Do you want to know what went down at SHOT Show?
Lots of excitement, that’s for sure.
One question kept surfacing during our conversation with the Taurus team: can firearms actually become more user-friendly without sacrificing performance? And maybe the bigger question is should they?
For years, there’s been this idea that adaptability and power sit on opposite ends of the spectrum. That if you make something more intuitive, you somehow water it down. But what if that’s outdated thinking?
After seeing what Taurus is doing with the TX9 and the GX4 Carry Strike Bravo, it’s clear they’re challenging that idea. Modularity. Interchangeable components. Platform flexibility.
They have it all.
Taurus TX9
A New Addition to the TX Family
So what does user-friendly actually mean in this context?
It doesn’t mean simplified.
It means adaptable.
The Taurus TX9 is the first duty-grade, striker-fired 9mm within the TX family. Its grip design is based on the TX22 platform, which means familiar ergonomics for those already within the ecosystem.
But this isn’t just a caliber expansion.
Adjustable Ergonomics and Size Options
The TX9 includes four interchangeable back straps, allowing users to adjust grip size for comfort and fit.
It is available in three configurations:
- Full Size: 17-round capacity
- Compact : 15-round capacity
- Subcompact:13-round capacity
Instead of forcing users into a single format, Taurus offers flexibility within the same platform line.
Modular Chassis Design
One of the most notable features of the TX9 is its modular chassis system. The internal serialized chassis serves as the core component, while frames and slides are offered separately.
This platform-based approach allows users to configure different size variants within the TX9 system without purchasing an entirely new serialized firearm.
Optics-Ready and Aftermarket Compatibility
All TX9 models come optics-ready from the factory, using the same optic footprint as the G3. The iron sights are also compatible with Glock-pattern aftermarket sights.
That compatibility reflects a broader industry trend: platform continuity and user flexibility.
The Bigger Takeaway
The key lesson here? Users are leaning toward adaptability.
And manufacturers are showing it doesn’t have to come at the expense of performance.
From the TX9’s modular sizing to the GX4 Carry Strike Bravo’s platform flexibility, the direction is clear: firearms are increasingly being designed as systems rather than fixed configurations.
Not a replacement for what came before,but an evolution of it.
