TaurusTX™ 9 Full Size Review
Meet the newest semi-auto pistol from Taurus USA
Taurus Armas in Brazil has a long history of making handguns for serious law enforcement and military use. This goes back to the late 1940s when Armas made revolvers for the Brazilian military. In 1982, Taurus USA was formed to import Brazilian guns to the USA, one of which was eventually the Taurus PT92 (now just called the 92). The Taurus PT92 was the official service pistol of the Brazilian military and many law enforcement units in Brazil.
Today, Taurus USA announces the launch of the latest pistol to continue the lineage of Taurus service pistols: the Taurus TX9.
What is the Taurus TX9?
The Taurus TX9 is actually a family of pistols, at launch it’s available in full size, compact, and sub-compact sizes. To put that in familiar terms, the full size is about the size of a Glock 17, the compact is about the size of a Glock 19, and the sub-compact is the size of a Glock 26. Capacities are similar as well, with the TX9F holding 17 rounds, the TX9C at 15, and the TX9SC at 13.
Now before we continue, here’s where we add the disclaimer: I am an employee of Taurus USA. While this is my personal substack, I think it’s very important that I disclose that relationship, because it also is why I had access to these guns long before they were available even to the media. I’ve been heavily involved in the TX9 process since I returned from my USAF deployment last year.
The gun was developed truly jointly with Taurus USA and Brazil working hand in hand to deliver a gun that is ready to compete for international military and LE contracts, live in the holsters of armed citizens in the US, and be ready to go shoot USPSA or IDPA with. The ergonomics are straight from the wildly successful TX22, but add four interchangeable backstraps so you can better fit the gun to your hand. The TX9 also takes lessons learned from Taurus’ incredibly successful G3 series of pistols, such as the direct thread optics mount system. Unlike some other systems that use a plate, the Taurus Optics Ready Option (TORO) allows the optic to mount directly to the slide, which is the best way to do it. If optics aren’t your thing, the TX9 just like the G3 and GX4 series of pistols use what Taurus refers to as “industry standard dovetails” for the iron sights. If I remove the marketing-talk, that means Glock dovetails, so there’s a huge world of aftermarket sights already available.
Lastly, the TX9 is a chassis system gun, so the fire control unit, the serialized part in this instance, can be easily removed and dropped into other grip modules.
The TX9 Full Size
When I had the opportunity to grab a couple of guns for shooting, I immediately went for the full size option. 17+1 rounds, full frame grip, and a 4.5 inch barrel tick all the boxes for me. I made one change and immediately swapped out the iron sights for Dawson Precision adjustable sights, because I plan on shooting this gun at Bianchi Cup, and I learned a hard lesson in 2024 at that match with my sight choices. The DP adjustable rear and fiber front is pretty much perfect for shooting IDPA or USPSA Production/SSP as well.
The trigger on the TX9 is exactly what you’d want from a striker fired semi-automatic duty pistol, in that it’s not a 1911 glass-rod-break but neither is it a big ol’ pile of mush. Mine has a clean break right around 4.5 pounds, which is ideal for a duty gun, and if you’re the sort of person who cares about reset, the reset is pretty positive. It also has a trigger safety, which prevents rearward motion of the trigger unless it’s being pulled.
Actually shooting the gun is nice as well. I was most surprised by the sub-compact, which I expected to be snappy. What I discovered was that the recoil impulse is actually pretty flat and most importantly, it feels like the sub-compact cycles flat and fast. I definitely never felt like I was waiting on the gun. That being said, the full size is definitely my favorite, and that’s why I selected a pair of them.
By Shooters, for Shooters
One of the big things that we’ve done at Taurus is actually take in feedback from serious end users, and you can see that in some of the TX9’s features. For instance, the texture on the grip is basically right in the Godilocks zone - not too much, not too little. Previous guns like the G3 had a texture pattern that I personally found too aggressive, but the TX9 dials that back while still keeping the gun nice and grippy. Little things like the forward cocking serrations on the slide, the undercut trigger guard, the reversible magazine release and ambidextrous slide release are all also “shooter focused” features. A feature I particularly enjoy is the slight relief cut just forward of the takedown lever, which acts as a mini “gas-pedal,” which helps drive the gun flatter in recoil. This is one of those little touches that people with a similar shooting style to mine will appreciate.
But the idea of “by shooters for shooters” started with the gun’s development. Early prototypes were tested by former military and LE personnel, as well as high level competition shooters. That feedback helped drive the final configuration of the pistol, resulting in the product that you can go buy today in stores.
Reliability and Accuracy
I’ve participated in multiple reliability tests of the TX9 at this point. At the Taurus USA factory I shot over 5k rounds through various pistols and experienced zero failures of any type. Later, we filmed a video where our brand ambassador, Matt Little, shot 1000 rounds through a single TX9 in 10 minutes, which you can view on the Taurus YouTube channel. Again, zero failures of any type in that test.
For accuracy, I took my TX9 full-size to the range and shot five shot groups with the following ammo at 25 yards off a bag, with the results listed:
Hornady 115gr Critical Defense Best Group: 1.01 inches
Hornady 135gr Critical Duty: 1.69 inches
Federal 124gr HST: 2.89 inches
Federal 124gr FMJ: 3.55 inches
Magtech 115gr FMJ: 4.21 inches
All rounds fed and ejected without issue from the factory 17 round magazines. As you can see, it’s pretty damn accurate to boot.
Everything else about shooting this gun is exactly what you’d expect. It’s a striker fired 9mm with a good trigger, and if you put good sights or an optic on it you’re going to be able to get some pretty impressive accuracy out of it. All of the guns I’ve tested demonstrate accuracy that’s well above average for guns in this class.
TX9 Accessories
The good news for you is that we’ll also have holsters and other accessories available at launch. For holsters we’ll be rolling out with support from Galco for leather and UM Tactical initially for kydex. Additionally, because the full size and the compact have enough rail space to accept a TLR-1 or X300, you can use the excellent Phlster Floodlight for the appropriate weapon mounted light.
Because the TX9 uses the same excellent TORO system as the extant G3, all of the G3 adapters fit the TX9, and are available at ShopTaurus.Com. You can set up any optic you like and be off to the races. I also already mentioned iron sights, there are a huge number of those available as well.
Bottom Line
I’ve said for years now that Taurus today isn’t the Taurus from 2015, and the TX9 is more proof of that. Guns like the GX4 family of pistols, the GX2, and now the TX9 demonstrate Taurus’ commitment to developing quality, reliable, and affordable products for the American gun owner. With an MSRP right around $500, the TX9 will be available at dealers for less than that, immediately making it a serious contender in the packed semi-auto 9mm market. However, the combination of price, features, and performance sets the TX9 ahead of the competitors in its class.
You should definitely get one.