Taurus Is Getting Busy with New Guns in 9mm, 22, 460

The Taurus GX4 is a new micro-9mm pistol that is built on a stainless frame with a polymer grip. It is only 1 inch wide and has an integral stainless-steel framework that eliminates flex or deformation when firing.

Channeling beneath the slide rail allows for recessed placement of the slide-stop lever and takedown pin. This permits easy manipulation of these controls while maintaining a flush, no-snag profile. Likewise, the magazine-release button is flush to the grip to eliminate snag potential without hindering quick manipulation during mag changes.

The stippling pattern is an aggressive texture across the front of the grip, the side panels, and the full length of the backstrap. Stippling is also found forward of the trigger at the indexing and recoil management pad locations. These pads, working in conjunction with the high-texture grip, help the shooter maintain proper hand positioning and assist in managing 9mm recoil in a small platform.

The Taurus GX4 comes with two backstrap options. Installed at the factory is the standard backstrap profile with a slight palm swell. Those who favor a higher wrist position can install the included high-swell backstrap.

Taurus claims the GX4’s trigger has crisp, precise sear break and short and tactile reset. Serrations along the trigger safety blade help prevent finger slip. There are also serrations located at the front and back of the slide.

On top is a fixed-position steel front sight and square-notch steel rear sight. The rear sight features serrations across the back to minimize glare, and the cross-cut dovetail slot allows for drift-adjustment of the sight’s windage. The front sight includes a white alignment dot. For shooters who prefer a tritium or fiber-optic sight system for low-light performance, the Taurus GX4’s dovetail slot is sized to be compatible with common aftermarket tritium and fiber-optic sights. The front sight also uses the conventional screw attachment system, so upgrading the Taurus GX4 to aftermarket night sights is a simple matter for a gunsmith or anyone with a pistol sight installation tool.

As with other Taurus polymer-frame pistols, the Taurus GX4 slide includes a visual loaded-chamber indicator, which eliminates the need for the traditional press check. To separate the slide assembly from the frame for cleaning, the Taurus GX4 utilizes an easy take-down pin system.

The Taurus GX4’s 3.06-inch stainless-steel barrel features a satin black DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon). For the slide finish, Taurus applies a gas-nitride coating to maximize slide surface hardness. Elsewhere, operational control parts receive a Teflon coating. The steel slide stop has polymer overmolding for maximum durability. Inside, metal internal parts are nickel-plated to further resist rust and corrosion.

Chambered for 9mm Luger, the Taurus GX4 delivers several double-stack magazine options. The Taurus GX4 comes from the factory with two flush 11-round magazines. There is the standard magazine with a floorplate that is flush with the bottom of the grip and an optional 11-round magazine with a finger extension. If more capacity is desired, Taurus offers an optional 13-round extended magazine. The Taurus GX4 also comes in a 10-round magazine version for consumers in restricted states. MSRP, $392.42.

Taurus Introduces New Raging Hunter in 460 S&W

Taurus has added to its hunting revolver line with the introduction of the new Raging Hunter 460 S&W. For 2021, the Taurus Raging Hunter will be offered in the 460 S&W chambering. This expands the Raging Hunter lineup that already includes the 454 Casull, 44 Magnum, and 357 Magnum/38 Special +P.

The Raging Hunter utilizes a sleeved barrel construction for reduced weight, factory-tuned porting, and a gas-expansion chamber to help reduce muzzle rise. An integrated, full-length Picatinny rail along the barrel shroud makes optics installation easy. For those hunters who prefer open sights, the rear sight is adjustable for elevation and windage. Also, the Raging Hunter comes with an ergonomic finger-groove grip with cushioned inserts.

Caliber: 460 S&W Magnum. Action Type: DA/SA. Capacity: 5. Barrel Lengths: 8 3/8, 6 3/4, and  5 1/8 inches. Overall Lengths: 14.9, 13.2, 11.6 inches. Overall Heights: 6.5, 6.6, 6.6 inches. Overall Width: 1.92 inches.Weights: 65.6 oz., 61.5 oz., 57.7 oz. Sights Front: fixed. Sights Rear: adjustable. Materials (Frame): alloy steel or stainless. Materials (Barrel): stainless. Safety Device: transfer bar. Finish: matte black or two-tone. Rail (top): Picatinny MIL-STD-1913. MSRPs: $968.18 Black, $983.33 Two Tone.

Taurus Introduces Optics-Ready Competition 22 Pistol

The next iteration of the TaurusTX 22 semi-automatic sporting pistol is the new TaurusTX 22 Competition, which has a slide assembly engineered for optic compatibility.

The TaurusTX 22 platform was introduced in early 2019. The TaurusTX 22 Competition has the same full-size polymer receiver as the TaurusTX 22, but the skeletonized slide has a cutout between the ejection port to just behind the front sight. The 5-inch bull barrel has the breech end machined to accept a base mounting plate. Two small adapter plates are provided to provide four different mounting patterns that accepts sights such as the Trijicon RMR, C-More STS2, Vortex Venom, Doctor Noblex, Burris Fast Fire, Sightmark Mini, Holosun HS507C, and Leupold Delta Point Pro

The match-grade bull barrel comes threaded from the factory to accept a suppressor or muzzle device and includes a thread protector.

MSRP for the new TaurusTX 22 Competition is $484.85. The company will also offer a TX22 Competition upper kit available through the Taurus webstore for those who wish to convert their TaurusTX 22 to the Competition configuration.

Browning Unveils A5 Lightning Sweet Sixteen

The new Browning A5 Lightning Sweet Sixteen is built for taking fast flushing upland birds with its “Lightning-style” buttstock, which has a relaxed grip angle that offers a quick, instinctive grasp and easy reach to the trigger. The Turkish walnut stock features a gloss finish and is also shim-adjustable for length of pull, cast and drop.

The in-between 16 gauge shotgun is closer in weight to a 20 gauge, with a shot payload nearer the 12 gauge. The A5’s Kinematic Drive recoil operation reliably functions with a variety of factory game loads.

Other features include classic 18 lines-per-inch point pattern checkering, gloss black anodized receiver finish, three Invector-DS choke tubes (F, M, IC), and a fiber-optic front sight and ivory mid-bead.

Item Number 0119015005 is for the 26-inch barrel. Item Number 0119015004 is for the 28-inch barrel. Specifications for the 28-inch gun follow: Chamber Length: 2¾ inch. Barrel Length: 28 inches. Overall Length: 49¼ inches. Length of Pull: 14¼ inches. Drop at Comb: 1¾ inches. Drop at Heel: 2 inches. Weight. 5 pounds 13 ounces. Magazine Capacity: 4. Rib Width: ¼ inch. Chrome-plated chamber, Inflex recoil pad, aluminum alloy receiver. T-wrench choke wrench included. MSRP, $1,739.99.