G3s run reliably from the first magazine with brass-cased range ammunition. Run at least 50 rounds of your chosen defensive hollow points through it to confirm feeding before relying on it. This is good practice with any pistol at any tier. Some owners report the slide action and trigger feel smoother after the first 200-300 rounds as the contact surfaces polish in.

Can you add a grip sleeve to the G3?

Yes. The G3's polymer grip has a moderate texture that some owners find slippery compared to more aggressive options from Canik or Springfield. Hogue and Talon Grips make rubber and granulate grip overlays that fit the G3 frame. The adhesive-backed overlays add traction without permanent modification and can be replaced when they wear out.

What defensive ammunition works best in the Taurus G3?

Owner reports indicate reliable feeding with Federal HST 124gr, Speer Gold Dot 124gr, and Hornady Critical Duty 135gr. The 1:10" twist rate stabilizes both 115gr and 147gr loads well. Avoid aluminum-cased or steel-cased defensive loads, as extraction and ejection can be less consistent. Always test your chosen load with at least 50 rounds before carrying it.