Jams and FTL's in Taurus PT92--what to do?

[genetics_jo]

Hey y'all. I'm a newbie with pistol shooting and I just bought a used Taurus PT92 (9 mm) and took it out immediately for shooting. The thing was incredibly accurate but jammed--I kid you not--about every other shot. Some jams were failure to eject (shell stuck during eject, next round not advanced), or simply failure to load. I would say that out of 60 rounds, 40 of them were jams.

Then, when I took it home, I did a thorough clean-up (and boy was it dirty with very little oil residue anywhere) and oiled it up. The action seems to be more smooth now but I'm wondering if there is a serious problem with the gun or the shooter?

I've heard about the "limp-wrist" problem and I've only shot .22's before so I'm wondering if this is my problem? I've heard that the PT92 is relatively forgiving with regards to recoil and that was one reason I went with the gun. In addition, the gun came with aftermarket magazines in it (MacMag's?). Could this be another problem? Is there anything a gunsmith can do to fix this problem? Otherwise, I'm stuck with a gun that shoots only when it wants to...not when I want it to.

 

[HM2PAC]

Now that it is cleaned, I would take it out and shoot it again. It could have just been really fouled up. Usually that design is pretty forgiving, but you never know.

 

[hksw]

I've heard about the "limp-wrist" problem and I've only shot .22's before so I'm wondering if this is my problem? I've heard that the PT92 is relatively forgiving with regards to recoil and that was one reason I went with the gun. In addition, the gun came with aftermarket magazines in it (MacMag's?). Could this be another problem?

A good diagnosis on your part. Another possibility is poor/low power ammo.

 

[brentfoto]

Your first problem is that you bought a 'used' gun, and that you did not clean it first. Buyer beware. What did you pay for it?

Who sold it to you? Private individual?

With some pistols, you're better off buying BNIB and getting that lifetime warranty. I would submit the PT92 is such a pistol and the price is worth it so you don't have to go through this aggravation. Food for thought...

What are MacMags? I have Mec-Gar after-market mags and haven't had any problems. Perhaps your problem is related to mag or mag springs with too little tension, or as suggested earlier, low power ammo that isn't cycling the action powerfully enough.

Thorougly clean, check your recoil spring and action for tension, show the gun to someone with experience (some range officer, etc.) or a gunsmith.

I've never had a jam with mine. (But, then again, I've probably only shot 750 rounds through it, including my own reloads). It's probably the most reliable pistol out there, patterned after the M9.

What occurred in your case is ridiculous. A competent gunsmith can probably solve these problems for you easily.

Many guns fire limp-wristed without difficulty. This is the strangest tale I've ever read about the PT92, an anomaly, if not an aberration.

Try some Mobil 1 15W/50 SYNTHETIC oil to lube the rails. You can get it at WalMart cheap and will last a lifetime. Use it sparingly, just a drop of two and run it with your finger back and forth on slide rails and frame contact surfaces.

 

[lechiffre]

i would try a different magazine. next a new recoil spring

 

[19-3Ben]

I'm going to guess the same thing as brentfoto. A good cleaning ought to take care of most problems. Then try new mags.
Only thing I do differently is that I run the Mobil 1 down the rails with a q-tip rather than my fingers.

 

[wally]

Hate to say it but "newbie" and buying a used pistol is a good way to get stuck with someone else's nightmare.

The PT-92 is a proven design, but...

Good advice all above, make sure the locking block is not cracked, this is the most common parts breakage I hear about in this gun, but not sure if it could cause these symptoms.

--wally.

 

[KSoldier]

Well, as far a getting a "bad deal" with a Taurus, it isn't as bad as you think... do not forget, you have a lifetime warranty with it.

 

[genetics_jo]

Hey guys. Thanks for the idea's. I did grease up the recoil rails with Hoppe's 9 lub oil thinking this would work between cleanings. Is the "mobil brand oil" that was mentioned in an earlier post better...or just cheaper and does the same thing? The next chance I'll get to try out the gun won't be till Monday or tuesday when I can get to the range (just joined a local club). Wife's away on a Mother's day gift of a weekend at a spa resort. I get the kids (age 2 and 5) so no shooting for me till she gets back.

I actually bought the gun from a local dealer. I spoke to them on the phone after posting this thread. They told me they would "make it right for me" by either having their gunsmith look at the gun or give me a different gun (same PT92 type--they have several used in stock with a fairly large inventory). So, at this point I'm not too worried about it.

Nevertheless, I have a sneaking suspicion that much of the problem was me not cleaning and greasing up a used gun prior to going out and shooting it. And all of you guys are right about buying new. My problem is I just bought a brand new Ruger Mark III Target (bull barrel) and paid for my wife's spa weekend. Did I act on impulse when I saw the PT92? You betcha!

Another lesson learned the hard way

 

[brentfoto]

I checked the Taurus website and their guns are covered by their Lifetime Repair Warranty. It's on the gun alone, so it's not required that you be the original purchaser. KSoldier appears to be correct, but

I don't know how old yours is and whether it's 'grandfathered' in or not. In any event, your seller is willing to work with you so wish you the best.

You should do okay.

 

[NGIB]

Important lesson learned, never take a newly acquired gun out to shoot before breaking it down and cleaning/lubing it. Whether new or used I do this with every one that I get my hands on.

Don't ever assume the previous owner or local gun store cleans and lubes them before putting it on the sale shelf...

 

[genetics_jo]

NGIB...that was exactly what I did. I assumed the shop did a thorough clean and check up. However, this gun was part of a new--very large shipment of new and used guns (mostly used). They actually had a pizza and beer "clean-up" party with a bunch of their gun afficianado's to handle the load. Apparently went into the wee hours of the morning. Hehehe...maybe mine was one of the last before closing up.

I like your philosophy and will adopt it for all future purchases--new and used--regardless of what the dealer says. I don't plan on buying many more used guns in the future too. Regardless, I did like the accuracy of the Taurus and the sites on it were nice too. When it shot it did so pretty darn sweet. I plan on keeping the gun if at all possible.

Forgot to mention...I paid $350 for it. It was pretty clean with two aftermarket mags.

 

[rightmindshooter]

Mags , Mags , Mags
New or used I always try to use the mags that where designed for the gun.Taurus or Beretta (with a little Dremel work) have always worked for me...

 

[chrismc410]

It's my understanding Taurus' warranties their products for life, regardless of the owner. I'd clean it up and try a new magazine, from Taurus or Mec-Gar, that will cost $30 at most. If that doesn't fix it, send it to Taurus and they will either fix it or replace it.

 

[rbernie]

I have a handful of PT92s through which I've put many thousands of rounds, and they've never ONCE failed to work exactly as expected.

MecGar mags are the gold standard for this, and many other, pistols. If your mags are MecGar, the only reasonable excuse for it being an issue is if it's been dropped and the lips are bent. Otherwise, I'd probably look elsewhere for the problem first. If the mags are not MecGar - get some.

What ammo were you using, and have you tried any other? For example, my CZs are very sensitive to Blazer aluminum case ammo, especially when the extractor spring gets old/weak. I have also had NUMEROUS issues with steel-case ammo in many of my pistols, and I even have had a few issues with Win WhiteBox (WWB) ammo in a new/tight Sig. In general, I expect a 9mm pistol to run WWB, Remington BulkPack, PMC Bronze, and equivilant brass-cased 115gr ammo without fail.

 

[genetics_jo]

I've only shot Remington UMC's (115 gr) through it and this was done prior to the thorough cleanup and Lube-job. I have MecGar magazines in it currently and I've only heard good things about these too.

I hope to steal away from work early today and try it out again. Today I want to try and eliminate two potential problems:

1. Poor shooting style...this time shoot with locked arm and try not to absorb much recoil...let the slide do the work--not me.

2. Good cleaning and thorough lube (even took apart mags and cleaned and lightly greased the spring and inside of mag) job to overcome dirty, unlubed condition when gun was first shot by me.

I'll fill you guys in if I can get away.

Thanks!

 

[NavyLCDR]

I think you will be fine with the cleaning. I have a PT-92 and it shoots anything I put in it, WWB, Wolf, Monarch, handloads all the way from minimum to max loads. I have had 1 stovepipe in at least 2,000 rounds. If you still have problems, have the store gunsmith look at it, like they offered. It should be a simple fix. Taurus will probably just send you a free replacement part if the gunsmith says that is what is needed. I know they send out replacement locking blocks.

 

[genetics_jo]

Wooo Hoooooo! Problem solved. Lesson learned! Took the gun out to the range and put about 70 rounds through--25 of which were metal covered hollow points (the others were fmj). The gun shoots really sweet now. No problems ejecting, no problems loading. I even tried "limp wristing" it by trying to absorb a bit of the recoil and no problems.

Soooo...if there are any newbies out there like me take a lesson from my mistakes. NEVER shoot a newly purchased gun (new or used) unless you've cleaned and lubed it yourself. Not only will you save yourself alot of headaches...you might even save your life or those next to you.

 

[NavyLCDR]

It is hard for limp wristing a big heavy gun like the PT-92 to cause problems - it's so heavy, the gun itself will provide enough resistance to the recoil to enable the slide to operate.

I hope you like the PT-92 as much as I like mine. I shoot the Beretta at work and the PT-92 will definitely outperform the Beretta, in my opinion.

 

[FranklyTodd]

I bought mine brand new in 1988 and it has been stellar (I think I paid like $425 back then!). I don't carry it - I have smaller guns for that - but I do love it, and will NEVER part with it.

I just bought some 9mm reloads - guy warned they won't feed in a Beretta or Taurus - I've yet to meet a round that won't, so I'll be interested to see. I bought them mostly to practice with my Glock 26 w/thumb safety (yes, safety added to mimic my Taurus 92 in a much smaller package).

Congratulations on getting a great gun!

 

[SouthpawShootr]

Clean it. Lube it. Order (or buy) some factory mags or at least Mec-gars. Then shoot it again. I've had 2 of these guns (still have one) and the only time I've had trouble with them was when I was using aftermarket cheapie mags.

During the ban, I tried Eagle (total utter ****). The worst magazines I've ever used. Period. Not surprising CDNN still has some of these. USA magazines was inconsistant garbage. Sometimes I think the US government should trademark "USA" and prevent it from being used for shoddy products. Promags? Inconsistant reliability. Some were great. Some horrid. I bought a PT92 Police Special during the ban. It came with a restricted mag, so I got a deal on the gun but had to leave the mag with the dealer. Factory OEM mags were very high but I did manage to procure a couple of used examples. I have an old Ramline 18 rounder for this gun that's been good, but it rattles like crazy unless it's empty.

Oops. Didn't see your problem solved post, but I'll leave the reply for reference.

 

[genetics_jo]

I definitely love the gun now that everything works perfectly. It's extremely accurate and actually lighter and just as smooth as my brand new Ruger Mark III Target--having just a little bit more kick obviously but not that much more. Plus, it has a sweet load-fire-eject movement (now that it's all clean and lubed ). Now that I know there's no problems loading hollow points too, it'll work as a home defence. Not sure if I want to take the step towards CCW permit just yet (we live in Oregon). I want to get some serious practice time in before heading down that road.

After comparing the field-stripping and cleaning of my wife's Ruger Mark I and my Mark III to the Taurus 92 I was contemplating getting rid of the Rugers and getting my wife one of these Taurus's. They're so dang easy to take care of compared to the rugers. HOWEVER, with the cost of ammo I think we'll just stick with the 22's for most of our practice (I don't think my wife would be into the bigger caliber anyways) and just alternate use of the Taurus and keep it ready for HD.

Anyone ever used one during a hunt? I know it sounds silly but here in OR you're allowed to carry a handgun during a muzzleload hunt. Heck...maybe I'll start a new thread with this question as it doesn't pertain to the topic.

 

[FranklyTodd]

Mine has been sitting in the safe for a few months now. Because of this thread just today I just purchased 2 new MecGar magazines, and new Wolff springs - recoil, magazine, trigger, trigger bar, and hammer (now I just need to figure out how to install them all ). Last time out I had my first failure to feed in 20 years. I'm willing to bet it was magazine related (only used the original factory mag for all 20 years).

It may have been even strictly ammo related. However, I thought after 20 years' service, it could do with some re-hab. While I'm on this kick, I'd like to buy some slim grip panels for it - maybe I'll start carrying it in the right clothes (meaning probably next fall or winter ). Anyone that's followed this thread have aftermarket grips they'd recommend? Love the walnut, but dang the gun's a fatty... Also, anyone actually CCW this beast?

 

[SouthpawShootr]

After comparing the field-stripping and cleaning of my wife's Ruger Mark I and my Mark III to the Taurus 92 I was contemplating getting rid of the Rugers and getting my wife one of these Taurus's.

I have a MK I and I don't look forward to fieldstripping it. I've seen a video of the fieldstrip procedure for the MKIII. Convinced me I'll never again get one of these. If you want ease of disassembly and want to stay with the .22, look at the S&W 22A. Nice guns. Not expensive. Browning's Buckmark also gets high marks for ease of disassembly.

There may be some .22 conversion kits available for the Taurus (Beretta used to make one for their 92FS, but it's almost certain it won't work on your gun - I never like this conversion stuff anyway.

 

[KSoldier]

Lifetime Warranty

I just mailed a Taurus PT22 in to the Taurus Repair Department for service. I believe it has a broken firing pin. Anyway, I'll keep you guys posted on their service.

They are really pushing their lifetime warranty on their site as a selling point. I own 3 of thier firearms: the PT1911, PT92, and the PT22. First time I had to send one in though.

http://www.TaurusUSA.com