Taurus PT 92 / 99

[Ron In MD]

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.

 

[BKLooney]

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.

 

[Racer X]

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.

 

[Ron In MD]

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.

 

[oldcop71]

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.

 

[Gripgrabber]

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

 

[1sailor]

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.

 

[NY-1]

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.

 

[LVSteve]

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

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".

 

[robvious]

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...

 

[STORMINORMAN]

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

That would make a difference!

Cheers!

 

[CajunBass]

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.

 

[stansdds]

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.

 

[ZGrand]

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.

 

[erikpolcrack]

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.

 

[bummer]

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

 

[rosewood]

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.

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

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

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.

 

[Catwrangler]

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.

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.

 

[Pisgah]

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