When I mentioned to some shooting buddies that I was going to get a Taurus PT 92 or 99 they all told me that I'd be sorry. I had been wanting a Beretta until I handled both side by side. With my old arthritic hands the location of the safety/decocker was much better on the Taurus than the Beretta.
I was told, there's a good reason that they come with a lifetime warranty, you'll need it.

I found an older model PT99, circa 1990 safety only though, on GunBroker for half the price of a Beretta. So far I've shot just shy of 1K rounds without a hiccup.

A few months ago I found a "Minty" Taurus PT92 Compact, circa 1994 safety/decocker model, again on GunBroker. So far 500+ rounds without nary a problem.

Since both of the guns were made with Beretta machinery when Beretta's Brazilian contract was completed, why do they have such a bad rap.

Or is it just the newer guns that people are not happy with?

So far I am completely happy with my purchases.

I still have a Taurus 92 and a Taurus 99AF, both are superb pistols. I've owned many of the 92 series Taurus pistols and never had a single issue with any of them. I also have a Beretta 92F that I've owned since about 1992 and never had a single issue with it....IMO, either of these will make you a great pistol.

machinery is one thing, but you need skilled operators to run them, then good assemblers and QC inspectors.

That being said, I just purchased a Taurus G2C in .40 S&W to replace my KelTec P-11 as my summer cargo shorts pistol. This series was designed to take Sig P 226/229 magazines. Starting with the G3 series, they use Glock sights too. Now thats smart thinking on the design team. Stop reinventing the wheel. Its still round, and they still work!

So I would say the earliest Taurus Beretta designs, and the newest stuff, are just fine. Their current revolvers are pretty popular as shooters. No delusions they are collectors or investments and the prices are decent.

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NRA RSO

True about trained machinists. The machinists from the 70's 80's and 90's are the ones who produced the Beretta's and then Taurus'.
I'm sure it was when Taurus began making other models on newer machines is when their quality slid.

The 92/99s have good reputation. The G2/3/4 series have a good reputation. My TX22 is awesome. My 66 7-shot I would put up against a classic Smith for trigger and accuracy. Have they had issues? Sure. But don't condemn the whole line, they do make good dependable pistols.

Thanks Ron, good subject to discuss. I agree with you and I own a pt92 ss, a PT 101 and a PT 92 compact and berreta 96 and a 92compact. I to prefer the 1911 style frame safely. I think the quality of the Taurus is almost as good as berreta. I learned to late about the fact that if you get a 40sw model the only thing you need to convert to 9mm is a 9mm barrel. I switch calibers every time I go to the range. I did install factory “D” springs in all of my models. I also picked up a PT 99 complete slide (I enjoy the adjustable sights) from flea bay dirt cheap. FYI my PT 101 slide fits the 96. But it’s dao, Double action only

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NRA Life Member
CPO

Yeah. The ability to simply swap out the barrels is handy which is why I originally purchased a M96. It's about 99% reliable that way. Later Beretta had complete 9mm slides available cheap so I picked one up which makes it a complete conversion.

Taurus had a few stretches of fairly lousy quality control with abysmal return times from their factory from what I've read here and there. Since new management took over in the last few years, and since their Bainbridge, Georgia plant opened in 2019, I've been hearing much more encouraging things about their service and overall quality control. I keep telling myself I'm going to take the plunge and pick up an 856 to see if I like it.

The PT92 has always interested me. I love the lines of the Beretta 92FS, but I dislike the fact that Beretta still doesn't offer a standard no-rail model with a frame mounted safety/decocker. The older PT92s definitely scratch that itch and seem to be just as reliable and nicely constructed as a comparable Beretta. I don't care for the newer ones having that Taurus security lock in them or how much their styling has changed (e.g. rail up front, wider serrations, etc), but I wouldn't turn my nose up at one if I got a good deal on it.

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AKA SixToEight

I think the question is "how skilled" do the Brazilian operators have to be? For a mass production ready item, and the Italians showing them a few tricks of the trade, I suspect the answer is "not very".

When Pakistan were given the Enfield No4 Mk2 production line, I'm sure there were people back then who said they would never turn out a decent rifle. Well, it's true they didn't have access to nice beech wood like the Brits did, but mechanically the examples I know of are 100%. Of course, there are Enfield fans on other forums who say they would never trust one simply because it was made in Pakistan. I just give them a large "whatever".

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Release the Kraken

I too have a PT99AF... 1990 Vintage.. bought it new... I have no idea how many rounds I have put thru it... well over 5K... maybe over 10K.. no clue.. it was my only Pistol for quite a while.. shot IPSC & Weekly bowling pins with my dad... even got a Ceiner 22 conversion for it... a keeper... in fact I gave one to a friend that I have known since 1st grade, his first gun... my only recommendation would be to replace the recoil spring with a Wolff spring...

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The Taurus PT92 SS are on steel frames, are they not...?

That would make a difference!

Cheers!

The only Taurus semi-auto I ever owned was a Spectrum (?) 380. It was a "jam O matic" but to be fair, I only tried one type of ammo and one magazine in it. And I got it used. A simple swap of one or the other might have made a big difference.

I have owned a dozen of their revolvers, from 22 to 44 special, and never had a bad one. A couple of them, a 7 shot 66, a 65 (fixed sight version of the 66) and a 431 in 44 Special, I'd have put up against any Smith and Wesson I've ever owned for fit, finish, and just plain shooting. Great guns. The old sort of rounded off "target grips" were the most comfortable grips I ever used.

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John 3:16 .

What? Taurus's... Tauruses... Tauri? that actually function? Surely a sign of the apocalypse! Seriously, I have only one, a Model 96, which was their version of the S&W Model 17. Mine works just fine, not as nice of a trigger as the S&W, but it works as intended.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

The first semi-auto I ever bought was a Taurus PT111 24/7 compact. Taurus had a voluntary recall on that model due to a few instances of loaded guns firing when dropped in a certain way from a certain height. I sent it back and they sent me a new G2C 9mm to replace it. It has been dead reliable -- I use it as my nightstand weapon. The trigger is not the best in the world, but it goes bang every time you pull it.

I've owned five Taurus autos (four 9mm and one 45) and four Taurus revolvers (two 22s, one 357, and one 44 Mag) over a period of almost thirty years, and have had no real problems with any of them.

I owned a 92c that I regret selling. It never failed me and for the life of me I don’t remember what I used the money for

Gun Snobs!

Have multiple Taurus guns. My PT101 is one of my favorites and has always been 100% reliable. Others also. Sure the Taurus guns are not as well finished as more expensive brands, but they work. The new GX4 rivals Sigs and the like on fit an finish.

Rosewood

Had a PT101. Rear broke off and went into orbit. Later locking block broke. Repaired and sold it. They have several interesting revolvers BUT they drill all of them full of holes at the end of the barrel........Count me out.

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S&W Accumulator

I bought one of these from a LGS managed by a friend in S.C. for used 75.00. Not as smooth or well fitted a a 17, but that gun accounted for more squirrels than I can count. Later I sold it to a friend that hunted w/ me and was it awe of that cheap gun for Wayy too much money per his offer.

Your buddies have swallowed the Kool-Aid. Ignore them, enjoy your Tauri...

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Pisgah

My new to me PT92 Compact. This is what it looked like when I got it.
Wanted to share some pictures of it before I had put 500 or so rounds through it.
This pistol is 29 years old. The seller told me that it was in mint condition.
I didn't expect it to look like this when I got home and took it apart.
It doesn't appear to have been shot, except at the factory.
What appears to be wear marks are from the lousy lighting from my unprofessional picture taking.
Being a Taurus and no value to it I shot it.
So how did I do for $425.00?

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The 92C is the last one kept around here. Had several full-sized over the years, traded them off for one thing or another.

Nice find!

A local LGS had a vintage PT99 for $399.00. I looked at it, it's nice, but I'm not a SS guy.

I'm anything but a Taurus fan-boy....but some years ago working p/t at a LGS figured $200 wasn't bad for a PT92 that was barely used and came with about 10 mags. Not sure if it's SS or satin nickel. It was bought for truck gun duty.
Shot it enough to become familiar with this version of 'The World's Largest 9mm' It worked 100% with everything I tried in it.
It went to live in my truck. Should it be lost damaged, destroyed, etc, no great loss.

A couple of years later a partner and I began instructing our state's CC Course and NRA Basic Pistol and over a few years ran a few thousand people through.
That PT92 became a loaner to very many who took the classes. It never bobbled or quit - even with the limp-wristed.

My PT92 must be an early model because even though it has the frame mounted safety - it does not serve as a de-cocker.
I do prefer the frame mounted safety vs. the Beretta example of ignoring ergonomics and placing it on the slide. Plus, I'm a 1911 guy and cocked & locked is very familiar to me.

So - many things in the Taurus line are lacking in various ways - but they have the PT92 down pat.

- I'll add that mine came with Pach grips already on it - and am having a hard time finding anything else I'd like such as G10 or VZ type grips. Most of what is found, such as on 'Bay is for PT92's that have a de-cocker, which as mentioned, mine is not.

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Ret'd LEO
SWCA #2275

There are some that bad mouth the PT92, but

when you NEVER have a malfunction with ANY type of ammo, from 115 to 147 gr
be it factory or reloads from 788fps to 1406fps at OAL's from 1.075" to 1.169"
and get your targets to look like this..............
I give them a thumbs up.

The Taurus may be an excellent pistol, perhaps almost the equal of the Beretta in terms of quality, reliability, and accuracy. However, the Beretta will generally be more desirable and much easier to sell or trade should that become necessary. The Beretta may cost more but it will also hold its resale value better than a Taurus. If you're going to keep the gun forever, none of this may matter.

Please explain this "selling a gun" concept.

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Release the Kraken

That's about as self-explanatory as self-explanatory can be. Selling guns is a pretty common practice. Selling something others want makes selling a little easier.

Too funny.

I had a Beretta 92.. it went away... the Taurus PT99 stayed...

The PT-92 has always been one of their better handguns, and I actually prefer its safety to the slide-mounted safety/decocker of the Beretta.

I agree on the Taurus 92/99 safety, especially the later ones that also acted as a decocker. Frame mounted safeties, at least for me, are a lot easier to manipulate than slide mounted.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

The old "made on Beretta Machinery" is bogus at this point. If they are still using 40+ year old machinery I don't want one. That tooling wore out long ago . But I do believe there was a transfer of institutional knowledge that has stuck around to this day, and improved upon.

Taurus gets a bad rap. I have a theory about this. Inexperienced shooters tend to buy inexpensive guns. These are the folks least equipped to deal with even small issues. Inexpensive guns are for experts. They can deal with the issues and if there's any performance to be had out of it, they'll find it. I have a few. A couple of 9mm's (PT809 and PT 911) and a .380 (PT 638). The .380 is a hoot. All have been reliable. Especially the PT 809. Less than $300 for an 18 round gun with a spare mag and grip inserts. I've shot every kind of ammo through it, including thousands of lead bullet reloads from 115gr to 147gr and it's never failed. The trigger is pretty awful though.

The inexperienced should buy the best gun possible. It's hard enough to learn how to shoot a handgun, it's a huge distraction to have to deal with problems.

I know Taurus' early revolvers looked really crude in terms of finish. The cylinder flutes featured grooves, similar to what you often see on sight ribs. Trigger pulls were sometimes reported to be very stiff. I think this contributed much to the poor reputation.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

My PT92C is one of my favorite semi autos. I prefer the frame mounted safety/de-cocker over the slide mounted Beretta style. The only negative aspect is finding magazines is difficult, although I have a few. The other negative aspect is finding aftermarket grips. I'd love to find a pair of G10 grips, but seems no manufacturer ever made them for this model.

Back in the mid-80’s the first NIB gun I ever bought myself was a PT99AF. (“Brazilian Berretta”). For a few years it was my only gun. Traded it in on something smaller when I got my first carry permit but I never had a lick of trouble with it. Reliable, accurate and well-finished. Can’t speak to what’s happened at Taurus since then but that was a great gun.

Now there's a gun (PT 638) you almost never hear about, but I would wager it shoots soft and is easy to rack. The Sig P250 models in 380 certainly are. New or used examples are like hens teeth. I know, because I've been looking for a cheap one for my wife's buddy how has the hands of a 12-year old. Maybe I should find her a CPX-3 instead. Anyway, it strikes me that S&W didn't start the "EZ" thing at all.

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Release the Kraken

For what it's worth, as far as I know the PT638 is the only polymer frame, double stack, striker fired, locked breech .380 ever made.

It is a very soft shooter and an excellent gun to introduce shooters to centerfire. They are hard to find, and the magazines are even harder to find. The guns pop up on gunbroker a couple of times a year. If you ever get one and need mags, let me know.

I really like double stack .380s. But most are blowback. That's not a problem for me but for sensitive shooters any big locked-breech .380 is as easy as they come.

I know the thread is a month old now, but seeing as I just ordered a PT92 AFS online, I figured that I'd bump it with my two ¢s on the subject...

As of this month, I've been shopping online for a Beretta 96A1, (i.e. the latest variation of the Beretta 92 series, chambered in .40 S&W) but unfortunately I was unable to find one anywhere, and think that Beretta may have actually quietly discontinued it, or at least has throttled down production substantially.
However, during my search, I found the Taurus PT92 AFS (i.e. Taurus' latest variation of the 92 series with a a Stainless Steel Slide/Barrel on a mirror polished Aluminum frame) online. I've always sort of favored the PT92 over the 92FS because of the frame mounted safety, but in recent years have been more attracted to the Beretta since Taurus discontinued the .40cal PT100 several years ago, whereas the 96A1 remained in production, at least recently.

The PT92 AFS was readily available — unlike the 92/96A1 — and was priced about $275 less. Having some personal experience with Taurus, being an owner of a Judge Magnum, and having family members who own Taurus brand firearms as well which have given them no problems, I have no particular concerns over the reliability of the PT92, especially considering that it is based on a Beretta design.

Sure, a Beretta would carry its value better than a Taurus, but seeing as I have no intention of selling it, that's no concern of mine either.

Once I have received my PT92, I'll post my impressions of it, but I very much doubt that I'll be disappointed.

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Shooting Comfort is bilateral.