The GX4 Carry is a powerful, effective and comfortable companion to take afield. Whether enjoying a hike, hunting or just spending time in the great outdoors, the Taurus GX4 Carry is both packable and powerful. I’m a huge proponent of “practice how you intend to perform,” so to the woods and the range with me and experience a new paradigm of carry for this purpose-built pistol.

When I hear the word “compact” when referencing a handgun, I typically jump to “may be unfriendly to shoot.” The GX4 Carry is classified as a compact 9mm carry gun. As a fan of longer sight planes, comfy grips and minimal recoil, I gravitate toward less snappy options for my shooting and carrying pleasure. Here’s where the Taurus GX4 Carry altered my perspective a bit.

I have historically categorized my carrying tool into one of two categories:

• Let’s go grocery shopping with a vest or a slouchy flannel.
• Let’s take a walk in the woods with a (insert large over-gunned caliber here) strapped to my hip in the event of a bear. Note: After hunting bears in both Michigan and Alaska, randomly finding bears is kind of like the weird childhood stigma surrounding quicksand – way more of an issue in my mind than anywhere else.

That said, my daily clothing choices struggle with concealed carry, but my overall lifestyle is solid for open carry. When I first got the Taurus GX4 Carry, I put on my favorite pair of “carry jeans” and gave it a try. For those unaware of this term, “carry jeans” are the pants you wear when you want to add another two inches to your waistline and overall silhouette. Kind of like “fat pants,” but for a good cause – not because you ate too much at Thanksgiving.

The IWB (aka, inside the waistband) holster worked well enough to take a trip to the store after a solid 100-round range session. The cold temps brought the addition of a vest and the GX4 disappeared beautifully as I shopped for coffee, milk and eggs (Seriously, at what point will I break down and get chickens?).

Following a successful shopping expedition, I sat in my truck in the parking lot and looked at chicken coops online but quickly remembered why I don’t have chickens: once I get farm animals, I’ll get a cow. Once I get a cow, I won’t wait for milk … I’ll make veal piccata … I’ll just keep buying eggs. Moving on.

Switching to Open Carry with the GX4

I decided it was time to explore my preferred method of carry – open. As I spend most of my time in the woods or away from people, my main carry method is open and accessible. Additionally, I have a huge affinity for yoga pants and tank tops. “Concealed” is a bit tough on my 5-foot, 130-pound frame. Let’s go to the woods.

Several years ago, I discovered the magic of a chest holster. Having an aversion to normal pants as well as a consistent need to be able to carry a child on my back through the woods, I learned that having a gun on my hip became both uncomfortable and impractical. Enter the chest holster. No interference with comfy waist bands or tired toddlers. Win! As a result, I learned to open carry during our daily exploits in the woods. Let’s extrapolate that a bit.

Many guns are purpose driven. Some are purpose built to be purse-princesses – there if you need them, but overall ineffective for anything other than immediate close-range crisis engagements against 2-legged threats. Others are wearable warriors – great if you encounter an enraged Kodiak and can make a single successful between-the-eyes shot, but otherwise will give you a nosebleed just by the thought of pulling the trigger. Yet others are functional to carry, effective at 10 yards, but otherwise irrelevant when combined with adrenaline and poor practice habits.

And then we have the balance. The Taurus GX4 Carry. This firearm has the chops to snuggle happily in your favorite carry purse, slide comfortably into the waist of your tac pants or rest unapologetically on your chest or hip.

So, how does that work? I’m a huge proponent of “practice how you intend to perform.” With that in mind, range sessions need to include the messier side of life to be truly effective. Come with me as we take the GX4 Carry out to the range to see how we prepare for the functional side of full view carry.

Practice as You Intend to Perform

First, wear what you might wear in the woods. For me, that is leggings of some variety, snake boots and a comfy top layer. Put on the holster you expect to wear and do dry-fire drills – from the holster and low ready. Practice re-holstering methodically, safely, intentionally and consistently. I can’t stress this one enough. In my opinion, your re-holster is just as important as your draw.

Once you have a good grasp of that, add your rifle, bow or whatever else you expect to be carrying in the woods. These things impact your range of motion, holster access and overall mobility. Do dry fire practice until this becomes fluid and comfortable, both from the holster and low ready. Again, practice re-holstering. This process can be especially challenging with a pack or sling in the equation.

After all this is established, it’s time to switch to live fire. I like to load 3-to-5 rounds so I can practice my draw, re-holster and mag changes. All these components add to my confidence and competence if faced with a threat – 2- or 4-legged.

With the tantalizing smell of freshly burned gun powder still fresh on my mind, I want to leave you with this final thought. Carry how you’re comfortable. Find the method, process and practice regimen that works for you. The Taurus GX4 Carry is an incredibly versatile tool that adapts to both concealed carry or as an open companion. It is comfortable to shoot with a broad range of ammunition and accurate within impressive tolerances when switching back and forth between loads and bullet weights. In the meantime, practice as you intend to perform.

For more information and full specs, check out the GX4 at Taurus’s website.

MSRP: $515.99

About the Author

Andrea Bogard’s love for the range began at 12 with competitive handgun and expanded to encompass sporting clays a few years later. She became an NSCA instructor at 18 years old and spent the next 18 years getting married and raising two sons, ages 17 and 9 currently.

Andrea started hunting six years ago and learned to shoot a rifle and a bow. She is now 41, a full-time writer, homeschool mom and business owner and has hunted three countries, three continents and 19 states. Her sons and lab (Mr. Moose) are the focus of her world.