Founded in 1939, Taurus has been offering affordable handguns for personal defense, target shooting and hunting for decades. After fulfilling a contract to supply Beretta-designed 9mm handguns to the Brazilian Army, Taurus released the PT 92 9mm for civilians internationally before offering original designs like the GX4.
The latest release, the Taurus TX9 9mm, is a striker-fired, polymer-framed handgun poised to become the company’s leading product. The TX9 enters one of the most competitive segments in the handgun market, with the Glock 19, SIG P320 and Springfield Echelon dominating the concealed carry conversation.
It will no doubt become a popular budget option, but can it compete in terms of reliability, ergonomics and accuracy? To find out, I spent considerable time evaluating the full-sized Taurus TX9 on the range. Taurus also offers the TX9 in compact and subcompact models.
Taurus TX9 Specifications
Cartridge: 9mm
Capacity: 17+1 rounds
Barrel: 4.5 inches
Length: 7.7 inches
Height: 5.5 inches
Width: 1.28 inches
Weight: 24.8 ounces
Finish: Nitride and DLC
Slide: Alloy steel
Grip: Polymer
Sights: Steel, white dot and serrated notch rear T.O.R.O. optic system
Trigger: 5.8 pounds
Safety: Drop safety and trigger lever
Accessories included: Two magazines, four backstraps, cable lock, lockable hardcase
MSRP: $499
Taurus TX9 Overview and First Impressions
The obvious comparison to the Taurus TX9 is a modern striker-fired handgun like a Gen 6 Glock or Walther PDP. Taurus has done a good job with the hand-to-firearm interface. The grip fits most hands well, and the pistol ships with three additional grip inserts to accommodate different hand sizes.
Grip texture is well executed, and the frame has good adhesion without being abrasive. A smooth wraparound section where the fingers reach to the trigger or magazine release balances comfort and control. The TX 9 is well-balanced overall, neither muzzle heavy nor handle heavy.
The grip tang isn’t as aggressively extended as some handguns but comfortable when firing. The pistol’s grip frame and balance combined offer a pistol with real speed in rapid presentation. Handguns must be aimed not pointed, and the TX9 handles naturally.
Controls
Controls follow typical striker-fired simplicity. A trapezoid-shaped magazine release is reversible for left-handed shooters and is protected by a raised section to prevent inadvertent activation. The slide locks are also ambidextrous, making the TX 9 accessible to left-handed shooters and anyone practicing one-handed manipulation drills with the support hand.
The slide features both forward and rear cocking serrations, each nicely cut and slightly different from each other. That small touch reflects Taurus’ attention to detail. The barrel crown is nicely finished as well, unusual in an affordable handgun.
The TX9 is a modular design with a removable fire-control group similar to the SIG P320. Whether this becomes a major advantage depends on future frame availability from Taurus. Some shooters will prefer separate pistols over a single FCU and a box full of frame options.
Takedown is superior to most polymer-framed handguns. After ensuring the pistol is unloaded and removing the magazine, rotate the takedown lever and push the slide forward off the frame. The recoil spring guide and barrel lift easily from the slide.
Trigger Performance and Handling
The overall fit and feel of the TX9 doesn’t suggest a budget handgun. Compared to Glock, Smith & Wesson, SIG and Walther handguns, the TX 9 gives up little in feel and appearance. While the dark finish may be an economy measure, the gun did not show unusual wear during testing.
I spent a good bit of time dry-firing to acclimate to the trigger before heading to the range. The flat-face trigger and safety lever are wide enough for good control. The action feels more like a single-action trigger than a traditional safe-action or double-action-only.
The trigger is service grade and not too heavy as to discourage new shooters. Across two gauges, trigger pull averaged 5.8 pounds, exactly the same as a Gen 6 Glock M45 I had on hand.
A quirk worth noting: the reset is so soft that there is no discernible click as the sear resets. While the take-up and break are similar to a Glock, the soft reset will require adjustment for shooters used to rapid-fire work with Glocks.
Sights and Rails
The factory sights are useful for personal defense and service use. Taurus uses a white dot front sight and serrated rear sight. The metal sights are good for durability. The TX9 sight cuts will accept Glock-pattern aftermarket sights, opening the door to a wide range of replacement options. While some pistols offer night or high-visibility sights, the TX9’s basic sights keep the 9mm affordable. Users can easily add these.
An accessory rail molded into the dust cover features four robust notches. This allows shooters to mount full-size combat lights on the TX9. The loaded chamber indicator is a cutout in the barrel hood to expose a sliver of case head.
The slide is optics ready with the T.O.R.O. system but does not include an optics plate. At this price point, that is understandable. Competing pistols such as the Glock Generation 6, CZ P-10 C and Walther PDP also cost more and may not include an optics plate. Optic plats are affordable at $20 each, and the pistol ships with two 17-round magazines. Considering the number of grip inserts included, the TX9 beats out similar guns.
Taurus TX9 Range Results
Any evaluation of a new firearm requires the use of proven ammunition. A problem with ammunition will confuse results if there are malfunctions. For the majority of my testing, I used Blazer brass case and Speer Lawman FMJ ammunition.
The two supplied magazines feature strong springs and were difficult to load to full capacity during the first few days of the evaluation. While inconvenient at first, it is an advantage for reliability.
On the range, the TX 9 gets on target quickly. The trigger break is clean enough for rapid hits at modest distances. Align the sights, press the trigger straight to the rear and the pistol delivers. At typical self-defense range, the TX 9 will hammer a full magazine into a ragged hole. In that regard, there is little preference for a more expensive handgun over the TX 9.
The pistol performed well out to 10 and 15 yards. It was enjoyable to fire the full-sized TX9. A 25-ounce 9mm with a full-size grip simply doesn’t kick much, and the TX 9 easily recovered from recoil.
Transitioning between targets in multiple-threat drills is an exercise that separates good handguns and trained shooters from the average. The TX 9 performed well, but the sights were a limiting factor. I fire with both eyes open, and while the white dot was visible, I will fit the pistol with XS sights if I keep it as a personal handgun.
Speed loads were fast and sure with the pistol’s slightly tapered magazine and modest magazine funnel. There were no malfunctions of any type. As a final test, I reshot one of the combat drills with a magazine of Federal HST +P loads. Feed and function were good and recoil was controllable.
Accuracy Testing
To test accuracy, I used the Birchwood Casey firing rest and selected several loads that have proven accurate enough for service use in other handguns. Accuracy testing was conducted at 25 yards, which is long range for a defensive handgun.
Taurus’s TX9 delivered acceptable service-grade accuracy, with groups ranging from 3.5 to 4 inches. The pistol will easily stay within the vital zone of a threat at that distance, though there are more accurate striker-fired handguns available.
Five-Shot Groups at 25 Yards
| Speer 124-grain Gold Dot | 3.5 inches |
| Speer 124-grain Gold Dot +P | 3.7 inches |
| Federal 147-grain HST | 3.6 inches |
| Federal 150-grain Suppressed | 4 inches |
Comparing the TX9 to Similar 9mms
The TX9 proved reliable throughout testing and offered credible if not outstanding accuracy. It costs roughly $240 less than a Gen 6 Glock. Even after adding a third magazine and optics plate, the TX9 is still less than a Glock by a good margin.
The Ruger RXM is comparable in price but offers better sights and a direct-mount optic. The Springfield Echelon also costs considerably more but features direct optics mounting. Even so, the TX9 remains competitive on overall value.
Build quality is respectable. While not as refined as higher-priced guns, the TX9 is better fitted and finished than economy guns like the PSA Dagger or SAR 9mm. The trigger is useful if not outstanding and the ergonomics are built on the popular TX22 rimfire pistol from Taurus.
The final question is whether Taurus, a maker of affordable handguns, has raised the bar and will maintain quality control.
Is the Taurus TX9 Good for Concealed Carry?
For carrying concealed, the TX 9 is as viable as a Glock 17. I routinely carry an optics-equipped Glock with a combat light, so the TX 9 falls in my comfort zone. The pistol is well-suited to outside- or inside-the-waistband carry.
For home defense, even those who carry a compact handgun will prefer the easy handling and low recoil of the TX 9 full-size pistol.
If using a carry optic, the advantages of a long slide radius are less important. A short slide pistol with a carry optic offers the same sight picture as a full-size handgun.
Taurus also offers compact and subcompact TX9 variants that may appeal more directly to concealed carriers. The compact version will compare favorably to the Glock 19. Weight is manageable, and the 17-round magazine capacity is adequate for personal defense.
The main drawback currently is holster availability. The TX 9 is slightly wider than the Glock and will not fit Glock holsters. I was able to carry the pistol in a Falco Airflow nylon IWB with good results. I successfully carried the pistol in a Falco Airflow IWB holster.
Aftermarket accessories, such as threaded barrels, are not yet available. Frame groups may be available soon.
Final Verdict
The TX 9 proved reliable with a wide range of ammunition from 95- to 150-grain, including + P-rated loadings. Recoil is modest and the TX 9 handles well. Accuracy is sufficient for personal defense inside of 25 yards. Like most economy guns, the TX 9 is more accurate than the shooter.
The appeal of the TX 9 is adequate performance at an attractive price point. The pistol is an original design built around proven operating principles rather than simply cloning another handgun.
The TX9 will appeal to shooters looking for a dependable defensive handgun that does not strain the budget. For some, it may serve as a primary carry gun. For others, it will be a reliable spare gun, truck gun or home-defense pistol that can be trusted without representing a major financial investment.
Sources:
Taurus: TaurusUSA.com
