Taurus vs Beretta

C

Clutch

New member
Actually took the time to check out a Taurus PT-100 today. Never thought I'd be asking this, but how does it compare to the Beretta 96 that it immitates? It looks and feels like the Beretta... anyone have any experience with it?

Why can't you find a Beretta that still has a mirror gloss bluing anymore? Just can't get used to that matte black look...
 
I can't compare the 96 with the PT-100, but I can tell you about the 92 and PT-92. I have both. Overall, the Beretta is a better gun. Accuracy with the Beretta is SLIGHTLY better than the Taurus . The action on the Beretta is significantly smoother than the Taurus. Reliability- neither has the edge, both have been 100% in my experience. Size is essentially the same. Fit on the Beretta is a little better.

As you note, the high gloss blue finish is missing. I believe you can order it in blue as opposed to their proprietary finish (brunition?), but it won't be high gloss and you'll probably get an Italian gun. It will cost more also. They probably reason that high gloss finishes are tactically unsound.

Now, you have to ask yourself: Is the Beretta worth twice as much as the Taurus? I paid $300 for my PT-92 in 1995. Two years later I paid nearly $600 for my stainless Beretta. I found the Taurus to be an excellent value when I could not afford the Beretta. Later when I got the Beretta, I was satisfied with it, but I still thought the Taurus was a better value. Some differences exist between the guns, as I'm sure you've noticed (safety and hammer drop placement is the most prominent difference).
 
Cant tell you about the PT92 Berretta but I have owned a Taurus PT100AFS for about 4 years now. Bought it used at a pawn shop for $300. Dont have any idea how many rounds the previous owner had put thru it. Shot about 500 rounds thru it and noticed the slide cracking just above the extractor. Sent in in to Taurus and 3 weeks later got a brand spankin new handgun. Have put over 3,000 rounds thru it and have had zero problems with it so far. I carry it as my CCW weapon of choice in the winter months. It shoots good and is a piece of cake to tear down and rebuild. I love the ambi decocker/safety feature being a left hand shooter and all. Just wish the finger groove style grips that fit the 92 would fit the 100 as well. Got a Hogue slip on grip enhancer on it now. Definitely gonna stay in my arsenal for a long time to come.
 
Sometimes clones are worth the money because theyre significantly less than the real thing...IE half the price or less. In this case though, the Taurus isn't cheap enough to justify not going for the real deal. Save $100 more and buy yourself a Beretta. Even an exc condition used Beretta would be better than a new Taurus, IMHO.
 
For me the safety alone is reason enough to get the Taurus first (if you'll only get one I don't know- the safety would push me towards Taurus but the Beretta is "the real thing" and that might mean something if you won't eventually get both). The safety on the Beretta is a decocker on the slide. On the Taurus it is on the frame (where a safety belongs) and it works as a decocker (allowing you to carry decocked and on safe or decocked for DA first shot only) and it allows you to engage the safety with the gun in condition one. I prefer frame mounted safeties and when I move to a carry state I would prefer condition one to a decocker for that SA first shot.

Taurus metal framed autos are very good guns (unlike the polymer guns). Just about everyone I've spoken to in person and online loves theirs. It may not be as nice as a Beretta but it is significantly less expensive (about $150 here), it IS a good gun, and you can get it in the finish YOU said you want.
 
well i was in the same situation about a year ago. i wanted a stainless steel one. i didn't like the was the berreta looks i preferred the shinier taurus. so i went all out and got the special edition one with the pearl handles and the gold accents. yes i know i am going to get flamed for it. all i wanted was something to look good, for practicality i have a g26.

james
 
What I've seen on LE/Security/Military ranges the last 17 years in several states and countries...

The Taurus is a good gun, but not as good as the Beretta. It is closest in the stainless 9/40 models. The Taurus locking blocks seem to break easier than the Berettas. Have seen a few of them do it, am still waiting to see a Beretta do it, and I was issued an M9 for 11 yrs... I know they do it, I just didn't see it, or hear about it as much as some do/have. ;)
 
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