Beretta 92 vs. Taurus 92

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Don Lu

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Honestly guys, not trying to start a war but, Im going to get one or the other and would like input on if one is better than the other. Im not interested in the "Prestige" or lack there of associated w/the name, just want to know if one is truely better and why.

Thanks.

p.s. not sure if it makes a difference but Im getting one w/ a decocker.
 
Taurus got Beretta's South American factories... or something like that... when Beretta left the place. So Taurus had the tools to make Beretta 92s, and did. That's how I remember the story.
The Taurus model - latest one, anyhow - has a frame-mounted safety. The Beretta has a slide-mounted safety. With the Taurus, push the safety south of the 'fire' mode and it'll decock, IIRC. With the Beretta... no idea. Think you can set the gun on safe and pull the trigger to safely decock the Beretta. Not sure about that, though.

Some people like the positioning of the Taurus safety better - it's similar to the placement of the 1911 safety.

Both are generally good guns.
 
Both are generally good guns.
Click to expand...
Very true. The PT92 is one of the few exceptions to the Taurus stigma. Beretta wanted to sell their model 92 in South America and couldn't for some legal reasons, and contracted Taurus to do it for them. They shipped all the manufacturing equipment and machinery to Brazil and set up shop there using Beretta's own stuff to make the pistol. They also sent employees of the company to stay in Brazil with Taurus for the next six months training them making 92's. They are the next best thing to a model 92, with the only differences being price point and some features. On the inside they're exactly the same. The Taurus model still has the frame mounted safety that Beretta used to have until they had to change it to the slide to win the original military pistol trials. You can still find Beretta's out there on the used market with the old style safety but they're pricey-like the 92 Steel model(!!!). The frame mounted safety is actually more comfortable on the Taurus, and although it's unneccesary it has the ability to be carried "cocked and locked". The Beretta has the edge in this spot because they offered the 92 with a couple different trigger setups and decockers:
model FS--standard slide mounted safety w/safety decocker
model G --no external safety, decocker only
model D --Double action only
Taurus to my knowledge has never used any other trigger configs. but still has the nice feature of the safety location, and in addition to a light rail being standard on most they were the first to cram 17 rounds of 9mm into a flush fitting mag, as opposed to Beretta's usual 15. Beretta has since changed this to keep up on their 90-TWO. Finally the price is what gets some, $349 for a PT92 or $499 for a 92FS?? Prestige is one thing I'll happily avoid here,and that has another place, but bottom line is that the Beretta has more "models of the model" than the Taurus. Still though the Taurus has the frame mounted safety and the lower price. If that's enough for you, then enjoy...
Sorry if this went on too long--Adam
 
Here's the story. Way back when (1970's I believe or early 80's), Beretta won the contract to supply 9mm handguns to the Brazilian military. The contract required that the guns had to be made in Brazil, so Beretta setup a manufacturing facility. Eventually, the contract was completed and Beretta no longer needed a manufacturing facility in Brazil so they sold the entire facility, including the manufacturing equipment, to Taurus. The sale also included an agreement that allows Taurus to manufacture model 92's and sell them under the Taurus name.

The current generation of Beretta 92's differ slightly from the Taurus 92's because each company has followed their own independent evolution paths in modifying the 92 over the years. For example, mags are not interchangeable because the location of the mag release button is different between them.

The fit and finish will usually be better on the Beretta models, but my dad has a stainless Taurus 92 and it's as reliable as any 9mm I've ever handled. That being said, I don't like the model 92 design and have never had any desire to own either the Taurus or Beretta version.
 
I prefer the Beretta -- esp the Italian made versions. Mine have been great performers since day one.
 
Beretta over Taurus hands down any day of the week.;)
Beretta has one of the longest histories of any firearms company for making guns that I know of, check into their history.
Imitation is a sincere form of flattery I'd get the best and not a clone or copy.
 
Having handled both the Taurus and the Beretta, I'd choose the Taurus. I like the position of the controls much better, 2 extra rounds in the mag, and the price is more in my range.

One thing to look at though is customer service. IF service is needed, Taurus does not have a sterling reputation, and I do know one person who is overall pleased with Beretta's service.
 
Beretta by far for excellent quality, and for excellent service.
 
had 2 taurus' they sucked horribly... jam o matics sold em both, had the full size and the compact, bought a beretta never looked back...
 
I own both. Only advantage the Taurus has over the Beretta is the ability to carry cocked and locked... and the safety location (if you're a fan of 1911 style things as such)... and it's a tad bit lower in price... and maybe you get what you pay for, but I've never had a problem with my Brazilian or my Italian 92's.

I bought my Taurus back in 86 or so when they were about $250 and Berettas were in the $550-600 stratosphere due to Uncle Sam's order and their newfound prestige (Be gone old 1911 clunkers. Vamoose .45acp). Taurus' price has risen a bit since then. Beretta's can be found for the same price or less than their original price of oh so many years ago.

Buy the Beretta. Get used to the safety location and it's action (thumb reaches upward and pushes up even more to set control to fire... and reach waaaaay up and pull it down to make safe/decock...now that's a natural thumb action I tell ya :rolleyes:). But it's no different than S&W auto's or even P38's safety action/location.

Should you ever choose to resell some time down the road, you'll be glad you bought the Beretta. Then you'll have enough money to buy 2 slightly used Taurus 92's. :D
 
I'm no Taurus fan, but I think the 92 seems to have a better track record than a lot of their stuff. My brother has had one for about 10 years (I think it's his only 9mm) and has never had any problems with it. If the features don't sway you one way other the other, you might as well save some money and get the Taurus.
 
I have both, and the Beretta is, IMO, a better pistol. Soother action, FAR smoother trigger, and just feels nicer. That said, the Taurus is nice. Just not as nice as the Beretta.
 
Beretta will be my choice too. If money is a concern the Taurus would be no problem as it has improved a lot.
 
Which then is made of better steel? Beretta or Taurus? I know that Beretta has been torture tested, but how about with the Taurus?
 
Ok,just to be different,I say buy 2 Taurus's for the price of 1 Beretta.Plus I love the cocked and locked option.But I am a Taurus fan..I own 3 now and have owned 2 others(one being a pt99)and they were all fine guns.The pt99 was my IDPA gun for years..never had ANY issues w/ probably 75 rounds a week for 3 years through it,that's like 11700 rounds!And I bought it used.
 
I have owned B92s in the past and one of their traits that would steer me to them again over the Taurus clone is that there are literally millions of magazines out there for the original.
 
One big Diff is warranty....After a year Beretta "does'nt know you" If it breaks, you spring for the fix...:eek: Taurus has a lifetime warranty..!!
 
My Italian Beretta 92 FS is a great gun, I've never shot the Taurus, but have picked them up at the gun shop. I like the position of the safety on the taurus, but don't find it annoying on the beretta, the beretta seems to have a smoother action, and overall better finish. Also costs a few bucks more. I must say though that I really hate the shiny stainless ones taurus offers, dunno why...
 
My $0.02. I've fired many Beretta 92s, and I've owned 2 Taurus pt99s. The appearance of the Beretta and seemingly its fit is slightly better. BUT.. in contrast to some other posters, I've found the opposite to be true in reliability. Neither Taurus (I only currently own one, a pre-decocker model) has ever once had any type of failure. Of the.. oh.. probably 7 beretta 92s I've fired, each one of them has had at least one or more failures that Ive been witness to. To be perfectly fair here, all of the Berettas I've fired have been either range guns or security firm issued guns, which it is possible did not have the best cleanings/maintenence. So as far as reliability, I would feel perfectly secure with the Taurus but probably just as much so with a well maintained Beretta. As some other posters have also noted, I do prefer the location of the safety on the Taurus. Although generally I think I would carry it (and I have) in DA mode anyway, the functionality of cocked and locked is a nice option. And lastly, the lifetime warranty of the taurus is nice, but I've heard both good and bad about the service.

Here's my Taurus. I like it.
Taurpt99-4b2.gif
 
The 92 will decock when the safety is flipped on. I like it because it rotates the firing pin out of alignment with the hammer and chamber, so there is no physical way that round can possibly discharge while safed. I have an M9, and it's a keeper. I'd recommend the 92 if nothing other than it has been thoroughly tested by law enforcement and the U.S. military for about 20 years with an outstanding track record. Can't say the same about the Taurus.
 
In my opinion, the main advantage of the Taurus is the safety set up (the ability to run it cocked and locked). However, after shooting them both--two of my good friends just happed to have these models--I settled on the Beretta for myself.

Both of these are great firearms, and you won't be choosing "wrong" if you pick one over the other. However, the fit and finish was more to my liking and the action/controls just a bit smoother.

I dropped in a 16lb mainspring from Wolff and the trigger pull has improved in both single and double action a great deal. You will probably be able to do with same with the Taurus if you go that route.
Shoot safe...
 
I have five Taurus PT92s or PT99s. I like them, primarily because they work OK and are inexpensive. I didn't pay more than $300 for any of 'em, and the average price used is right around $250. For a knock-around pistol or a pistol worthy of loaning to friends, I'm quite pleased with 'em.

There are clear difference between the various PT92's/PT99s that I own in terms of trigger pull; I'd say that Taurus doesn't run tolerances quite as closely as many other manufacturers. However, I've not had a single failure to go BOOM with any of the Taurus pistols I own.
 
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