Firearm: Taurus GX4 Carry (MSRP: $504.99)
When we reviewed the original Taurus GX4 back in 2021, we had an inkling that the little pistol from Taurus was only the start of a family of pistols. Even before the article was published, Taurus had added the optics-capable GX4 T.O.R.O. variant, and in short order launched the GX4XL that offered a slightly longer slide. The latest sibling in the GX4 family is the subject of today’s kit, the new GX4 Carry, which keeps the longer slide of the GX4XL and adds an extended grip section that expands magazine capacity to 15 rounds.
It follows a trend of small guns that got bigger: the GX4 Carry has a 3.7-inch barrel, 6.6-inch overall length, 5.2-inch height and 21.5-ounce weight, compared to the standard GX4 which has a 3.1-inch barrel, 6.1-inch overall length, 4.4-inch height and 18.5-ounce weight. Half-an-inch longer, three-quarters of an inch taller and 3 ounces heavier, and you gain four rounds? That’s not a bad tradeoff. Again, a lot of it boils down to the addition of an optic: once a dot has been added to the pistol’s slide, it’s no longer serving as a pocket-carry option. It’s going into a holster carried on the belt, at which point there’s little reason not to have a grip you can get all three fingers on.
The GX4 Carry comes standard with Taurus’ T.O.R.O. optics cut, which allows RMSc- and 507K-footprint optics to be mounted directly to the slide. For RMSc-footprint optics, two removable pins fit in pre-drilled holes to complete the footprint, while 507K-footprint optics just bolt right on. It’s simple, easy and requires little more than a T15 Torx wrench, although having something like the Fix-It Sticks Torque driver and/or some Loctite isn’t a bad idea, either. Taurus’s instructions, either in the manual that comes with the gun or through Taurus’s website, are excellent, giving the screw thread pitch and type as well as recommended torque.
Again, much like the Hellcat and Hellcat Pro or P365/P365 Macro, there’s a natural primary/secondary relationship between the GX4 Carry and standard GX4. The magazines for the GX4 Carry will fit in the GX4, although obviously the 15-round variants will extend past the grip of the standard GX4. Carry the GX4 in the warmer months or when deep concealment is needed; have the GX4 Carry in the cooler months with proper cover garments. The GX4 Carry yields another option, and that’s always a good thing.
Holster: PHLster Floodlight2 holster (MSRP: $118.99)
Because the GX4 Carry is such a new pistol, holster fits are still being sorted out. While holsters that work for the GX4XL should, in theory, work for the GX4 Carry, given that both pistols use the same slide assembly; the slight difference in the grip section doesn’t make this a slam dunk. At the time this episode was recorded, dedicated GX4 Carry holsters were unavailable, so we opted for the PHLster Floodlight 2 holster that we’ve covered before.
The Floodlight 2 holster builds on the excellent, original Floodlight and offers a solid polymer rig that indexes on an attached weaponlight, in this case the SureFire X300, with a version for the Streamlight TLR-1 as well. The Floodlight 2 offers a Modwing to tuck the holster into the body, DCC monoblock clips to attach it to the belt and is fully ambidextrous.
Accessory: SureFire X300 Turbo weaponlight (MSRP: $369)
Since the Floodlight 2 indexes on the SureFire X300, we’re taking this opportunity to showcase the new X300 Turbo from SureFire. With the same basic footprint and attachment options (quick-connect or screw), the Turbo version offers 650 lumens for an hour and a half. The light is activated using standard SureFire switches as well as push-for-momentary-on function. SureFire designed the new Turbo version to fit all holsters already designed for the standard X300, such as the Floodlight 2 in today’s kit.
A quick note on the fit on the GX4 Carry: the accessory rail on the dustcover of the GX4 Carry is slightly shorter than will fit the X300. While it most likely could have been fixed by relieving material either on the light housing, the GX4 Carry trigger guard, or both, we opted to remove the locking lug of the X300. With proper torquing of the attachment screw, the light stayed attached through all testing and worked fine with the holster; however this is at best a temporary arrangement. If this were a long-term situation, minor fitting to get the light properly attached would have been undertaken.
Optic: Holosun HS507K red-dot sight (MSRP: $341.16)
Holosun’s HS507K red-dot sight is the last piece of equipment in today’s kit, and is added to showcase the optics-ready capabilities of the GX4 Carry. The HS507K has what Holosun calls “Lock Mode” to lock the brightness buttons to prevent accidental setting changes. It also has Holosun’s Red Super LED with a claimed 50,000-hour battery life that’s facilitated in part by the Shake Awake system that inactivates the sight during periods of inactivity, yet turning it back on when motion is sensed.
Constructed from 7075 Aluminum, the HS507K uses a single CR1632 battery that’s located in a side-mounted tray for easy replacement when needed. It has Holosun’s Multi-Reticle System that offers both a 2-MOA dot and a 32-MOA circle aiming point. The 507K can also be had with a green dot and circle for a slight increase in price.
