Ruger P89 or Taurus PT92?

[TTv2]

Having seen the prices for used P89s, I'm losing interest in them while I see that new PT92's all seem to come with rails for lights.

Between the two, which would you go with?

 

[Antihero]

The Ruger p series is great, I'd buy it without question over a Taurus

 

[GRIZ22]

I have both. The Taurus is a bit more accurate. I've had my Taurus since 1988. It's the PT99AF with adjustable sights. Only problem I had was rear sight leaf broke after about 10 years (I carried it as a duty gun). Sent to Taurus, back in 2 weeks. Must have at least 20k rds through that gun.

P89 isn't a bad choice either.

 

[bannockburn]

I would go with the Taurus PT92. Never cared for the ergonomics of the Ruger P series, especially the grip frame design.

 

[FL-NC]

Ruger. Reliability and customer service.

 

[JTQ]

If it's just a novelty gun, whichever one you like.

If you need to count on this gun, I'd buy the one that is still in production. Tracking down parts for guns that have been out of production isn't fun.

If this were 1993, I'd buy the Ruger, but today, even though I have no affection for Taurus and have a soft spot for the Ruger P-Series guns, I'd pick the Taurus.

I wouldn't choose either. I'm not driven by price, but rather features. If you like the Taurus, I'd much rather buy a Beretta 92, which is more common and better supported. If it is just a Traditional Double Action (TDA) pistol that you want, there are offerings from SIG, Beretta (see our P226 vs 92FS thread for more information on those two), or HK that I'd rather own.

 

[WestKentucky]

The Taurus is one of 2 guns that really put the company on the map. The PT92 and model 66 were both built well enough to seriously compete head to head with the bigger companies. I have had a few PT92 variants over the years and never had an issue with one. I’m not partial to a rail, but otherwise the choice is very easy for me to say buy Taurus.

 

[Tallball]

I own both. I've had the Taurus since 1990 or so.

They both go bang every time.

The P89 is effective but feels a little awkward and clunky. The Taurus is basically a Beretta 92 with finish that's not quite as good, but it has better placement of the safety.

 

[chicharrones]

I've owned a Beretta 92FS and fired a Ruger P89 often enough that I know I fumble slide mounted safeties, especially on full size pistols.

So in this situation, I'd buy the Taurus PT92.

 

[JTQ]

... I know I fumble slide mounted safeties, especially on full size pistols.

I know the feeling, I have the same problem cocking the hammer on 1911's during the draw stroke.

 

[1KPerDay]

Ruger. Reliability and customer service.

Not sure they’ll still service a P89 though.

 

[twarr1]

“Please contact the Customer Service Department to determine the extent of parts and service that are available for the models below.
P89 9MM pistol”

I’d still choose the Ruger. Numrich, Brownells and others have parts in the event you might need something.

 

[JTQ]

Not sure they’ll still service a P89 though.

We've had folks on the forum with broken P-Series guns that have sent them back to Ruger, and Ruger has offered to replace them with first SR-Series guns, and then whatever they are currently making, because they weren't repairing the P-Series guns, because they are out of production and don't service them any more.

Admittedly, these were cracked barrel, broken link, broken trigger, type issues and not merely spring or grip type problems.

 

[Reinz]

Though I’m a huge Ruger revolver fan, I’ve never cared for that Clunky Auto series.

And though I’m no Taurus fan (due to lack of customer service), the PT 92 is the only Taurus I would even consider.

 

[gnappi]

I have had at least one Taurus Beretta clone since the 80's as well as genuine Beretta 92/96 's and the Taurus are equal in most respects and better in some than the real deal.

The SS finishes are superb better is hard to find, and the frame safety is brilliant. On the slightly down side some parts like mags and mag releases are not compatible but no biggie.

If Taurus ever made one with a steel frame like the 92Xperformance (better still a 96) clone, I'd be the first to buy one.

 

[Tallball]

I have a Taurus 9mm Beretta clone and a "real" Beretta 96.

The Beretta originally had better finish, and its trigger is somewhat better.

The Taurus has the safety in a better place.

They both go bang every time and are as accurate as most service pistols.

Oddly enough, I have three Ruger P-series pistols (9mm, 40, 45acp).

The Rugers seem clumsier, hold fewer rounds (IIRC), and their triggers are worse. But they also go bang every time and their accuracy isn't bad.

It's kind of win/win. The lighting is weird on the Taurus - the finish on the frame isn't actually messed up like that. I got the P89 used just a few years ago. I don't think it was every fired much before I got it. Either one would be fine as a HD pistol.

TaurusPT99

• Tallball
• Sep 4, 2018

View media item 1943

 

[John_R]

P89.

 

[TTv2]

Seems like I wouldn't go wrong either way. I do get the sense the Taurus trigger would be better and that would be nice, but what's really going to be what seals the deal is the price. I see the P89s going for under $400, but could probably find used PT92's for closer to $300.

 

[Mosin Bubba]

Shot a friend's Taurus PT92... didn't care for it personally, but it is a clear cut above their revolvers quality-wise. If I was interested in the pistol, I wouldn't let the name slow me down at all.

 

[high country]

I've had a P89 for 12 years or so (was my first handgun when I turned 21).

My P89 was my first handgun when I was 21 as well. Still have it, although I don't shoot it much. Don't ever plan on getting rid of it, it seems to just work with any magazine or ammo without a hitch.

I have never cared for the M92 or PT92, just feels thick in the grip area to me. The Ruger is like a brick, but feels pretty good in my hand with the hogue grips. But I would try both and go with the one that feels/shoots better for you, honestly it would be hard to go wrong with either of those picks.

 

[Zack856]

Handle both. I've been told those Rugers are big but I had no idea how massive they really are til I saw one a couple months ago. It's an hk mark23 sized gun. Much larger than "full size" IMHO. Makes a 1911 government look like a pocket gun. Should make a light recoiling range toy but I'd probably go with a new girsan over a used taurus if I didn't wanna be extorted for a Beretta.

 

[crestoncowboy]

Ruger. Reliability and customer service.

Not sure they’ll still service a P89 though.

Admittedly, these were cracked barrel, broken link, broken trigger, type issues and not merely spring or grip type problems.

I've contacted them for parts for p series guns. They haven't had anything I needed for them since probably 2010.

The prices of the p series is ridiculous IMO. And that's coming from one of few on record on this forum who has been a fan of the old Rugers for 20 years. Especially the 97DC. They simply aren't worth Glock/320/ etc etc monies much less more than. Those. Never were. 300 is the most i ever paid for one and that was a like new stainless 97 dc that I admittedly overpaid for. Still have it and still love it.

The Taurus is a clone of a nice gun. Ive shot many tens of thousands of rounds through the Beretta 92/96. Id take a Beretta over a P series Ruger any day any time, and again ive been a P series fan since they were new. As far as the Taurus, IDK. Not enough experience or a high enough round count through any of those to say personally.

I'm not a Taurus hater like many on here but greatly prefer Ruger in any other case. But id put my money on the Taurus over the Ruger in this case as far as getting your gun fixed.

Handle both. I've been told those Rugers are big but I had no idea how massive they really are til I saw one a couple months ago. It's an hk mark23 sized gun

I hear that a lot. Its simply not true. The p series is lighter than the Beretta. Thinner than the Beretta or HK USP in 9 or 40. And a whole lot smaller than my mk23. Its clumsy feeling and top heavy no doubt. But its not measurably as big as they say.


Eta..
Beretta 96
P series ruger
USP 40
GLOCK 20
SIG 226

As far as full size guns go I call most everything "similar sized" until you get to the desert eagle and the MK23. They are comically large even compared to the USP/Beretta 92/Glock 17/ etc etc.

Both great guns. But comically large for any service use IMO

 

[crestoncowboy]

Taurus trigger would be better and that would be nice

Id put my Beretta 92 and 96 right there with my Ruger P series guns. Just ho hum service triggers. Especially in DA. I wouldn't assume one is better than the other just by brand though. I own a few of both and wouldn't call either trigger great or bad really.

 

[1KPerDay]

Id put my Beretta 92 and 96 right there with my Ruger P series guns. Just ho hum service triggers. Especially in DA. I wouldn't assume one is better than the other just by brand though. I own a few of both and wouldn't call either trigger great or bad really.

Try a D spring in your Berettas if you haven't. Makes a huge difference.

 

[Mike J]

I don't have any experience with Taurus's Beretta clone. I have owned a Ruger P-94 since the late 90's. The Ruger is a good gun. Not the nicest gun there ever was but it is reliable & accurate enough. The thing is Ruger doesn't support them any more. It would have to be a screaming deal before I would buy one now.