The Taurus G3X is a hybrid striker-fired 9mm built for concealed carry with a full-size hold. It puts the full-length G3 grip frame under a compact 3.2-inch slide, so the magazine holds 15 rounds and the little finger has somewhere to go, in a pistol 6.3 inches long and 22.6 oz empty.

The trigger is the family single action with restrike, with a smooth take-up and a short reset, and the frame carries an integrated Picatinny rail. This version has no manual safety, so the safeties are a striker block, a trigger safety and a visual loaded chamber indicator. The rear sight drifts for windage over a fixed front, the slide release sits above the thumb, and the slide is alloy steel in Tenifer matte black. Two 15-round magazines come with it. The slide has no optic cut, so a dot means buying a different Taurus.

If you are cross-shopping, the Taurus G3 has an MSRP of $343 and stretches the same grip to a 4.0-inch barrel for 17 rounds, two more than this one holds. The Taurus G3c has an MSRP of $365 and cuts the grip down to the same short slide for 12 rounds, which conceals better under a thin shirt and gives up three rounds and part of the hold.