Taurus®, manufacturer of premium handguns for defense, hunting, and sport shooting introduces the new Taurus G3 T.O.R.O and G3C T.O.R.O.

Given the growing penchant for shooters to include micro red dots on their semi-autos—be it for personal defense, recreational shooting, or competition work—Taurus brings the G3 series pistols into the optic arena for 2021 with the release of the full-size G3 T.O.R.O. (Taurus Optic Ready Option) and the compact G3c T.O.R.O.

Taurus G3C T.O.R.O.
Dan Z. for TTAG

Both the G3 T.O.R.O. and the G3C T.O.R.O. are similar to the G3 and G3C, respectively, except for their slide configuration. The slides for the T.O.R.O. series feature a factory optic cut so that consumers can immediately add their choice of micro red dot without the expense of custom gunsmith work or “downtime” of their handgun. What’s more, the T.O.R.O. system’s design accommodates a broad range of popular optics on the market today, thanks to an ingenious interchangeable plate mounting system.

Four different mounting plates, along with four different sets of screws and L-Key are included with the G3 T.O.R.O. and G3C T.O.R.O.—each with a different mounting pattern that is specific to common aftermarket optics.

Optic systems compatible with the G3 T.O.R.O. and G3C T.O.R.O. (but not limited to):

• Trijicon RMR
• Noblex-Docter
• Vortex Venom
• Burris FastFire
• Sightmark Mini
• Holosun HS407C
• Leupold Delta Point
• C-More STS2
• Bushnell RXS-250
• TRUGLO TRU-TEC Micro

The G3 T.O.R.O. and G3C T.O.R.O. come from the factory with a steel slide cover plate to provide a “clean” slide surface when employing the installed open sights. To add an optic, remove the cover plate and install the appropriate mounting plate for the desired optic brand. The Owner’s Manual includes easy, step-by-step instructions for installing an optic system on the G3 T.O.R.O. and the G3C T.O.R.O., which the consumer can do themselves with basic tools and supplies.

Since many shooters who install optics on their pistols also prefer to run elevated open sights for backup, the G3 T.O.R.O. and G3C T.O.R.O. rear dovetail cuts are machined to accept common elevated- or suppressor-height aftermarket sights, depending on the manufacturer’s specifications.

With the introduction of the G3 T.O.R.O. and the G3c T.O.R.O., Taurus rounds out the G3 series of 9mm semi-auto striker-fired pistols with a model for every need and with performance and a price point to meet every budget. Whether intended for personal protection, recreational shooting, or competition, the G3 T.O.R.O. and G3C T.O.R.O. deliver factory-tuned performance while providing customizing options for individual shooter’s tastes.

Taurus G3 T.O.R.O. Specifications

Caliber: 9mm Luger
Capacity: 10, 15, or 17 (with extended magazine)
Finish: Matte Black / Matte Stainless
Grip/Frame: Polymer
Firing System: Single Action with Restrike Capability
Action Type: Striker
Safety: Manual and Trigger Safety, Striker Block, Visual Loaded Chamber Indicator
Sights Front: Fixed (White Dot)
Sights Rear: Drift Adjustable Serrated Matte Black
Slide Material: Carbon Steel
Slide Finish: Matte Black
Optic-Compatible Steel Cover Plate: Cover plate, four mounting plates, and hardware
Overall Length: 7.30″
Overall Width: 1.20″
Overall Height: 5.20″
Barrel Length: 4.00″
Weight: 25 oz. (unloaded)
Magazines Included: 2×10, 2×15, or 1×15 and 1×17
Packaging Size: 12.5″ x 6″ x 1.75″
Packaging Weight: 2.75 lbs.
Additional Feature: Picatinny Rail (Mil-STD 1913)
MSRP: $408.77

Taurus G3c T.O.R.O. Specifications

Caliber: 9mm Luger
Capacity: 10 or 12 rounds
Finish: Matte Black / Matte Stainless
Grip/Frame: Polymer
Firing System: Single Action with Restrike Capability
Action Type: Striker
Safety: Manual and Trigger Safety, Striker Block, Visual Loaded Chamber Indicator
Sights Front: Fixed (White Dot)
Sights Rear: Drift Adjustable Serrated Matte Black
Slide Material: Carbon Steel
Slide Finish: Tenifer Matte Black
Optic-Compatible Steel Cover Plate: Cover plate, four mounting plates, and hardware
Overall Length: 6.30″
Overall Width: 1.20″
Overall Height: 5.10″
Barrel Length: 3.2″
Weight: 22 oz. (unloaded)
Magazines Included: 3×12 or 3×10
Packaging Size: 9.8″ x 6″ x 1.8″
Packaging Weight: 33.20 oz.
Additional Feature: Picatinny Rail (Mil-STD 1913)
MSRP: $408.77

For more information on the Taurus G3/G3C T.O.R.O. and the complete line of Taurus products, visit TaurusUSA.com.

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28 COMMENTS

  1. Dumb Question (I have very limited, and not very positive, experience with pistol optics):

    Since most contemporary semiauto pistol slides are already squarish, roughly the right width, and have nothing in the way, why don’t they just rail the rear portion instead of having all these competing plate “standards”?

      • True, but I didn’t mean “slap a rail on top” (though that’s what some of them, including mine, do right now). I’m sorry if I was unclear; it can be challenging to balance completeness with concision. What I meant was:

        From about 1/4″ behind the breechface rearward, the pistol slide is under almost no stress, and practically empty (extractor is low; firing pin / striker 1/8-1/4″ diameter), yet it’s almost a solid 1″ wide block of steel. Why not mill a low Picatinny profile into the existing slide metal there?

      • Sort of like Hyundai in the barely acceptable to good quality for the price in terms of change over 20-30 years. May not be my first choice but would be a very good first pistol for new shooters and a great evidence locker giveaway/replacement in case you needed to use it.

  3. Oooooooo, a Taurus. If you have ever carried, purchased or so much as considered buying a Taurus brand pistol, then you are a loser who deserves everything that’s coming to you.

    • I owned a Taurus .357 wheel gun for a long time. I sold it when I made more money and moved on to fancier wheel guns. But, I would buy it and recommend it in a heart beat, if needed. It did its job very well. No frills of course, but bad guys rarely care about frills. Every company has its problems including *cough* Sig, and the internet magnifies everything.

  4. Someone should put together some thoughts on red hots/reflex sights for “personal defense” on a handgun. I have thought about it, I am not going to walk around with the sight turned on and waste batteries ( most turn themselves off anyway). A competition match is different, I can carry extra batteries and the match is a finite amount of time. For personal defense, all that means is one extra step between draw and perforation… which seems like a bad idea.

      • Yes shake away is pretty common.
        Holosun is awesome because they also have solar backup AND they’re durable as all hell. Sage Dynamics performed his four drop tests on his and it survived everything.

    • This isn’t controversial – the technology has progressed to the point where battery life is 3-4 years and they can handle a severe amount of abuse.

      I don’t know anyone who doesn’t recommend a red dot any longer.
      The future is now.

  5. About time Taurus! I may get one(and I’ve had 5 Tauruses run perfectly. I’m not inept). Haven’t seen any G3 Taurus in quite awhile. And they include lower priced optics I know work well ie Sightmark or TruGlo…

  6. I’m hearing good things about this pistol. I might check them out when/if ammo comes back a little more. Not sure if that’ll happen though

  7. This is like only have $3 left on your EBT so you buy the Walmart “Great Value” version of a product hoping it will be just as good, but knowing it most likely won’t be.

  8. The average Taurus owner doesn’t even use the irons to begin with. I don’t think they’ll use an optic either

  9. Not sure about the semis but my Taurus revolver is well built and way more reasonable than a S&W. Shoots well too. And yes, I use the irons. My daughter and I both enjoy shooting it. And no, I don’t only shop the bargain bin. My main carry is a VP9.

  11. Nothing like putting an optic on a gun that costs as much as the optic…

    fucken taurus…

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