[schlemer]

For years I've been contemplating the purchase of a Beretta 92. For some strange reason I was drawn to the gun but never got around to buying it. After many weeks of intense reading I was educated on the fact that the Taurus PT92 would be another (and possibly better) option. When I first held the PT92, I thought it was a little too big for my medium hands. I put the idea out of my head for awhile after I picked up my second PT1911.

Today I decided to hit an indoor range in Whitehall, PA that rents many Taurus guns. Walked in asked for the PT92 w/100 rounds of ammo and got to shooting. First I must say that the grip was not as bad as I had first thought. I started out at 15', then later to 25'. I shot both left (strong side) and right handed (50/50). I was very impressed with th accuracy of this 9mm. I could see when I flinched or jerked the gun because my groupings went either too low or too left. When I was "on" though, I was dead on. The action was very smooth (but the gun was very broken in) and she fed 100 rounds without a hitch. I didn't want to leave it behind.

After the session was over, I stopped at a shop that was close. While there I was able to compare a Beretta 92 a CZ75 and a Stainless PT92. First I found the Beretta to be slightly blocky for my hand and I really did not like the location of the safety. Second was the CZ 75 which I decide to take a second look at. A friend of mine has one and I've had a chance to shoot one in the past. Actually I hold a high opinion towards the CZ. As always though, the trigger is just a stretch too far for my index. I also didn't feel quite right with it. Last, I asked to see the PT92 one more time. That was the perfect fit and truth be told (to me at least) the grip felt a bit better. Also, The balance was perfect, as was the safety.

I headed out to the shop where I conduct 99% of my business. Told the owner that I would like to order a new PT92 blued w/o rail if possible. Well, blued yes, w/o rail not. Actually the one I shot had rails and it didn't bother me too much. So now I'll be waiting anxously for my new PT92 to be delivered to the shop next Wednesday .

 

[joe sixpack]

do your self a favor.. get the stainless.

but as far as beretta felt blocky and taurus was a perfect fit?.. what kind of grips did you have on them? my beretta and my taurus both feel almost identically.

far as im concerned the taurus is just a field grade 92 with earlier frame mounted safety (lot of people think taurus came up with that but actually that how it was on early 92 design)

it's a little rougher then the beretta in fit and finish but all the good stuff is still there.

not got a chance to try the cz-75, it's on the list of try guns.. i've heard nothing but good about it.. i may like other guns but i dont think anything could sway me from my 92's.

 

[schlemer]

do your self a favor.. get the stainless.

Sorry, no can do. I was not to crazy about the stainless on the PT92. Also, I love blued guns. All with the exception of my latest PT1911 are that way.

but as far as beretta felt blocky and taurus was a perfect fit?.. what kind of grips did you have on them? my beretta and my taurus both feel almost identically.

far as im concerned the taurus is just a field grade 92 with earlier frame mounted safety (lot of people think taurus came up with that but actually that how it was on early 92 design)

it's a little rougher then the beretta in fit and finish but all the good stuff is still there.

not got a chance to try the cz-75, it's on the list of try guns.. i've heard nothing but good about it.. i may like other guns but i dont think anything could sway me from my 92's.

I did say "to me at least". As for the grips, they appeared to be the standard Beretta ones (but I'm no expert). As for it being a field grade 92, that's ok with me. I am happy with my order. Hey, you are talking to a guy who loves his Ruger P89. I like em a ittle rough .

 

[joe sixpack]

i did'nt mean anything derogatory with "field grade" just felt it accurately conveyed the difference in fit and finished between the two guns.

all the good stuff is intact on the taurus, but the beretta is definitely smoother and more cleaned up.
both are extremely reliable and accurate, all the good qualities of the beretta are present..

i shoot my taurus more then my beretta, if i am to carry one it would/will be the taurus, and i would buy another if the price was right.. but right now the beretta 92/m9 black are crashing in price and the two guns are coming close together in price, in which case i have to recommend the beretta unless you really really want the frame safety.
There are some serious deals to be had on used and police trade in beretta's also.

 

[schlemer]

Joe,

I just came across a thread with your PT92. It looks really great with the Pachmyr grips. Question for you, Have you gotten over the rail or do you find it an eyesore?

I asked my buddy for his advice and he felt that it was one more option (feature) that the gun offers in case I wanted to add a light or laser sometime down the line. I tend to agree with his logic and It would be something that I would consider.

Mike

 

[joe sixpack]

i've kinda gotten over it.. it's not as pretty with the rail but no harm no foul it's still a nice looking design..

the thing i really dislike about the rail.. and this is on other guns awell not just taurus.

is that very few non-custom holsters will also have a spot for your accesory.. rather that be flashlight or laser or what ever.

the holsters that fit most guns with rails only include the gun.. so this means if you put a light or something on it you can no longer holster it.. this is why i hate the rails.. because if you actually use it then you can't find anything except expensive custom fitted holsters or get a one-size-fits-all which are'nt good either.

there was a pt38 that had it's rail rounded off.. it actually looks ok but it's not that big a deal to me.

the pachmayr grips are pretty nice they do add some thickness over standard grips but they also improve the feel so it's not so bad.. i have reasonably large hands.. not monster sized but i'd say large.. i have no problem but i can see some people would..

the gun definitely feels more "macho" with the pachmayr grips on it, the little 9 that can take on the world.
I do not know if the rubber backstrap cover that comes with the pachmayr's can be brought alone.. but it also helps with the grip i remember trying just the rubber backstrap with the standard plastic and it immediately made the grip feel better.

the standard plastic grips that come with the 92/99 suck.. they are cheap flimsy plastic that bite your hand.. i got the pachmayr grips cause i wanted finger grooves and did'nt want to use a universal slip over, hogue does'nt make a pair with finger grooves for the taurus..

if you are worried about the grip size you might try a a pair of hogue soft rubber side panels.. i have a pair on my beretta and they are very nice and comfortable and pretty low profile.

 

[schlemer]

Joe, thanks for all of your info, It is worth it to me and I appreciate the time you have taken. Yes, in the photo your hands appear to be much larger than mine. Normally I feel more at home with a 1911 grip. As for the PT92's grip, it shouldn't bother me. I like shooting with soft glove with the fingers cut off.

At the moment I'm not concerned with having a holster. My primary intended use will be for the range, like my P89. I also own a 24/7 in .45 w/rail and light, but it somehow looks better on a polymer gun. I don't know though, part of me feels like going through Bud's gun shop. They seem to have a few 92s without the rails for around the same price I paid for the railed one.

There is a certain elegance that the PT92 has without the rails.

 

[jwc007]

Congrats on your order of a new PT92 ;D and sorry to hear that they don't make them without rails! :???:

I like CZ's and Italian CZ Clones too! But the PT92 will be more feed reliable!

I've had really good service from my rail-less Blued PT92 with some 23,000 rounds thru it, with more to come!

1992 Vintage PT92 w/ Butler Creek Grip Sleeve and Ghost Ring Sights

 

[joe sixpack]

did you use it as a carry?

 

[Taurus_9mm]

My PT92 is my favorite pistol though the PT1911 is a close second.
Mine has the rail also and while I don't utilize it, I don't find it distracting or aesthetically displeasing.

 

[jwc007]

did you use it as a carry?

It has been carried, used as a Competition Pistol in IPSC Production and Limited Classes, and as a Home/House Protection handgun. It should still see much use for all of those tasks and has performed them exceedingly well, in my hands.

 

[adam731432]

I never shot a 1911 but you mite like the grip on the beretta vertec. I love it on my beretta 92 Steel-I,that has a frame mounted safety along with the 92 combat,billenium,and some 92FS models.

 

[thunderjohn]

Have fun with your 92. I sold mine a few months back. Wish I had kept it, but now I got a pretty good deal on a used PT99, so I'm back to the range with a Taurus 9.
The SS ones sure are pretty.

 

[sagebrushjim]

Just purchased a New PT92 recently... Nice Hand Gun...

 

[jlentz]

The PT92 was my first Taurus purchase. That thing is a work horse!! If everything was built as solid, and as reliable, this would be a perfect world.

 

[thelemite]

Schlemer, im in Bethlehem PA as well.

Joe, thanks for all of your info, It is worth it to me and I appreciate the time you have taken. Yes, in the photo your hands appear to be much larger than mine. Normally I feel more at home with a 1911 grip. As for the PT92's grip, it shouldn't bother me. I like shooting with soft glove with the fingers cut off.

At the moment I'm not concerned with having a holster. My primary intended use will be for the range, like my P89. I also own a 24/7 in .45 w/rail and light, but it somehow looks better on a polymer gun. I don't know though, part of me feels like going through Bud's gun shop. They seem to have a few 92s without the rails for around the same price I paid for the railed one.

There is a certain elegance that the PT92 has without the rails.

 

[Doctor_Venkman]

I've owned a PT92 for 5 or 6 years now. It was my first handgun and so far my only handgun.

I have been very happy with it. I replaced the factory grips with Hogue rubber grips and have not regretted it. I like the extra bit of traction that rubber grips give. I have never had it fail to go bang when I wanted it to. It made me a Taurus fan for life.

The only downside is that I now use it as my CC weapon. I personally think it is a tad heavy and a bit large for carrying concealed. But that's my opinion.

I think you'll enjoy your PT92 for many years.

 

[sleepyweasel]

kind of a side note, but cz has came out with a new 75, the sp01 and it has a shorter trigger reach than a standard 75, might want to check it out.

 

[KSoldier]

I purchased a pair of "Uncle Mike's" grips for my Taurus 92 a few years back. They fit perfectly and were extremely comfortable. I believe that they do not manufacture them any more, but I was able to find a matching pair for the Beretta M9 on Gunbroker.com. I used them on my issue M9 during my deployment to Iraq for that "familiar" feel. I'll post some pix later.

 

[Roblamont80]

My pt-92 was my first Taurus pistol. After pumping some rounds through it, I am a Taurus fan,.....So I went out and bought a matching ss 1911 since the 1911 has been my favorite pistol to shoot ever. The Taurus 1911 more than holds it weight with other 1911's. Now I just need to pick up a smaller Taurus pistol for carry.