Budget Blaster Showdown: Steyr M9 Or Taurus Pt92?

[The Mighty Beagle]

Ok fellows, I’ve narrowed my Budget Christmas Pistol down to two likely candidates - which would be a better range gun? I'll be putting thousands of rounds through this piece as a fun plinker/home defense blaster; obviously some accuracy would be nice.

I think they are both pretty durable/reliable, so I am mainly concerned about low recoil/muzzle flip, and practical “shootabilityâ€. Which is the easier shooter? Which is more accurate?

I realize I’m wanting a lot and am only willing to spend a little, so be brutally honest about your experiences.

P.S. I am leaning toward the Steyr. It just seems higher quality.

 

[Longbow]

The Steyr points too high for me (I rented one before), it might not be the case for you. I have a PT92 that's been so reliable and fairly accurate since I got it. High caps are not that hard to find, plus it has a lifetime warranty . So if I'm picking, I'll pick the Taurus.

P.S.
Just don't pay over $350 for the Taurus, for that money, just get a CZ or Glock.

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello. I've had good luck with the older Taurus PT-92:

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/TaurusPT92.htm

My experience with the Steyr is limited, but the one I shot worked fine. I did not care for the sights.

Best.

 

[Flashpoint]

The Steyr is a very well made gun and for me it point better than anything I've picked up. I let a friend shoot it write after he got done shooting his G23, there was a noticeable increase in his accuracey with the Steyr M40. Don't know much about the Taurus but I know the Steyrs are worth more than what they are going for right now.

 

[Snowdog]

I have absolutely no knowledge of Steyr other than hearing glowing reports from others, but I hear glowing reports about the PT-92/99s as well.

I bought mine used a few years back for $200 even. Looked new when I bought it and still does today, a couple thousand rounds later.

I've never had a malfunction from this pistol, even using the dreaded AA ammunition (which locked my up my K9 tight).
You could do far worse with $250 than buying a used PT-9 series auto.

Yet again another fuzzy pic (with Inova X5)....

 

[The Mighty Beagle]

Thanks to everyone for responding!

Yet again Mr. Camp, your review is invaluable to my gun-buying decision. Now somebody needs to loan you a Steyr ...

What I like about your reviews is that you display offhand bullseye-style shooting results, which seems to be totally unique on these forums. Even though I'm a 25-yard benchrest fanatic, it's really much more valuable to hear about someone's practical accuracy at realistic ranges. After all, even though I want something capable of fast combat-style shooting, most of it will actually be slowfire at bullseyes - I guess I just enjoy that. Additionally, while it's helpful to hear people tell me "this pistol is very accurate", it's hard to quantify such claims without group size information. I often wonder if people are as concerned about bullseye accuracy with combat autos as I am. My rural farm setting affords a plethora of potential targets at surprisingly long ranges, and if I see a groundhog at 25-50 yards, I want to be able to hit it.

Does anyone else wish there was a specific forum for gun reviews? It would be the final nail in the coffin of the gun rags, who themselves don't even provide any quantitative data in their reviews anymore. I quit buying them when they began taking a new pistol to the combat range to shoot groups at humanoid silhouettes at 7 yards. While that's nice, it doesn't tell me much, since all my pistols are pretty accurate even offhand at 20 feet.

As far as the 2 pistols are concerned, I still can't decide. The Taurus is very conventional, with irritating conventional hang-ups like small sights and a hard double-action trigger. But at least it's a known quantity. The Steyr is being sold at an unbelievably low price-to-quality ratio, and is at least conceptually more shooter-friendly, though I find the grip weird and don't know if I would enjoy shooting it with these small hands.

My big worry is that I couldn't resell either pistol if I were dissatisfied with it.

Thanks so much guys, keep the remarks coming!

 

[Stephen A. Camp]

Hello, and thank you. I have no doubt that the Steyr is a fine pistol. My experience with them is simply very limited.

Best.

 

[Longbow]

The Steyr is being sold at an unbelievably low price-to-quality ratio,

For good reason, there was some controversy about how its safety works some years back. Do a search here or at TFL forum.

P.S.
ANother good choice are the Ruger P series (except P85).

 

[natedog]

If it makes a difference, there aren't any hi-caps for the Steyr. Also, for some excellent deals, try www.cdnninvestments.com and download their catalog. They have .40 USPs for something like $300-400! Before they've had used Beretta 92s for $350.

 

[SouthpawShootr]

I'm afraid I won't be much help here. I have both. Both are 100% reliable. Both have about the same accuracy (I can usually get 5 shot groups of 1-2 inch or less at 50 feet with both at the local indoor range). The gripframe on the Steyr is not as wide as the Taurus, but I'm sure you know that. I happen to like the sights on the Steyr. The line up very quickly and are excellent for IDPA/defensive applications. They may not fare so well when used for target shooting. Another thing to consider is that there are no standard capacity mags (15 rounds) available for these guns. They're all over the place for the Taurus and factory (which works best) pre-bans are fairly easy to find. Mec-gars are good too, just stay away from USA and so called "armory" replacement mags. Something else to consider is that Steyr has been having trouble with importers/service centers (although I think this has been largely cleared up), while Taurus has a factory here to take care of warranty/repair issues.

Which do I carry? Neither. I usually end up with a Glock 26 or 19. Occasionally, I use a .40. These were my first polymer pistols and the guns with which I have the most experience. Everything else is just for leisure shooting.

 

[The Mighty Beagle]

I really appreciate the help, guys.

Southpaw, since you have both ... which do you like best for pleasure shooting? Which flips the least?

Thanks Nate, but unfortuntately CDNN’s USP’s are more like $400, and in .40. They have a Beretta 92G for $370, but they’re described as “good condition†which usually means pretty crappy shape to me. CDNN is great though - they told me yesterday that if anything were wrong with the Steyr M9 when I got it, they’d probably just give me another one.

Longbow, thanks for the suggestion. Rugers offer a great value, but I had a P94 and just don’t care to go down that road again.

As for the safety concerns, I just couldn’t be more apathetic. Maybe I’m just stupid and reckless, and maybe I don’t have a degree in Mechanical Engineering, but ... I’ve never heard of anybody’s Steyr safety failing and causing injury, and I don’t believe these guns would be sold here if this were a realistic possibility. Internet rumors abound and after the world didn’t end after Y2K, I learned to rely more on my own experience, because you never really know if someone just has an agenda.

 

[cornbread2]

If one knows and COMPLETLY understands the design of the Steyr and compares it to other modern designs it is clearly seen and eaisly understood that it is not as safe as other modern designs.

There can be NO debate on this IF one knows and understands the design.

This has been discused many times and only a very few can understand the problem.

The ones that can understand know better than carry one with a loaded chamber.

The rest are taking a huge risk with the lives of themselves and everyone they come into contact with.

The Steyr offers NO reliability, accuracy, or any other advantage over any other modern design that makes up for it lack of drop safety features.

They make great IDPA or any other type range pistols but they are not a safe carry gun.

 

[acpoulos]

Given that it will be a range gun, I think you'll be very happy with the Taurus:

1. No jams, even with $10 15-rd mags.
2. Less reloading with the aforementioned 15-rd mags.
3. Accurate.
4. Mild recoil.
5. Easy field stripping.

At least that's been my experience with my PT-92. YMMV.

Tony

 

[cornbread2]

If you can find someone that has several Steyr pistols in stock you may fine one with a very good trigger. You are not likely to find a Taurus with a good trigger.

The Steyr is very reliable and it is a "natural" shooter. It just "feels" good and points well for most people.

The sights seem strange at first but once you get used to them they work really well.

The Steyr will our perform the Taurus in every way on the range.

The Taurus is 100% safe to carry with a loaded chamber the Steyr is not.

 

[spankaveli]

edit: clicked reply instead of new thread

 

[J. Parker]

I've had several PT92's over the years and they are simply good, solid, reliable pistols with a proven design. Don't know about the Steyr. Both pistols have lousy resale value. Best, John

 

[TonyB]

Mr.Camp...excellent review of the PT92....I have a PT99 that I love and is currently my favorite gun.......I'm going to order an extra locking block as mine is a little polished.........but I agree that these guns are a great buy..I call them the poor man's Beretta......when I put mine side by side with a buddy's Beretta(aside fro his being prettier)they're idenical.....mine's an older one too w/out decocker........I shoot it alot in IDPA and Ican seem to keep up with the Glocks and s/w boys......

 

[clubsoda22]

I am leaning toward the Steyr. It just seems higher quality.

Negative. If anything, they are equal in quality.

The Taurus...
...is better reliability wise
...Has very available high caps
...has an externnal hammer, 1911 style safety's


the steyr...
...has slightly better accuracy
...is lighter
...has those triangular sights that you either love or can't stand.

I own a taurus for what it's worth. no FTF or FTE in the 3+ years i've owned it. accuarte, low recoil.

 

[JoeWang]

My coworker bought a used PT92. Other than the insane length of trigger movement required to fire it the gun shoots where I point it.

Someone told me there is a replacement (aftermarket) parts set to move the trigger break forward which would address my complaints. Haven't seen a failure yet with it.

 

[clown714]

my PT-99 has been very reliable and accurate

for the last 18yrs

clown

 

[The Mighty Beagle]

Thanks everyone.

I hate when people do this, but I've decided to get NEITHER based on these comments and the fact that I got an SW99 9mm for Christmas. Although I am still looking to pick up a "budget blaster", I don't think either of these pestols is going to do anything that the SW99 can't do better. I'm sure they're both good pistols, but I'm more than satisfied with the SW.

Instead, I'm in search of a good used S&W revolver as a budget gun.

Thanks to all who replied.

 

[Tropical Z]

Id get the Taurus.The Steyrs seem real nice,but there are threads here that tell of problems after 1000 rounds or so and id be wary of parts availability.