I originally reviewed the Taurus GX4 XL TORO 9mm pistol roughly two years ago elsewhere f. To recap, the Taurus GX4XL TORO is a modern polymer-framed, striker-fired “slim” pistol optimized for concealed carry. Because the GX4 XL TORO is “slim,” its slide is cut to directly accept Holosun-K or Shield RMSc footprint optics.
Let’s Talk About The Taurus GX4 XL
In my review the Taurus GX4 XL surprised me with its accuracy, and it cycled every 9mm I introduced it to. Furthermore, that gun was one of my earliest exposures to those slimmer modern contemporary carry guns. thanks to the trend that the SIG Sauer P365 started. Prior to that, I did try out a Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro, albeit briefly.
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I’ve never been crazy about the GX4 XL’s trigger, but after the gun saw some rounds and the trigger wore in, it felt more agreeable. I also wasn’t enamored of its fairly small grip that is part of the original polymer grip module. Due to the laws of physics, it makes the pistol harder to shoot.
However, I also understand it was a deliberate design trade-off to increase portability and concealability. Virtually all of the GX4 XL’s direct competitors (think SIG Sauer P365 XL, et al) do the same thing with their own grip modules.
Upgrading The Taurus With Metal
Like many of its categorical peers, the Taurus GX4XL (and the entire GX4 product line) possess a serialized “trigger pack.” I ended up dropping its trigger pack into Mischief Machine’s GX4 Commander grip module.
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This isn’t another Taurus GX4 XL review. Rather, this is a spotlight about Mischief Machine GX4 Metal Commander module. In my first review, the GX4 XL sported a Holosun EPS Carry that Big Tex Ordnance loaned me. In the spirit of trying new things, the GX4 XL now wears a Meprolight MPO Pro-S enclosed-emitter sight.
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About Mischief Machine
Mischief Machine is a Pennsylvania-based outfit that specializes in offering high quality aftermarket drop-in metal grip modules for pistols that employ serialized trigger-packs. Made from aluminum, Mischief Machine’s grip modules accept actual grip panels and are machined with different grip angles (magazine geometry permitting). They allow the end-user to non-permanently modify their handguns to change their look, feel and performance.
Because these modules need the handgun’s original serialized-trigger pack to function, legally, they aren’t handgun frames. Mischief Machine modules can be freely purchased, just like any other non-regulated pistol accessory.
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Which Brands?
Primarily, Mischief Machine primarily caters to the extremely popular SIG Sauer P365 family of handguns. Arguably, SIG’s P365 family is the categorical leader in the “slim” carry pistol market segment. Especially for those whose designs implement trigger-packs and grip modules.
In addition to SIG Sauer products, Mischief Machine also caters to other brands of trigger-pack pistols. Taurus and IWI come to mind. IWI’s Masada Slim models use a trigger pack and Mischief Machine caters to them.
It also caters to the larger members of the Taurus GX4 family: the Taurus GX4 XL and GX4 Carry. Besides being the topic of this review, the recently introduced the GX4 Commander grip module fits both of these models. The Commander grip module is only compatible with 3.7-inch GX4 slides. It also only accepts 15-round GX4 Carry magazines. It’s something to keep in mind.
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The GX4 Metal Commander Grip Module
Every Mischief Machine GX4 Metal Commander Grip Module starts life out as a solid block of 7075-T6 aluminum. That hunk of aluminum gets pared down to a grip module that’s best described as “compact” in size. Size-wise, it’s worth noting that the GX4 Commander has more in common with a Glock 19 than it does with a true “slim” inch-wide frame or module.
Out of the box, the GX4 Metal Commander’s high-quality fit-and-finish is readily apparent. “Solid” is a word that gets thrown around a lot, but Mischief Machine’s module certainly feels solid in the hands. It even feels expensive. Adding to its feeling is a tripartite set of textured G10 grip panels. In addition to the customary left and right side panels, the module’s design includes a G10 backstrap insert.
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This module’s grip angle is fairly neutral, and the 1911’s inspiration is evident in its design. While its actual size doesn’t match the 1911’s angle perfectly, that’s only because the module must take the Taurus GX4 Carry’s magazine into account. From a practical perspective, it doesn’t matter much.
The Commander’s grip very much reminds me of the 1930s-era Polish FB Radom VIS 35, a 9 mm pistol that was loosely based on the 1911. To this day, I still think it has one of the most comfortable grips amongst its WW2-era peers.
Switching over the trigger-pack and slide onto the GX4 Commander module is quite straightforward, which I appreciated since I am not a gunsmith.
GX4 Metal Commander Grip Contour
The Mischief Machine GX4 Metal Commander module itself satisfies all of the qualities that I look for in a handgun’s grip. I’ve already covered its grip angle in the previous section.
Beyond the angle itself, the grip includes a deep radiusing on the upper portion of the backstrap and a fairly roomy frontstrap. The module also provides an actual proper beavertail that keeps the hand clear from the reciprocating slide.
I can easily fit the “extra” three fingers of my shooting hand on the GX4 Commander’s frontstrap. The metal here is also checkered, let’s call it approximately 25-LPI (lines per inch).
More importantly, the junction between the frontstrap and the trigger guard has roomy undercutting. Undercutting at this location helps accommodate the firing hand’s middle finger and reduces needless friction and callusing during extended shooting.
In addition to undercutting, the bottom portion of the trigger guard is flat. On any pistol, flatness under the trigger guard aids controlled rapid fire but providing a contact point for the support hand.
Lastly, the dust-cover area forward of the trigger guard has a short span of Picatinny rail that can accommodate a compact weaponlight, like a Streamlight TLR-7 series. Keep in mind that the standard polymer GX4 XL grip module does not have an accessory rail.
Ripping Rounds
I’ll get right to the point.
My interest in Mischief Machine’s grip module isn’t concealability or additional portability. As a roughly Glock 19 sized package, it’s not impossible to conceal it. I don’t have experience with the Taurus GX4 Carry proper. And naturally, the more diminutive OEM Taurus GX4 XL polymer module is easier to carry. However, its small size makes it somewhat challenging to shoot, especially in terms of real-estate of the shooter’s firing hand.
Finding ways to improve the GX4 series’ shootability is what ultimately piqued my interest in evaluating the Mischief Machine GX4 Metal Commander grip module. There’s something to be said for a well-made unit with a smart grip angle that also provides more real-estate for the shooter’s hands. The entire package, including the Meprolight MPO Pro-S and a fully-loaded 15-round magazine weighs a tad over 33 ounces. It certainly handles and feels like a completely different animal compared to the stock Taurus GX4 XL I reviewed two years ago.
Takeaway On The GX4 Metal Commander
Felt recoil is always difficult to describe given its subjective nature. Thus far I’ve shot standard factory loaded private-label 124-grain 9mm NATO loads. The added mass of the aluminum module in conjunction with the extra space for the hands does make a difference.
Unfortunately, upgrading the module is predictably making me want to upgrade the GX4 XL’s trigger and tune the slide for the optimum slide-tracking feel–especially because there’s a red-dot sight on board.
Performance aside, it also doesn’t hurt that the Mischief Machine unit adds some visual and dramatic flair to an otherwise ordinary looking ultra-compact polymer striker pistol.
