PT92 vs RIA 1911

[Flannelman]

So I was browsing Cabelas today. They had a LNIB Taurus PT-92 in the matte black finish with 2 mags and box for $380 though I think it could be had for $350. The next contestant is a full size RIA 1911 GI .45 with one mag in 98% condition for $340 though again I could probably get it cheaper.

So I had been thinking about a 9mm of some sort but I wasn't thinking about something quite as large as a 92 but it would be a nice easy shooting pistol. It is also less expensive to feed.

The RIA 1911 less expensive initially, still large, more money to feed, and not as nice of sights.

So let me have your opinions good, bad and ugly.

 

[OARNGESI]

both are good guns i wouldtake the taurus

 

[rswartsell]

Not me. RIA all the way.

 

[dpote]

Having shot both, my vote goes to the 1911.
I had a terrible time with the sights at first, but I took a class and had no problem after that. It was just a generic class, not a "how to shoot" class. Being in a classroom environment was enough to want to do better than my classmates. Does that make sense?
As far as being more costly to feed, do you reload? A LEE setup and casting with wheel weights can take you far.

Hope this helps,
Dave

 

[cyclopsshooter]

Looking at it from a metallurgical and fit/finish standpoint.. Taurus. Wow, I said it.

 

[Solo]

I have a RIA GI model 1911, and it's been very good so far.

 

[Snowdog]

I currently have an RIA 1911 and had a PT99 (same pistol as the PT92 but with adjustable sights) for years.

I'd say both are very solid pistols for the price. I never had any issue with the PT99 except for the girth of the grip. Slim grip panels helped, but it eventually led me to sell it to someone who was in the market for such a pistol and last I heard, he still loves it. Purchased used, I had zero malfunctions from the 700ish rounds I put through that pistol.

The RIA has proven a wonderful performer for me as it feeds any SWC I give it. My Kimber feeds 185gr SWCs without issue, but occasionally chokes on various 200gr SWCs. Purchased new, I have had zero malfunctions (that weren't magazine related, long story) from the 1300-1500 rounds through the pistol so far.


So, it appears it depends on what you're looking for as both are fine pistols for the price.

 

[12Bravo20]

Looking at it from a metallurgical and fit/finish standpoint.. Taurus. Wow, I said it.

Really? Go over the the 1911Forum and read the RIA section, plenty of pistols with high round counts. The ArmsCor/RIA frames are even good enough for STI to use on one of their pistols. I own 2 RIA pistols and haven't had any problems what so ever.

As far as 92 vs 1911, I would go with the 1911. I say that from experience of shooting both the 1911A1 and M9 while in the service. Plus Rock Island has way better customer service.

 

[joecil]

I have both and love both of them. Now my both are very accurate however when speed counts the 9mm is a touch faster and more bullets however a bit bulky for every day carry and for that I have the RIA 1911 CS which is the compact version. It is as heavy as the PT92 but a flatter imprint that makes it an excellent carry gun. RIA/Armscor customer service is if not the best it is in the top 2 on my list. I've not had any problems with my Taurus guns however their service is much slower with less contact. Oh and I had Armscor Precision (Nevada) put some Novak Trijicon night sights on my 1911 very much like I had on a Springfield I used to own.

 

[Rail Driver]

I'd prefer my RIA GI 1911 FS over a Beretta clone any day of the week.

 

[silicosys4]

Taurus without a doubt. The RIA is a cast frame budget gun made in the Philippines. The Taurus is a forged frame budget gun, but was built on Beretta's machines purchased by taurus, using Beretta tooling, by well trained technicians. The PT92/99 have been called Taurus's best guns.
My PT99 has been much more reliable than my RIA 1911 was. Better sights than the RIA, more capacity, cheaper to feed.

 

[silicosys4]

repost

 

[bigfatdave]

I'd take the RIA - but then the M9/Beretta 92/PT92 grip never fit my hand.

Get the one you like more.

 

[MICHAEL T]

My Taurus 92 was a good pistol But I didn't like size of it Never fit my hand . The 1911 however feels right . So I would say the 1911. My son has the Taurus now. He tried CC it and gave up. He went to a 1911 for carry . .

 

[mgmorden]

Tough call. I'm not really that big a fan of the general Beretta 92 type design (just don't like the feel a whole lot). 1911's are ok, but I like the more modern variants with the beavertail grip safety and novak-type sights rather than the original GI design.

Between the two though, I'd personally opt for the RIA 1911.

 

[Fishslayer]

Really apples & oranges. I would be tempted to say "both" at those prices.

I'm a fan of RIA but unless you want a base for a custom gun or just want the old skool GI look I would say pass on the GI & go for the Tactical. It's WAY more gun for $60-ish more than the GI.

Personally, I'd go for the PT92 because I don't own a FS 9mm, the Taurus bottom feeders actually have a pretty solid rep and the .mil M9 they gave me fit my hand very nicely.

I still like the "Both!" answer tho...

 

[Kiln]

The RIA pistols are known for good reliability and accuracy.

The Taurus PT92 is debatably the best gun said company makes. It has a high capacity and a somewhat gritty trigger but is definitely a quality piece.

Both of these are great and covered under lifetime warranties. Taurus will however, cover second owners and on however, so if you buy a PT92 used you can still ship it back if it has issues.

 

[Oldnoob]

I like my 1911s, but not a fan of GI. Between the two, I'll get the Taurus if you can get the price down below $340. $380 for a used PT92 is a bit high.

 

[bannockburn]

Another vote for the PT-92. I have used both pistols, and while the RIA M1911 is more than up to the task, the PT-92 is a pretty decent quality hi-capacity 9mm.

 

[EBK]

After having a bad experiance with a PT845 I would Vote for RIA 1911.

As a matter of fact I sold the PT845 to purchase the RIA 1911.

It is worth noting that although I had a terrible experiance with the PT845, I own and carry daily a PT111 mil pro that has been flawless from day one.

 

[firemanstrickland]

I cant speak for the taurus but I have a rock island 1911 a-1 and I love it. I am SAR and needed a good handgun i could drag through the mud and briars and not worry about messing up the finish and the RIA 1911 has performed admirably. I've got about 1000 rounds through it and have yet to have a single problem out of it, and i use cmc mags.

 

[wally]

I'd throw the RIA 9mm Tactical in the mix, this way you are choosing between a pair of 9mm pistols instead of 9mm vs. .45ACP

I've had the PT-92 for a long time and actually like it better than my made in Italy Beretta 92 because I never could get used to DA/SA operation. The PT-92 (except the really old ones with near the heel mag release) can do cocked and locked or DA/SA.

That said, its pretty much sat in the safe since I got my RIA "Tactical" 9mm 1911.

 

[commygun]

Have a RIA GI and love it. Very reliable. I've heard much praise of the 92 over the years and owned a PT92C and a PT100 (as well as a Beretta 92 and 96) and they never really did it for me. I guess there's just too many other hi-cap 9's that do what the 92 does, but in smaller more ergonomic packages.