Beretta 92 vs. Taurus PT92

[Critical J]

I am about to purchase a sidearm for work and am "encouraged" to make it a pistol, though I'm more familiar and proficient with revolvers. So, if I do have to carry a pistol than I'd prefer a high-cap and like many wheelgun enthusiasts, I'd rather be armed with a rock than an ugly gun so .45's in general and any Glocks what-so-ever are out of the question; say what you will about unprofessionalism.

That said, I've narrowed it down to a Beretta style 9mm as I have fairly large hands and don't mind a hefty gun.

Here's the thing - stay classic (Beretta) or go new age (Taurus) ?

I'm stalled at the crossroads on this one because each gun store I visit recommends one or the other and after several days it's a complete 50/50 on the subject...

Here's what I know:
+ Beretta is the original
- Taurus is a knock-off
+ but, so far as knock-offs go, it's as close you could hope for since Taurus acually owns an old Beretta factory in Brazil and still employs those who worked there beforehand and they claim that they've only made "improvements"
+ Berettas performed well enough to get the US military contract
- Taurus did not
- Beretta has a safety on the slide for some reason, which seems like a bad idea waiting to happen
+ Taurus moved the safety onto the frame and many shooters approve of this
- Beretta only has a 7 year warranty which is usually void by the time a used gun comes available
+/- Taurus has a lifetime warranty, but I'm warned that there's a reason for this

Anyway, I'm just looking for feedback from those who have shot either one or, preferably both but please, I considered a wide range of options and I've landed on the design I like so don't bother yourself trying to convince me to go Sig or 1911 in this situation - been there, done that


Thanks a lot, y'all!

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

My wife's favorite 9mm is her Taurus 92C. We have put a lot of shots through it of various configurations,HP,LRN and FMJ with no complaints.

 

[Critical J]

Quick Reply

my own wife prefers a .45, herself - but, what's the 92c? I've not come across one but the Google Image looks promising, I'm not really interested in the rail underneath...

 

[allaroundhunter]

To *hopefully* avoid problems, I would go with the Beretta. The Taurus 92 has a much better reputation for reliability than their other offerings, but in the end, they do go back to the factory more often than the Beretta.

 

[USAF_Vet]

To call the Taurus a knock off is not giving credit to the fact that they are built with Beretta tooling and machinery.
If cost is of no concern, go with the Beretta. Otherwise, there is nothing wrong with the Taurus. If I ever decide to get a full sized 9mm, the Taurus PT92 is very high on the list.

But, I think you are doing yourself a disservice by not taking other guns into consideration.
Offerings by FN and CZ are both worth a look. I'm not an HK fan, nor a Sig fan, but either of those are excellent guns. If you are willing to look at used, out of production guns, you can't go wrong with a classic Browning Hi Power or 3rd gen Smith and Wesson.

As an aside, I prefer slide mounted safeties. But the Beretta has the fatal flaw of 'usually' decocking the hammer when racking the slide on a mag change, rather than using the slide release mechanism.

As a second aside, the military M9 is not the greatest weapon I've ever handled. The 'real world' issue guns are blessedly better than the training issued guns, which are worn out rattle traps.

 

[ATLDave]

+ Taurus moved the safety onto the frame and many shooters approve of this

One minor point. I believe that the frame was the original location for the safety. Beretta moved it to the slide (and made it a de-cocker safety) at the request of some government entities. Taurus just left it where it was.

 

[tarosean]

I believe that the frame was the original location for the safety.

Correct..
The original 92 had a frame mounted safety and a magazine release in the lower handgrip.

 

[silicosys4]

IMO based on what I have read, and from my own experiences, for all intents and purposes they are the same gun besides the frame safety. Beretta fans just don't want to admit that all they paid hundreds more for was a better finish and questionably better customer service, but that's pretty much the bottom line. Whether it's worth the few hundred more the "genuine" Beretta costs, that's up to you.

 

[jmr40]

Beretta.

It is a proven gun, the Taurus is not. In the long run it is cheaper. Some people never consider resale value down the road. Buying cheap today means you have a cheap gun in 10 years. By a better gun today and in 10 years it is worth a lot more and it works out cheaper in the long run.

Personally neither wouldn't be my 1st choice, but the Beretta is a good gun.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Beretta's are decent guns from what I've heard and observed. I do not trust Taurus products due to bad personal experiences.

If you do want a higher capacity .45, the FNX-45 is a great gun, though I saw that you don't want polymer.

though I'm more familiar and proficient with revolvers.

If you are more proficient with revolvers, then I say do not let other push you into a gun you will not be as effective with, especially if your life will depend on it. S&W makes some really nice 7 and 8 shot revolvers.

If I'm better with one particular type of weapon, and am absolutely not allowed to carry that due to company policy, I would not work for said individuals if I had alternatives. They are letting their preference and policy put your life on the line. That is unacceptable in my mind. I do realize though that changing jobs is easier said than done, so it's JMO.

I'd be looking at S&W models 686+, and 627s if I were in your circumstances.

 

[9mmepiphany]

Here's the thing - stay classic (Beretta) or go new age (Taurus)?

Actually the Beretta is the more modern gun. The Taurus PT92 is a clone of the Beretta 92; but the 92 has evolved through the S, SB, F, and the current FS

Here's what I know:

Sometimes what folks think they know isn't the same as what is:

+ Beretta is the original -The Beretta 92 was built for the Brazilian military. They had to build a factory in Brazil to win the contract

- Taurus is a knock-off - Not excatly. The Taurus PT92 is just a Brailian manufactured Beretta...just like all the countries that have built the FN P-35 or the 1911

+ but, so far as knock-offs go, it's as close you could hope for since Taurus acually owns an old Beretta factory in Brazil and still employs those who worked there beforehand and they claim that they've only made "improvements" - Taurus bought the factory from Beretta and kept all the employees working

+ Berettas performed well enough to get the US military contract
- Taurus did not -Taurus didn't enter the competition as they weren't willing to build a factory in the USA

- Beretta has a safety on the slide for some reason, which seems like a bad idea waiting to happen - One of the requirements of the US Military contract was the the guns have a decocker. Beretta moved their thumb safety from the frame to the slide for this

+ Taurus moved the safety onto the frame and many shooters approve of this
- Taurus didn't move it, it was always there from the original Beretta design

 

[dsink]

One thing to consider is the price of mags. Beretta GI mags are a dime a dozen and cheap. But they work good.
I have a 92FFS that I use in USPSA matches. Since the mags live a hard life doing that, I have about 50. I have never paid over $10 per mag for any of them.

 

[Schwing]

I have had a 92fs for about 17 years. I have probably put more rounds through it than any gun I have ever had. I have NEVER in tens of thousands of rounds had a FTF or any other problem.

Call me traditional but I would stick to the original. The Taurus is in fact made in an old Beretta factory but Twinkies are made in old hostess bakeries with the same recipe and taste like crap now so...

Mags are cheap and easy to find. I own so many I don't even load them at the range when I shoot anymore. I just go with 10 or 12 loaded mags ranging from 15-32 (yes 32) and don't wast my time loading mags.

 

[LeonCarr]

One of my police academy classmates shot a PT92 in the academy. After about 1000 rounds fired without cleaning it ran great with no problems or malfunctions. I cannot say the same for the 1911s in the class.

PT92s are good guns.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[tommy.duncan]

I have a 92 fs and I love it!! I have EAA, H&K, Glock, and Sig in 9mm. I still really like my Beretta 92fs.

 

[1KPerDay]

Either will serve you just fine.

 

[oldandslow]

cj, 9/6/13

I have both although the Taurus is the PT-99 which is the adjustable sight version of the PT-92.

The Taurus had problems with the rear sight pin walking out of its hole causing the rear sight to fall off the pistol while firing. It also broke its locking block at a 3000 round count. Taurus did mail me a new locking block but it took three months. I also had problems with a high-thumbs grip on the Taurus causing the pistol's decocker to drop the hammer instead of remaining in the single-action mode. The Beretta's safety-decocker on the slide works better for me with a high-thumbs grip.

If I had it to do over again I'd buy a used Beretta 92 instead of a new Taurus. The resale value of the Beretta is also better than the Taurus. Good luck.

best wishes- oldandslow

 

[BSA1]

My first choice is what you shoot best...the revolver.

My second choice is the Beretta. My 92FS is simply the best semi-auto pistol I have ever owned. It has never failed me, is more reliable than Glocks and more accurate than Glocks and other Tupperware guns.

It's only downside is it's large size. But this is also a advantage due to it's longer sight radius and lower recoil.

 

[mattm0691]

My pt92 is a great gun, by far better than the m9s that we have in our arms room, although those aren't the greatest examples of Beretta 92s. I have over 1000 rounds through mine including many high pressure reloads.

 

[rule303]

I own both, and pick up the Taurus every time. It has a better trigger, is more accurate, and the safety is a big improvement IMO. I am not knocking the Beretta, it is an excellent gun, with better fit and finish than the Taurus, but has no practical advantage. Get whichever you prefer. The price difference isn't much between the two these days, only $100 or so.

 

[Tomac]

If you're a revolver fan, take a look at the SIG P250. It has a true DAO trigger (long but smooth & light) and has interchangeable grip modules so you can pick the size that best suits your hand.
HTH...
Tomac

 

[hexidismal]

I have an older PT99 (The PT92 w/ adjustable sights) and I actually prefer it to the Beretta. Mine is a pre-decocker model. I simply prefer the Taurus because of the safety being frame mounted instead of on the slide. I like all metal guns that can be carried cocked and locked (not that I'd be likely to carry the large Taurus anyway). I will say straight out though that the production quality isn't quite equal to the Beretta. Mind you, I'm only referencing the older model Taurus vs.the Beretta of the same age. I can't speak for post-decocker modern Taurus builds. Some things might only be noticeable to people who are comfortable detail stripping a handgun; the quality of the pins is just one example that immediately comes to mind.

I still just like something about the Taurus more. Even though mine is old it's still probably one of the most, if not THE most, reliable handgun I've ever owned. I bought it used in 2006 I believe and have never had any type of failure whatsoever.

 

[frankiestoys]

Love my Beretta ,I will never sell it is it perfect ? No but given all things its a fine firearm with more pros then cons .Im not a big fan of Taurus semis but often think of trying one of there revolvers .I mostly stick with Rugers and Smiths but they have a 7 shot .357 I've had my eye on... Like so many , there are Clones everywhere I own 1911's and a CZ copy too and they run great! The Taurus is also avalible in SS try a Beretta in SS and plan on forking up a lot more dough .

 

[KYamateur]

Everyone should own a beretta. It is an icon of semi-auto service pistols. I read people's negative posts but I have 2 and have never had a problem and I have shot thousands upon thousands of rounds out of one of them. Most every gun enthusiast I know has one as well and I don't here about problems. They also will never part with their Berettas. They are not much higher than the Taurus and in my opinion give a much better sense of pride with ownership. Forget warranties, Beretta has always made everything right for me. I've never used them for pistols, but I have for shotguns. I just flat out lost a shotgun piston on a 10 year old shotgun and they sent me a replacement free.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

I would get the Beretta. Parts and mags are easy to get for it and I know it to be a very reliable pistol.

The Taurus isn't bad, but I would take the Beretta every time given the option.