While I cant speak for this gun from what I have heard over and over again from dealers and at gun shows in the last year or two is that taurus quality is currently on par with any other big name manufacturer. Even seeing it online in forums are articles too. Here is just one example where the taurus, glock, and walther were the only single stack 9s to hold up to 1000 rounds beating out sig, sw, beretta, ruger, etc: http://www.gunsandammo.com/handguns/compacts/single-stack-9mm-shootout/
Would you pick up a Taurus PT-99
- Thread starter Viper99
- Start date
While I cant speak for this gun from what I have heard over and over again from dealers and at gun shows in the last year or two is that taurus quality is currently on par with any other big name manufacturer. Even seeing it online in forums are articles too. Here is just one example where the taurus, glock, and walther were the only single stack 9s to hold up to 1000 rounds beating out sig, sw, beretta, ruger, etc: http://www.gunsandammo.com/handguns/compacts/single-stack-9mm-shootout/
For under 200, heck ya I'd buy it. I had one in til recently. Had a few FTE later in my time owning it, but from what I can tell I think that was actually an ammo issue. I ended up selling it for $525 including a light, holster, 4 mags, and 3 sets of grips to fund my CZ75. If I saw one for $200, I'd snatch it up in a heartbeat. Worst case scenario I have some nice trade fodder. If you do get one, sell the OEM mags and buy MecGar. Quality on them is head and shoulders above the Taurus mags.
Mine was a newer stainless PT92, which is the same thing just with fixed sights.
Mine was a newer stainless PT92, which is the same thing just with fixed sights.
The older Beretta 92's also had problems with their locking blocks, as I discovered due to my interest in this problem. That's why I personally wouldn't recommend an older Beretta 92 either. I can't really speak too much about the Beretta because I've never owned one or even did a detailed compare of the Beretta to the Taurus.
What I can say about the older Taurus locking blocks is that they appeared to be cast parts. My gunsmith had to send the 1st locking block back to Taurus because it was so out of spec that he couldn't fit it properly. I did examine the second locking block after it was installed. You could still see evidence of the casting that hadn't been cleaned up. My theory is that Taurus was hit-or miss with its casting process, and spent no time finishing the cast replacement parts. If you got a gun with properly cast locking block, you probably didn't experience any problem for thousands of rounds.
Look, if this was just about an inferior part like an occasional safety lever breaking, I wouldn't think twice about it. The big problem for me is in the gun's design. In my case, there was no way for me to know the locking block was shattered before I did damage to the aluminum frame. While not every broken locking block will lock up the action to where the gun can't be disassembled, there is a good chance that the broken locking block will lock up the barrel slide and frame to where it cannot be disassembled without damaging the gun. The "fix" for a broken locking block where the action is locked up is to cut the barrel in two parts to save the frame. If you keep trying to pull the slide back, you are just grinding the sharp steel fragments against the aluminum frame. DON'T DO THIS! Too bad Taurus didn't disclose the "fix" until years later. No one would ever think about destroying the barrel to disassemble the gun - so you are left with trying to work the slide back and forth to dislodge the broken shard.
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AMD6547, is this the locking block with the beefed-up "ears"? What was the cost of the kit from Beretta. FWIW, I've heard of no problems with guns that have the beefier locking block installed. I've just never been able to confirm if this kit is "drop-in" for PT99's built around '90 or before.
It seems quite odd to me that a Beretta locking block kit (3rd gen even) will drop right into an older Taurus, when my gunsmith received 2 locking blocks from Taurus, the 1st couldn't be made to fit and the 2nd required significant fitting by my gunsmith. If this is true, this tells me that Taurus probably went through a period where it was churning out poor quality and/or out-of-spec locking blocks. The rest of the gun should be just fine, so if the beefier Beretta locking blocks will drop in, then these could be good buys, taking into account the cost of the new locking block.
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I believe Beretta charges $49 for the locking block kit...recoil spring, block, and new block pin. I used a couple discounts and it was $35.
I only replaced because I didn't know the history on this pistol and wanted a zero starting point.
The original Taurus block was forged and looked fine, and the pistol functioned fine.
I did a lot of reading at the Taurus forum when I got this pistol. There are a lot of PT92 fans there. The broken locking block did not seem to be much of a problem, and some users report high round counts in older PT92's without ever changing the block.
Those Taurus guys really like the older, non-railed versions, and I'm glad to have gotten my '97.
I only replaced because I didn't know the history on this pistol and wanted a zero starting point.
The original Taurus block was forged and looked fine, and the pistol functioned fine.
I did a lot of reading at the Taurus forum when I got this pistol. There are a lot of PT92 fans there. The broken locking block did not seem to be much of a problem, and some users report high round counts in older PT92's without ever changing the block.
Those Taurus guys really like the older, non-railed versions, and I'm glad to have gotten my '97.
I was one of them! My PT99 was my first center-fire semi-auto pistol. As I recall, I was pretty accurate with it. I had the nickel version and it was a nice looking gun. If the PT99/92 truly takes the 3rd Gen locking blocks, then I believe the PT92/99's can be really good firearms. Here's what I use to distinguish the different locking block generations: http://www.berettaforum.net/vb/showthread.php?t=45325
Southrnshooter
New member
I bought one in the late 80's, gave it to my son about 5 years ago. He still has it and loves it. Yes I would jump all over it. I would also buy and Taurus revolver built in that era. I have a Model 85 that has been great that my wife still carries.
Taurus went down hill sometime in the late 90's. But the Model 92's have always been their best models.
****Folklore from that time period said they were built on Beretta machinery and superior steel to what Beretta was using.****
I have NO IDEA if the above is true or not.
Taurus went down hill sometime in the late 90's. But the Model 92's have always been their best models.
****Folklore from that time period said they were built on Beretta machinery and superior steel to what Beretta was using.****
I have NO IDEA if the above is true or not.
Could be a good deal or an ok deal on an Israeli import - bunch of them floating around on gunbroker.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=548045475
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=548045475
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I bought a PT99AF satin nickel with safety on the frame, I believe in the late 1980s. It has been a long time, and I'm not gettin' any younger
I've shot it on and off during this time with factory loads and my handloads. I've never has an issue with it. To the best of my recollection, I've never had a malfunction, and I've been impressed with the way it feeds anything I've put through it, fires, and ejects.
I've shot it on and off during this time with factory loads and my handloads. I've never has an issue with it. To the best of my recollection, I've never had a malfunction, and I've been impressed with the way it feeds anything I've put through it, fires, and ejects.