Beretta 92 vs. Taurus PT92

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kids these days...

Max-Payne-3_15.jpg

Not to get off topic, but my little nephew is now demonstrating a video game where a psychotic Shel Silverstein is gunning down Brazilians in the ghetto with Taurus products - did they sponsor this thing? Maybe that's harsh, I'm sure there's a good story behind it or something. Fascinating level of detail on the firearms in games these days!

Max Payne 3, I think...
 
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Carried my government-supplied M9 all over the darn place. Never had an issue with it at all. Bought a 92FS when I got out because of it. Did see a PT92 blow out the side and sprain the crap of of the shooters right hand but this was when we found a case Euro-9mm sub-gun ammo that was quite "spicy."

That said, can't expect a PT92 to eat ammo it wasn't designed for, but my 92FS ate it all up without issue.

All said and done, I carry a 1911...

My vote for your two choices would be the Beretta.
 
@ ID-Shooting

Thanks, I was actually gonna buy a 1911 myself but we diversify in this family and the wife chose that particular moment to inform me that, oh by the way...

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"You can't, that's what I've always wanted"
"What? Wouldn't you rather have something a bit smaller?"
"Do I look like a b*tch to you? I don't want a b*tch gun"
"Uh, well what's wrong with your .38?"
"I want a .45! That's it, we're never having sex again!"

So now she's getting an American Classic 1911 and I'm exploring the fast-paced, exciting world of Beretta 9mm! I'm paraphrasing, of coarse, but it basically went down like that, in the middle of the gun store. None of the clerks dared suggest a Sig or nothing after that BS :-/
 
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To call the Taurus a knock off is not giving credit to the fact that they are built with Beretta tooling and machinery.
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Not after 30+ years its not. At one time, this was true. Not anymore.

Also, Beretta has made generational improvements to the locking block, which Taurus seems to not have done.

Make mine Beretta!

x5 :)

Line1_zpse5c6519a.jpg~original
 
That is a Beretta 92A1 with Beretta made optional grips. Just go to the Beretta web site and look at 92s. The grips are an offered option at the bottom of the page.
I have Nevada, Utah and soon Florida CCW and I have many pistols but somethings strikes me about the Beretta 92s. Still, I only pocket carry and the other gun in the picture is the gun for that utility work. Kahr CM9.
 
I own both the PT92 (from 1985) and the 92FS. My PT92 is one of the first ones brought in to the US. It only has a safety on the frame, not a decocker function.


I FINALLY had to send it back to Taurus in April to get some repairs done from all the shooting. I did a close inspection and found what 28 years of shooting and not paying close attention does to a weapon. Over the last 28 years (and about 20,000 rounds) I managed to wear the barrel out, crack the block, peen the frame and crack the slide. Strange thing was it was still shooting when I found the damage.

Taurus took it back to the factory and they did all the repairs (New block, barrel and slide) on their life time warrantee. I paid the shipping there, but they had a special offer and "sold" me the FedEx shipping for $50 (FedEx wanted $75 minimum directly). I didn't pay for anything else. the only down side is the new slide is a "modern" one with all that freaking roll stamping and advertisement on it.

I originally purchased the Taurus when we changed from revolvers to semi-autos in Law Enforcement in the mid 80's because the Beretta slides were blowing up then. Guess I made a good choice.

I will not stand up for other Taurus firearms, but I will for the PT92 - at least the one I got.

My Beretta 92? yea, I got one. Right now I have the 92FS as my primary house gun and the PT92 is my "by the seat" truck gun. Both the 92's are 100% reliable. The REAL difference between the two comes down to where you want the safety and the issue over the magazines being different.

If you are looking for re-selling later, pick the Beretta. If you are looking for a gun at a good price you are going to work hard (and keep) for the rest of your life, pick the Taurus.

Just my two cents worth...
 
Just curious, but did the Taurus 92 ever have the same catastropic slide-failure problem as was reported with its Beretta counterpart?

It was many years back, of course, but that was where, after several hundred rounds or so, it was reported that Beretta 92 slides would come loose on recoil and impale the foreheads of numerous young U.S. servicemen. :eek:

Afterward, of course, the resulting injury made the saluting of a superior officers very difficult for said personnel, at least without benefit of morphine or other pain-killer. :what: 'Course, Beretta quickly issued the "FS" version, which stands for what? - "fixed slide"? :scrutiny:

Haven't heard of any similar reports about the Taurus or, for that matter, any Glocks. :rolleyes:

Hey, just sayin' ...

:cool:
 
@ Shipwreck

You look like you might have an idea of when the 92fs first came about, huh? They say it's the most modern design, so I would think it'd be fairly recent, but can't find a specific date for that specific question...
 
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The history of the event was not as dramatic as people made it out to be.

The slides were breaking for several reasons. The "S" suffix after the "F" (Read FS) indicates the redesign of the firing pin area making it larger. The concept was that enlarged pin would "catch" the slide if it cracked and let go on firing. The FEW slides that cracked happened during some REALLY abusive testing by people who REALLY abuse firearms in the military (take a guess who they are). Rumor within the military (who really hated the M9 and did not want to give up the 1911) was that it was because of the NATO +P ammo that was suppose to be used only in submachine guns (different NALC than standard NATO 9 mm).

Anyway, Taurus did not have any problems with their slides, so I picked the Taurus. While I knew I would be returning to military service soon afterwards, I was working in law enforcement at the time. I was eager to get a revolver off my belt and a semi-auto on (6 rds vs 15).

Oh, the "F" designation came from the modifications based on the design specs provided by the military. An earlier version had already been tested by the Air Force as the "92SB" Couple of internal changes. Most people do not know that the safety/decocker was moved to the slide as part of the earlier "92S" and then "92SB" modifications. Those early variants are rarely seen.

There is a whole long history of the 92 development that is pretty interesting. It is still evolving with the M9A1 and other commercial variants.
 
Tired Retired:

My quiery was partly tongue-in-cheek for the benefit of all the Beretta fanboys here, as was the FS remark, but thanks for your reply. Also, thanks for your service.

But I have wondered why no similar slide-failure was ever seen or reported over the years on the Taurus 92s, and it certainly can't have been from not shooting the hotter NATO 9mm ammo through them, as I watched people do it.

The T-92s that I handled long ago, one or two mostly late 80s models where the frame-mounted safety was not also a decocker, ran fine and were quite accurate.

:cool:
 
I have seen posts on forums over the years of broken Taurus 92s. Locking blocks breaking and damaging the frame beyond fixing in less than 2000 rounds. Seen some comments of broken slides too.

I would guess that there are a TON more Beretta 92s out there than there are Taurus 92s. And, I honestly don't go looking for threads about Taurus - as I will never have one darken my doorstep again. So, I can't say much about reports... I do not go looking for them... I would venture to say that many people buy Taurus guns because of the price, first and foremost. That's probably not the broad spectrum of people who consistently make a habit of coming online to get opinions and what-not on gun forums.

Everyone who knows me knows I don't like Taurus guns, and I do not hide that fact.

I was up to nine 92 variants earlier this year - when I decided to change to just the one model/variety - and go to 5. But, I've had another 7 or more before in the pas as well. After collecting non stop since 1996 - I've owned pretty much everything under the sun at one time or another. When I got the Beretta bug again a few years ago - it became my favorite platform. Even ended up selling off two high end 1911s. All I do is shoot the Berettas.

If you like your Taurus - more power to you. I don't like 'em. And, I will never own one again.
 
@ Shipwreck

Thank you, that was pretty comforting and a very non-BS answer.
Still though, do you have any idea of when the Beretta 92fs variant first arrived on the scene? Also, haven't you ever wanted some alternate grips or anything, I'd seriously lose track if I were in your shoes!
 
Since its a duty weapon, may as well spend the $$$ on something good and use it as a tax write off since it is required by your job. Just sayin.
 
@ osteodoc08

My thoughts exactly, but we're moving for this job and on a budget - it would take some convincing of the wife. But, I'm gonna drop back by and pick-up that serial number since it was labeled "AS NEW" and see what Beretta has to say, the gun may still be under warranty for all I know...
 
Also, haven't you ever wanted some alternate grips or anything, I'd seriously lose track if I were in your shoes!
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No, for me, the 92 grip fits my hand perfectly. And, I must have the hogue rubber grip panels on it (the wrap around kind makes the gun too big for my hands - I like just the plain panels)

I have had various "favorite" weapons over the years., It admittedly has changed a few times... Currently, the 92FS has done it for me.

And, I can honestly say - with all the guns I have previously owned... I can go to a huge gun show now and pick up a couple of dozen different guns... And leave, because I no longer see anything else I want. I did just this 2 weeks ago in fact.

I even found that I like the 92 grip more than the grip of a 1911. I know - blasphemy. And, at 1 point in time, the 1911 platform WAS my favorite. But, the feel of the 92 grip feels better to me than a grip safety. And, I like not having to remember to thumb off a safety before using a gun - if a self defense situation arose.

I had a near robbery a few years ago - that I managed to get out of without having to pull a gun... But, I got a taste of what it is like when the adrenaline kicks in. I kept my wits, but I can say that all the big talk people throw out there on what they "would do" if X or Y happens... Things are a bit different when the actual event happens.

Anyway, I like having a gun with a first shot that is a bit heavy to keep me from doing a boo boo. So, I prefer DA/SA guns... And, with the D spring, that first pull is only a tad over 8 lbs now. I practice 1 handed and all double action shooting with it quite a bit... Something I never did until that event a few years back.

I also had more variations of the 92 before (see the photo below). But I found that the railed models had the balance thrown off a bit because of the extra weight of the rail. I can really feel the difference in a 1 handed grip. And, the Hogue grips on the compact are made fatter, for some strange reason. I tried to get used to it for over 2 years, and decided to just throw in the towel... The standard 92FS balances perfectly for me - so, I decided just to keep the same model... All set up the same with factory "D" springs, night sights, and the same grips.

9-wheel-o-berettacopy1_zpsa2c9e08d.jpg
 
Called Beretta

Well, got the serial # and Beretta says that this particular firearm was off the press in '91, so I dunno - anyone else feel like that's just too much time gone by to be comfortable?
 
Are you thinking it will be spoiled, like fruit? I might feel different if it was a M1951, but that is a whole other discussion

Pistols of modern manufacture stand up to a lot of use. I'd likely change the springs...but I'd do that with any previously owned gun anyway
 
so I dunno - anyone else feel like that's just too much time gone by to be comfortable?
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1 of mine is older than that (89).. 1 is a year newer (92) and is in my CCW rotation. The 3rd is an A1 which of course has only been in production for a couple years..
 
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