Taurus is making a strong entrance in 2026 by expanding its polymer striker-fired handgun lineup with the new TX9. Successful handgun designs constantly evolve for various reasons, mainly driven by market and technological pressures, along with the ever-changing demands of end users. The Taurus TX9 perfectly exemplifies this trend.The TX9 is a fresh Taurus design. Do not mistake it as a variant of something already in the Taurus catalogue. While officially being introduced to the US market in January 2026, word has been slipping out of Brazil about the TX9 over the last few months.
Taurus is renowned for producing efficient “all business” weapon designs. Taurus is a Brazilian international conglomerate that traces its corporate roots back to 1939, with humble beginnings as a tool and die company. Besides its firearm division, the company has entities involved in metals, plastics, body armor, helmets, and civil construction. Taurus USA was founded in 1982 in Miami and relocated to Bainbridge, Georgia, in 2019.
Why The TX9?
Many may ask what the Taurus TX9 offers to shooters compared to other polymer-framed striker-fired handguns already on the market. The answer lies more in refining the striker-fired concept, which was started over 40 years ago, than in anything revolutionary. TX9 benefits from lessons learned, combined with a manufacturer intimately familiar with what it takes to create a quality weapon. Significantly, the TX9 is US-built with a Lifetime Warranty.
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The TX9 will certainly garner attention from the existing large Taurus customer base. I predict the TX9 will expand beyond this by attracting new admirers thanks to its ergonomics, performance, and adaptability, all nicely accented by its price point. Choice is what makes the free market economy so tantalizing. Sure, there are existing polymer striker-fired pistols on the market, but that does not stop other companies from introducing their take on the topic. All of this leads to productive competition, with the consumer benefiting. Taurus’s reputation lends credence to any new introduction on their part.
I was fortunate to have been selected as one of the earlier evaluators of the TX9, receiving each model—Full Size (4.5-inch barrel and flush fitting 17-round magazine), Compact (4-inch barrel and flush fitting 15-round magazine), and Subcompact (3.4-inch barrel and flush fitting 13-round magazine)—a few months ago. Taurus gave me carte blanche to run the pistols hard. This was more of a challenge than guidance, really. Holsters and red dots arrived with the three TX9s, making sure there were no excuses.
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TX9 Chassis System
The heart of the TX9 is its stainless-steel chassis system that bears the required serial number. The Taurus chassis is self-contained and can be moved between grip modules in seconds. Think of the modularity options that will be forthcoming after the TX9’s initial rollout. The Taurus TX9 takes full advantage of the learning curve based on previously introduced chassis-operating-system handguns by other manufacturers. The Taurus TX9 features a falling block sear design and has been designed & tested to meet military and law enforcement requirements worldwide, including NATO specifications.
All three TX9s tested offer repeatable 5.5-pound trigger pulls with a minimal reset. The short tactile reset allows for rapid multiple shots placed on target. The TX9’s trigger is proof that Taurus engineers listened to customer feedback as well as their competition shooters, who, I am sure, were brought into the TX9’s development. To my way of thinking, the “secret” to striker-fired handgun success is minimal operating controls, high cartridge capacity to size ratio, relentless reliability, and to paraphrase an infamous political advertisement,” it is the trigger, stupid…” The Taurus TX9 follows this formula.
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System Building
With the TX9, Taurus focused on enhancing the handgun’s interaction with the user via just the right balance of stippling, oversized trigger guard with subtle undercut at the frame, ambidextrous slide stops, and reversible magazine releases, plus textured indexing points on both sides of the frame. The TX9 will be available in Full, Compact, and Subcompact sizes, each offering different grip frames and slide configurations, and dimensions. This is further accentuated by four modular backstrap contour options that arrive with each TX9.
The TX9’s slide mass/shape is engineered to aid in increased muzzle control and manipulation. Taurus has milled slide serrations front and rear of the chamber, giving shooters a natural index location for press checks and charging the firearm. The rear slide serrations offer positive purchase if this method of slide manipulation is preferred. The deep forward and rear serrations provide a gripping surface from any angle.
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While the grip and slide size may change between specific TX9 models, the position of the slide and magazine releases will instantly be familiar. Most importantly, the trigger profile remains consistent. The chassis-based TX9 capitalizes on polymer-framed striker-fired characteristics of being inherently lighter, thinner, and simpler due to the limited number of parts needed to make the gun. This makes the gun easier to maintain and more reliable.
Testing Protocol
Testing consisted of normal protocol, establishing reliability first, then getting into combat accuracy and handling. Several magazines’ worth of ammunition was spent engaging plate racks and man-sized steel targets with each TX9 model. It was then decided to dedicate some time to evaluating the TX9 trio by working around vehicles, breaching facades, door entries, and other CQB activities. Having all three models present, one with a dot and the other two with iron sights, allowed for full exploration of what Taurus is bringing to the table with the TX9.
The natural point ability of the TX9 comes into its own in this realm. More of a point shooting or flash sight picture was utilized along with one-handed firing grip while moving off the “X”. I found this to be a more realistic way of analyzing what the TX9 offers, considering using it in the role it was designed for—concealed carry personal defense or duty weapon, depending on which TX9 model is chosen.
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A pleasant surprise was firing a 100% rating over a 60-round proficiency test with all three Taurus TX9s. The test is timed fire from the holster involving different stances at various ranges, stretching from 5 yards back to 30 yards. Needless to say, I was pleased with the performance, especially the TX9 Subcompact’s, which was operatingwithout the benefit of an electronic dot sight. Here was a subcompact performing as one would expect from one of its larger brethren. This is a compliment to the Taurus TX9’s trigger and ergonomics.
Tactical Reloads
Magazine changes were done for the dual purpose of getting the feel of manipulating TX9 and verifying how quickly it could get back on target. Speaking of magazines, Taurus’s attention to detail is found here, too. The Taurus-designed metal magazines are manufactured by Mec-Gar. The TX9 magazines are double-stack bodies that transition to single-round exposed on the follower for feeding reliability. There is word that 19-round magazines will be coming online soon for the TX9 family. Along these lines, the longer/higher capacity magazines will work in the smaller frame TX9 models, extending out of the bottom of the grip.
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Manufacturer and price range serve as no guarantee that a handgun is able to perform immediately after purchase. Yes, many deficiencies are quickly remedied by “breaking in” a pistol by use or making slight adjustments to various parts. This does not have to be accepted. The Taurus TX9s are handguns you can count on being ready to go straight out of the box.
I tested the TX9 trio using Black Hills Ammunition, Winchester, Federal, Lehigh, and Hornady premium defense ammunition. Loads fired ranged from 115-grain to 147-grain. A .50caliber can of assorted FMJ and target loads from the same manufacturers was also used. Magazines are loaded with these random loads as a sort of reliability proofing. Range T&E was conducted near Winchester, VA, at the Echo Valley Training Center (EVTC). EVTC’s onsite Hesco Shoot House and 360 Range were ideal test locations. No malfunctions were experienced. No malfunctions were encountered with over 500 rounds fired with each TX9. This performance was straight out of the box!
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Taurus TX9 Must Have Red Dot
Concealed beneath the slide cover plate is Taurus’s T.O.R.O. (Taurus Optic Ready Option) optic mounting system. T.O.R.O. allows users to mount RMSc footprint optics, such as Holosun 407/507 and Swampfox Sentinel (one of these arrived on the TX9 FullSize), and adapter plates open up use for other footprints from Trijicon, Burris, etc.
Electronic dots on handguns are now considered standard. An often-overlooked aspect of this is ensuring the proper fit of the handgun in your hand. Feeling “good” in your hand does not necessarily mean it fits correctly. While “feel” is important, a proper fit is crucial. Think about how custom rifles and shotguns are contoured for the end user; the same concept applies to a handgun, especially one equipped with an electronic dot for personal defense.
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Most of the aiming process, whether using a red dot or not, relies on kinesthetic awareness. This awareness begins with your grip when drawing from the holster. Kinesthetic awareness is the body’s understanding of the position and tension of its parts. This is especially relevant when using a red dot, as grip and tension influence how you engage with the pistol immediately upon drawing. Proper grip also helps in tracking the dot movement on the target when firing multiple rounds.
The TX9 Full Size evaluation reaffirmed all of the above. While the TX9 FullSize’s medium backstrap fit my hand well, the position of the Swampfox dot seemed high in the screen. Out of curiosity, the smaller backstrap was installed. The benefit of finding the dot upon extension of the drawstroke was immediate. The TX9’s grip angle offers a natural point of aim, especially important when a red dot is mounted.
Witches Brew
The Taurus TX9 line-up will be recognized as an amalgamation of positive features found on striker-fired predecessors. The TX9 benefits from lessons learned, combined with a manufacturer intimately familiar with quality weapon production and how to tastefully improve upon a platform, all at an attractive price point. Multiple range visits and months of carrying concealed had the various TX9s proving themselves in terms of carryability, accuracy, and speed, even from concealment.
For what it’s worth, the Taurus TX9 Subcompact earned the moniker as my favorite TX9. Performance on the range, remember the 100% rating on the 60-round qualification, with dimensions that favor bringing along everywhere you go, hard to beat. I predict an electronic dot will find its way to the TX9 Subcompact’s T.O.R.O. slide.
End users have options with the TX9, considering the three models offered from the get-go by Taurus. The proven reliability and performance of the Taurus TX9evaluated here lead the author to suggest it should be considered by anyone pondering a concealed carry or duty-sized handgun.
