Fit is slightly better on a Beretta, which has the better finish will depend on the individual guns. Accuracy is slightly better with the Beretta. The Beretta might have a slightly better trigger... individual Taurus' can have a better one.
Grip shape is different. Newer manufacture Taurus' all have light rails, which means they no longer fit in holsters made for Berettas (). The safety isn't just in a a different location, it works differently. The Beretta is down for decock/safe, up for fire. The Taurus is down for fire, up for safe, all the way down will decock, then spring back to the fire position. Unlike the Beretta, the Taurus can be carried cocked and locked, if one so chooses. The Beretta has a chrome lined barrel, at least all the ones I've owned have, none of the Taurus 92s or 99s I've owned have. Magazines are not interchangeable.
In many respects the Beretta is just a little better. The degree of how much is pretty much reflected in the price difference. If it weren't for the light rail, and my decent sized collection of Beretta 92 holsters, I would frankly prefer the Taurus. I like the safety better, and the 92s and 99s I've owned have all given outstanding service.
Two other things I'd mention is that customer service from Taurus isn't the best and the Beretta will hold it's value better than Taurus.
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How much does barrel length and match grade barrels matter like the XDM?
I am concerned with striker fire pistols because the gun is always carried cocked with only the safety stopping it, Same as my Jennings, like the XD/M. I do not want to have to run the slide before I engage my target.
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Have you read the comments about Beretta's customer service? Taurus isn't the worst in that department!!
Another minor difference is that the mag from a Baretta won't directly fit a Taurus.
I am concerned with striker fire pistols because the gun is always carried cocked with only the safety stopping it, Same as my Jennings, like the XD/M. I do not want to have to run the slide before I engage my target.
I used to shoot man sized rocks at 100+ yards with my PT99 when out plinking with my friends. Hit 'em way more often than not. I sincerely doubt I'd have the same results now, but that's not the gun's fault!
Carrying a striker fired gun cocked (or actually half cocked in the case of Glock's) is an absolute non-issue from the point of the guns themselves. It's no different than a 1911 that's always cocked and locked. It's how the guns are designed to be carried. BTW, the guns do have safeties in place to keep the gun from being fired unless you pull the trigger. I cannot think of a modern striker fired gun that doesn't have a firing pin block. If this is your only concern, you may be doing yourself a disservice by not checking out guns like the XD, XDm, M&Ps, and Glocks.
The match grade barrel in the XDm does make a noticeable difference in terms of accuracy. I've only shot one once, but it seemed to be a match for the 92FS in terms of accuracy.
If you are shooting that much, and it's largely target shooting, you may also want to look at getting yourself a nice .22 pistol in addition to a 9mm. For around $250-$300 new, you can get a nice little paper puncher, and skills practiced with it transfer directly to your 9mm. You can shoot 200-250 .22s for the price of just one box of 9mm, and they are lots of fun!!