Beretta or Taurus 92?

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Even thought they're almost identical, the fit and finish on the Beretta will be a bit nicer. The Berettas just feel smooth.
 
I have put a few mags through a PT-92 and I was impressed.
Granted, it wasn't as nice as a Beretta, but it was better than I had expected.

Putting the safety on the frame was a stroke of genius, it just feels "right" there. Its easier to reach without shifting your grip.
 
I like the Taurus better, the guns with the safety in the slide just don't work for me.
 
Beretta warrants their barrel for 5000 rounds.

Taurus warrants the entire pistol for the lifetime of the firearm.

The Taurus 92s I have seen lately, have been MUCH better finished than the one I had years ago. My old Taurus 92 did shoot really good, though and it gave me no troubles for the 4-5 years I owned it.

I'd say save the money and get the Taurus. Beretta snobs hate the Taurus 92 just as the Colt 1911 people hate the Springfield Armory 1911s, but the truth is the latter guns have lifetime warranties and shoot great.

If you're a label person, buy the Beretta, if you want to save money and shoot...buy the Taurus.

-Brickboy240
 
Thanks for your thoughts. I'm leaning toward the Taurus, primarily because of the frame mounted saftey and the difference in price. The examples I've handled seem to have nearly the same fit & finish as the Beretta.

Are there any issues with reliability? It will be used primarily as a plinker and for informal bowling pin shoots, but if my wife likes it, it will be a house gun as well.

Thanks again,
Doug
 
Can't speak to the Beretta, don't have one and only have run 50 or so rounds through one.

I do have a PT-92c (compact). It has never choked on any ammo I have fed it.

My 1911 gets the majority of the range time. I just recently picked up some extra mags for the 92. When I get a mag pouch for the 92 mags I am going to try it out at my club shoot (IDPA style).

I like the frame mounted safety also as it is simular to the 1911 safety.
 
The beretta does feel a tiny tiny bit smoother, nicer BUT

1. its not worth the price
2. the taurus' safety is in a better position
3. the taurus has a lifetime warranty
4. you get a one year membership to the NRA with the taurus
5. Equal availability of aftermarket accesories
6. The Taurus is just as reliable.

id go with the taurus anyday.
 
Both are good guns. I for one like the slide mounted safety on that style of pistol. I've had both and sold the Taurus because magazines are more expensive nor are they as abundant. At least while the AWB was in effect. I not sure now that it's over.
 
Taurus

Taurus is the one I prefer. I think that the safety is much better thought out. As another poster said, the Taurus is what the beretta should have been. Buy the Taurus you will not regret it.
 
I have both, and like them a lot. If it came down a choice, I'd probably go with the Taurus.

Both pistols have a common ancestry, but development went in different directions. The Taurus PT92 is based on the original Beretta 92, which had a frame safety. Beretta developed the slide safety/decocker in order to compete for the US M9 contract, while Taurus retained and refined the frame safety.
 
Both are good guns. I for one like the slide mounted safety on that style of pistol. I've had both and sold the Taurus because magazines are more expensive nor are they as abundant. At least while the AWB was in effect. I not sure now that it's over.
Click to expand...


Extra mags for the Taurus are just as plentiful and as cheap now.
 
Some years ago the fix for the locking lug crack issue with the Berreta was to put in a Taurus locking lug. They are not up to a made in Itialy PB on finish but in the US made guns I would say the T gun is more on quality control.Plus it costs less too.
 
The Taurus 92/99 IS the "old" beretta.

Back in the 1980's, Beretta had a factory in Brazil.
I have heard two different stories about how it wound up in the hands of the Taurus people -- tools, prints, the works -- but one way or another, the factory continued cranking out the same product under a new name.

Production continued without the original Beretta oversight, so for some time the quality suffered. That's just when I bought mine. Even after having returned it to them twice and sending it to a smith a couple times, I still feel like I own a rip-off copy of a quality firearm.

Beretta changed their design shortly after this happened, moving the safety (and introducing the decocking feature, I believe) to the slide. Taurus never changed anything, so it's still where it was in 1980 and does what it did then.

Incidentally, take that "lifetime guarantee" with some salt.
You will lose your piece for close to 2 months, typically. You may ship it to Florida, but they put it on a boat to Brazil to do any work.

I understand Taurus has become a serious world competitor with lots of products, and with a growing reputation for quality and robustness in their products.
I'd still rather shop at Macy's than Woolworths.
Sorry, that's how I feel.

Fud
 
Ah, Old Fud, you may want to read up a bit on the history of Forjas Taurus. Taurus has, in fact, changed many, many things since 1980. It's actually quite a well-managed company, and my experience with the customer service indicates 2 months would be a long time indeed. My experience was about 3 weeks, which I consider in the reasonable portion of the spectrum (I don't think anyone can beat Springfield).

I bought a new (then) PT-92 in 1992, when the new decocking-style safety came out. This pistol has seen probably 15,000 rounds through it. I've only changed the recoil spring once (just because) ... not due to any negative symptoms. I've since bought two Berettas (and I do like them), and have been carrying the M-9 on duty since 1994/5ish ... But the 9mm in my collection that I still enjoy shooting the most is the Taurus. The current PT-92 in stainless (not the accessory rail model) is well-finished and to me looks as good as any current production Berettas; I've actually contemplated picking one up soon just for ol' time's sake.
 
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