Taurus GC3 9mm Semi-Auto Pistols

If you’re looking for a class compact 9mm pistol, you might want to take a look at the Taurus G3C. It checks all the boxes for a multi-function pistol that is at home on the range, (not the western ballad) in competition, for personal defense and even as a concealed carry firearm.

Taurus introduced the GC3 in 2020. It was designed as a successor to the Millenium and Millenium G2 series and modeled after the full size G3. This compact striker fired pistol is a favorite as a larger concealed carry pistol, with most models featuring a Tenifer finish for smoother slide action.

Priced at a level that everyone can afford, this is a modest cost with great value in a semi-automatic. Most models are just over six-inches long with a 3.2-inch barrel. The mechanism and mechanical features are identical, it’s just the aesthetics of color, pattern and grips that separate the various pistols in this series.

This pint-sized powerhouse is regarded by many as having one of the best price-to-performance rations among all compact pistols. Chambered in popular 9mm, it is inexpensive to shoot and ammunition is easy to find. Several models have 10-round magazines, but most pack 12-round magazines and they’re usually bundled three magazines to a gun.

Black, tan, and silver and black are the variations in style but most have a stainless-steel barrel and all have the Taurus “double trigger” as an added safety benefit. Designed for balance and accuracy the GC3 handle with the Taurus grips diffuses the little recoil you find with 9mm handguns creating a smooth, accurate shooting experience that is devoid of “shooter’s flinch.”

At 22 ounces it’s not too heavy, but not too light either, a great weight for a concealed carry firearm. At 6.3-inches overall it fits well in a purse, an ankle holster, handbag or even in a coat pocket. The hammerless design lends itself to concealed carry since there is nothing to snag on if you have to draw quickly.

• Standard – Textured grips, with most magazines packing 12 rounds and an overall length of just 6.3 inches. The standard is available in almost two dozen color schemes and finishes with the most popular being Tenifer matte black. The 3.2-inch barrel runs through the entire series. It is a complete balance of performance, advanced features and reliability at a bargain basement price.
• Tenifer – With a magazine that curves into the base of the handle, the Tenifer feels like a much larger pistol in your hands. Featured a 12-shot magazine, with three included, this is a dream to handle and shoot. Easy handling makes for accurate shooting, and this is an accurate pistol. Black polymer grips blend with the curved magazine to create a uniquely solid grip.