Taurus 92's

[smokin'n gun]

Opinions on Taurus 92's?
Quality, durability, reliability, etc.

Just looking.

 

[wally]

I've had mine since the mid-80's still going strong, its probably the non-1911 style gun I shoot the most. Think Beretta 92 that'll do cocked and locked and has the safety on the frame where it belongs. What's not to like? Maybe a little thick by todays standards, but IMHO if it feels good in your hand you can't go wrong with it.
Price is another stong point -- I see them at gun shows for $360 all the time.

--wally.

 

[Shear_stress]

No personal experience here, but you might check out Stephen Camp's review of this pistol.

www.hipowersandhandguns.com

 

[Seraph]

I had a PT99 (92 with adjustable sights). Trigger was exceptional for a DA/SA, so it was a great, accurate shooter, but I never liked the rattly adjustable rear sight. It was also pretty reliable, but I did get the odd FTF. I guess mine could have been gifted with a better slide to frame fit, because I could literally observe wear of the alloy frame after each range session. I sold it because of that, and because I didn't like the exposed trigger bar that moved along the right side exterior of the frame. If you're looking for a pistol like this, I think you'd be better off, and more pleased, with the CZ 75B, of which you can also read on Mr. Camp's afore-linked site.

 

[SouthpawShootr]

My first handgun, purchased when I turned 21 was a PT99. Over the 5 years or so I had it, I ran over 8,000 rounds through it with not one single malfunction of any sort (this says alot since many times I ran really cheap garbage loads through it - anybody remember Hanson? - I'm ashamed to say). I traded it on a S&W 3rd Generation 6904 when they first came out - nice gun too, BTW, but I always had the hankering for another. In '95 I bought a PT92 for $300. Shot this one quite a bit with no trouble. I think if you fire quality ammo, clean the gun regularly, AND use only either factory mags or Mec-gars, you will be happy with it. Both of mine have been accurate and boringly reliable.

 

[Old Dog]

I've had one since about 1992 ... one of the first de-cockers. With thousands of rounds through it over the years (every 9mm load made, probably, and lots of reloads), it has never once malfunctioned, never. No FTFs, FTEs, FTRBs, nada, nothing, zip. I have two Beretta 92FS pistols (and I love them, too); the PT-92 is as accurate as both of 'em. No parts breakage, nothing worn down (original recoil spring) and all of the mags that I use with this pistol are over ten years old (a couple factory mags, a couple Mec-Gars and a couple old Ram-Lines).

Bottom line: I'm a believer in the Taurus PT-92.

 

[silversilvia]

i have a pt-92. love it, finish might not be as good as a beretta. but its still very good. very accurate and reliable.

 

[SouthpawShootr]

finish might not be as good as a beretta

The Beretta is more refined in fit and finish. They're both derivatives of the Beretta 92 design. As time went on they grew further apart. Taurus went a different route with a hammer drop than Beretta. Beretta added some different features. My Beretta is silky smooth and probably just a bit more accurate than my Taurus on a good day.

Only beef I have with either design is the fact that, on the basic models, the front sight is still integral to the slide. You could excuse this on the cost conscious Taurus, but I'd be willing to pay a bit more on both just to be able to easily add night sights. Getting that front tritium insert is a pain.

 

[jacobtowne]

I've had a 92 for about five years, and have put a couple of thousand rounds through it of all types without a single stoppage.
Good pistola.
JT

 

[Moonclip]

Have a early 1990's vintage PT92. Not as well made as a Beretta but the safety system is superior I believe. My father actually perfers it to a Beretta 92FS I had.

Fairly accurate if you fight the somewhat poor trigger. Reliable, can't remember a jam.

 

[SouthpawShootr]

A Beretta 92G hammer spring has been recommended to dramatically reduce standard Beretta 92FS trigger pulls, I wonder if this spring would even fit/do anything for the Taurus? Any opinions?

 

[Ky Larry]

I had one about 10-15 years ago. It was a sorry, jam-o-matic piece of horse pucky. I don't think it ever fired an entire mag without jamming. Next to a TEC-9, it was the worst hunk of junk I ever owned. I sent it back to the factory numerous times and it still wouldn't work. The last time I got it back, the rear sights came off the first time I fired it. Got rid of it and haven't had a Taurus since.
However, a lemon can be had in anything.I have shot various Tauri and really liked them. If I found one I liked, I'd buy it.I've seen SIG's, Glocks, and custom 1911's that were absolute junk, too. If you like the pistol, get it.

 

[smokin'n gun]

Where I live, true gun "ranges" don't exist. So, to rent one to put it through the paces is not a convient option. :banghead:

Two other options are the Ruger p345pr or simply waiting awhile and getting a Sig.

 

[Big Gay Al]

I have a Taurus PT-92 AFS that I've owned since 1992. It has never once failed to shoot, and it has NEVER (knock on wood) jammed. Mine is the older design that doesn't have the decocker on the safety. And yes, I do carry it with the hammer down. And I lower it by the "risky" method of holding the hammer and slowly lowering it with the trigger depressed.

Until my hands are in such horrible shape that I can't do that anymore, I'll continue to use that method as it has NEVER produced a problem for me.

DISCLAIMER: My use of this method is not an endorsement of it, and anyone else who does this should take special care when doing so. As always you do this at your own risk.

Also, being the older design, my 92 came with a 15 round mag, not the newer 17 round mags that are available. I would like to replace my mags with those when I get a chance. It also has wood panels with the gold medallion that you can't get anymore.

Oh, with no work done on it, trigger pull seems just fine to me, no rough spots, and about what you'd expect from most DA/SA semi-auto pistols. And fit and finish seems excellent to me. SA trigger pull is very good also.

 

[wally]

And yes, I do carry it with the hammer down. And I lower it by the "risky" method of holding the hammer and slowly lowering it with the trigger depressed.

You can make it as safe as any mechanical decocker with the proper technique:

Place your off-hand thumb on the hammer between the striking surface and the slide.

Push this thumb down a bit to take up some of the force of the hammer spring.

Pull the trigger to release the sear -- you'll feel the hammer fall but since your thumb is between it and the slide it won't move much and since you already "pre-loaded" much of its force you won't get pinched or bit.

Release the trigger and lower the hammer the rest of the way -- this re-engages any trigger actived firing pin safety, by slowly removing your thumb from the gap.

--wally.

 

[Cueball]

I've got a 99 that I've had for 20+ yrs and it has been a wonderful gun. It has never jammed, no FTF's, and after MANY 1,000's of rounds it is still a very accurate weapon. They are top notch in my book.