Beretta 92fs, or Taurus 92, or Girsan 92fs copy
- Thread starter GaryED50
- Start date
I really like the Taurus PT92 for the frame mounted safety/decocker.
Folks will inevitably tell horror stories of how their father's brother's nephew's cousin's former roommate once owned a Taurus which violently exploded when dry fired, but I have actual, firsthand experience with a total of five Taurus firearms which have all been fine.
I've said it before and I'll say it as many times as the subject comes up, Taurus' overall quality control is no worse than Ruger's, it just seems worse because Taurus' customer service is among the worst in the industry, so when somebody gets a lemon and has to deal with them, it ultimately results in a negative story, whereas Ruger has perhaps the best customer service in the industry.
So yeah, if it were me, then I would go with the Taurus PT92, making sure to give it a thorough function test and examination at the gunshop prior to completing the sale.
However, if you don't want to roll the dice and want the absolute best, then get a Beretta 92. A couple years ago there were a lot of Italian police trade-in Beretta 92s being sold for about $300, so even if you don't want to spend a lot of money you may be able to poke around on importer websites like Century Arms International to see if anyone still has any cheap police trade-ins.
Folks will inevitably tell horror stories of how their father's brother's nephew's cousin's former roommate once owned a Taurus which violently exploded when dry fired, but I have actual, firsthand experience with a total of five Taurus firearms which have all been fine.
I've said it before and I'll say it as many times as the subject comes up, Taurus' overall quality control is no worse than Ruger's, it just seems worse because Taurus' customer service is among the worst in the industry, so when somebody gets a lemon and has to deal with them, it ultimately results in a negative story, whereas Ruger has perhaps the best customer service in the industry.
So yeah, if it were me, then I would go with the Taurus PT92, making sure to give it a thorough function test and examination at the gunshop prior to completing the sale.
However, if you don't want to roll the dice and want the absolute best, then get a Beretta 92. A couple years ago there were a lot of Italian police trade-in Beretta 92s being sold for about $300, so even if you don't want to spend a lot of money you may be able to poke around on importer websites like Century Arms International to see if anyone still has any cheap police trade-ins.
2wheelwander
New member
Beretta surplus abound.
TruthTellers
New member
Used Taurus 92's are super cheap on gunbroker and I plan to get one when a good looking one shows up for a good price. The Beretta's are fine, I'm sure, but I don't see what they have that makes them worth more than a Taurus other than the Beretta logo.
Same thing with the Bersa .380 pistols vs a Walther.
I think people tend to forget that South American countries like Argentina, Brazil, Chile are not 3rd world countries on par with places like Honduras, Haiti, Bangladesh. They're far above that and they may be Socialist and had tin-pot dictators in the past, but they're majority European heritage, especially in the manufacturing industries, and thus have that intrinsic high level manufacturing skill. We all like to look to Europe and the US as having top tier manufacturing, better than what South Americans can do, yet some of the worst guns ever made have come from Germany and the United States.
Same thing with the Bersa .380 pistols vs a Walther.
I think people tend to forget that South American countries like Argentina, Brazil, Chile are not 3rd world countries on par with places like Honduras, Haiti, Bangladesh. They're far above that and they may be Socialist and had tin-pot dictators in the past, but they're majority European heritage, especially in the manufacturing industries, and thus have that intrinsic high level manufacturing skill. We all like to look to Europe and the US as having top tier manufacturing, better than what South Americans can do, yet some of the worst guns ever made have come from Germany and the United States.
highpower3006
New member
I pretty much never buy a new gun when I know I can save a considerable amount over the new price by finding a used example.
I have owned a Taurus 92 and I have nothing bad to say about them at all, the frame safety is a definite plus in my book. But........as has already been mentioned, Beretta's abound on the use market and great deals can be found. Last year I picked up a like new 92FS for $350. I don't know what it is about them, but I seem to be more accurate with Beretta's than any other handgun.
I have owned a Taurus 92 and I have nothing bad to say about them at all, the frame safety is a definite plus in my book. But........as has already been mentioned, Beretta's abound on the use market and great deals can be found. Last year I picked up a like new 92FS for $350. I don't know what it is about them, but I seem to be more accurate with Beretta's than any other handgun.
Officer's Match
New member
I would strongly prefer the Taurus PT92 over the Beretta. My PT92AFS (pre-rail with a safety/decock) is my most trusted 9mm, and the first handgun I'd pick up if I absolutely had to hit something first shot. I own quite a few much more expensive and "better" handguns, but I have more confidence in that PT than I do with anything else, which in my eyes makes it my "best" pistol.
I'm one of those people who owned a Taurus and had to deal with their abysmal customer service and swore I'd never own another one but...I wouldn't hesitate to buy the Taurus 92...seems to be one of their tried and true models and everyone I know who owns one has been very happy with them.
Onward Allusion
New member
A friend got the Girsan Regard and loves it and he is a die-hard Beretta 92 guy. Personally, I refuse to get anything from Turkey but that's just me.
If budget is really that tight...
As much as I agree that police trade-in Beretta 92s are an outstanding value, I still feel the need to offer a counter-point to this statement.
Because the clones are still generally high quality firearms which can be had for $100 less in brand new condition, whereas police trade-in Berettas are obviously used and may require replacement springs, so the upfront cost of a police trade-in isn't necessarily the final cost either.
In addition, not all police trade-in Beretta 92s are the standard 92FS/M9A1 configuration either, whereas most clones are either based on the 92FS/M9A1 or have been upgraded to equal them in terms of features.
Keep in mind that the Beretta 92 design dates back to the 1970s and has undergone numerous revisions/refinements since then. (The latest 92 iteration is the Gen 7 model M9A3.)
For example, a year or two ago there were a ton of imported Italian police trade-in Beretta 92S models for around $300, but the 92S is an older 2nd Generation model which was produced from 1978 to 1982. (For reference, the 92FS is a 5th Generation model, and it isn't even the latest model, which is the 7th Generation M9A3.)
Last but not least, the current generation Taurus PT92AFS was actually the basis for the Beretta 92A1, thus making it the rough equivalent of a 6th Generation Beretta 92, at roughly 2/3rd the cost. Oh, and for all the flack Taurus gets, the PT92 is widely acknowledged as their best firearm, which should come as no surprise considering that it's made to the same specifications as the Beretta 92.
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Officer's Match
New member
Because the Taurus has the safety/decocker in the correct position for human thumbs to reach, and not on the reciprocating slide. I still do not understand why anyone would even consider that a reasonable option - it is IMHO a design flaw.
Carl the Floor Walker
Moderator
"It’s Not Just a Name, Folks
I assert that Taurus products as a whole are not intended to be heirloom grade guns. As a company, their lack of QA/QC is legendary among serious users. Just because a company is using Beretta machinery in a Beretta factory and with Beretta plans does not mean they will build a gun like Beretta. "
https://www.survivalsullivan.com/beretta-92fs-vs-taurus-pt92/
I would say it comes down to what your budget is. For myself, there is no question to it, I would get the Beretta. Or save up for the difference. Too just buy a Taurus now, and then later kick yourself for not getting the real thing, could just cause you frustrations and actually more money.
I assert that Taurus products as a whole are not intended to be heirloom grade guns. As a company, their lack of QA/QC is legendary among serious users. Just because a company is using Beretta machinery in a Beretta factory and with Beretta plans does not mean they will build a gun like Beretta. "
https://www.survivalsullivan.com/beretta-92fs-vs-taurus-pt92/
I would say it comes down to what your budget is. For myself, there is no question to it, I would get the Beretta. Or save up for the difference. Too just buy a Taurus now, and then later kick yourself for not getting the real thing, could just cause you frustrations and actually more money.
44caliberkid
New member
I have had a PT-99 (the 92 with adjustable sights) for 29 years. I have no idea of the round count, certainly 1000's. I shot several hundred reloads of Blue Dot pushing a 115 grain bullet at 1360 fps, which is hot. It is accurate, has never failed to feed or eject, and I like the 1911 style safety, since that is familiar to my thumb.